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Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : Flagship Pioneering establishes base in London, in Europe-first win for UK life sciences [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Flagship Pioneering establishes base in London, in Europe-first win for UK life sciences [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 28 November 2023.

    Company behind the successful life-sciences firm Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, has selected the UK for their first location outside of the US.

    • Company behind the successful life-sciences firm Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, has selected the UK for their first location outside of the US
    • Announcement opens up new opportunities for life science start-ups and investments in the UK, complementing UK government’s plan to drive innovation in science and tech and boost the UK’s investment ecosystem
    • New Memorandum of Understanding between Flagship and the Government cements the UK’s commitment to the sector, setting out how both can work together on clinical trials, potential UK manufacturing locations, and more

    Leading life sciences bioplatform company Flagship Pioneering has today (Tuesday 28 November) announced the UK as the home for its first base outside the US, paving the way for new scientific start-ups, discoveries and investments here in the UK.

    Flagship takes a unique approach to investment – with its own scientists exploring ideas invented in its labs to improve human health and the most promising projects being grown into companies. Since launching in 2000, Flagship has founded more than 100 scientific ventures, worth more than $90 billion combined, among the most notable being Moderna, who developed a groundbreaking mRNA vaccine for Covid-19. To date the company has invested over $3.4 billion in the founding and growth of pioneering life science companies, unlocking a further $26 billion of investment from other sources.

    Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as its first European base is another vote of confidence for the UK’s £94 billion life sciences sector and is further evidence that the UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for investment, where 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups in Europe over the last decade have been founded in the UK. By basing themselves here, the UK will become Flagship’s latest destination for its next start-ups and ventures – leading to economic growth and new scientific discoveries that improve lives, as well as adding to the 280,000 highly skilled jobs the sector supports nationwide.

    The government is cementing this commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the company. This will see them work hand in hand with the life sciences community and key UK scientific resources and stakeholders to, for example, identify new opportunities for innovation and find potential locations in the UK to host manufacturing sites for Flagship’s life sciences companies.

    The UK’s life sciences prowess has been on full display at this week’s Global Investment Summit, which has highlighted how – as home to some of the world’s best minds, most extraordinary innovators, and iconic companies – the UK is one of the most dynamic and ambitious destinations for investment, anywhere in the world. The Science and Tech Secretary used the Summit to announce plans to make key technologies being pioneered in the UK, such as drones, even more appealing to investors by revamping the regulatory environment, as well as new partners to Innovate UK’s £100 million Investor Partnerships programme.

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

    “From Brunel’s engineering revolution in the 19th century through to breakthroughs in genetic medicine in the 21st, British ideas have changed the world because of a willingness to ask big questions and do things differently. But to be successful, our innovators and risk-takers need backing.

    “Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as their home in Europe is another vote of confidence in our mission to put real financial firepower behind the UK’s world-leading science. Backing the brightest ideas with serious capital will help deliver improved healthcare, new medical treatments, and high-skill jobs.”

    Tom Kibasi, Senior Vice President and Head of Flagship’s UK office, said:

    “We are hugely excited at the opportunity to combine the UK’s world-leading science with Flagship’s unparalleled expertise in conceiving, creating and growing new scientific ventures into globally successful companies.

    “We’re looking forward to connecting more than 40 Flagship-founded companies into the UK’s thriving life sciences eco-system and fostering new partnerships and collaborations that get breakthrough treatments to patients sooner.”

    The Memorandum of Understanding between Flagship and the government sets out five ways the two can work closely together to maximise the UK’s potential to turn bright new ideas into thriving life science businesses. This includes:

    • Working together on UK-based clinical trials and clinical delivery
    • Looking into potential locations in the UK to host manufacturing sites for Flagship’s life sciences companies
    • Engaging with UK’s world leading genomics organisations, such as Genomics England, NIHR Bioresource and UKBiobank
    • Flagship feeding into UK’s horizon scanning processes that aim to identify opportunities for innovation, earlier

    Flagship demonstrated their commitment to the UK, earlier this month, with the $50 million launch of Quotient Therapeutics, their first ever company co-anchored in both the US and UK. The firm is pioneering somatic genomics, the study of genetic variation at the cellular level, to discover therapeutics informed by new links between genes and disease.

    Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Andrew Griffith said:

    “This Government is determined to unleash capital, to support the life science breakthroughs that will help us all live longer, healthier lives, as well as enabling this £94 billion industry to continue to boost the economy, and support high-skilled jobs across the UK.

    “Our work with Flagship Pioneering will be critical to that mission, by ensuring world-class UK research is given the backing needed to build scalable industries, cementing the UK’s place as a science superpower.”

    Lord Johnson, Minister for Investment at the Department for Business and Trade said:

    “This is a strong public signal from Flagship of the exciting potential they see in UK life sciences, our health and research ecosystem, and of their ongoing confidence in the UK as an investment destination. Flagship’s extensive expertise can also help further develop our vibrant UK sector.

    “The Department for Business and Trade will continue our transatlantic support for Flagship and their portfolio companies, from developing their first footholds to realising the full range of benefits this world class hub for life sciences can deliver.”

    The UK is undeniably a life sciences powerhouse. It is home to 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups founded in Europe over the last decade, attracted more than a third of all venture capital finance raised by European life sciences companies in 2022, and boasts 4 of the world’s top 10 universities for life sciences and medicine. The government is backing this critical sector with £520 million for life sciences manufacturing, the £650 million ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package and £20 million to speed up the development of new dementia treatments coming as part of the government’s full response to the O’Shaughnessy Review of commercial clinical trials in the UK.

    Unlocking greater private funding for UK R&D is one of the key objectives of The UK Science and Technology Framework.

    To this end, in July DSIT launched the Research Ventures Catalyst to open up new funding pathways that will enable our brightest minds to take greater risks and pursue new means of working that might not be supported via traditional avenues.

    There have been significant recent successes in attracting private investment into the UK life sciences sector, such as landmark partnerships with BioNTech on cancer treatment and with Moderna, which will see the building of a brand-new innovation and technology centre.

    Besides attracting inward investment from private sources, government is also serious about committing its own cash towards boosting the sector. In the last few months alone we have announced a raft of measures backed by over £650 million to support investment, growth and innovation in UK life sciences, including £121 million to make rapid progress on the recommendations of the O’Shaughnessy Review into clinical trials, and we continue to invest heavily in R&D at record amounts. This government has committed to invest £20 billion in R&D in 2024-2025.

    Flagship’s announcement today paves the way for this groundbreaking company to provide the same impact in growing the UK’s life sciences ecosystem as it has in Cambridge, Massachusetts, arguably the global centre for life sciences.

    The UK government has just agreed a new Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth with the UK pharmaceutical industry. The landmark agreement will improve access to cutting-edge treatments for NHS patients, support financial sustainability of the health service and advance UK life sciences sector.

    The new scheme will support significant industry investment in UK clinical trials, manufacturing and health technology assessments strengthens UK’s global competitiveness.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK invests in global grassroot efforts to tackle gender-based violence [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK invests in global grassroot efforts to tackle gender-based violence [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    The UK marks 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence, renewing efforts to work with partners to prevent violence and empower women and girls worldwide.

    • UK marks the annual 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence with renewed efforts to work with partners to prevent violence and empower women and girls around the world
    • Development Minister Andrew Mitchell announces new support that will help women’s rights organisations in more than 70 countries
    • Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see UK-funded support programmes a year on since the UK’s landmark Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) conference

    The UK is investing in grassroots women’s rights organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls around the world, it is announced today.

    Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is announcing the new support at an event in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Tuesday 28 November, as Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see the UK’s work in action.

    To mark the 16 Days of Activism, the UK is announcing a new package of support including:

    • up to £18 million in new support for grassroots women’s rights organisations across 70 countries to tackle gender-based violence in communities, focusing on the most marginalised as part of the UK’s biggest ever funding boost to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. Funding will improve access to services including legal aid, shelters, and health care for survivors, support more effective legislation, and help to shift harmful attitudes and behaviours to prevent violence before it starts
    • the first round of successful grantees under the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale programme which will initially support 8 women’s rights organisations in Malawi, India, Pakistan, Somalia, Eswatini, Uganda and Madagascar to implement innovative, locally-led approaches to drive down rates of violence in homes, schools, universities and workplaces
    • a new £15 million UK-funded programme in Somalia to reach more than 117,000 people with help to advance the rights of women and girls in humanitarian crisis through mental health support, training for health workers to recognise signs of violence and the establishment of centres to bring together medical, legal and psychosocial services

    At the halfway point of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, no country is on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030. Despite the scale of the problem, UK-funded evidence shows that violence is preventable and can be reduced by 50% by focusing on the most effective approaches.

    International Development Minister, Andrew Mitchell said:

    Our support to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women helped reach over 400,000 women and girls in 2022, but there is more to be done.

    We are stepping up our support for grassroots organisations in more than 70 countries around the world and new funding will go towards tackling gender-based violence to help empower women and girls everywhere.

    These announcements come as Lord Ahmad, Special Representative for PSVI, visits Colombia, accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.

    The minister will see how UK-funded programmes are supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) including with legal representation and psychological support, and formally hand over the chair of the International Alliance on PSVI – a growing network of 25 members established by the UK, including governments, the UN, survivors and civil society – to Colombia for 2024.

    The Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United Nations) Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

    I am proud of the progress we have made over the past year in further tackling conflict-related sexual violence.

    The UK and Colombia are united in our desire to achieve further justice and redress for victims of the appalling sexual violence that took place during the Colombian conflict – and for survivors around the world.

    I am in Colombia this week to listen and learn from survivors’ stories and witness the inspiring efforts of the organisations who support them. Their voices and bravery to step forward continue to inspire global action.

    In the year since the UK hosted the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) conference where more than 50 countries signed a declaration agreed to urgent action, the UK has lead efforts to champion survivors and hold perpetrators to account including through sanctions. As well as work in Colombia, this includes strengthening national accountability in Ethiopia, Guinea, Ukraine, and South Sudan through the UN.

    Abigail Erikson, Chief of the UN Trust Fund said:

    The UN Trust Fund is extremely grateful to the Government of the United Kingdom for this contribution and the impact it will have on women and girl survivors and those at risk of violence, whose lives count on the critical and lifesaving work of civil society and women’s rights organisations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Jordan: Philip Hall [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Jordan: Philip Hall [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    Mr Philip Hall OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in succession to Ms Bridget Brind OBE. Mr Hall will take up his appointment this month.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Philip Ridley Hall OBE

    Place of birth: Chichester, West Sussex

    Married to: Karine Hall

    Children: 3

    Date Role
    2022 to present Middle East and North Africa Directorate, and Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
    2021 to July 2022 FCDO, Afghanistan-Pakistan Directorate
    2017 to 2021 Jerusalem, Consul General
    2016 to 2017 Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
    2015 FCO, Additional Director, Spending Review
    2012 to 2015 FCO, Head, Counter Proliferation Department
    2008 to 2012 Brussels, Defence Counsellor, UK Joint Delegation to NATO
    2007 to 2008 Bucharest, Deputy Head of Mission
    2003 to 2006 Cabinet Office, Head of Division, European Secretariat
    2002 to 2003 FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Middle East Department and Iraq Planning Unit
    2001 to 2003 FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Africa Department (Equatorial)
    1991 to 2001 FCO, Head, Middle East Peace Process Section, Near East and North Africa Department
    1997 to 1999 FCO, Head, Economic and Financial Section, EU Department
    1995 to 1997 Brussels, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, First Secretary Inter-Governmental Conference (Amsterdam Treaty)
    1993 to 1994 Cabinet of the British Judge to the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg, Stagiaire
    1990 to 1992 Herbert Smith solicitors, City of London and Brussels, Articled Clerk
  • PRESS RELEASE : Israel and Gaza: G7 foreign ministers’ statement [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Israel and Gaza: G7 foreign ministers’ statement [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    Foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU High Representative gave a statement on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

    Statement by G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the European Union:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union welcome the release of some of the hostages seized on 7 October by Hamas and other terrorist organizations and the recent pause in hostilities that has allowed a surge in humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We, as the G7, urge the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally.

    We call for the facilitated departure of all foreign nationals. We emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people, in accordance with international law, as it seeks to prevent a recurrence of the 7 October attacks.

    We appreciate the leadership of the United States and countries in the region, especially Qatar and Egypt, and their tireless efforts to secure this and future pauses. We support the significant efforts of the United Nations to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance during this pause.

    This arrangement is a crucial step towards bringing all remaining hostages home and addressing the full scope of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We call on all parties to build on the provisions of the deal and to ensure greater humanitarian aid continues to reach civilians in Gaza on a sustained basis. Every effort must be made to ensure humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. We support the further extension of this pause and future pauses as needed to enable assistance to be scaled up, and to facilitate the release of all hostages.

    We underscore the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work with all partners in the region to prevent the conflict from escalating further. Emphasizing the importance of maritime security, we call on all parties not to threaten or interfere with lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by all vessels. We especially call on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks on civilians and threats to international shipping lanes and commercial vessels and release the M/V Galaxy Leader and its crew, illegally seized from international waters on 19 November.

    We remain committed to a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to galvanise support for Ukraine as Foreign Secretary attends NATO [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to galvanise support for Ukraine as Foreign Secretary attends NATO [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    During a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels today (28 November), Foreign Secretary David Cameron will galvanise support for Ukraine among NATO Allies.

    • Foreign Secretary David Cameron will underline the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine in his first meeting with NATO foreign ministers
    • he will attend the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels tomorrow (Wednesday 29 November)

    During a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels today (28 November), Foreign Secretary David Cameron will galvanise support for Ukraine among NATO Allies.

    At a gathering of the NATO-Ukraine Council tomorrow (29 November), due to be attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba, the Foreign Secretary will update his counterparts on his recent visit to Kyiv, his first trip in his new role, and underline that the UK remains firmly behind Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, urging Allies not to waver in their support.

    The Foreign Secretary will also set out the need for Sweden’s urgent accession to the Alliance, stating that the agreement would mark a critical step forward in strengthening peace and stability in Europe.

    The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, said:

    NATO keeps over one billion people safe and secure. And nearly 75 years on, the Alliance is stronger than ever.

    Putin first believed that NATO would be divided and that Ukraine would crumble. Now he believes he can wait out his war in Ukraine. He was wrong then and he is wrong now.

    Together, the UK and our NATO allies will never turn a blind eye to Russian aggression. The UK will continue to be a steadfast supporter of Ukraine and a champion for European peace and stability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £60 million joint Irish government, UK government and Northern Ireland Executive funding announced for two new research centres on climate and sustainable food [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £60 million joint Irish government, UK government and Northern Ireland Executive funding announced for two new research centres on climate and sustainable food [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 28 November 2023.

    Investment will facilitate unprecedented collaboration between academia, industry and policy-makers across Ireland and the UK over the next six years.

    • Investment will facilitate unprecedented collaboration between academia, industry and policy-makers across the Irish government, UK government and Northern Ireland Executive over the next six years
    • comes as UK Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan visits Dublin, meeting Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, and Northern Irish officials

    £60 million in joint funding has been announced today (Tuesday 28 November) to bring academics, industry and policymakers across the Irish government, UK government and Northern Ireland Executive closer together than ever before, to work together on food sustainability and tackling climate change.

    The Co-Centres programme will see researchers from across Ireland and the UK work together, to bring the power of science and innovation to bear on work ranging from protecting precious supplies of clean water, to ensuring that we can feed a growing global population at the same time as reaching Net Zero goals.

    The announcement was jointly made in Dublin by the Irish government’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, UK government Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, and Permanent Secretary at Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Katrina Godfrey.

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

    “As I know from my own family links, the UK and Ireland share deep ties – and in today’s fast-moving world, we share many of the same challenges, too. From our groundbreaking international work on AI, to our deal to join Horizon, the UK is determined to seize the opportunities for growth and prosperity that can be delivered, when we work together on science and tech with our neighbours.

    “By bringing together the genius that exists across our islands, we will unlock the new ideas and inventions that will help us secure our food chains and tackle climate change, delivering innovative solutions for global good.”

    Minister Harris said:

    “Addressing climate change and achieving sustainable and resilient food systems are intertwined challenges facing us all.

    “This investment in two new collaborative research centres is a major development in addressing these pressing issues in a coordinated and concerted way.

    “I’m delighted to see the very best minds and methods being brought together to create a dynamic research network across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain.”

    Katrina Godfrey said:

    “The Co-Centres programme is an excellent example of government funders working in partnership to support researchers and industry who will undertake cutting-edge research in areas of mutual economic, societal, health and environmental importance.

    “I am particularly pleased that researchers in Northern Ireland will be integral to the establishment of these Co-centres.”

    The Co-Centres programme is funded over six years, with up to €40 million from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), up to £17 million from Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and up to £12 million through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and is co-funded by industry.

    The two new Co-Centres will formally commence activities on 1st January 2024, and will be funded to 2030.

    Overview of Co-Centres

    Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity and Water

    • Vision: To be a home of research, innovation, and policy development across the interlinked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and water degradation. This will be achieved through research to enable fair transformations to Net Zero, reverse biodiversity loss, restore water quality and ensure resilience for communities and a sustainable economy.
    • Number of research performing organisations: 14
    • Number of researchers: 64
    • Leadership Team: Prof. Yvonne Buckley, Trinity College Dublin, Prof. Mark Emmerson, Queens University Belfast; Prof. Edward Hawkins, University of Reading

    Co-Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems

    • Vision: To develop innovative and transformative solutions to transition the food system for positive and sustainable change in the transition to climate-neutrality by 2050. In order to address specific challenges centred around food system integrity and resilience, food safety and healthy diets from sustainable sources, the Co-Centre proposes to undertake a research programme across 4 platforms – Sustainable Food, Food Safety and Integrity, Nutrition and Health, and Food Systems Data Modelling. End-to-end solutions from soil-to-society will be developed and showcased.
    • Number of research performing organisations: 15
    • Number of funded researchers: 68
    • Leadership team: Prof. Eileen Gibney, University College Dublin; Prof. Aedin Cassidy, Queen’s University Belfast; Prof. Louise Dye, University of Sheffield
  • PRESS RELEASE : Tech Secretary strips back red tape to unleash innovation in clean aviation, drones and autonomous marine tech [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tech Secretary strips back red tape to unleash innovation in clean aviation, drones and autonomous marine tech [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 27 November 2023.

    Plans to revamp the regulatory environment around key technologies have been announced by Science and Tech Secretary, at the Global Investment Summit.

    • Plans to revamp the regulatory environment around key technologies have been announced by Science and Tech Secretary, at the Global Investment Summit
    • the UK will pioneer experimental, pro-innovation approaches to regulation for zero emission aviation, drones, and autonomous marine tech
    • 29 new investors also announced for partnership unlocking funding for UK science and tech SMEs

    New plans for the safe, proportionate regulation of high-potential technologies like clean aviation, and drones, as well as a boost to the government’s investor partnership programme for high potential UK science and tech businesses, have been announced at the Global Investment Summit today (Monday 27 November) by the Science and Technology Secretary.

    Following on from the announcement of new regulatory sandboxes at the Autumn Statement, three further sandboxes and testbeds will help UK firms and researchers developing hydrogen as a zero emission fuel for aviation, as well as exploring the use of drones in passenger transport and deliveries, plus putting self-piloting marine tech to work. The sandboxes and testbeds will see innovators and regulators work together to safely test new technologies. Taking this flexible, pragmatic approach to regulation can help to reduce barriers for innovators and help regulators to improve their decision-making processes.

    The government’s ambition to unlock greater investment in UK R&D is taking a further step forward, with the naming of 29 new partners to the Investor Partnerships programme. Previous investor partnership programmes unlocked more than £370 million in private partner backing. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), through Innovate UK, is investing over £110 million together with private investors to drive vital cash into scaling-up UK businesses that are putting game changing technologies into action to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to healthcare.

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

    “From the steam engine and Jenner’s first vaccine, through to modern computers and the wonder-material graphene, brilliant British ideas have and continue to change the world. The untold story behind each of these breakthroughs is that of the investors, whose backing enabled genius ideas to spring to life out of the lab, and into the world.

    “We know that unlocking investment is critical, if we are to seize the potential for science and tech breakthroughs to create new jobs and industries, grow the economy, and tackle problems from health to energy. That is precisely why we are deepening our links with private investors to help UK businesses scale-up, deepening the UK’s skills base, and working with the sector to build proportionate regulations that encourage innovation, and keep people safe.”

    Game-changing new technologies and scientific innovations are front and centre at the Global Investment Summit, which is showcasing the pioneering companies across the country that make the UK one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations. They range from established global giants with significant presences in the UK, like Alphabet and Arm, to exciting newer businesses like Oxford Quantum Circuits and Birmingham University spin-out, Delta-G.

    The expansion of the Innovate UK Investor Partnership Programme, working with investors such as Amadeus Capital and Anglo-American, is the government’s latest push to bring innovative small and medium-sized UK companies together with investors, to support them to take their businesses to the next level. The 15 investor partnership programmes that ran between 2017 and 2022 unlocked £42.8 million in grant funding for UK SMEs, £123 million in aligned equity investment, and a further £373 million in additional investment from private partners.

    The government is deploying regulatory sandboxes as part of its commitment to seize the potential for frontier technologies like AI to create entirely new industries and jobs. It is essential to strike the right balance: regulation that is pro-innovation, stimulates demand for science and technology and attracts investment, while representing UK values and safeguarding citizens.

    It follows the announcement of the Automated Vehicles Bill in the King’s Speech this month, to put safety at the heart of the roll-out of self-driving vehicle technology – ensuring smarter regulation and positioning the UK as world-leaders of a £42 billion industry.

    Notes to editors

    Details of the three regulatory sandboxes being funded through the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund (RPF), which supports UK regulators and local authorities to adopt new and experimental regulatory approaches that seek to remove barriers to innovation and help businesses get their innovative products and services to market. For more information contact regulators.pioneerfund@dsit.gov.uk

    Civil Aviation Authority – hydrogen (sandbox)

    The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a challenge, including a sandbox, to understand the regulatory requirements for the introduction of hydrogen as a zero-carbon aviation fuel. This aligns with the government’s Jet Zero Strategy of delivering net zero UK aviation by 2050.

    The CAA will engage internationally to share outcomes of the challenge. Through direct engagement with other regulators, the World Economic Forum and the Commonwealth, we will be able to influence global approaches to hydrogen developments.

    The launch of the challenge was announced in November with the regulatory sandbox open as of today, to take part in this sandbox challenge and help improve understanding of hydrogen-related risks in aviation.

    Plymouth City Council – autonomous marine technology (testbed)

    Plymouth City Council’s project is developing an evidence base and a regulatory framework for testing autonomous and prototype vessels for R&D. This includes establishing economic benefits of new regulations, engaging with port authorities and regulators internationally to examine how their regulations work and road-testing proposed new regulations on real vessels.

    The project will be led by Plymouth City Council (PCC), in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), University of Plymouth (UoP), University of Exeter (UoE) and Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML).

    The University of Exeter are interested in inviting businesses to take part in their user group in ventures of testing and demonstration taking place next year and the University of Plymouth are keen to invite businesses to visit and take part in the demonstration of autonomous marine technology.

    Milton Keynes City Council – drones (testbed)

    Milton Keynes City Council will work with Cranfield University’s Drone Innovation Hub and Satellite Applications Catapult Westcott DronePort to prove, trial, test and demonstrate new drone-based services that operate alongside our robotics delivery services and self-driving passenger shuttles. This includes a testbed that allows for ongoing experimentation.

    This project will help inform Milton Keynes on how to deploy services in the city and has led to the trialling of self-driving bus, announced this month, as part of a Europe-wide research project.

    The 29 new investors joining the Innovate UK Investor Partnership Programme are:

    • Oxford Technology Management Ltd
    • Maven Capital Partners UK LLP
    • Angels@Essex
    • Baltic Ventures Ltd
    • Green Angel Syndicate 2 Ltd
    • Ebico Ltd
    • Fearless Adventures (Investments) LLP
    • Hiro Capital LLP
    • The Conduit Connect Ltd
    • Archangel Investors Ltd
    • Deeptech Seed Fund
    • Twin Path Ventures Ltd
    • Anticus Partners Ltd
    • Cambridge Angels Group Ltd
    • London Venture Partners LLP
    • Astanor Ventures
    • Concept VC Ltd
    • Angel Academe Ltd
    • Cambridge Enterprise Ltd
    • Eos Advisory LLP
    • Two Magnolias G.P. LLP
    • Counteract Partners Ltd
    • Extantia Capital
    • Deepbridge Capital LLP
    • FOV Fund Management Oy
    • Creative UK Holdings Ltd
    • Earth Capital Ltd
    • Noba Cap Advisers Ltd
    • Carbon13 Group Ltd
  • PRESS RELEASE : Plans to keep pubs open longer if UK nations reach Euros semis [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Plans to keep pubs open longer if UK nations reach Euros semis [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 November 2023.

    Pub and bar licensing hours could be extended if England, Wales or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of the Euros next year, subject to consultation.

    The government has set out plans to extend licensing hours for the semi-finals and final of the men’s European Football Championships next year, should England, Wales or Scotland reach the final stages of the tournament.

    In a public consultation launched today, the government has proposed that pub licensing hours in England and Wales should be extended from 11pm to 1am if any of the UK nations remaining in the tournament reach the latter two rounds in Germany.

    The Home Secretary has the power to extend licensing hours for occasions of “exceptional international, national or local significance”.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

    There are few things that bring a country together more than the prospect of winning an international tournament.

    England and Scotland are on their way to Germany and Wales are still in with a shot of qualifying, so it is only right we put in place plans to support them and our hospitality industry.

    That is why we are looking at helping pubs and bars stay open longer if we reach the semi-finals or final, and ensure families, friends and communities can come together to cheer their nation on.

    The plans, which will be subject to public consultation, would provide a welcome boost for the hospitality industry and clarity for pubs and bars. This is part of a series of recent government measures to boost the hospitality industry and make sure pubs and bars have the support they need to thrive, including the continuation of relaxed licensing regulations that allow pubs, restaurants and bars to sell takeaway pints without red tape holding them back.

    Pub licensing hours were previously extended for the men’s Euro 2020 final and pubs also stayed open longer for the King’s Coronation bank holiday weekend earlier this year.

    The public consultation will run for 12 weeks with the government to take into account the views from the public, licensing authorities and hospitality industry.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK – Republic of Korea Joint Statement [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK – Republic of Korea Joint Statement [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 November 2023.

    The UK and South Korea issue a joint statement to launch negotiations on an ungraded free trade agreement.

    The RT. Hon. Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), and Bang, Moon Kyu, Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) for the Republic of Korea, met in London on 22 November 2023 as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s State Visit to the United Kingdom. Following the meeting, they issued the below joint statement:

    As our nations celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations, and as His Majesty King Charles III welcomes President Yoon Suk Yeol to the United Kingdom for the first Korean State Visit in a decade, we are very pleased to announce the launch of negotiations to upgrade the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom.

    Upgrading and future-proofing our FTA will further deepen our economic ties and support our innovative economies over the years to come. Negotiations will build on and improve the existing agreement, further promoting trade and investment between two like-minded nations and ensuring our growing trade and investment relationship continues to thrive.

    Following productive discussions to extend temporary arrangements regarding cumulation and direct transport for two years and reflecting the changing global economic and trade landscape, we will work to agree a new Rules of Origin chapter which reduces the costs businesses face when exporting and recognises our existing and future supply chains, enabling United Kingdom and Korean industries to take full advantage of the FTA.

    We will work towards a modern and comprehensive Digital chapter, which will future proof our trade relationship by including elements that facilitate more efficient and secure trade through the use of digital technologies, ensure free and trusted cross border data flows, avoid unjustified data localisation requirements and prohibit customs duties on electronic transmissions, including content transmitted electronically. Recognising the growing importance of services and investment as part of our bilateral trading relationship, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea will also work to agree modernisations to existing commitments in these areas.

    The United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea are also committed to deepening and broadening our cooperation across a range of emerging trade agendas. We will work towards content related to supply chains which will facilitate further integration between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea’s economies and ensure customs procedures are as predictable and streamlined as possible. Cooperation on Energy will seek to help deliver against our respective climate change ambitions. Support for small and medium-sized businesses will aim to maximise the utility of our new agreement. We also believe that strengthening cooperation and collaboration between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom in the bioeconomy sector will benefit both parties’ economies. The value of our bilateral trade has more than doubled in the past 15 years and mutual investment relations have deepened in a variety of fields, including finance, insurance, and energy. We believe a strong, modernised trade agreement can further reinforce our relationship.

    We have instructed our teams to hold the first round of negotiations in Seoul, commencing 22 January 2024, and further rounds of negotiations are to occur regularly thereafter. This will build on the series of positive and constructive conversations that have already been held between negotiation teams. It will also take place in the context of strong and collaborative relationship, including a shared understanding of the value of further trade integration in the region, and a commitment to share mutually beneficial experience – such as the United Kingdom’s experience of applying to join CPTPP. We look forward to significant and rapid progress, with a shared ambition to conclude this upgraded agreement in a timely fashion, building upon the strong baseline already agreed in the existing FTA.

    Signed in London on 22 November 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : Major broadband upgrade for thousands of rural properties in Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major broadband upgrade for thousands of rural properties in Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 27 November 2023.

    Thousands of people across rural parts of Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire are set to benefit from new lightning-fast broadband thanks to £43 million of UK government funding.

    • Around 16,000 homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas across Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire to be upgraded with lightning-fast broadband
    • £43 million in government funding will spur the rollout of next generation connectivity to thousands of businesses and local residents, with spades in the ground by Spring
    • Cash boost will help level-up rural and remote communities, boosting public services and spurring economic growth

    Thousands of people across rural parts of Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire are set to benefit from new lightning-fast broadband thanks to £43 million of UK government funding, in a move to tackle the long-term challenges facing hard-working people and businesses in the UK.

    Backed by £26.5 million, around 10,000 homes and businesses in rural Oxfordshire communities including Stoke Row, Somerton and North Aston will benefit from fast and reliable broadband connections. Meanwhile, £16.5 million will see around 6,000 rural properties in North East Staffordshire including Longnor, Marchington and Alstonefield receive internet speeds more than 30 times faster than superfast broadband.

    With gigabit-capable broadband, these households will no longer have to struggle with limited bandwidth, and businesses will be able to improve their productivity with none of the disruptions associated with ageing copper networks, helping to build a more dynamic economy that delivers prosperity across every corner of the country. Having the fastest connections also means the UK is fit-for-the-future, with broadband infrastructure designed to deliver for people’s needs for decades to come.

    The investment forms part of the government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit, which aims to ensure people have the same access to high-speed broadband wherever they live, work and study. From the Midlands to the South East of England, work will now get underway to survey thousands of premises in rural villages and communities, with spades in the ground expected by spring next year.

    Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said:

    We want to make sure that no matter where you live or work, everyone has access to reliable internet which is why we’re spending billions to upgrade local networks.

    In rural Oxfordshire and North East Staffordshire, thousands will experience the positive impact fast and reliable broadband has as their connectivity improves, supporting households and businesses, fostering growth and boosting productivity.

    Work will now begin in these areas covering around 16,000 properties and by facilitating the fastest connections, we are not just reaping the benefits now but positioning the UK for a future where our broadband infrastructure remains resilient for decades to come.

    Rural full fibre provider Gigaclear will roll out high-speed connectivity to premises across North and South Oxfordshire including Nettlebed and Fritwell, in a bid to transform broadband speeds and reliability for local residents.

    In a boost for local schools and colleges as part of the investment, Gigaclear has committed to providing skills workshops and apprenticeship programmes to a diverse range of applicants in the local community to help them kick start a career in the telecoms industry.

    Today’s announcement builds on work Gigaclear has already delivered in the area, connecting 25 vital public service buildings including schools, health centres, libraries and fire stations to gigabit-capable networks as part of the government’s Project Gigabit GigaHubs programme. Working in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council, the high-speed connectivity will help improve the delivery of public services across the county. For example, GPs will be able to provide remote video consultations and whole classes of schoolchildren can be online at once with no interruptions.

    Gigaclear CEO Gareth Williams said:

    I welcome the award of these contracts as they reinforce the important role Gigaclear is playing in helping the Government achieve its wider broadband roll-out ambitions.

    We’ve already invested more than £70 million to extend our network across many of the county’s rural communities and once these contracts have been delivered, Gigaclear will have provided a new Gigabit fibre connection to more than 85,000 rural Oxfordshire residents and businesses.

    Oxfordshire County Council Leader, Councillor Liz Leffman said:

    We are delighted that local firm Gigaclear has been awarded the Project Gigabit contract for delivery of full fibre broadband to thousands of Oxfordshire homes and businesses.

    This public sector investment in digital infrastructure is critical to levelling up areas where commercial funding alone is insufficient to secure the money necessary to make this build happen.

    The project aligns very well with all the work the council’s digital infrastructure programme is doing such as the GigaHubs project which has secured a full fibre connection to Wychwood library where we are today”.

    In North East Staffordshire, Connect Fibre will be charged with rolling out full fibre broadband to those currently struggling with slow speeds, in places such as Longnor, Marchington and Alstonefield.

    Local people will further benefit from Connect Fibre’s commitment to develop community initiatives aimed to foster well-being in the region, by delivering free gigabit connections to Staffordshire Community Learning and Staffordshire Libraries sites.

    Connect Fibre CEO, Stefan Stanislawski, said:

    Connect Fibre is incredibly proud and honoured to be awarded the Project Gigabit contract to deliver full fibre broadband to the Staffordshire Moorlands and beyond. Delivering real, reliable broadband will change the lives of people living in rural areas and the region as a whole.

    With our smart farming programme and free gigabit connections for community learning and library sites, our commitment to supporting the community goes beyond just broadband. We are excited to embark on this journey and look forward to witnessing the positive impact it will have on residents in the region.

    Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change Simon Tagg said:

    Access to gigabit capable broadband speeds is essential to our communities and businesses and so it’s excellent to see this reach extended by Connect Fibre through Project Gigabit.

    Faster broadband improves everyone’s day-to-day living, enabling people to access health, education, banking and leisure services and more. It is also critical for business operations, growth and increased productivity. Our Superfast Staffordshire programme was a huge success and made a real difference over the last decade – now gigabit capable connection is the next step.

    Across the UK, gigabit coverage has increased rapidly in recent years – from one in ten households in 2019 to nearly eight in ten today. These latest Project Gigabit contracts come as Building Digital UK (BDUK), reports that 929,700 premises in mostly hard-to-reach areas of the UK now have access to gigabit connectivity thanks to government investment.

    -ENDS-

    Notes to editors

    • Project Gigabit is the government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband
    • Premises set to be reached by these contracts are subject to change following detailed planning by the suppliers or due to technical reasons during the lifetime of the contract *BDUK awarded supplier Gigaclear a £26.5 million contract to provide around 10,000 premises in North and South Oxfordshire with access to gigabit-capable broadband
    • BDUK awarded supplier Connect Fibre a £16.5 million contract to provide around 6,000 premises in North East Staffordshire with access to gigabit-capable broadband
    • The Oxfordshire Gigahubs project has been jointly funded by BDUK and Oxfordshire County Council, as well as other funding partners