Tag: Department for Digital and Culture

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 19 January 2023.

Thousands of people in rural Cornwall will get access to lightning-fast broadband after local supplier Wildanet was awarded £36 million from the government to roll out new connections.

• Contracts for local provider Wildanet will deliver lightning-fast broadband in South West and Mid Cornwall
• Move is part of the government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit and will see up to 19,250 hard-to-reach homes and businesses connected
• 200 jobs to be created in a further economic boost for the region

Thousands of people living and working in rural Cornwall will get access to lightning-fast broadband after local supplier Wildanet was awarded £36 million from the government to roll out new connections.

Two contracts, part of the government’s nationwide £5 billion Project Gigabit to supply hard-to-reach areas with better broadband, have been awarded to the Liskeard-based supplier. It will see up to 19,250 homes and businesses in South West and Mid Cornwall connected.

Work will start today to survey rural homes and businesses from Newquay to Fowey. Building work to connect those in need to the fastest broadband on the market is set to begin as early as this summer.

Project Gigabit is the biggest broadband rollout in British history. It will help communities to seize the benefits of gigabit-capable networks – speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) – and be ready for the future. It will allow users to work, stream and use multiple smart devices online without a battle against bandwidth and the disruption often experienced with ageing networks.

The investment in the region reflects the government’s commitment to roll out gigabit broadband nationally and will help to create a level playing field for hard-to-reach communities and businesses around the county, bringing with it economic, environmental and social benefits for local people.

As a result of these new contracts, Wildanet expects to create 200 jobs on top of the 150 the company has created in the area already. This will include a range of skilled roles across the build operation – including network design, surveying and partner management – plus engineering and head office roles. There will also be indirect opportunities for local companies such as civil contractors and through the supply chain.

Digital Infrastructure Minister, Julia Lopez, said:

From Tintagel to Tredavoe, we are investing millions of pounds to connect almost 20,000 homes and businesses across Cornwall to lightning-fast broadband. This will generate growth and opportunity for people in the region’s rural communities.

The move is part of the government’s flagship £5 billion Project Gigabit programme to spread fast, reliable and fit for the future broadband to rural and remote communities in the UK.

Wildanet is already investing more than £50 million in an ultrafast broadband network across Cornwall and Devon – bringing fast, reliable internet to homes, businesses and communities. The new 10 Gbps network represents a significant technological leap for Cornwall. It is capable of speeds up to 100 times faster than the average internet speeds available in the county.

Wildanet’s Training Academy, and its well-established apprenticeship programme, will also continue to deliver skills to ensure that the jobs created through these contracts can be taken by people from the county.

Helen Wylde, Wildanet Chief Executive Officer said:

This is great news for remote communities in Cornwall as we continue to connect Cornwall’s homes and businesses to full fibre broadband in non-urban areas, with the economic and social transformation that brings.

The funding from the government will help to breathe new life into Cornwall’s rural communities and give people access to the opportunities that gigabit broadband provides. It will also send out a positive signal to remote communities across the country who, to date, do not have the broadband connectivity to benefit from the digital age that many of us now take for granted in our daily lives.

Wildanet undertakes to deliver on this project using the public funds provided through these awards as a key player for Cornwall, by Cornwall, and of Cornwall. We passionately believe that the funding provided by DCMS for these two vitally important infrastructure projects will assist Cornwall in growing its economy, connecting more people and businesses, and democratising digital services so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities that they present.

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, Louis Gardner, said:

We’ve been working closely with DCMS to progress these procurements and it’s good news that the two contracts have been awarded, bringing the benefits of access to ultrafast, full fibre broadband connections to more of Cornwall’s residents. This builds on the legacy of previous investments since 2011 through the Superfast Cornwall programmes, including existing 49% coverage of gigabit-capable full fibre, one of the highest in England for a rural county.

• Locations in line for connections include: The Lizard, Hayle, Praze-an-Beeble, Portloe, Fowey, Tintagel, Penwith, Otterham, Tredavoe, Mullion, Gweek, Praze-an-Beeble, Sennen Cove, Lelant, Angarrack, Trethosa, St Mawgan, Constantine, Bodmin, Luxulyan

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 17 January 2023.

– Last year’s Commonwealth Games has already contributed £870.7 million to the UK economy, new report reveals

– 9,000 full time equivalent jobs were supported in 2022 thanks to the Games, with volunteers racking up 1.25 million hours of work

– Birmingham 2022 has provided the West Midlands with new sports venues and improved transport services

– The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games contributed at least £870 million** to the UK economy, a new study reveals.

The independent interim evaluation report found that the West Midlands economy received a significant boost, with over half the economic impact generated (£453.7 million**) benefiting businesses and communities across the region.

A record 1.5 million tickets were sold for Birmingham 2022, the largest multi-sport event hosted in England in the last 10 years.

Held between 28 July and 8 August 2022, the Games brought together 6,600 athletes and team officials from across 72 Commonwealth nations and territories.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:

Birmingham 2022 was tremendously successful in boosting the local economy and bringing people together. This report shows that new jobs and investments are just the beginning of the story, with the Games paving the way for future events in the region.

The Games put the West Midlands on the global stage, and provided the region with world-class facilities. Thanks to Birmingham 2022, the city now has the industry know-how and venues to host the European Athletics Championships in 2026.

Diversity and inclusion was at the heart of the ‘Friendly Games’, with the first fully integrated pride programme, more medals for women than men and the biggest para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history.

Since Birmingham was awarded the Games in 2017, the event has created roughly 15,410 years of employment in the UK. Over summer 2022, this equated to more than 9,000* full time equivalent jobs. Birmingham 2022 also delivered 5,188 weeks of apprenticeships, 2,000 work experience placements and training for 14,075 members of the Commonwealth Collective who contributed 1.25 million volunteering hours.

The interim report sets out benefits the Games has had on local businesses and volunteers. Almost three quarters of local businesses surveyed said they had secured new investments thanks to Games contracts. Commonwealth Collective volunteers said participating in the Games had increased feelings of inclusion, pride and wellbeing.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

As this report makes clear, the Birmingham Commonwealth Games provided a huge and timely boost for Birmingham, the West Midlands and the United Kingdom.

The Games were just the start of Birmingham’s Golden Decade of Opportunity, providing a springboard for further success, and these findings underline why the bold decision by the council to lead the bid for the Games was the right one.

Birmingham 2022 was always about much more than 11 days of sport and our focus is now firmly upon realising the long-term legacy that being the Proud Host City will enable. The council will continue working with partners to ensure that the people and communities of Birmingham and the wider region continue to be Commonwealth Games winners for years to come.

Sir John Crabtree, outgoing chair of Birmingham 2022, said:

One of the key parts of our Birmingham 2022 mission was to help the region to grow and succeed, an ambition which took on even greater significance following the impact of the global pandemic. This report, which outlines a beneficial boost for the West Midlands economy, is evidence that the Games successfully achieved this aim, and this is further demonstrated by the figures for employment, with approximately 7,440 net full-time equivalent jobs supported at the peak of the Games.

It has been an incredible honour to lead the organisation of such an important event for the West Midlands and, as the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee nears the end of its journey, we would like to thank all of our partners for their support and contributions which helped to make the Games so successful and secured such a sizeable economic impact for the host city and region.

Geoff Thompson, outgoing deputy chair of Birmingham 2022, said:

This report clearly highlights once again the value of staging major sports events. This part of the country now has a fantastic opportunity to build on the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, especially as taking centre stage during the summer really helped to further raise the global profile of Birmingham, the West Midlands and beyond – socially, culturally and economically. In particular the sport and physical activity opportunities for young people and communities will continue to see an equitable, diverse and inclusive legacy realised for all.

The Games also had an impact on the region’s global reputation, pride in the West Midlands and community cohesion. Based on interviews with locals, the Games has provided a focal point for residents to come together and feel part of the events, as well as encouraging West Midlands residents to visit areas they would not otherwise have visited.

Dame Louise Martin, President, Commonwealth Games Federation said:

“From record-breaking ticket sales to the largest ever sports programme, the spectacular Birmingham 2022 set a new benchmark for Commonwealth Sport. Importantly, it also generated significant economic impact, driving investment and creating jobs, as well as boosting the region’s global reputation. The Games have left an impressive and wide-reaching legacy that will ensure they are remembered for many years to come.”

Birmingham 2022 events had an estimated total global TV viewership of 834.9 million, over 215 million digital views, 141 million interactions on social media and generated significant positive media coverage.

Thanks to the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham and the West Midlands have benefited from a new aquatics centre in Sandwell, the redevelopment of Alexander Stadium and wider regeneration projects in Perry Barr including a brand new train station.

Paul Blanchard, CEO of Commonwealth Games England said:

“It’s fantastic to see the impact Birmingham 2022 has had on the West Midlands and the nation. We saw the excitement the Games brought to the athletes with some hugely memorable moments and the millions of spectators who engaged. Now, to see the lasting impact is great, particularly the development into sport facilities and equipment in the region to inspire the next generation of English talent.”

The Games was delivered within a budget of £778 million and the UK government has announced that it will invest over £60 million of unspent contingency funding from this core budget in the West Midlands to further enhance the legacy of the Games.

The UK government is working with local authorities to ensure the funding is invested in increasing access to sport and culture, boosting the region’s expertise in hosting major events and driving inward investment and tourism.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 12 January 2023.

The Government has today confirmed the allocation of a £230 million uplift to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for investment in football facilities across the UK.

As part of its ongoing commitment to delivering the grassroots facilities every community needs and levelling up access to high quality pitches, up to a further £168 million will be invested into facilities in England by 2025 – on top of a continued £18m annual commitment. It will be delivered by the Football Foundation – a partnership between the Premier League, The FA, and DCMS – to improve and upgrade pitches and facilities across the country.

In addition, a further £18.1 million will be invested in Scotland, £12.6 million in Wales and £6.29 million in Northern Ireland respectively by 2025. The UK Government’s direct investment into Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be delivered in partnership with the Scottish Football Association, the Football Association of Wales and the Irish Football Association.

This funding will deliver improvements to hundreds of sites, with at least half of the investment going directly to the most deprived areas. It builds on the successful delivery of over £43 million across the UK last year.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each FA will invite and select projects across a range of facility types – from the creation or upgrade of changing rooms, grass pitches and 3G football turf pitches and pavilions, to floodlights, fencing and improved disabled access.

Grassroots football clubs, local authorities and schools with a relevant project that could benefit from this investment in the next two financial years are encouraged to contact their relevant delivery partner: the Football Foundation in England; and the relevant Football Association in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Projects in all four home nations will continue to be selected for their ability to deliver improved facilities in deprived areas, support multi-sport use and increase participation among currently underrepresented groups, including women, girls and those with a disability. To ensure that as many people as possible from underrepresented groups are able to access quality sports facilities, 40 percent of the investment will fund sites that support regular use of a sport other than football.

Projects benefiting from investment in 2022/23 will be confirmed shortly.

The press release issued by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 6 January 2023.

• New laws will also mean it is easier for home buyers, renters and some leaseholders to get upgrades to lightning-fast broadband
• Measures will end the problem of unresponsive landlords preventing tenants from receiving faster connections.

New homes in England will be built with gigabit broadband connections and telecoms firms will be able to get faster broadband to nine million people living in blocks of flats across the UK, thanks to new laws the government has brought into force.

Ministers have amended the Building Regulations 2010 to ensure that new homes constructed in England will be fitted with infrastructure and connections capable of delivering gigabit broadband – the fastest internet speeds on the market.

Gigabit broadband is now available in over 72 per cent of the UK and is already boosting boost productivity for millions working at home through lightning fast download speeds, as well as enabling entire families to stream movies, TV and video games in high quality 4K and 8K definition onto multiple devices at the same time with no slowdowns in speed.

The updated regulations mean that more people moving into new homes will have a gigabit-capable broadband connection ready when construction is completed, avoiding the need for costly and disruptive installation work after the home is built and enabling residents to arrange the best possible internet service at the point they move in.

In a further boost to people’s access to better broadband, another new law has made it easier to install faster internet connections in blocks of flats when landlords repeatedly ignore requests for access from broadband firms.

The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act (TILPA), now in force in England and Wales, makes it easier for broadband providers to gain access to install equipment in blocks of flats, when a faster connection is requested by a tenant. It is estimated that an extra 2,100 residential buildings a year will be connected as a result.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said:

Nothing should stop people from seizing the benefits of better broadband, whether it is an unresponsive landlord or a property developer’s failure to act.

Thanks to our new laws, millions of renters will no longer be prevented from getting a broadband upgrade due to the silence of their landlord, and those moving into newly built homes can be confident they’ll have access to the fastest speeds available from the day they move in.

Driven by government policy, the market has made significant strides to ensure availability of gigabit connectivity in new homes – but thousands of homes each year do not get access.

Data referenced in the government’s technical consultation suggested that approximately 12 per cent, around 25,300 homes, still did not have access to a full fibre connection upon construction in a typical year.

The updated building rules mean home developers will be legally required to future-proof new homes in England for next-generation gigabit broadband as standard practice during construction.

Connection costs will be capped at £2,000 per home for developers and they will work together with network operators to connect developments to the gigabit network. It is estimated over 98 per cent of premises fall within this cap, meaning moving into a new build property without lightning-fast internet speeds will become a thing of the past for the vast majority of people across England.

Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, developers must install the next fastest connection available.

And even where a gigabit-capable connection is not available within the cost cap, gigabit-ready infrastructure, such as ducts, chambers and termination points, still needs to be installed. This will ensure that homes are fit for the digital age but may not be connected straight away.

Making broadband upgrades easier in blocks of flats

Previously, tenants living in the UK’s estimated 480,000 blocks of flats and apartments (also known as multi-dwelling units, or MDUs) would usually have had to wait for a landlord’s permission to have a broadband operator enter their building to install a faster connection. These access rights are essential for the delivery of broadband upgrades as operators are unable to deploy their services without first obtaining permission, either from the landowner or a court, to install their equipment.

Broadband companies have said around 40 per cent of their requests for access to install connections receive no response, which means they may lose out on the revolutionary benefits of faster speeds.

Now, providers in England and Wales will be able to seek rights to access a property or shared land if the person required to grant access is unresponsive. The law does this by creating a new route through the courts that operators can use to access blocks of flats and apartments.

It will prevent situations where a tenant is unable to receive a service simply due to the silence of a landlord. From the point where a company makes the first request to the landlord, it will take 35 days for this new rule to kick in.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 5 January 2023.

DCMS Secretary of State Michelle Donelan has concluded her business case review and announced that Channel 4 will not be sold.

• Instead of a sale, the government has agreed reforms to help Channel 4 grow and better compete in the age of streaming giants
• Plans include allowing Channel 4 the flexibility to make some of its own content and a new legal duty to promote long-term sustainability whilst introducing protections to ensure they continue to be an incubator for the independent production sector
• As part of this package, Channel 4 will now commit to doubling its planned number of new roles outside London and doubling its financial investment in skills

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Michelle Donelan has decided not to privatise Channel 4 after reviewing the business case for its sale. The broadcaster will remain in public ownership but with greater commercial flexibility, increased investment in skills and jobs across the UK as well as new production arrangements to support its long-term sustainability and growth.

The government, following discussions with Channel 4 and the independent production sector, have confirmed an ambitious package of measures as an alternative to a sale. This includes reforms via the Media Bill which will eventually allow Channel 4 to make and own some of its content and a new statutory duty on its board members to protect the broadcaster’s long-term financial sustainability. Channel 4 has also committed to increasing roles outside London and providing more opportunities for people from across the UK to gain experience in the sector as part of this package.

Like all UK broadcasters, Channel 4 is currently facing unprecedented competition for viewers, programmes and talent in an era of wealthy, global streaming platforms. The DCMS Secretary of State has decided that pursuing a sale is not the best option to ease the challenges facing Channel 4 nor to support growth in the UK’s creative economy, especially the independent production sector. However, doing nothing also carries risks and the government believes change is necessary to ensure the corporation can thrive now and long into the future in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The package announced today, finalised after listening to the views of Channel 4 and the wider broadcasting and independent production industries, will ensure the broadcaster remains focused on sustainability and has new opportunities to grow while serving audiences in the decades to come with high-quality, innovative and distinctive content.

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Michelle Donelan said:

Channel 4 is a British success story and a linchpin of our booming creative industries. After reviewing the business case and engaging with the relevant sectors I have decided that Channel 4 should not be sold.

This announcement will bring huge opportunities across the UK with Channel 4’s commitment to double their skills investment to £10 million and double the number of jobs outside of London. The package will also safeguard the future of our world leading independent production sector. We will work closely with them to add new protections such as increasing the amount of content C4C must commission from independent producers.

Relaxing the publisher-broadcaster restriction

Under current legislation Channel 4 is more limited than other public service broadcasters in its ability to make and own its own content. It operates as a publisher-broadcaster, meaning that all its shows are commissioned or acquired from third parties – such as independent producers or other broadcasters – who typically retain the rights to those programmes.

This has been central to Channel 4’s role over the last 40 years in developing the UK’s independent production sector, which is now worth £3 billion. The government continues to consider this an essential element of our thriving broadcasting ecology and the wider economy. However, this model also makes Channel 4 more reliant on advertising revenue than many of its competitors which have been able to diversify their revenue by investing in content production.

The government wishes to give Channel 4 more commercial flexibility in this area, while also ensuring that Channel 4 continues to play its key role in incubating and supporting the independent production sector, which often includes new and highly-innovative companies.  The government will therefore legislate through the Media Bill to relax the publisher-broadcaster restriction in Channel 4’s remit so it has a greater ability to produce and monetise its own content, accessing a wider range of potential strategic options that could put it on a more stable financial footing by growing its commercial income.

In determining how this relaxation should be designed and implemented, the government will work closely with the independent production sector to consider necessary steps to ensure that Channel 4’s important role in driving investment into the sector is safeguarded.

Any changes to Channel 4’s commissioning model would need to be introduced gradually, with appropriate checks and balances, and following consultation with the sector. For example, this will  include increasing the level of Channel 4’s independent production quota, which is currently set at 25 percent of programmes; and potentially introducing specific protections for smaller independent producers.

Increased investment in skills and new roles

Channel 4 has agreed to enhance its support for the independent TV production sector and regional roles and skills. It will increase its annual investment in 4Skills – its paid training and placement programme for young people – from £5 million to £10 million by 2025. It will double its number of roles outside London from its original target of 300 to reach 600 roles across the UK in 2025. This will include roles in Channel 4’s national HQ in Leeds, as well as in Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and potentially elsewhere.

Greater access to capital

To enable Channel 4 to make investments that could put it on a more sustainable footing, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will make it easier and simpler for Channel 4 to draw down on its £75 million credit facility. In the event it pursues more ambitious investment opportunities to promote the corporation’s long term sustainability, DCMS will support Channel 4 to access more private capital under its current borrowing limit of £200 million set in law – while taking steps to minimise the risk to public finances. DCMS will also consider future requests to raise the organisation’s borrowing limit if appropriate.

Long-term sustainability

A new statutory duty for the corporation’s board will be created through the Media Bill. The obligation on the corporation’s leadership to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Channel 4 will be enshrined in law, alongside their existing duties to ensure the broadcaster delivers valuable public service programming. Delivery of this duty will be evidenced via increased financial reporting by Channel 4, and as a report which Channel 4 will provide to the DCMS Secretary of State as part of its Annual Report.

An updated and publicly available Memorandum of Understanding between the government and Channel 4 will reflect the intention to legislate for this new statutory duty of sustainability.

Alongside the changes to Channel 4, the Media Bill will introduce a wide range of measures to modernise decades-old broadcasting regulations, including prominence reform to increase the growth potential of the UK’s public service broadcasters and foster innovations in the way TV is produced and consumed. Further details on the Media Bill will be announced in due course.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 31 December 2022.

It is with great regret that we learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Flags will be flown at half mast on UK Government Buildings today until 20.00hrs (Saturday 31 December).

Other organisations and local authorities may follow suit.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 24 December 2022.

Incredibly rare sixteenth century work has been acquired by National Museums NI.

• Export bar placed on item helped the work be saved for the nation
• Painting will go on display at the Ulster Museum next year

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson has announced a Christmas gift for the nation after a painting of the Nativity dating to the early 1500s has been acquired by National Museums NI.

Thanks to a fundraising campaign by National Museums NI, supported by the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund, Department for Communities NI and the Esme Mitchell Trust, the work will go on public display at the Ulster Museum next year.

The Nativity by Baldassare Tommaso Peruzzi (1481–1536), valued at £277,990, had an export bar placed on it by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) last year. The work, which depicts the Nativity at night, is one of only a handful of works by Peruzzi to survive outside Italy, and the only one in the UK.

Painted around 1515 in Rome, The Nativity is an exceptionally rare surviving work by Peruzzi. A highly talented Italian painter, architect and draughtsman, Peruzzi was born in 1481 in a small town near Siena and was one of the leading artistic figures in Rome during the High Renaissance. He worked alongside Raphael and Bramante in Rome, before returning home to work for the Republic of Siena, building fortifications and designing a dam on the Bruna River. The majority of Peruzzi’s art works were in fresco and have since been lost to history, making The Nativity an incredibly rare piece.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson said:

For many, being part of a Nativity play is one of the first ways that we learn the story of Christmas. That is why I am delighted that, this Christmas Eve, we can announce that this incredible painting of that famous event has been saved for the nation thanks to the export bar system.

I am pleased that, following conservation, this work will go on display at the Ulster Museum where it will be enjoyed by generations to come.

The export bar was placed on The Nativity following a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The Nativity is currently undergoing conservation work at the National Gallery in London before moving to its permanent home in Northern Ireland in 2023.

Anne Stewart, Senior Curator of Art at National Museums NI said:

National Museums NI is delighted that this remarkable painting will be part of our collection which has been made possible with the help and generosity of our partners and funders. Currently, there are no High Renaissance paintings in any public collection in Northern Ireland, so this is truly a Christmas gift to our audiences. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Ulster Museum when it goes on display in 2023.

Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said:

It’s wonderful and timely news that NHMF have been able to support the Ulster Museum in acquiring The Nativity by Peruzzi and ensure this incredibly important artwork remains in the UK. It truly is a fantastic Christmas present for art lovers, and for Northern Ireland in particular.

Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund said:

This is an extraordinary, and beautiful, work of art. We are delighted that the export bar has allowed the Ulster Museum to make this important acquisition, and that a painting by Peruzzi will now enter a public UK collection for the first time.

Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker said:

It’s fantastic news that this important work of art is set to go on public display at Northern Ireland’s Ulster Museum next year.

Well done to all those involved in securing this historic painting for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of people across the UK.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 22 December 2022.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Richard Hamilton as a Trustee of The Royal Parks for four years, backdated from 3 April 2022 until 2 April 2026.

Richard is Senior Vice President for ESG at State Street. He has been a member of The Royal Parks Board since 2018 where he chairs the investment committee and is a member of the audit and risk committee. Richard began his career at Barclays where he spent ten years, followed by eight years at KPMG and three in Private Equity.

Following his MBA he worked in the U.K. government including as director of strategy in the Department for Business as well as holding leadership roles with Ordnance Survey, the British Council and at Clarence House. He has worked with a number of civil society organisations, including Business in the Community and English National Opera, and has supported DCMS as an independent panel member for public appointments. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Queen Elizabeth II 9/11 Garden in New York.

This reappointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Royal Park’s Trustees are not remunerated. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Richard Hamilton has not declared any significant political activity.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 21 December 2022.

• Leveraging the country’s deep science and technology base, the UK is leading the way as a leading ecosystem for responsible and values-led innovation
• Over 3 million people working in UK tech with world-class companies training up a new generation of talent

The UK tech sector will end the year as Europe’s leading ecosystem, retaining its position as the main challenger to the US and China amidst a global backdrop of difficult economic conditions, according to new figures from Dealroom for the Digital Economy Council.

During 2022, fast-growing UK tech companies have continued to raise at near-record levels (£24 billion), more than France (£11.8 billion) and Germany (£9.1 billion) combined. This takes the total raised over the past five years to nearly $100 billion (£97 billion).

Further stats today show that the UK has:

• More high-growth companies than European peers having created 144 unicorns and 237 futurecorns and over 85,000 startups and scale-ups
• More venture capital investment than European peers
• A forward-thinking approach to regulation encouraging digital innovation and competition
• Attracted VC funds from across the globe including General Catalyst, Sequoia and Lightspeed
• Eight cities with more than two unicorns including Edinburgh, Nottingham and Oxford

The latest figures, compiled by Dealroom for the Digital Economy Council, underline the success of the UK tech economy and its progress as a source of global innovation – a European Silicon Valley. These elements are guiding the expansion of its tech ecosystem, which now employs 3 million people, right across the country.

Sustained investment and growth have forged a global tech powerhouse

Consistent growth across UK tech saw the industry reach the $1 trillion in value milestone earlier this year, making it only the third country ever to hit this valuation after the US and China. This means the UK tech industry is ahead of its European peers and is worth more than double Germany’s ($467.2 billion) and three times more than France’s ($307.5 billion) as well as retaining the lead when it comes to overall funding, unicorns and startups numbers.

This has enabled the UK to produce almost 400 high-growth startups since 2000 (worth more than $250 million in value). This includes 144 unicorns – companies with valuations of $1 billion or more – and 237 futurecorns, fast-growing companies which are predicted to be the most valuable businesses in the next few years. The new figures showcase how the ecosystem is expanding, up from 116 unicorns and 204 futurecorns at the same time last year.

Laying the groundwork for value-driven growth

Part of the UK’s strength in creating such a wide-ranging and expansive tech ecosystem is down to its focus on combining innovation with standards and values. Earlier this year the UK unveiled a new approach to regulating AI – based on core principles like safety, transparency and fairness – to take a less centralised approach than the EU to reflect how AI is used in their sectors. The Chancellor also announced that the government will bring forward legal powers for the Digital Markets Unit to drive up competition and level the playing field for challenger tech firms. All this goes towards creating the right environment to drive forward research, technology and growth.

Introducing new generations to tech

Upskilling and reskilling have become a key part of the UK’s dominance in tech with nearly 3,000 edtech startups having raised a collective £1.7 billion in funding over the past five years. Companies such as Academy, Code First Girls, Immersive Labs and Multiverse are focused on enabling people of all ages to gain the skills they need to succeed in tech roles, from tech apprenticeships to coding, development and cyber security.

According to smarter job search engine Adzuna, UK companies are increasingly hiring for entry-level tech roles, up from 6,596 in November last year to over 15,000 this year, as they seek to bring in a new generation of tech talent and develop them into future leaders.

Taking the lead in impact

Whilst the UK remains the dominant country outside the US for fintech investment (nearly £10 billion raised this year), it is also becoming a leading hub for impact tech – companies creating technological solutions to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals. There are nearly 1,200 impact tech companies in the UK which have raised £3.12 billion in funding this year, ahead of last year’s record £3 billion.

Green energy receives the bulk of investment, such as Newcleo, a startup that is developing technology to enable safe uranium recycling (£258 million). Scaleups tackling healthcare inequality, such as Cera which bring technological innovation into social care raised £263m, while GrowUp Farms, a vertical farming company which uses technology to grow food more sustainably raised £100 million. The steady influx of investment into impact tech means the sector now employs more than 53,500 people, up from 37,500 last year.

Regional strengths make the difference

Innovation is spread out across the country with eight cities now home to two unicorn companies or more including Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford. These high-growth businesses are using decades worth of science and tech research and development to revolutionise areas such as finance (Interactive Investor – democratising investing), sustainable travel (Vertical Aerospace – electric-powered aircraft), health research (Oxford Nanopore – portable DNA sequencing) and electronic device development (CSR – semiconductors).

Collectively, these cities are home to 112 unicorn businesses, more than France (36) and Germany (63) combined – demonstrating the strong pipeline of global tech leaders being created up and down the UK. In fact, Cambridge was recently named the number one university in the world for producing successful tech founders ahead of the likes of Harvard and MIT – with over 500 alumni founders raising more than $10 million in funding. Oxford came third with 410. Bristol (173), Nottingham (100) and London (98) all made it into the top 20, thanks to their deep tech and science focuses.

Finding the next sources of global innovation

This is also what is attracting international investors to expand their footprint in London and the UK to access the growing network of entrepreneurs in the new Silicon Valley.US investors including General Catalyst, Sequoia and Lightspeed have increased their teams in the UK in 2022 after opening new offices here last year, and global firm New Enterprise Associates hired its first UK-based partner in October. Whilst European investor Earlybird VC has opened a new office in London earlier this year. This follows another strong year of fundraising for UK-based funds, who have collectively raised £9.2 billion this year, up from £9 billion at the same time in 2021.

Digital minister Paul Scully said:

UK tech has remained resilient in the face of global challenges and we have ended the year as one of the world’s leading destinations for digital businesses. This is good news and reflects our pro-innovation approach to tech regulation, continuing support for start-ups and ambition to boost people’s digital skills.

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 21 December 2022.

A special one-off addition to the annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) has been awarded to 20 national charities for their exceptional work to empower young people.

• 20 charities across the UK recognised for a unique one-off addition to the annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, created in honour of Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
• The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, The Social Mobility Foundation and The National Deaf Children’s Society among those awarded for their exceptional work empowering young people

The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award, a special one-off addition to the annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), has been awarded to 20 national charities for their exceptional work to empower young people.

From large household names to those operating on a smaller scale, the work of each awardee is vital in providing young people aged 16-25 with new opportunities, challenges, activities and skills.

The awardees include The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, widely recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement award that helps young people develop new skills and build self-belief and resilience, and the Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade, which helps to develop essential life skills and offers experiences to help young Jewish people reach their potential.

Her Late Majesty The Queen displayed a life-long dedication to public service throughout her 70-year reign, so it is fitting that this one-off edition of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises the thousands of volunteers who have showcased a similar longstanding commitment to their work.

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

From Action Tutoring to StreetGames, these 20 charities deliver outstanding work to help give young people the skills they need to grow and succeed. I’m delighted that their contribution is being recognised with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award.

Ensuring young people get the best possible start in life is a priority for me and the Government, and there is no more fitting way to celebrate these brilliant charities than a unique edition of the highest award for voluntary service.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups. It was established 20 years ago to commemorate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and has recognised around 250 outstanding local volunteer groups across the UK each year to date”.

Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, the QAVS Chair said:

These awards are a timely acknowledgement of the wide-ranging support and encouragement that is available to young people across the UK.

They highlight the indispensable role that the voluntary sector plays in targeting help, advice and guidance where it is needed most.

These awards should also be seen as a tribute to the millions of volunteers and donors who, in difficult times, provide the resources of time and money which contribute so powerfully to the social fabric of our country.

Judging panel member Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said:

I was delighted to be part of the judging panel for the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award. The process highlighted the amazing amount of work that is being done across a wide range of organisations and how it truly transforms the lives of so many people.

Lucie Vickers, StreetGames Head of Volunteering and Youth Voice said:

We are thrilled to have been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award. Creating opportunities for young people from low-income, underserved communities to become volunteers and future community leaders is at the heart of our Doorstep Sport approach, and we are delighted that the impact of this work has been recognised through this prestigious award.

Kevin Munday, Chief Executive at City Year UK said:

The journey towards receiving the Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award is the success of hundreds of talented and dedicated volunteers taking the right small steps towards social change for over a decade. This Award represents a joyful and proud giant leap forward into the kind of future our volunteers have all aspired to.

Additional recipients of this one-off award include:

• British Youth Council – with 700 volunteers, this charity empowers young people to create political and social change through a number of programmes. The Make Your Mark consultation, led by UK Youth Parliament is an annual ballot allowing young people from across the UK to vote on the issues that matter to them, whilst the Youth Steering Group invites young people to participate in 26 round table discussions on issues such as gambling, climate change, youth violence and mental health.
• Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team – supports young BME people, refugees and asylum seekers in Wales. It provides specific support to 16-25 year olds through three projects: BME Youth Invest project, The Think Project and the Young, Migrant and Welsh project, which aimed to engage ethnic minority people aged 16-25 to explore and document their experiences by creating films to increase public awareness and appreciation of Wales’ diverse history and heritage.
• LGBT Youth Scotland – works to create safer spaces where LGBTI young people aged 13-25 can explore their identities in an affirming environment, learn new skills, gain confidence, develop resilience and find community. With 133 volunteers, they provide specific support via youth groups; one-to-one support; youth commissions; an LGBT Charter Programme and award-winning online community, Pride & Pixels.
• YMCA England & Wales with The Scottish National Council YMCA – provides young people with the critical foundations for a better quality of life by offering support with housing, education and welfare. They provide a home to more than 20,000 people experiencing homelessness each year, making them the largest voluntary sector provider of supported housing for young people in England and Wales.
• Brook Young People – delivers clinical and education support around sexual health, wellbeing and relationships to young people aged 16-25 through providing information, education and outreach, counselling, confidential clinical and medical services, professional advice and training. They also work in partnership with Youth Offending Services to deliver targeted education support to reintegrate youth offenders back into education and the community.
• The National Young Advocacy Service (NYAS) – 600 volunteers work to support children in care, care-leavers and care-experienced young people through a variety of services including advocacy, mentoring, mental health projects, and a free national helpline. Their Independent Visitor Service is a befriending service for children in care up to the age 18, offering long-lasting friendship and support, and the opportunity to take part in new and fun activities.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is awarded annually, with the date for the 2023 awardees soon to be confirmed. In June 2022, 244 local voluntary organisations across the UK received this prestigious award, all of which enhanced the lives of others through their work. Awardees of the 2022 award can be found here.

To celebrate their achievements, the awardees of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award will be invited to a unique presentation event in 2023.