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  • PRESS RELEASE : New Towns Taskforce set to deliver major housebuilding push [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Towns Taskforce set to deliver major housebuilding push [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 September 2024.

    The New Towns Taskforce held its first meeting and confirmed the final list of members as it pushed ahead to identify potential sites for new towns.

    • Eight seasoned experts join New Towns Taskforce to deliver new towns that could provide hundreds of thousands of new homes.
    • Group’s first meeting was held today in post-war new town Milton Keynes.
    • Taskforce to report back on potential locations to ministers next year.

    Ambitious plans for the largest post-war housebuilding programme are moving at pace as the final members of a new specialist Taskforce were appointed today.

    Eight industry experts now have a seat at the table of the New Towns Taskforce, alongside Chair, Sir Michael Lyons, and Deputy Chair, Dame Kate Barker. They include key players across planning, infrastructure delivery, architecture and urban regeneration.

    The group will now push ahead with the vision for new towns – creating largescale communities that could deliver hundreds of thousands of high-quality homes to tackle the national housing crisis and drive economic growth across the country.

    The Taskforce met for the first time today in Milton Keynes, a successful post-war town, confirming the responsibilities for each member, laying the groundwork to identify appropriate locations and learning the lessons from previous efforts to build new towns.

    They were also joined by the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Minister who spoke remotely with members during the day.

    Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:

    Today marks a momentous step in our journey to deliver the next generation of new towns and transform the lives of millions of working people in every part of the country.

    We want to see new communities with real character –providing genuinely affordable, safe and secure homes, much-needed infrastructure and well-paying jobs.

    With a strong team of experts standing by his side, I have every confidence in Sir Michael’s leadership and his Taskforce is working at pace to make sure our long-term ambition becomes a reality.

    The Taskforce’s mission is already underway, with members leading a series of workstreams, and set to report back in 12 months. Its areas of work will include:

    • Identifying and reviewing high potential locations for new towns.
    • Agreeing principles and standards that must be met to provide good quality places.
    • Exploring new ways to attract future funding and investment.
    • Finding practical solutions to remove barriers that will unlock the delivery of new towns.

    This work will form the publication of the final report due to land on ministers’ desks next year, with plans to engage with mayors, local leaders and communities in the coming months.

    Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:

    I am really pleased that the New Towns Taskforce has held its first meeting today.

    It brings together a wealth of experience from across the industry, and I look forward to engaging with it over the months ahead as it works to identify the most suitable locations across the country for large-scale new communities.

    Today’s meeting also confirmed working arrangements for the Taskforce who will report back to the Deputy Prime Minister on a monthly basis, and they will be supported by officials across the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Homes England every step of the way.

    This involves the creation of a New Towns Code that developers will have to follow to ensure new towns are great places to live and will include the golden rule of 40% affordable housing.

    Chair of the New Towns Taskforce, Sir Michael Lyons said:

    I am very pleased to chair the first meeting of the Taskforce today. We have an important agenda to work through over the next 12 months to ensure that the next generation of new towns deliver the government’s plans for economic growth and housing ambitions.

    I look forward to working with our very experienced Taskforce members to provide the Government with robust recommendations within a year.

    The government is already taking immediate action to ramp up housing supply and boost economic growth by reintroducing mandatory housing targets for councils through an updated National Planning Policy Framework to help deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

    Large housing sites facing blockages in the development system will also be fast-tracked through the New Homes Accelerator programme, which will see planning experts deployed on the ground to support local councils and housebuilders to get Britain building again.

    This is alongside the landmark £150 million partnership recently signed by Homes England to act as a master developer that will unlock largescale brownfield developments across the country, ranging from 1,000 to more than 10,000 homes.

    New Towns Taskforce Members:

    Sir Michael Lyons

    • Sir Michael Lyons is the Chair of the New Towns Taskforce.
    • Sir Michael is the non-executive Chairman of the English Cities Fund, a joint venture set up by three partners – including Homes England – which has large scale regeneration developments in London, Liverpool, Plymouth, Salford and Wakefield.
    • He is also the non-executive Chairman of SQW Ltd and has spent 26 years in local government, including 17 years as Chief Executive of three major UK local authorities including Birmingham City Council.
    • He has been a member of the boards of Redrow homes and Sage Housing as well as a strategic adviser on public asset management and regeneration to the commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE. He was also a former Chair of the BBC.
    • He previously chaired the Housing Commission in 2014 established by Ed Miliband, which set out how the UK can boost housing supply. He also led the national ‘Lyons Inquiry into Local Government’ in 2007 about workings and funding of local government which argued for greater devolution and emphasised the local authority’s role in ‘placeshaping’.

    Dame Kate Barker

    • Dame Kate Barker is the Deputy Chair of the New Towns Taskforce.
    • Dame Kate chairs the trustee for the Universities Superannuation Scheme, and is also a Church Commissioner for the Church of England. She chairs the Governing Council of the Productivity Institute.
    • She was a former non-executive director at Taylor Wimpey plc, at Man Group plc and at the Yorkshire Building Society. She was an external member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee between 2001 and 2010.
    • During that time, she was commissioned by the government to conduct a major independent policy review of UK Housing Supply in 2004 followed by a review of Land Use Planning in 2006. She has also authored a book titled ‘Housing: where’s the plan’ and was previously a Commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission.

    Bill Hughes

    • Bill is Global Head of Real Assets and Co-Head of Private Markets at Legal & General.
    • He plays an active role in the wider infrastructure and housing industry, having been Chair of the Property Industry Alliance since 2016.
    • Bill is also a Global Governing Trustee of the Urban Land Institute and is on the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) Governance Board.
    • Previously, Bill was CEO at RREEF UK and Deputy Managing Director at Schroder Property Investment Management.

    Diane Coyle

    • Dame Diane Coyle is an economist and Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge.
    • She is also a Director of the Productivity Institute, a Fellow of the Office for National Statistics, and an academic adviser to the CMA.
    • Diane was awarded a DBE for her contribution to economic policy in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.

    Eamonn Boylan

    • Eamonn Boylan has over 40 years of expertise in local government, including Chief Executive of Stockport, Greater Manchester CA and Transport for Greater Manchester.
    • He is currently interim CEO of Manchester City Council and Chair of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.
    • Eamonn has significant experience in leading large regeneration projects, including Ancoats and Hulme in Manchester.

    Helen Gordon

    • Helen is the CEO of Grainger, the UK’s largest publicly listed residential landlord and Build to Rent developer.
    • She has been in position since 2016, having previously working at RBS and Legal & General.
    • Helen has a wealth of experience developing new towns, working on the development of Milton Keynes early in her career.
    • She was also formally the president of the British Property Foundation and is Vice Chair of the European Public Real Estate Association.

    Kate Henderson

    • Kate is the Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, the voice of England’s housing associations.
    • She is currently a member of several government panels including the Rough Sleeping Advisory Panel and the Social Housing Quality Expert Challenge Panel.
    • She was previously Chief Executive of the Town and Country Planning Association.

    Nick Raynsford

    • Nick is the current President of the Town and Country Planning Association and author of the 2018 Raynsford Review of Planning.
    • Nick was an MP from 1986 to 2015 and held multiple ministerial positions including Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Minister for London and Minister of State for Local and Regional Government.
    • Since leaving Parliament he has held a number of positions including Deputy Chairman of Crossrail, Chair of CICAIR and a Director of Pocket Living.

    Sowmya Parthasarathy

    • Sowmya is an architect and urban designer at ARUP, with over 30 years of global experience. She has been involved in award-winning masterplans, strategic plans, and urban design guides, such as London’s 2012’s Olympic Legacy Masterplan.
    • Sowmya is also a UK Design Council Ambassador, serves as a Design Advocate for the Mayor of London and sits on the London Design Review Panel.

    Wei Yang

    • Dr Wei is a town planner and urban designer. She is CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning and Chairman of Wei Yang & Partners.
    • Wei currently serves as the Chair of the Construction Industry Council and a member of the UN Habitat World Urban Campaign Steering Committee.
    • Previously, Wei was President of the Royal Town Planning Institute for 2021
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK government events in Mexico promote trade in legal services [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK government events in Mexico promote trade in legal services [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 17 September 2024.

    UK legal services will be at the forefront of one of the world’s biggest legal gatherings this week to promote the UK as a place to do business.

    • International legal professionals to meet UK legal services experts
    • GREAT Legal Services events take place alongside the International Bar Association Annual Conference
    • Roundtables and joint Law Society reception show UK government commitment to supporting UK legal sector and driving economic growth.

    The British Embassy in Mexico City will host a series of networking events on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 September to bolster connections between the UK legal sector and global partners to highlight the UK Government’s commitment to driving economic growth through legal services exports.

    Taking place alongside the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference, the world’s largest global legal sector gathering, these events, held jointly with The Law Society of England and Wales, build on the success of previous GREAT Legal Services campaign activity which has resulted in millions of pounds worth of business deals.

    In the last financial year, the campaign generated over £5 million in projected business wins for UK lawyers, and more than 800 business connections for UK legal professionals, and reached over 2.6 million online in key markets across the world.

    Justice Minister, Heidi Alexander, said:

    I’m proud of our legal services’ world-leading reputation. These networking events allow us to share our expertise with others and learn from them to maintain our competitive edge.

    Importantly, promoting the UK’s legal sector abroad helps build connections and ultimately bring investment back to the UK. I would like to thank The Law Society for their role in helping to bring UK and international legal professionals together.

    The GREAT Legal Services campaign was launched in 2017 to promote and support the strength of English and Welsh Law, the UK’s world-renowned independent judiciary, and our legal expertise to the global market.

    Overall the UK’s legal sector generates billions for the UK economy with the latest figures showing it contributed £34 billion in 2022. In recent months key agreements have been made with other nations to strengthen the sector – including agreements with Japan, Greece and Malaysia – by allowing UK lawyers to practise abroad.

    The IBA conference is the legal sector’s largest international event, with more than 5,000 attendees expected from law firms, governments, and regulators globally.

    Further information

    • Tuesday’s discussions on arbitration will cover key trends in Latin America, particularly in sectors such as energy, natural resources, renewables and infrastructure, with the aim of fostering dialogue and creating opportunities for UK lawyers in Latin American markets and related jurisdictions.
    • Wednesday’s finance roundtable will highlight Mexico’s growing significance as a market, assessing the key challenges and opportunities that face financial institutions and businesses in the region and how the legal sector can effectively support businesses and the market to thrive.
    • Also on Wednesday, for younger international lawyers, there is an event focusing on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), providing the opportunity to learn more about working with English and Welsh Law.
    • Rounding off the events, the Ministry of Justice and The Law Society of England and Wales will co-host a drinks reception to celebrate relationships and partnerships forged, and enable more business connections to be made.
    • The events in Mexico City were supported by the Department of Business and Trade as part of broader work to grow trade between the UK and Mexico.
  • PRESS RELEASE : £1.9 Million Announced for Science, Technology and Innovation in West Africa [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : £1.9 Million Announced for Science, Technology and Innovation in West Africa [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

    The UK government today has announced up to £1.9 million in funding to strengthen science, technology and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria through its West Africa Research and Innovation Hub.

    The Sankore call for proposals will support the UK government’s partnership with governments in Ghana and Nigeria on Science, Technology and Innovation, facilitate commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy and enhance government digital service delivery.

    Named after a medieval centre of learning in West Africa, Sankore will support the implementation of the UK-Ghana Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. It will promote collaborative work between universities, research centres and the private sector, and help turn new ideas into useful products for industry and support projects that fit with Ghana’s tech goals.

    Launching a call for proposals at a press conference in Accra, Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa, said:

    This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage. The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together.

    Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford said:

    Sankore will serve as a financing vehicle to catalyse the implementation of the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy. This initiative is one of many initiatives the Ministry with the support of the UK Government intends to bridge the funding gap for Ghana’s Technological Innovation. We are happy to partner key actors in the innovation ecosystem to drive the economic transformation in Ghana through ST&I.

    British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson added: > The launch of Sankore sends a clear message: the UK sees enormous value in partnering with African countries on science, technology and innovation, and we are committed to bringing those partnerships to life. This grant will further strengthen our existing partnerships on science, tech and innovation, in line with our joint the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on enforced or involuntary disappearances [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on enforced or involuntary disappearances [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

    UK Statement for the Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Delivered at the 57th HRC in Geneva.

    Mr Vice President, the United Kingdom would like to thank the Working Group for its report and for the insights provided.

    The UK strongly condemns all instances of enforced disappearance; they are clear violations of human rights. As we know, this issue deeply affects the families of victims and leaves a lasting impact on their communities, as well as damaging and undermining the effectiveness of the rule of law.

    We share concerns outlined in the report that limited records of disappearances do not accurately reflect the actual numbers of enforced disappearances in States, and that victims are likely to become subject to inhuman treatment and torture.

    We must collectively advocate for increased global engagement to eradicate instances of these grave human rights violations.

    The UK urges states to fully investigate all allegations of enforced disappearance and prosecute those responsible to provide justice for victims and their families. We must remain committed to promoting and protecting the rule of law internationally.

    Members of the Working Group,

    What tools for recording and raising allegations to the Working Group can be made readily available to those involved in investigating cases of enforced disappearances?

  • PRESS RELEASE : Loyd Grossman CBE reappointed as Chair of The Royal Parks [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Loyd Grossman CBE reappointed as Chair of The Royal Parks [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 17 September 2024.

    The Secretary of State has reappointed Loyd Grossman CBE from 01 September 2024 to 31 May 2025, while the process to appoint a new permanent Chair of The Royal Parks is run.

    Loyd Grossman CBE

    Loyd is a broadcaster, entrepreneur and writer who has a long association with the arts and heritage sectors. He is Chair elect of The Royal Society of Arts.

    Loyd’s past appointments include as a board member of English Heritage, the Museums and Galleries Commission and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. He has been Chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust, Chair of the Heritage Alliance, Chairman of National Museums Liverpool and Vice Chair of the Royal Drawing School. He was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to heritage in 2015.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    The Chair of The Royal Parks is not remunerated. This reappointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Loyd Grossman has not declared any significant political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK helps secure ambitious declaration to promote sustainable farming and food security [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK helps secure ambitious declaration to promote sustainable farming and food security [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 September 2024.

    The UK has played a key role in securing a declaration to support sustainable agriculture and promote food security at a meeting of G20 Agriculture Ministers in Brazil.

    Signing the G20 Agricultural Declaration, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner affirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable agri-food systems.

    The Brazilian Presidency led negotiations which positioned agriculture at the forefront of addressing key challenges of fighting poverty, ending hunger, and improving nutrition, while confronting the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

    The efforts of the UK ensured that the Declaration encourages more sustainable agricultural practices across the planet, including halting and reversing deforestation.

    Speaking at the G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting in Cuiabá, Brazil, Minister Zeichner called on countries to deepen international collaboration, including through trade, to create sustainable agri-food systems. The minister also used the occasion to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, when it launches in November.

    Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs said:

    It is vital that G20 countries work together to create sustainable agriculture and food systems, as well safeguard food security.

    This declaration will help create sustainable and resilient global agriculture, essential to overcome poverty, climate change and biodiversity loss.

    At home, we will continue delivering a new deal for farmers, boosting farmer confidence and food security, as well as stability and economic growth in our rural communities.”

    The government will continue to champion UK food and drink on the international stage and Scotch whisky has recently become the first foreign product granted Geographical Indication status in Brazil since 2019. This new status could be worth around £25 million in trade over five years and will give distillers better access to South America’s largest economy, strengthening international recognition for Scotch Whisky.

  • PRESS RELEASE : John Humphrey, the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, visits Egypt [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : John Humphrey, the UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, visits Egypt [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 17 September 2024.

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey, visited Egypt for the first time this week to enhance UK-Egypt trade and investment co-operation, focusing on green transition, tourism, aviation and core infrastructure.

    During his week-long visit, John Humphrey met key ministers across the Egyptian Government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, H.E Badr Abdelatty and Minister of Trade and Investment, HE Hassan El-Khatib, where they discussed ways of strengthening the UK-Egypt £4.7 billion trade and investment relationship to support economic prosperity for both countries.

    Additionally, Mr Humphrey met Minister of Tourism, HE Sherif Fathy, and reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to help Egypt meet its ambitious tourism targets, through commercial flight routes, such as the recently announced Liverpool to Luxor route, and targeting UK trade and investment to improve the tourist experience.

    Mr Humphrey also met Minister of Civil Aviation, Pilot Sameh El-Hefny to discuss strengthening bilateral co-operation on the development and operation of Egyptian airports, including welcoming EgyptAir’s recent order of 10 new Airbus aircraft designed for efficiency and reduced emissions.

    Finally, Mr Humphrey had the opportunity to attend Egypt’s International Airshow at El-Alamein International Airport and visit the MCV factory to see CEO Karim Ghabbour, and some of the trademark double deck London buses that assembled here and exported to the UK.

    The visit to Egypt follows a business delegation of 31 UK companies who visited in June this year to build future trade partnerships and investment deals. This important delegation met with senior Egyptian government officials and conducted 250 business to business meetings with Egyptian counterparts.

    Building on the trade ties strengthened by Mr Humphrey’s visit, an Egyptian business delegation led by the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA), will visit the UK from the 18th to the 20th of September to unlock investment opportunities in Egypt.

    The event will be attended by: HE Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance; HE Hassan El Khateeb, Minister of Investment; HE Walid Gamal El Din Chairman of the SCEZ; HE Dr Mohamed Farid, Chairman of FRA; HE  Rami Aboul Naga Deputy Governor of the Central bank and HE Khaled Abass Chairman of the New Capital. The event will also highlight the Egyptian government’s efforts in attracting investment and accelerating private sector growth, while modernising regulations across key sectors like energy, infrastructure, manufacturing and finance.

    Reflecting on his visit, John Humphrey said:

    It’s a great pleasure to be in Egypt looking into potential opportunities to boost the UK-Egypt trade and investment relationship. The highlights include an exciting visit to the new El-Alamein City, one of the 37 planned new cities in Egypt, which serves as a tangible example of how these kinds of plans can become a reality.  It is a perfect illustration of why thousands of UK tourists flock to Egypt every year, to witness its beautiful beaches and wonderful climate.

    The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and UK Export Finance (UKEF) work hand in glove in Egypt, and UKEF has £2 billion available for projects in all sectors, including those that harness Egypt’s incredible potential to become a renewable energy superpower and to build sustainable cities.

    British Ambassador to Egypt, Gareth Bayley, added:

    The UK is committed to a growing and prosperous UK-Egypt trade and investment partnership, especially in the areas of renewable energy, tourism and core infrastructure.  Our strong bilateral trade relationship is valued at £4.7 billion annually, and the UK is one of Egypt’s largest foreign direct investors. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa’s recent visit demonstrates the growing opportunities found here, especially with. Egypt’s strategic position as a gateway into Africa. I believe the future of trade and investment between our two countries has huge potential.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for electric vans and buses backed with investment to drive innovation [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for electric vans and buses backed with investment to drive innovation [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 17 September 2024.

    The government has announced £88 million of funding has been awarded to 46 innovative projects that will help boost zero emission vehicle tech.

    • New industry and government funding announced to boost zero emission vehicle tech, creating jobs and helping deliver long-term economic growth.
    • Over 40 cutting edge projects across five competitions include next generation battery-electric bus and developing electric trucks for the Royal Mail and NHS.
    • Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones will visit two successful projects to reiterate the government’s support for the auto industry and net zero transition.

    Dozens of cutting-edge, green vehicle technology projects including ultra-lightweight vehicles, zero emission buses and new battery technology are set to benefit from £88 million of joint funding to take the UK a step closer to net zero.

    Today [Tuesday 17 September], Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones will visit Surrey to announce that £88 million of joint industry and government funding has been awarded to 46 innovative projects, including the development of electric trucks for the NHS and Royal Mail, e-motorcycles and wireless charging solutions.

    This funding is an important vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, creating thousands of green, skilled jobs up and down the country as the government continues to deliver its mission to get Britain moving and grow the economy for all.

    The Minister will visit two successful applicants in the government-supported Advanced Propulsion Centre UK’s (APC) Collaborative R&D competition, Protean Electric and Gordon Murray Group.

    Protean Electric is working to bring to market new, UK-developed, power-electronics products and Gordon Murray Group is developing an ultra-lightweight vehicle platform for future vehicles. These are key technologies that underpin the UK’s transition to future zero emission vehicles.

    Total investment in their projects is £22.5 million, including a government grant of £11 million. Both projects combined are estimated to save nearly 13 million tonnes of CO2, while safeguarding and creating nearly 1,000 jobs.

    Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones said:

    Labour is committed to boosting the jewel in the crown of our manufacturing base – the automotive industry. Working in partnership with industry this funding will drive innovation and propel the development of next generation zero emission vehicle technologies.

    From Royal Mail trucks delivering our post, to cleaner, greener bus journeys, this funding will back projects that will lower emissions across the country, while also supporting skilled jobs.

    Andrew Whitehead, Chief Executive Officer of Protean Electric, said:

    We are thrilled that project PULSE has been selected by the APC and the new Government, as it supports Protean to continue to lead electric vehicle innovation from our UK development centre. Protean’s state-of-the-art in-wheel motors are a key solution to improve range, user experience and most importantly affordability of electric vehicles.

    We are delighted to welcome Minister Jones and would like to thank her for the new Government’s continued commitment towards net-zero, and look forward to engaging further on these topics in the future.”

    Jean-Philippe Launberg, Gordon Murray Group Strategy & Business Director, said:

    The Gordon Murray Group and our R&D partners feel privileged to receive – through Innovate UK and APC – Government support for the M-LightEn Project and be trusted with the development and industrialisation of leading-edge technologies to make cars significantly more energy efficient to build and run, contributing to the UK’s decarbonisation. Furthermore, the extra lightweighting we will unlock through M-LightEn directly enhances the already legendary dynamics of our cars. It’s Driving Perfection … taken to the next level.

    This joint industry and government funding has been awarded through the APC, helping to unlock further private investment into developing cutting edge zero emission technologies for the automotive sector. £44.5 million of this investment has been provided by government and is backed by a further £43.5 million from the automotive industry.

    Other successful projects, across five competitions, include eight collaborative R&D projects, seven Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) Feasibility Studies looking into battery and motor technologies, 11 projects aiming to rapidly develop automotive products, 14 micro-businesses, SMEs and start-ups specialising in zero emission technologies which tackle transport decarbonisation and 6 projects exploring zero tailpipe emission vehicle technologies within the niche vehicle sector.

    Ian Constance, Chief Executive Officer APC, said:

    Congratulations to all the companies awarded funding in this latest round of competitions facilitated by the Department for Business and Trade and industry via the APC. From collaborative projects to further advance the UK’s excellence in automotive production, to fast-start demonstrators delivering cutting-edge technology in a short period of time, through to our award-winning SME programme, it’s important we continue to show that the automotive sector is vital to the country’s net-zero goals and future economic growth, further evidencing that the UK is a highly investable opportunity

    A report from the Faraday Institution (FI) published today predicts that by 2030, the UK will need battery capacity of around 110 GWh per annum, the equivalent of six gigafactories. Recent gigafactory announcements in the UK by AESC and Tata Group have built excitement about the potential to create a new, dynamic and highly skilled battery industry in the UK.

    The FI predicts that 270,000 UK jobs could be supported by the EV and battery industry to 2040. The UK’s ambitious approach to the zero emission vehicle transition resulted in over £20bn of private sector investment commitments in the UK automotive sector in 2023 and this sector will play a key role in supporting long-term growth.

    The government continues to work with investors through the ATF to progress plans to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK, and this includes unlocking private investment in gigafactories.

    This government’s mission is to create a strong, stable and pro-business economy, with the UK remaining an attractive destination for investment for the automotive industry.

    Our new industrial strategy and International Investment Summit will deliver long-term, sustainable, inclusive growth right across the UK by driving investment into our economy and will play a key role to maintain the highest sustained growth in the G7.

    Notes to Editors:

    The difference in government and industry funding is due to a higher intervention rate in the grant funding for the SMEs supported through the TDAP programme.

    APC Collaborative R&D (APC25) projects led by:

    The latest in R&D collaborative support via the APC R&D competitions – worth £60 million – aims to raise economic growth, projected to create or safeguard over 3,500 green jobs, and reduce CO2 in the manufacturing and usage of zero-emission vehicles.

    Sarginsons Industries: Revolutionising the global aluminium casting industry with faster development of lighter and more sustainable cast solutions.

    Microchip Technology Caldicot: Developing high-efficiency power modules for next-generation inverter systems and addressing key gaps in the UK’s power electronics supply chain.

    JLR: Developing a growing UK supply-chain, enabling high-volume application of lightweight and circular composite technologies for the automotive industry.

    Ford Motor Company: Focusing on the development, pilot, and industrialisation of e-sheet, stamping, and lamination.

    Protean Electric: Delivering revolutionary EV technologies combined with new UK manufacturing capabilities for power-electronics products.

    European Metal Recycling: Transforming the UK aluminium supply chain through the creation of up-to 100% post-consumer scrap recycled extrusions for use in the automotive industry.

    Gordon Murray Group: Developing a production-ready, ultra-lightweight, low CO2, monocoque architecture and solutions for a portfolio of class-leading future vehicles.

    Cummins: Developing a digital analysis tool to enable the design of highly reliable and durable components used in hydrogen-fuelled powertrains.

    Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator (ARMD3) projects:

    £9.1 million of government grant funding has also been awarded to 11 fast-track projects funded through APC’s third Advanced Route to Market Demonstrator competition (ARMD3), which aims to rapidly develop automotive products with a clear route to market.

    Metier Technologies: Developing innovative subsystems for onboard hydrogen fuel systems, accelerating zero-emission vehicle adoption with reduced cost, improved reliability and quality.

    Altilium Metals: Delivering a carbon reduction technology in BEVs, through production and validation of battery cells containing materials recovered from battery waste.

    Ram Innovations: Demonstrating highly efficient power electronics systems and sub-systems utilising GaN (gallium nitride) devices with improved efficiency and enhanced thermal performance.

    Equipmake: Creating a novel ‘daisy chain’ energy management system to enable firefighting with fully battery-electric fire engines.

    Botanic Energy: Replacing diesel-driven refrigeration with energy-efficient thermoelectric systems, for Sainsburys to offer last-mile delivery with zero-emission refrigerated vehicles.

    MAGTEC: Prototyping next-generation drivelines for electric trucks to be trialled by NHS Wales and Royal Mail.

    Renewable Metals UK: Recovering critical materials from battery waste, cutting costs and boosting sustainability with novel alkali-based hydrometallurgy.

    Intelligent Energy: Building a 200kW+ regulated voltage output fuel-cell system designed for heavy-duty vehicles.

    Triumph Motorcycles: Establishing a second-generation Triumph electric motorcycle software platform and supply chain to offer riders a distinctive feel, style & character.

    Zircotec: Developing and testing ceramic coatings for lightweight battery enclosures to improve thermal and electrical insulation for both vehicle safety and efficiency.

    Wrightbus (Bamford Bus Company): Delivering an innovative, next-generation, lightweight and energy-efficient battery-electric bus demonstrator, showcasing UK engineering talent on a world-wide scale.

    Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) projects:

    The Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) has awarded over £2.3 million in government grant funding to 14 companies specialising in zero-emission technologies which tackle transport decarbonisation.

    Battery Minerals: Battery Minerals’ mission is to help deliver a circular battery supply chain by improving the economics of mineral extraction for battery waste.

    DeepForm: DeepForm Ltd is introducing a novel, patented, sheet metal pressing technology that can significantly reduce the high levels of waste in automotive pressings, reducing cost and CO2 emissions.

    Electric Green: Electric Green Limited is developing smart wireless charging solutions which allow electric vehicles to charge without plugging in a cable.

    Enough Energy: Enough Energy aims to support the shift to renewables through developing innovative energy storage solutions, leveraging the best and latest technologies available.

    FLIT: FLIT develops lightweight folding e-bikes for urban commuters with a mission to build e-bikes that are so useful that even people who don’t ride bikes will want one.

    Generational Technologies: Generational is an innovative software company that provides battery assessments and performance monitoring for electric vehicles.

    IONETIC: IONETIC is a battery pack technology company, developing a one-stop solution, empowering all OEMs to create excellent electric vehicles, with the correct economics and performance.

    Molyon: Molyon, is developing its patented cathode solution which enables next generation high energy density batteries. Molyon’s efforts in lithium-sulfur batteries have shown twice the energy density of lithium-ion batteries on the market, all whilst using more sustainable and low-cost materials.

    NiTech Solutions: NiTech Solutions is a UK based business aiming to be at the forefront in transforming the chemical processing industry through developing advanced manufacturing solutions for chemical production in the 21st Century.

    Polaron: Polaron is accelerating the design of advanced materials with generative AI.

    Raeon: Raeon is aiming to disrupt the custom battery market by offering a 10x reduction in development cost and lead time for application-optimised, ‘any shape’ batteries.

    TaiSan: TaiSan is developing novel quasi-solid-state sodium batteries with proprietary IP in electrolyte and anode materials to reach high energy density.

    Tribol Braking: Tribol Braking brings revolutionary, patented approaches to manufacturing high performance composite braking components for the automotive sector that are lighter, and last longer. Tribol has developed a full-Composite-Brake-Pad (CBP) using polymer composites, such as carbon fibre, in place of steel in automotive brake pads.

    TUAL Technology: TUAL is an innovator in electric commercial vehicle charging solutions, working with enterprise customers across Europe to deliver technology that transforms productivity, profitability and utilisation.

    Automotive Transformation Fund Feasibility Study (FS5) projects:

    Seven projects will also receive a government investment of £2.3 million through the fifth round of Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) Feasibility Studies with the aim to electrify Britain’s automotive sector and protect its competitiveness in the global market.

    Anaphite: The study will produce an investment case for the commercialisation and scale up of Anaphite’s innovative dry coating precursor technology. Dry coating of battery electrodes is less energy intensive than traditional wet coatings and more efficient.

    Imerys British Lithium Limited (IBL): Validation of commercial opportunities for large-scale lithium production in the UK, using IBL’s highly sustainable, novel method of extracting high-purity lithium from micaceous granite.

    Talga Anode: UK-RELOAD aims to validate the case to establish an innovative lithium-ion battery anode manufacturing plant in the UK designed to support the circular economy by extracting and repurposing recycled graphite from used batteries and battery-production scrap to use in new battery production.

    Altilium: The validation and commercialisation of a new UK greenfield site capable of processing 90,000 tpa of end-of-life EV lithium-ion batteries, gigafactory scrap and electronic waste, enabling 30,000 tpa of cathode active materials to be recovered and supplied back into the EV battery industry by 2028.

    Nyobolt: Validation of high-volume production for Nyobolt’s proprietary anode material. Establishing this capacity in the UK would represent a key piece of the UK’s automotive battery supply chain and enable the commercialisation of Nyobolt’s ultra-fast-charging battery technology, capable of reducing vehicle charging from hours to minutes.

    FluoRok: Development of a detailed business plan to support future investment in a new UK-based manufacturing unit for LiPF6, a key material in the Li-ion battery chemical supply chain.

    Electrified Automation:  Project EARTH (Electrified Automated motor Range in Traction & Hydraulic systems) aims to expand existing product offerings to ensure compatibility with a range of EDU components. The successful project will enable continued growth in the off-highway market and see substantial investment into UK manufacturing facilities.

    Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) projects:

    The Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) has also awarded over £1 million in government grant funding to 6 UK SMEs and their suppliers to bring innovative technologies from demonstration through to production readiness in a compressed timescale.

    Muon Tech Ltd: Muon Tech is bringing to market the VXM-35, an integrated electric drive and vehicle control unit, which is designed to fit tight packaging volumes with high levels of functional safety, reliability and functionality.

    Carbon Threesixty Ltd: The Hi-DEN Gen2 project will develop the design, manufacturing, integration and testing of a conformable hydrogen storage solution to meet the growing demand of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and help the UK reach its net zero targets by 2050.

    Bomobility Ltd: The Boped Proof of Concept seeks to create a fully functional demonstrator vehicle for a new and innovative omni-category lightweight e-motorcycle, aiming to enable the niche production of highly optimised vehicles for specific use-cases.

    Raeon: Raeon’s proprietary resin encapsulation technology aims to reduce the cost and lead time of custom battery development by 10x, making bespoke high-performance custom battery solutions accessible for the most commercially sensitive applications.

    Quattro Plant Ltd: Quattro Plant is leading developers in the field of up-cycled off-highway vehicles converting internal combustion engine machines to battery powertrains.

    FR 8 Technology Ltd: This project will produce a static demonstrator 16 tonne rigid delivery vehicle with a low floor, providing direct access for unloading from the truck to the footpath.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Leaders statement to mark the third anniversary of AUKUS [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Leaders statement to mark the third anniversary of AUKUS [September 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 September 2024.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer, U.S. President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a joint statement today.

    We the leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, mark the third anniversary of AUKUS – an enhanced security partnership that promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific that is secure and stable. We reaffirm our shared commitment to this historic partnership and acknowledge the considerable progress to date.

    Pillar I – Conventionally-Armed, Nuclear-Powered Submarines

    In March 2023, our nations announced a pathway to deliver Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine (SSN) capability, while setting the highest non-proliferation standard.

    We are steadily building Australia’s capabilities to steward and operate its own fleet of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines from the early 2030s. The United Kingdom and the United States welcomed Australian naval officers and sailors into their submarine training schools and embedded Australian personnel into the UK Ministry of Defence and U.S. naval shipyards. Our nations have made enormous strides towards the establishment of a rotational presence of U.S. and UK SSNs at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia as early as 2027. Increased visits by U.S. SSNs to Australia have supported steady progress in Australian workforce development, and, in August 2024, Australian personnel demonstrated their progress through participation in the first maintenance activity conducted on a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in Australia.

    We have made significant investments to lift our respective submarine industrial bases.  The United Kingdom has made an initial allocation of nearly £4 billion to continue work on SSN-AUKUS, and £3 billion to expand production capabilities across its Defence Nuclear Enterprise. The United States decided to invest USD 17.5 billion into its submarine industrial base. Australia has committed to invest over AUD 30 billion in the Australian defense industrial base and make proportionate contributions to the United Kingdom and the United States to support the production of SSN-AUKUS and to accelerate the delivery of Virginia class submarines respectively. In March 2024, Australia announced the selection of ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to build SSN-AUKUS and ASC Pty Ltd to sustain Australia’s SSNs. These respective investments and decisions will deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs across our three nations.

    In August this year, the AUKUS partners signed an historic international agreement for cooperation relating to naval nuclear propulsion. Once it enters into force, this agreement will enable AUKUS partners to go beyond sharing naval nuclear propulsion information to include allowing the United States and the United Kingdom to transfer the material and equipment required for the safe and secure construction, operation, and sustainment of Australia’s conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

    The agreement reaffirms AUKUS partners’ existing non-proliferation obligations and Australia’s safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agreement will make our non-proliferation commitments under AUKUS legally-binding between the partners. Our nations continue to consult with the IAEA to develop a non-proliferation and safeguards approach that sets the highest non-proliferation standard.

    Pillar II – Advanced Capabilities

    When AUKUS was first announced, we pledged to pursue information and technology sharing and unprecedented integration of our innovation communities, industrial bases, and warfighter capabilities in support of a shared goal to build the advanced capabilities needed to bolster deterrence in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

    This work is delivering as our Navies are strengthening undersea warfare capabilities by integrating the ability to launch and recover undersea vehicles from submarine torpedo tubes to deliver effects such as strike and reconnaissance. We are also deploying advanced Artificial Intelligence algorithms across our shared military systems to process sonar-buoy data, assisting anti-submarine operators in making better decisions, faster. We are strengthening maritime autonomy through a series of joint exercise and experimentation known as the Maritime Big Play, where we will conduct ground-breaking tests on the collective use of autonomous and un-crewed systems in maritime operations. Together, we are making further strides in quantum technologies, cyber capabilities, hypersonics, and electronic warfare.

    In April 2024 our Defence Ministers announced principles for additional AUKUS Pillar II partner engagement on specific projects where new partners could contribute to, and benefit from, AUKUS. Following initial consultations this year and leveraging Japan’s deep technical expertise, AUKUS partners and Japan are exploring opportunities to improve interoperability of their maritime autonomous systems as an initial area of cooperation. Recognising these countries’ close bilateral defence partnerships with each member of AUKUS, we are consulting with Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea to identify possibilities for collaboration on advanced capabilities under AUKUS Pillar II.

    To promote innovation and realise the goals of AUKUS, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have implemented momentous amendments to our respective export control regimes, including reforms to the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). These critical reforms will facilitate billions of dollars in secure, licence-free defence trade and maximise innovation across the full breadth of our defence collaboration and mutually strengthen our three defence industrial bases.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Indonesia strengthen partnerships on growth and climate [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Indonesia strengthen partnerships on growth and climate [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

    UK and Indonesia to sign agreements on development and critical minerals, as Development Minister visits region for first time.

    • UK and Indonesia strengthen cooperation on sustainable growth, climate change and the empowerment of women and girls
    • comes with Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds’ first trip to Indonesia, where she will sign 2 agreements to accelerate cooperation on development and critical minerals
    • follows a major speech earlier today from the Foreign Secretary on the climate and nature crisis

    The UK is committing to help accelerate the global transition to clean energy and efforts to tackle climate change. Anneliese Dodds, UK Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, has arrived in Jakarta to strengthen partnerships with Indonesia on green growth, climate, and the empowerment of women and girls.

    The 3-day visit to Indonesia (16 to 19 September) is the minister’s first visit to Southeast Asia in her new role. It follows a major speech from the Foreign Secretary earlier today on the climate and nature crisis and comes as the UK and Indonesia celebrate the 75th year of their diplomatic relationship.

    While in Indonesia, the minister will also sign 2 sets of bilateral memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with Indonesia’s National Planning Agency (Bappenas) on development cooperation and strategic partnership on critical minerals with the Ministry for Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Based on the principle of mutual respect and partnership, these MoUs will set out ways of collaborating on Indonesia’s development objectives and on shared priorities such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to address the most pressing global challenges of our time.

    Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, said:

    The new UK government’s development mission is to build genuine partnerships to help create a world free from poverty, on a liveable planet.

    Indonesia is a vast country, with a huge population and great economic potential. Strengthening our relationship with Indonesia can help us, together, to tackle the climate and nature crisis while creating sustainable jobs and growth.

    I’ll be working with key figures in the Indonesian government to make progress towards those goals, securing key agreements between our 2 countries on development and critical minerals.

    I will also learn how grassroots projects in Indonesia are empowering women and girls while encouraging sustainable stewardship of its abundant biodiversity and natural resources.

    Gender equality is the fundamental building block of all healthy democracies, and this government is committed to putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do.

    Minister Dodds is attending a number of bilateral meetings while in Indonesia, including with Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, Vice Foreign Minister Pahala Mansury, Minister for National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa and Minister of Forestry and Environment Siti Nurbaya Bakar. Discussions will focus on cooperation on climate, green growth, energy transition, the international development agenda and more.

    The minister will also attend discussions on progressing Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The JETP provides a finance package and technical assistance to support Indonesia’s shift to clean energy and global efforts to tackle climate change, unlocking new projects, jobs and drive economic growth.

    While currently powered mostly by coal, Indonesia has massive renewable energy potential. Effective, more sustainable management of Indonesian forests coupled with helping it shift to cleaner energy is in everyone’s interests. UK technical know-how and access to finance will help make this happen – tackling the climate crisis and creating new economic growth in the process.

    The minister will travel to the South Sulawesi province in East Indonesia to see how the UK is supporting local climate and development initiatives. She will engage with local communities to learn how they protect the environment through eco-tourism and community-led green growth practices, generating local revenues while supporting long-term education for women and girls.

    The visit builds on the new UK government’s modernised approach to development, working hand in hand with diplomacy, resetting the UK’s relationship with the Global South and building partnerships based on genuine respect.

    It complements the climate and nature ambitions set out in Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s major speech at Kew Gardens in London today, where he announced a Global Clean Power Alliance, plans to unlock more climate finance, and action to halt the decline in global biodiversity.