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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reeves – working people will be better off with Labour [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reeves – working people will be better off with Labour [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Labour Party on 9 October 2023.

    Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves will today (Monday 9 October) promise working people they will be better off with Labour as she announces once in a generation reform as part of the party’s pledge to get Britain building again.

    Addressing the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool, Reeves will vow to accelerate the building of critical infrastructure for digital connectivity, laboratories, and energy – to drive growth, create jobs and unlock private sector investment.

    The reforms would include:

    ·       Speeding up the planning for critically important infrastructure by updating all national policy statements – which set out what types of projects the country needs – within the first six months of a Labour government

    ·       Fast tracking the planning process for priority growth areas of the economy, such as battery factories, laboratories, and 5G infrastructure

    ·       Ensuring local communities get something back by providing businesses and communities with a menu of potential incentives, which could include cheaper energy bills

    ·       Tackling unnecessary, egregious, and time-consuming litigation by setting clearer national guidance for developers on the engagement and consultation expected with local communities

    ·       Strengthening public sector capacity to expedite planning decisions by raising the stamp duty surcharge on non-UK residents to appoint 300 new planning officers

    Reeves will say that “the single biggest obstacle to building infrastructure, to investment and to growth in this country is the Conservative Party”.

    The last Labour government delivered HS1 on time, under budget and at a cost of £50million per mile, comparable to France and Japan. Under the Conservatives, HS2 has failed to be delivered and cost the taxpayer £400 million per mile, making it the most expensive railway in the world.

    Analysis by the engineering consultancy ARUP calculates that by following best practice infrastructure projects can be delivered 25 per cent cheaper and 20 per cent quicker than now, and deliver a better deal for taxpayers, businesses and local communities.

    She will also pledge to restore business investment as a share of GDP to the level it was under the last Labour government. This would mean an additional £50 billion more every year in the British economy by the end of the decade – the equivalent to £1,700 per household.

    In her speech, Rachel Reeves is expected to say:

    “Labour’s task is to restore hope to our politics. The hope that lets us face the future with confidence, with a new era of economic security because there is no hope without security.

    “You cannot dream big if you cannot sleep in peace at night. The peace that comes from knowing you have enough to put aside for a rainy day and the knowledge that, when you need them, strong public services will be there for you and your family.

    “The strength that allows a society to withstand global shocks because it is from those strong foundations of security, that hope can spring.

    “The choice at the election is this. Five more years of the Tory chaos and uncertainty, which has left working people worse off or a changed Labour Party ready to strengthen Britain’s foundations, so working people are better off.”

    On Labour’s plans to get Britain building again, she is expected to say:

    “If we want to spur investment, restore economic security, and revive growth. Then we must get Britain building again.

    “The Tories would have you believe we can’t build anything anymore. In fact, the single biggest obstacle to building infrastructure, to investment and to growth in this country is the Conservative Party itself.

    “If the Tories won’t build, if the Tories can’t build, then we will. Taking head on the obstacles presented by our antiquated planning system.

    “Since 2012, decision times for national infrastructure have increased by 65 per cent, now taking four years. Labour stands with the builders not the blockers.

    “So today I am announcing our plans to get Britain building. A once in a generation set of reforms to accelerate the building of critical infrastructure for energy, transport, and technology. To fast-track battery factories, life sciences and 5G infrastructure and to tackle the litigation which devours time and money before we ever see shovels in the ground.

    “And to make sure that when a local community hosts critical national infrastructure, they will feel the benefits, including lower energy bills.

    “It is time we had a government with ambition for our communities. A government siding with the builders not the blockers. A government that will get Britain building again.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Trade Minister in Peru and Colombia to boost trade with Latin America [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Trade Minister in Peru and Colombia to boost trade with Latin America [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 October 2023.

    International Trade Minister kicks off a multi-state visit to Peru and Colombia to meet counterparts and push forward action to resolve trade barriers.

    • Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston visits Peru and Colombia to strengthen trade ties with Latin America
    • Comes as the UK resolved over a billion pounds worth of trade barriers stopping UK businesses from exporting to Latin America last year
    • Discussions with investors planned to explore new opportunities arising from UK’s accession to the Indo-Pacific trade bloc

    International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston has today kicked off a multi-state visit to Peru and Colombia to meet counterparts and push forward action to resolve trade barriers.

    The Minister will also announce new measures to ease regulation for British pharmaceutical companies in Colombia. Cutting red tape for some of the UK’s most innovative companies will unlock a multi-million-pound market while additionally helping the country access essential products such as medicines and medical devices.

    The visits come as new figures show the UK has resolved around £1.3 billion worth of trade barriers that have been preventing UK businesses from exporting their goods and services to the Latin America and the Caribbean region in the last financial year.

    The region represents 8% of the global population and its economy was estimated at £4.7 trillion in 2022. It is projected to rise to over £8 trillion in 2035, contributing to 5.2% of global GDP. It poses an exciting opportunity for UK businesses to build on our £40 billion trading relationship as its economies continue to open up and grow.

    Speaking ahead of the visit, International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

    Latin America presents incredible opportunities for British businesses, and we aim to put them at the front of the queue by making it easier to sell and establish a presence in countries like Colombia and Peru.

    Through our trade dialogues, CPTPP membership and unlocking even more trade barriers, we are creating fresh possibilities for UK companies to export their top-notch goods and services around the world.

    Minister Huddleston is expected to use his visit to advance discussions on trade barriers across a range of sectors, including:

    • Increased flexibility for the emerging green hydrogen market in Colombia, allowing world-leading UK hydrogen companies to be at the forefront of hydrogen deployment in Colombia.
    • Stopping companies from being taxed twice via a Double Taxation Agreement, improving conditions for UK businesses and increasing Peru’s investment potential, with a potential worth of around £55 million
    • Exploring options to remove Peru’s discriminatory tax treatment of imported spirits, such as Scotch Whisky, compared to locally produced ones, potentially worth around £55 million.

    The Minister will also meet with potential investors and private sector representatives in Peru to explore new investment and trade opportunities that have opened since the UK signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) this summer.

    Earlier this year, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch made the removal of trade barriers one of her top priorities, aiming to resolve 100 priority trade barriers around the world and unlock export opportunities worth around £20 billion for UK businesses.

    Removing trade barriers is a proven catalyst for increased exports economic growth and more jobs and being an independent trading nation has given us greater autonomy to tackle barriers facing UK businesses.

    Scotch Whisky Association International Director Ian McKendrick said:

    The SWA works around the world to ensure the Scotch Whisky industry can compete on a level playing field with other alcoholic products. We value the work of the Department of Business and Trade to fight tax discrimination, and the support the Minister is giving to our efforts in Peru.

    Scotch Whisky has faced tax discrimination in Peru versus domestically produced spirits for almost two decades, in contravention of WTO rules. This discrimination creates the conditions for counterfeit alcohol and smuggling in a black market which costs the Peruvian government more than $70m annually. Addressing this is a priority for the Scotch Whisky industry, where Peru and other South American markets have the potential to further increase the industry’s global export footprint.

    Background

    • Through our UK-Andean free trade agreements and now through our CPTPP membership we are seeking to unblock even more trade barriers and create fresh possibilities for UK companies to export their top-notch goods and services around the world.
    • UK-Peru bilateral trade was recorded at £3.4 billion in 2022 in current prices.
    • UK-Colombia bilateral trade was recorded at £1.8 billion in 2022 in current prices.
    • New DBT figures show the UK has resolved around £1.3 billion worth of trade barriers in LATAC in the last financial year. A subset of 24 out of 34 resolved barriers identified in DBT’s annual report and accounts have undergone a valuation assessment, of which the aggregated value is estimated to be around £1.3 billion. The remaining 10 barriers have not undergone a valuation assessment.
    • The data on resolved barriers are extracted from the Digital Market Access Service (DMAS). It is the internal government database of trade barriers facing UK businesses that enables closer collaboration across government in Whitehall and at overseas Posts to analyse and progress action to try and resolve them where feasible. For further information on DMAS, please find online: New service to open overseas markets for UK businesses – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
    • DMAS is not a comprehensive repository of all market access issues facing UK exporters, and reporting rates vary widely across countries and regions. As such, aggregate figures should be interpreted as an indicative estimate based on a selective sample.
    • Aggregate figures on the valuation of resolved barriers are based on DBT analysis of specific market access barriers using the methodologies set out in the DBT statistical publication. To calculate the aggregate figures, the mid-point for each valuation range is added to provide a central estimate. Further details on the methodology for the aggregate valuation figures are published in a DBT analytical working paper.
    • GDP data is in current prices sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and converted from US dollars to UK pounds using the Bank of England average spot exchange rate for 2022.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Two members appointed to the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two members appointed to the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 October 2023.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Robert Thomas and Rebecca White as members of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee representing voluntary organisations.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointments of Robert Thomas and Rebecca White, for 4 years, commencing 1 October 2023.

    The Courts Act 2003 established the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) to make rules governing the practice and procedure of magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division.

    The Act requires the CPRC, which is chaired by the Lord Chief Justice, to make rules that are simple and simply expressed, and that help make the criminal justice system accessible, fair and efficient.

    Biographies

    Robert Thomas is a Trustee of Intermediaries for Justice; a small charity promoting equality of access to justice for vulnerable people. He is also an HMCTS Appointed Intermediary Services Approved Service Provider. Robert’s first career was as a teacher of English, lecturer and senior manager in schools and colleges. He taught across the age and ability range both in this country and overseas. He has not declared any political activity.

    Rebecca White is a Research Associate at the University of Bristol; undertaking research to contribute to improved understanding on the scale and nature of state interventions to tackle female genital cutting/mutilation. She is also a Director of Impact at Supporting Justice; a community interest company that specialises in issues affecting victims and witnesses.

    She is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Bristol; exploring victim participation in the trial proceedings at the International Criminal Court, funded through the Economic and Social Research Council. She has not declared any political activity.

    These appointments are not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The recruitment processes complied with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Appointments to the CPRC are made by the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice for England and Wales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £60m to transform brownfield land and build 6,000 homes [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £60m to transform brownfield land and build 6,000 homes [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 October 2023.

    100 regeneration projects will support thousands of new jobs and boost communities.

    • 100 regeneration projects will support thousands of new jobs and boost communities.
    • Second phase of £180m Brownfield Land Release Fund will unlock sites as part of the long-term plan for housing.
    • Government on track to meet manifesto commitment of one million new homes this Parliament.

    More than 6,000 new homes will be built on brownfield sites, through money given to councils to transform unused land into beautiful and thriving neighbourhoods.

    Across the country, from Hull to Somerset, nearly 100 regeneration projects will receive £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

    The investment is part of the second phase of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund, with cash going directly to councils so they can release the land and get building as soon as possible.

    Derelict car parks, industrial sites and town centre buildings that have fallen into disrepair will all benefit from the new funding, with the Government supporting communities to bring land back into use.

    The Government has been clear it has a brownfield-first approach to building the homes this country needs through its long-term plan for housing and today’s announcement will help deliver that.

    Minister for Housing and Planning, Rachel Maclean MP said:

    We know we need to build more homes, but this cannot come at the expense of concreting over our precious countryside.

    That is why we are doing all we can to make sure we’re making use of wasteland and unused brownfield land, so we can turn these eyesores into beautiful and thriving communities.

    This is all part of our long-term plan for housing – making sure we deliver the homes we need across the country.

    Cabinet Office Minister, Alex Burghart MP:

    This funding will unleash the much-needed redevelopment of brownfield sites: stimulating growth and helping local areas reach their full potential.

    It’s fantastic news for business, and even better news for local people who will now see new investment, job opportunities, and family homes in their communities.”

    Projects that will benefit from the scheme include:

    • Newcastle: £1.82 million to boost wider regeneration by releasing a complex site to deliver 146 build-to-rent homes for communities in Benwell and Scotswood.
    • Hull: delivering 99 new homes for affordable rent on the site of a derelict school, backed by £980,000 Government funding to purchase the land as part of the city centre regeneration.
    • Sunderland: turning a former riverside industrial site that has been unused for over 20 years into 140 low-carbon build to rent homes at Farringdon Row, with £1.8 million for Sunderland Council to kick-start the project.

    Councillor Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

    We are delighted to continue our work with DLUHC, supporting councils to access the Brownfield Land Release Fund.

    Councils have continued to embrace opportunities to bring brownfield sites in their ownership forward for housing, and this fund plays a key role in helping councils to provide the types of homes their communities really need.

    This builds on the success of the first round of Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, where funding is enabling the release of land for almost 2,400 homes.

    To date, the fund is supporting at least 89 local authorities, over 160 projects, and providing almost £100 million to support councils to release land for almost 8,600 homes. At the same time, the £1 billion Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Fund will unlock up to 65,000 new homes across England.

    The next round of funding through Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 will be announced later this year.

    The fund is part of the Government’s long-term plan for housing, setting out how it will deliver its manifesto commitment of 1 million homes over this Parliament. This is backed by £10 billion in housing supply interventions announced over this Parliament.

  • PRESS RELEASE : First ever hackathon in education to explore AI [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : First ever hackathon in education to explore AI [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 9 October 2023.

    Hackathon to test how artificial intelligence could reduce workloads and drive up standards.

    Teachers and school leaders from across England are set to participate in an artificial intelligence (AI) hackathon as part a two-day event to experiment with technology and identify how AI could supercharge education.

    Artificial intelligence is already having an impact on society, helping to grow the economy and deliver better public services. In education, the technology has huge potential ranging from supporting teachers with administrative tasks to providing personalised feedback for students on their work.

    In a bid to unlock these benefits, the Department for Education, in collaboration with Faculty AI, the National Institute of Teaching, and the AI in Schools Initiative, is set to host an AI hackathon in London on 30 and 31 of October which will bring together teachers and leaders from schools and trusts across England, including Harris Federation, Star Academies, Outwood Grange Academies Trust and Inspiration Trust.

    Participants will be asked to experiment with AI to test its potential in several scenarios, for example whether it could write a lesson plan or accurately mark exam papers.

    Secondary school pupils will also be invited to share their experiences and knowledge. The best of the solutions will be shared with the department’s workload reduction taskforce and a demo of the tools created will be made available for schools across the country to test and to use, supporting the government’s ambition to reduce working hours for teachers and leaders by five hours per week.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said:

    During my career in the tech business, I have seen innovation in action.

    Artificial intelligence has huge potential to transform the way we do things, from providing personalised support for pupils to helping tackle teacher workload.

    But to reap the benefits in education, we need to improve our understanding of how AI works and safely. Participants of the hackathons will be supported by Faculty AI and the National Institute of Teaching to experiment and put forward solutions, paving the way for the future.

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

    This hackathon will help explore how AI can be harnessed to revolutionise education.

    We want to see teachers using AI to speed up administrative tasks and planning so that they are free to focus on the things which make the biggest difference to students.

    We are also equipping the next generation with the AI skills they need for the future, with our AI conversion courses helping students gain technical knowledge in this transformative technology so they can compete and thrive in the workplace.

    Tom Nixon, Director of Government at Faculty AI, said:

    Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our generation – and now is the time to safely bring its vast benefits to schools.

    From creating timetables and lesson resources, to supporting students with personalised feedback, AI has the power to cut workloads and improve young people’s education.

    The hackathon will be an important step in moving from rhetoric to reality, and we’re excited to help get these tools into classrooms.

    Dr Calum Davey, Executive Director of Research at the National Institute of Teaching said:

    We want to see a school system that nurtures the teachers and school leaders who are making a difference for children every day. Emerging AI technology may help with their work, but if it’s going to be useful and have an impact then schools need to led identification of problems and development of solutions.

    We are proud to work with Faculty to connect the experts in AI technology with the experts in the classroom. Our researchers will be listening to those involved and sharing what we learn.

    The UK is already a world leader in AI, spearheading the safe and responsible development of the technology. Ahead of the UK AI Safety Summit on 1 and 2 November, this work will mark an important step in ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of AI globally.

    As part of its work in this space, the Department for Education launched a call for evidence in June to gather views from educational professionals on risks, ethical considerations, and possibilities of AI in education. The results of the call for evidence will be published in November 2023 and alongside the results from this month’s hackathons, will support the government’s work to identify AI’s potential and ensure it advances in a safe, reasonable, and fair way.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Game-changing exascale computer planned for Edinburgh [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Game-changing exascale computer planned for Edinburgh [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 9 October 2023.

    Edinburgh has been selected to host a next-gen supercomputer fuelling economic growth, building on the success of a Bristol-based AI supercomputer, creating high-skilled jobs.

    • Edinburgh nominated to host next-generation compute system, 50 times more powerful than our current top-end system
    • national facility – one of the world’s most powerful – will help unlock major advances in AI, medical research, climate science and clean energy innovation, boosting economic growth
    • new exascale system follows AI supercomputer in Bristol in transforming the future of UK science and tech and providing high-skilled jobs

    Edinburgh is poised to host a next-generation compute system amongst the fastest in the world, with the potential to revolutionise breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, medicine, and clean low-carbon energy.

    The city has been named as the preferred choice to host the new national exascale facility, as the UK government continues to invest in the country’s world-leading computing capacity – crucial to the running of modern economies and cutting-edge scientific research.

    Exascale is the next frontier in computing power, where systems are built to carry out extremely complex functions with increased speed and precision. This in turn enables researchers to accelerate their work into some of the most pressing challenges we face, including the development of new drugs, and advances in nuclear fusion to produce potentially limitless clean low-carbon energy.

    The exascale system hosted at the University of Edinburgh will be able to carry out these complicated workloads while also supporting critical research into AI safety and development, as the UK seeks to safely harness its potential to improve lives across the country.

    Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    If we want the UK to remain a global leader in scientific discovery and technological innovation, we need to power up the systems that make those breakthroughs possible.

    This new UK government funded exascale computer in Edinburgh will provide British researchers with an ultra-fast, versatile resource to support pioneering work into AI safety, life-saving drugs, and clean low-carbon energy. It is part of our £900 million investment in uplifting the UK’s computing capacity, helping us forge a stronger Union, drive economic growth, create the high-skilled jobs of the future and unlock bold new discoveries that improve people’s lives.

    Computing power is measured in ‘flops’ – floating point operations – which means the number of arithmetic calculations that a computer can perform every second.  An exascale system will be 50 times more powerful than our current top-end system, ARCHER2, which is also housed in Edinburgh.

    The investment will mean new high-skilled jobs for Edinburgh, while the new national facility would vastly upgrade the UK’s research, technology and innovation capabilities, helping to boost economic growth, productivity and prosperity across the country in support of the Prime Minister’s priorities.

    UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said:

    State-of-the-art compute infrastructure is critical to unlock advances in research and innovation, with diverse applications from drug design through to energy security and extreme weather modelling, benefiting communities across the UK.

    This next phase of investment, located at Edinburgh, will help to keep the UK at the forefront of emerging technologies and facilitate the collaborations needed to explore and develop game-changing insights across disciplines.

    Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, said:

    We have already seen the vital work being carried out by ARCHER2 in Edinburgh and this new exascale system, backed by the UK government, will keep Scotland at the forefront of science and innovation. As well as supporting researchers in their critical work on AI safety this will bring highly skilled jobs to Edinburgh and support economic growth for the region.

    The announcement follows the news earlier this month that Bristol will play host to a new AI supercomputer, named Isambard-AI, which will be one of the most powerful for AI in Europe. The cluster will act as part of the national AI Research Resource (AIRR) to maximise the potential of AI and support critical work around the safe development and use of the technology.

    Plans for both the exascale compute and the AIRR were first announced in March, as part of a £900 million investment to upgrade the UK’s next-generation compute capacity, and will deliver on two of the recommendations set out in the independent review into the Future of Compute.

    Both announcements come as the UK prepares to host the world’s first AI Safety Summit on 1 and 2 November. The summit will bring together leading countries, technology organisations, academics and civil society to ensure we have global consensus on the risks emerging from the most immediate and rapid advances in AI and how they are managed, while also maximising the benefits of the safe use of the technology to improve lives.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £89 million of funding to develop cutting edge new electric vehicle technology [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £89 million of funding to develop cutting edge new electric vehicle technology [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 October 2023.

    £89 million of funding has been awarded to 20 cutting edge net zero tech projects, reinforcing the UK as a world leader in zero emissions vehicle technology.

    • £89 million in joint government and industry funding to help the UK lead the way on cutting edge net zero tech, creating jobs and helping to grow the economy.
    • 20 projects across four competitions include developers of revolutionary new offroad vehicles, net zero tractors and groundbreaking new EV battery systems.
    • Funding from one competition alone could create or safeguard over 4,700 UK jobs and save nearly 65 million tonnes of CO2 being emitted over next decade.

    £89 million of funding has been awarded to 20 cutting edge net zero tech projects including hydrogen-powered offroad vehicles, a new lithium scale-up plant and revolutionary new EV battery systems, reinforcing the UK as a world leader in zero emissions vehicle technology.

    The landmark funding package includes four collaborative R&D projects, five scale-up projects to assess if businesses in the automotive sector are ready for growth, and seven feasibility studies to prepare projects to develop large-scale manufacturing facilities in the UK.

    The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), in support of ambitions to build an end-to-end supply chain for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the UK. £45.2 million of this investment comes from Government, backed by a further £42.7 million from the automotive industry.

    Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

    Together with industry, we’re providing a huge £89 million of funding to drive 20 groundbreaking net zero tech projects which will help grow the economy and create UK jobs in the industries of the future.

    From net zero tractors to cutting-edge battery projects, we’re taking decisive action to back the UK’s innovators and ensure we remain at the forefront of zero emission vehicle technology.

    From luxury cars to workhorse excavators, the latest in collaborative R&D support via the APC – worth over £67 million – will accelerate the development of zero emission technology in the UK, safeguarding and creating jobs and supporting investment in cutting edge R&D.

    Winners of the latest collaborative R&D competition funding include Aston Martin, who are accelerating the development of a luxury battery electric vehicle platform and Perkins, who will develop a net-zero, hydrogen-hybrid integrated power system for offroad vehicles.

    The projects are estimated to create or safeguard more than 4,700 jobs in total and save nearly 65 million tonnes of CO2 being emitted over the next decade as a result of the work undertaken by these four R&D projects alone.

    APC Chief Executive Ian Constance said:

    This latest round of funding coincides with the APC’s 10th anniversary. We have seen over £1.4 billion of investment into automotive projects since the APC was set up, and I am proud of the impact that we have made here in the UK.

    This latest announcement includes a diverse set of OEMs and suppliers that demonstrate the strength of UK automotive. They will further add to our portfolio of innovative projects and continue to drive the UK to deliver on its net zero ambition.

    £11.3 million has also been awarded to 12 UK-based projects funded through the second instalment of the SuRV (Scale-up Readiness Validation) competition and the fourth round of the APC’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) feasibility studies competition.

    The ATF’s Scale-up Readiness Validation (SuRV) projects will support scale-up projects to assess if businesses in the UK automotive supply chain are ready for growth and expansion.

    Projects include Green Lithium who plan to build a lithium scale-up plant in Teesside, and Ilika Technologies who are working to accelerate the scale-up of Ilika’s solid state battery technology.

    The ATF Feasibility Studies will produce decision-ready business cases, in preparation for projects which will develop large-scale manufacturing facilities in the UK.

    The seven projects include Cornish Lithium, who are establishing a lithium processing plant in the UK to produce anode material for EV batteries, and Aberdeen Minerals Limited for the study of innovative mineral processing routes.

    The support delivered through the APC is unlocking further private investment and supports the government’s ambitions to build an end-to-end supply chain for zero-emissions vehicles in the UK.

    Today’s announcement comes on top of funding also being invested by the Government through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to develop a high-value end-to-end electrified automotive supply chain in the UK.

    This includes unlocking private investment in gigafactories, battery material supply chains, motors, power electronics, and fuel cell systems. The ATF is being delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the APC.

    Also announced today are the winners of the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) Production Readiness Competition, sponsored by the APC and supported by Innovate UK, provides grant funding to UK SMEs leading the way in sustainable, cutting-edge technology design.

    A total of £1.1 million in grant funding has been awarded to four projects, including a zero emission Ariel Nomad – a low volume performance offroad vehicle – featuring a highly optimised EV powertrain, and also a UK-made electric scooter from Swifty Scooters, which is optimised for superior rider safety and ensures a long product lifespan.

    After engagement with industry, DBT is building on programmes like the Advanced Propulsion Centre and taking decisive action to ensure future investment in zero emission vehicle manufacturing.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    A full breakdown of the winning projects is included below.

    APC Collaborative R&D (APC23) projects led by:

    Aston Martin: Accelerate the development of a luxury battery electric vehicle platform, enabling a route to net zero, including vehicle lightweighting, a digital toolchain and electrification training.

    Yasa: Makers of the world’s lightest in-wheel electric motor and acquired by Mercedes in 2021, is focused on creating an innovative combined electric propulsion & handling system, which aims to revolutionise existing EV (Electric Vehicle) systems.

    Gestamp’s Autotech Engineering R&D UK: Leads a consortium on a project to create new design methodologies, processes, and materials for reduced embodied carbon footprint in product designs.

    Perkins: The historic British engine maker, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, will develop a net-zero, hydrogen-hybrid, integrated power system for off-highway vehicles.

    Automotive Transformation Fund Scale-up Readiness Validation (SuRV2) projects:

    Helix: Hx-SuRV2: Validating Helix’s readiness for the scale-up of high power-density and scalable electric motor platforms focusing on ‘high-premium’ automotive applications.

    Green Lithium Refining: Green Lithium plans to build a lithium scale-up plant in Teesside. The plant will support the commissioning and training of a skilled workforce for its full-scale plant in Teesside, which will produce enough refined lithium to enable the downstream production of over 1 million electric vehicles.

    Advanced Electric Machines: Project SIMPLE aims to establish an efficient, scalable UK-based manufacturing process for sustainably produced traction motor systems in electric passenger vehicles.

    Geothermal Engineering: Geothermal Engineering Limited will use this award to install Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) at the UK’s first deep geothermal power plant at the United Downs Industrial Park in Cornwall.

    Ilika Technologies: Ilika Technologies, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) and MPAC are partnering in project SiSTEM to accelerate the scale-up of Ilika’s solid state battery technology.

    Automotive Transformation Fund Feasibility Study projects (FS4) projects:

    Gaussion: Magneto-enhancement technology for solid-state batteries.

    Talga Anode UK: Assessing the feasibility of production of anode materials from recycled graphite and a graphite-silicon composite anode material using in-situ silicates from Talga’s Swedish graphite ore.

    Altilium: Partnering with Lunaz to develop an innovative and sustainable solution for the safe transportation and discharging of end-of-life EV batteries.

    Strip Tinning: This project will study the feasibility of investing in very high-volume manufacturing of their Cell Contacting and Management System. The CCMS is a safety-critical component of the power electronics system of Battery Electric Vehicles.

    Greenroc Mining: Establishing a graphite processing plant in the UK to produce anode material for EV batteries from graphite concentrate from the Amitsoq Graphite Project in southern Greenland.

    Cornish Lithium: Focusing on commercial extraction of lithium and other battery metals in Cornwall, notably the Trelavour hard-rock lithium mica deposit near St Austell. Funding to understand the available lithium in the ground and how much can be produced & a life cycle assessment will quantify environmental impacts.

    Aberdeen Minerals:Study of innovative mineral processing routes to accelerate the low-carbon production of cathode raw materials from Northeast Scotland.

    Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) Production Readiness Competition winners:

    Ariel Electric with partners Rockfort Engineering and BAMD: Developing a zero emission Nomad, ZELV3, featuring a highly optimised EV powertrain and a lightweight aerodynamic body that improves vehicle efficiency.

    Maeving with project partners Alexander Technologies and Muon Tech: Developing a new, higher energy density, removable battery system, with improved thermal performance, for lightweight electric motorcycle. The project will move their battery production from a Far Eastern to a UK based supplier, supporting their ambition to make Britain a leading manufacturer of electric motorcycles.

    CALLUM with partners Nyobolt and Codem: Developing a lightweight, rapid-charge, electric all-terrain vehicle (ATV), which will better the performance attributes of ICE ATVs that currently dominate the market.

    Swifty Scooters with partners Chasestead and PMBL: Developing a UK made electric scooter optimised for superior rider safety and ensures a long product lifespan by way of premium build quality and enabling fix and repair within both the scooter design and battery design.

    About the Advanced Propulsion Centre

    The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.

    Since its foundation in 2013, APC, through government, has funded 261 low-carbon projects involving 480 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and will have helped to create or safeguard over 58,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 400 million tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 16.1 million cars.

    With its deep sector expertise and cutting-edge knowledge of new propulsion technologies, APC’s role in building and advising project consortia helps projects start more quickly and deliver increased value. In the longer term, its work to drive innovation and encourage collaboration is building the foundations for a successful and sustainable UK automotive industry.

    In 2019 the UK government committed the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to accelerate the development of a net-zero vehicle supply chain, enabling UK-based manufacturers to serve global markets. ATF investments are awarded through the APC to support strategically important UK capital and R&D investments that will enable companies involved in batteries, motors and drives, power electronics, fuel cells, and associated supply chains to anchor their future.

    For more information go to apcuk.co.uk or follow us @theapcuk on X and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK on LinkedIn.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 October 2023.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this afternoon, following deadly attacks by Hamas against Israel.

    He reaffirmed that the UK will stand with Israel unequivocally against these acts of terror. The Prime Minister offered Prime Minister Netanyahu any support Israel needs.

    The Prime Minister outlined the diplomatic work the UK is doing to ensure the world speaks with one voice in opposition to these appalling attacks. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s support.

    The Prime Minister also stressed his commitment to ensuring the Jewish community in the UK feels safe and secure at this time.

    The leaders agreed to stay in close contact as the situation develops.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada [October 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 October 2023.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this evening.

    Prime Minister Trudeau updated on the situation relating to Canadian diplomats in India.

    The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s position that all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law, including the principles of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

    He hoped to see a de-escalation in the situation and agreed to remain in contact with Prime Minister Trudeau on the next steps.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK reinforcements arrive in Kosovo for NATO peacekeeping mission [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK reinforcements arrive in Kosovo for NATO peacekeeping mission [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 October 2023.

    The first British soldiers of a two hundred-strong deployment arrived in Pristina today to reinforce NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) peacekeeping mission.

    The deployment is based on a request by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and comes after the violent attack on Kosovo Police on 24 September and increased tensions in the region.

    The soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment are joining a more than 400-strong British contingent already in Kosovo as part of an annual exercise. That contingent has remained in Kosovo to support stability. The peacekeeping force will include not only troops, but also hundreds of vehicles arriving by sea freight.

    Under NATO command, the forces will be available to conduct operations in accordance with KFOR’s mandate to maintain a safe and secure environment and ensure freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo.

    Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    The UK is a leading NATO Ally. Within a few days, the UK has responded to NATO’s call for reinforcements and deployed 200 additional soldiers from the First Battalion Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment for the Kosovo Force (KFOR). This shows the agility of the UK’s Armed Forces.

    As the best of the best, I know our soldiers will do the UK proud.

    NATO has been leading a peacekeeping operation in Kosovo since 1999 in accordance with its mandate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. KFOR currently consists of more than 4,500 troops contributed by 27 NATO Allies and partners.

    The UK contributes to the full spectrum of KFOR’s work, with two intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) units deployed, UK staff officers assigned to the mission headquarters as well as a Strategic Reserve Force commitment, which currently rests with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. The UK commitment to KFOR was extended in May 2023 when the Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey announced the UK would continue to contribute to the NATO mission until at least 2026.

    The UK is also working closely with international partners to urge Kosovo and Serbia to de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue. The Prime Minister spoke to both President Vucic of Serbia and President Osmani of Kosovo, at the European Political Community meeting in Granada yesterday, encouraging de-escalation. Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, is also due to meet Serbian and Kosovan Foreign Ministers in the Albanian capital today during a meeting of the Berlin Process, a forum focused on fostering increased regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. This builds on the work of Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Lord Peach, who regularly engages with both Serbian and Kosovan stakeholders to promote regional stability.