Drones capable of inspecting railway infrastructure, hydrogen train trials and a sound-bending wall to cut noise pollution are among 24 winning projects in the third round of the First of a Kind (FOAK) competition, unveiled by the Department for Transport today (13 June 2019).

Run by Innovate UK and funded by the DfT to support research, development and innovation in the UK rail industry, the competition seeks innovative ideas that can be adapted to transform rail travel.

Strengthening resilience of railway infrastructure and operations, enhancing rail freight services, and reducing environmental and noise impacts were the themes for this round. Each of the winning schemes will receive between £250,000 and £350,000.

Rail Minister Andrew Jones said:

The First of a Kind competition has consistently produced truly innovative projects developed for the benefit of passengers, helping to drive forward a greener, cleaner and more efficient rail network.

This round has been the biggest yet and I am excited to see how our funding will bring these ambitious ideas to fruition.

This government is also investing £48 billion to modernise our rail network over the next 5 years, ensuring people have the safe, frequent and punctual journeys they deserve.

Among the successful projects is 4Silence’s plan to develop a noise-reducing wall that works by diffracting sound waves from passing trains upwards. This makes it as effective as a barrier 3 times its height.

Another scheme being supported is Amey VTOL’s development of a drone system that could carry out track inspections from the skies. This would avoid the need for people to set foot on railway infrastructure.

The University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research is also receiving funds for its plans to undertake the first mainline testing of a hydrogen-fuelled train in the UK.

Simon Edmonds, Deputy Executive Chair and Chief Business Officer, Innovate UK said:

The UK’s rail network delivers significant economic benefits to the nation, providing an environmentally-friendly transport system for the movement of both passengers and freight. Yet there is more we can do to boost the reliability of the network, to make it more attractive to freight users, and to make it even greener.

The pioneering projects for which we have announced funding today can increase reliability, to keep services running, with real benefits to freight operators and the environment. The programme will also help innovative companies succeed, both here and in export markets.

The first round of First of a Kind was launched in 2017 and saw 10 projects win a share of £3.5 million to develop ideas to improve passenger experience and demonstrate tomorrow’s trains.

The second round focused on schemes aimed at cutting the carbon footprint on the UK’s railways and enhancing stations for passengers. This saw another 10 projects offered a share of £3.5 million.

From today (13 June 2019) more victims of violent crime will be able to apply for compensation as new legislation comes into force abolishing the longstanding ‘same-roof’ rule.

It will mean that anyone previously denied compensation under the rule, or put off from coming forward because of it, will be able to make fresh applications.

The so-called ‘same roof’ rule, blocked victims of violent crime from receiving compensation if the attacker was a family member they were living with at the time of the incident.

It was amended in 1979 to not prevent future victims accessing compensation, but as common with many changes to the law this was not made retrospective. This has led to some victims of crimes which occurred before the law change missing out on compensation.

Ministers vowed to remove the rule as part of the government’s Victims Strategy launched last year, recognising the rule’s unfair impact and to allow greater access to compensation.

Victims will now have 2 years to apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), with a dedicated team set up to provide extra support with the claim process – including a named contact to ensure applicants do not have to repeat their traumatic experiences to multiple people.

Victims Minister Edward Argar said:

The ‘same-roof’ rule was unfair and we recognise the impact this had on victims whose applications were refused simply because they lived with their attacker.

Whilst no amount of compensation can make up for the immense suffering caused by such appalling crimes, by abolishing the rule we are widening access to much needed support and continue to review the entire scheme so it better supports victims.

“Improving support for victims is at the very heart of this government’s work, and through our Victims Strategy we are determined to improve their experience at every stage of the justice system.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme awards taxpayer-funded payments to victims injured as a result of violent crime, paying out over £150 million to victims in 2017/18.

Victims applying or reapplying for compensation will have to meet the Scheme’s other eligibility criteria to be made an award.

An ongoing review of the Scheme, looking at a range of issues raised by victims, including eligibility rules, the definition of ‘violent crime’, and the type of injuries that are covered, will report back later this year.

Gabrielle Shaw, NAPAC’s CEO, said:

We are delighted that the ‘same roof’ rule has been scrapped. Given that most child abuse happens within the family and children are likely to have had no choice but to live under the same roof as their abuser, this rule was rightly viewed as deeply unfair and punitive.

It is impossible to measure the damage done by childhood abuse, but for many survivors the impacts affect their health, their adult relationships and their earning potential throughout their lives.

President of the Law Society of England and Wales Christina Blacklaws said:

This change is a welcome correction to a historical anomaly that was causing significant injustice. We are very pleased the government has made this change, as a result of which more victims of historical child abuse will be able to claim recompense for the traumas they suffered.

Notes to editors

How to apply

You can:

Same roof rule

• The so-called ‘same roof rule’ was part of the original (non-statutory) compensation scheme introduced in 1964
• The rule was changed in October 1979, but the changes were not made retrospective.
• The pre-1979 same roof rule applies to adults and children. Under the rule applicants are not entitled to compensation if they were living with their assailant as members of the same family at the time of the incident.
• The reasons for the rule were, broadly, difficulties with evidence in such cases, and a wish to ensure that offenders did not benefit from compensation paid to the victim who they were living with.
• The rule applies to all victims of abuse inflicted by a family member living under the same roof; this includes physical as well as sexual abuse.
• The Scheme was amended in 1979 to apply only to adults who continued to live with their attacker. Under the current 2012 Scheme, applicants can still be refused compensation if at the time of the incident they were adults living with the assailant as members of the same family unless they are no longer living together and are unlikely to do so again. This rule of the Scheme (para 20) is being considered as part of the review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
• In July 2018 the Court of Appeal decided that the ‘same-roof’ rule had unfairly denied a claimant who was abused by her stepfather the right to compensation. The government chose to not appeal this judgment, and confirmed that the rule would be removed as part of the Victims Strategy published in September.
• The legal instrument comes into effect today and will remove the pre-1979 rule from the 2012 Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
• New and past applicants refused an award under the pre-1979 rule will still need to meet all the remaining eligibility criteria within the 2012 Scheme.

Review

The review will examine whether the Scheme remains fit for purpose, reflects the changing nature of violent crime and effectively supports victims in their recovery.

It will consider:

• The scope of the Scheme, including the definition of violent crime for the purposes of compensation for injury, and the type of injuries that are covered by the Scheme.
• The eligibility rules including, among other things, concerns about time limits for making applications, unspent convictions, and consent in sexual offences cases.
• The requirements of the Scheme in relation to decision-making, including issues such as the level of evidence required for compensation claims, and the timeframes for accepting or rejecting awards.
• The value and composition of awards available through the Scheme, including the balance struck between serious and less serious physical and mental injuries.
• The impact of the Scheme on particular groups, including victims of child sexual abuse and victims of terrorism.
• Opportunities to simplify the Scheme.
• The affordability and financial sustainability of the Scheme.

The review’s Terms of Reference.

The Victims Strategy, published in September 2018, sets out a series of measures and commitments across government to overhaul the support available to victims of crime.

More than 100 of the biggest players in food, including all of the UK’s major supermarkets, have signed a pledge to take ground-breaking action to drive down food waste following a call to action from the government.

Big-hitters from the world of food and sustainability including Aldi, Asda, Caffé Nero, Co-op, Costa, FDF, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, Starbucks, Tesco, M&S, Morrisons, Nestlé, Ocado, UKHospitality, Unilever, World Wildlife Fund for Nature and Waitrose have signed a pledge committing to help halve food waste by 2030 and raise public awareness of the issue through a week of action.

Currently in the UK an estimated 10.2 million tonnes of food and drink are wasted annually after leaving the farm gate, worth around £20 billion. It is estimated that UK householders spend £15 billion every year on food that could have been eaten but ends up being thrown away, equating to £500 a year for the average household.

Today’s announcement comes after the government’s Food Surplus and Waste Champion Ben Elliot urged organisations to ‘Step up to the Plate’ at a landmark symposium last month. The event brought together around 300 key players from various parts of the food industry for a day of targeted discussion and action.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

I am delighted to see so many UK food businesses commit to game-changing action to cut food waste, and I hope that others follow suit.

The UK is showing real leadership in this area, but each year millions of tonnes of food is wasted.

I want to thank our Food Surplus and Waste Champion for inspiring business to step up to the plate. Together we will end the environmental and economic scandal that is food waste.

Food Surplus and Waste Champion Ben Elliot said:

We are pleased to see these retailers committing to change. To those retailers yet to sign the pledge – why not? You have a responsibility to step up and do your bit.

We will be highlighting those who participate and those who do not. The food waste crisis can only be solved by collective action.

Stefano Agostini, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé UK & Ireland, said:

Food waste is a critical issue, from an environmental and social perspective and one where we all have a role to play.

It is crucially important that we work together to help reduce food waste across our own operations, our supply chains and also support consumers to reduce food waste in the home.

Judith Batchelar OBE, Director of Sainsbury’s Brand, said:

Food waste is one of the biggest challenges currently facing today’s society and an intrinsic part of our combined response to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. At Sainsbury’s it continues to be an urgent and important priority for us to tackle.

By working collaboratively with others, from suppliers through to fellow retailers, we can work to eliminate surplus waste within every part of the supply chain process and achieve the impact that we all want to see.

Dave Lewis, Chair of Champions 12.3 and Group CEO Tesco, said:

Today’s announcement that over 100 UK food companies have signed up to the Step up to the Plate pledge is welcome news. The next step is for all signatories to publicly report their food waste data in line with Champions 12.3 best practice.

This will be crucial for identifying hotspots that require collective action; holding individual companies to account for the commitments they have made and for the UK delivering on Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.

Earlier this year the government launched a £15 million game-changing scheme to tackle food waste, building on its landmark Resources and Waste Strategy which sets out how the government will introduce annual reporting of food surplus and waste by food businesses.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has invited organisations to apply for the second round of more than £6 million funding under the government’s game-changing scheme to slash food waste. We would like to see larger food businesses report their food waste transparently on an annual basis in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. We will consult later this year on mandatory reporting for larger businesses.

The government is committed to supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 to help halve food waste by 2030, report on progress and prioritise action.

• Food waste in the UK totals 10.2 million tonnes per year, of which 1.8 million tonnes comes from food manufacture, 1 million from the hospitality sector, and 260,000 from retail, with the remainder from households.
• Wrap estimate that there is the potential to redistribute a further 190,000 tonnes of surplus food from the retail and food manufacturing sectors. Some of the surplus is difficult to make use of, costly in that it would need to be reworked or repackaged, and some surplus would not be edible. It is estimated that around 100,000 tonnes is both accessible and edible with the remaining being more difficult to redistribute.
• Anyone can sign up to the ‘Step up to the Plate pledge’ through sending a signed copy of the pledge to http://www.wrap.org.uk/stepuptotheplate.

The pledge asks attendees to reduce food waste by:

• setting an ambitious target to help halve food waste by 2030 in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, report on progress and prioritise action. As a food business, adopting the WRAP and IGD Food Waste Reduction Roadmap to have half of all 250 of the UK’s largest food businesses measuring, reporting and acting on food waste by 2019.
• embracing a week of action in November 2019 to highlight the changes we can all make.
• using their voice and profile to empower and encourage citizens, including the younger generation
• changing their habits as an individual to be Food Value Champion at work and at home, buying only what they need and eating what they buy.

The list of organisations that have signed the ‘Step up to the Plate’ pledge at the date of publication of this press notice are:

• Aberdeen Ltd.
• Aldi
• Alliance for Sustainability and Leadership in Education
• Allied Bakeries
• Apetito
• Approved Food
• Approved Food Limited
• Asda
• Bakkavor Group
• Barfoots
• Baxter Storey
• Berry Gardens
• Bidfood
• Boots
• Bread and Butter Thing
• Bread and Honey
• British Frozen Food Federation
• Café Nero
• Central England Coop
• ChicP
• Chilled Food Association
• Company Shop
• Compass Group
• Cooke Genie
• Costa
• Cranswick
• Dale Farm
• Daylesford Organic
• Denhay Farms LTD
• Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Direct Produce Supplies Ltd.
• Earth Changers
• East End Foods
• Eden Project
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Environment Agency
• Felix Project
• Flawsome
• Food and Drink Federation
• Food Bytes
• Foodchain Technologies Limited
• Fortnum & Mason
• Fresh Produce Consortium
• Gather and Gather
• Gen Mills
• General Mills
• Greencore
• G’s Fresh Limited
• Harper Adams University
• Heckfield Place
• Hilton Food Group
• His Church
• Hummingbird Technologies
• Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment
• Institute of Grocery Distribution
• Intercontinemtal Hotels Group
• It’s Fresh
• Karma
• Karmalicious LTD
• KP Snacks
• Lidl
• London Restaurant Festival
• Marks and Spencer
• Morrisons
• National Farmers Union
• Neighbourly
• Nestlé
• Nibsetc
• Ocado
• Old Oak Primary School
• Olio
• Plan Zheroes
• Plot Kitchen
• Rubies In The Rubble
• Sainsbury’s
• Samworth Brothers
• Selfridges
• Smart Store Cooking
• Starbucks
• Sustainable Restaurant Association
• Tesco
• The Packaging Federation
• The Real Junk Food Project
• Toast Ale
• Too Good To Go
• UK Hospitality
• Unilever UK and Ireland
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Waitrose
• Waste Food Solutions
• Wasteless
• Winnow
• World Resources International
• World Wide Fund for Nature
• WRAP

Ministers have scrapped unfair ‘same roof’ rule which denied compensation for some victims of violent crime.

Leading firms and organisations back game-changing action following landmark symposium.