• Justice Secretary announces new mobile detection technology in prisons
• Will allow prison officers to pinpoint mobile phone signal down to precise cell
• Part of wider efforts to reduce violence and drug use and restore stability to the prison estate

The technology is the latest weapon in the fight against phone smuggling which leads to drug-dealing and violence behind bars.

It works by sending real-time alerts when a mobile is detected in prison, shown on a digital heat map which identifies the strength of the signal. This allows prison officers to pinpoint the location of the phone down to the exact cell.

Staff can also track data over time to watch for patterns emerging, for example when inmates conspire to smuggle drugs into prison. This intelligence is analysed and in conjunction with law enforcement partners can lead to arrests.

Justice Secretary David Gauke said:

As criminals look for new ways to smuggle contraband into prisons, it is vital that we stay one step ahead, and this kind of technology will help prevent them operating from their cells.

This is vital to ensuring prisons are places of safety and rehabilitation, where offenders can turn their backs on crime for good.

Illicit use of phones in prisons to co-ordinate crime fuels high levels of violence as offenders vie for control of the internal market and enforce drug debts. Phones can also be used to terrorise victims and maintain outside criminal networks.

The technology is part of a wider multi-million-pound strategy to restore stability to prisons, with other measures including security scanners, improved searching techniques, phone-blocking technology and a financial crime unit to target the criminal kingpins operating in prisons.

Following a successful six-month trial of the latest technology in one prison, the technology is now in use in five across the country.

There is a direct link between crime on the wings and landings and crime in our towns and cities. Ensuring there is less crime in our prisons means less crime in communities.

Since January last year the Government has invested £70 million in safety, security and decency to help restore stability to the prison estate. On top of this, £14 million is being invested each year to stop criminal gangs smuggling drugs into prisons.

This has come against a backdrop of rising prison officer numbers, with more than 4,700 additional officers recruited since October 2016 and staffing levels at their highest since 2012.

• For security reasons, we cannot disclose the location or further details of the technology.
• The government supported the Interference with Wireless Telegraphy Bill, which received Royal Assent on 20 December 2018. This legislation enables prisons to use interference technology to disrupt mobile telephone signals and prevent illegal use of mobiles by prisoners.

Voice-activated smart speakers and virtual assistants can now be used to find out more than 12,000 pieces of information from the government.

For the past six months, a small team of experts from the Government Digital Service have been working on a trial project to allow people to access information from GOV.UK without having to touch a computer keyboard.

Their work means people can now ask their home speakers questions ranging from ‘How do I apply for a passport?’ to ‘What age can I retire?’

Minister for Implementation, Oliver Dowden, said:

This is all about making life easier for people who need to access information about government services. And with millions now using smart speakers, I want government to keep up and work smarter too.

People can ask Alexa questions such as:

• ‘When is the next bank holiday?’
• ‘What is the national minimum wage?’

Or ask Google Home questions such as:

• ‘How do I apply for a new passport?’
• ‘How do I get free childcare?’

The head of GOV.UK, Jennifer Allum, said:

We want to simplify people’s interactions with the government, making information clear and accessible to everyone.

These results are promising because voice services can be a really convenient way to get information, particularly for people who find computers and phones hard to use.

Extra government services that could soon be accessed by voice include renewing car tax and finding out details about how to get married.

Seven Chartered professional bodies have this week joined the Department for International Trade (DIT) on a trade mission to China and Hong Kong. The DIT-led mission aimed to enable UK Chartered Bodies to develop and promote partnership accreditation links with universities, polytechnics, colleges and employers in China and Hong Kong.

The 7-day tour took place from 12-18 April and was organised as part of DIT’s Knowledge is GREAT campaign. Chartered professional bodies from a range of sectors including insurance, transport and science took part in a programme of networking, meetings and roundtables in Hong Kong, Shenzen and Beijing to help develop connections with businesses.

Chartered bodies provide professionals with a formal credential as a mark of professional competency and include the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, Chartered Institutions of Highways and Transportation and the Chartered Management Institute.

During the visit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the DIT in the UK to enhance the exchange and collaboration of international professional talent.

The MOU is intended to develop the cooperation and exchange of international professional talent and the educational vocational training which underpins it, in so doing it will support top talent in science and technology in both countries. The news comes as trade between the UK and China continues to rise; in 2018 trade between the 2 countries increased by 2.3% to £68.5bn.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said:

The value countries place on British products and expertise is clear. Chartered professional bodies are a key component of the UK’s global leadership in driving best practice across a range of sectors. They are an indicator of high standards, knowledge and ethical practices.

I urge all Chartered Professional Bodies who have an interest in creating international partnerships to get in touch with our team to hear about how our trade missions can help make these vital connections.

Stephen Shields, Market Director – Partnerships & Recognition, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants said:

It is an honour for ACCA to be invited by the UK Department of International Trade to join the mission for Hong Kong and mainland China. We were pleased to have the tremendous opportunity to engage with government officials, regulators, universities and employers to further build on ACCA’s long-established and very strong base of collaboration in China.

Keith Richards, CEO, Chartered Insurance Institute added:

We are delighted to be part of this trade mission to Hong Kong and mainland China together with our sister chartered bodies.

With an existing membership spanning more than 150 countries, we are investing in international markets and our office in Hong Kong has been established to better support the domestic market, China and Asia more widely.

This week’s trade mission also follows a recent successful Chartered mission to Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore in April 2018. To find out more about DIT-led trade missions or to learn more about how we can help businesses export please visit GREAT.gov.uk.

Notes to Editors:

A full list of attending Chartered bodies can be found below:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation
• Chartered Insurance Institute
• Chartered Management Institute
• Chartered Institute of Linguists
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
• Royal Society of Chemistry

The Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Freedom of Religion or Belief wishes Christians the world over a happy Easter