Today (11 March) people across the world celebrate Commonwealth Day as the family of 53 nations enters its 70th year.

To mark the occasion, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister of State for the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, attended a service at Westminster Abbey alongside Her Majesty The Queen, senior members of the Royal family, representatives of all 53 Commonwealth countries, schoolchildren, performers and athletes.

Minister of State for the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad, of Wimbledon said:

The UK has an unbreakable bond with the Commonwealth; a unique network bound together with the ties between people, common values and shared history.

Our common vision for the 2.4 billion people who make up this family of 53 nations is the opportunity for all citizens to thrive regardless of race, religion, gender or any other status.

As Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth, the UK is working with our partners to tackle the great challenges of our time: to ensure quality education for all, to protect our oceans, tackle malaria and boost international trade.

Commonwealth Day celebrations are being held across the country. Many will recognise the huge contribution of the Commonwealth diaspora to the rich fabric of the UK: from Ministers to doctors and nurses, to business people, athletes, and teachers.

Last year’s Commonwealth summit brought together representatives from all 53 countries where Commonwealth Leaders made commitments to build a fairer, more prosperous, more sustainable future for its 2.4 billion citizens, 60% of whom are under 30.

Further information

In a bid to encourage international partnerships, £2 million is available through Innovate UK and the Korean Institute for the Advancement of Technology (KIAT) for organisations to develop game-changing and disruptive research in advanced materials and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The funding competition is under the EUREKA network.

International partnerships

The competition aims to encourage collaborative, business-led research and development projects with a clear direction towards a new product, industrial process or service.

Projects must focus on one or both of the following:

• advanced materials for transport, prioritising materials development
• the Internet of Things, with an identified industry or vertical sector application

Proposals must demonstrate:

• a clear game-changing or disruptive innovation
• considerable benefit to the UK and South Korean economies and/or national productivity
• definition of where intellectual property can be used and shared between participants and countries
• a route to market within 2 to 3 years of project completion

Business-led progress

Business must lead the project. Research and public sector organisations and charities can be partners on the project but cannot lead in the UK. They can share up to 30% of total eligible UK project costs but are not eligible to receive funding.

Partners must be separate legal and non-linked entities to ensure that projects encourage genuine international collaboration, rather than internal company research.

Guidance for South Korea will appear on the KIAT website.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 18 March 2018 and the deadline for registration is at midday on 5 June 2019
• businesses of any size are eligible to apply
• up to £350,000 including VAT is available
• projects must include one UK-based business and one South Korean-based business
• an online briefing event will be held on 8 April 2019

Benefit claimants in Harrogate who still receive old style benefits will be the first people moved onto Universal Credit Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Amber Rudd has announced today.

Amber Rudd has previously confirmed that up to 10,000 claimants across the country who are on the old system would be moved to Universal Credit under a pilot scheme to start in July 2019 once regulations have been passed in the House of Commons.

More than 1.6 million people currently claim Universal Credit, but these are new claimants or people who have had a change in circumstance. All new claimants in the United Kingdom now go straight onto Universal Credit.

The process of moving people from the old system to the new system is known as ‘managed migration’.

All those in Harrogate moving to Universal Credit will be personally supported by Jobcentre Plus staff to ensure they get the best possible service.

The goal of the pilot is to learn as much as possible about how to help people to move onto Universal Credit. We will increase numbers as slowly and gradually as necessary, expanding to further locations as required.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Amber Rudd said:

Moving people from the old and outdated benefits system to Universal Credit is a positive and important moment.

Once on Universal Credit people will benefit from a more personal service and can expect to receive up to 6 benefits combined into one, making it easier for them to manage their money.

But the switch needs to be done carefully which is why we are taking a step-by-step approach to this, starting in Harrogate.

I want to be sure that the switch to Universal Credit is a hassle free process for claimants and everyone receives the personalised service they deserve.

The Department for Work and Pensions will begin to move a small number of people from existing legacy benefits (income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits) to Universal Credit.

As already confirmed, claimants will also receive transitional protection, to avoid cash loss at the point of moving to Universal Credit.

Harrogate was chosen after careful consideration because of a range of factors, including the local jobcentre’s significant experience of Universal Credit.

And additional support will be put in place at Harrogate Jobcentre Plus including bespoke support that will also be on hand for vulnerable claimants, including home visits.

The completion of the moving legacy benefit claimants to Universal Credit is set to finish by December 2023.

Amber Rudd has already made changes to improve the fairness of Universal Credit, in January, including that the department would stop the introduction of a retrospective benefit limit on families with more than 2 children.

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The Work and Pensions Secretary has announced that benefit claimants in Harrogate will be the first to move from old style benefits to Universal Credit.

Dr Jessica Bruce of Run3D today receives £50,000 and a yearlong package of bespoke support, coaching and marketing as part of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation competition. Dr Bruce is one of nine women receiving the funding which will be used to develop each of their pioneering inventions.

From 3D gait analysis to responsive wheelchair seating, the nine successful inventors are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing society as set out in the UK Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. Addressing the issue of our ageing society, Dr Bruce’s 3D gait analysis can delay the need for surgery and reduce joint discomfort, helping to improve people’s lives and the country’s productivity.

Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns said:

There is no better time to recognise the success of Dr Jessica Bruce than on International Women’s Day. Her pioneering innovation in 3D gait analysis, known to be the most accurate way of diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries in runners/walkers, puts Wales at the forefront of cutting edge technology and highlights the skill of Welsh women.

The £50,000 UK Government funding will allow Run3D to develop their inventions, making sure we are better prepared to support our ageing society and fulfil the aims of our modern Industrial Strategy. We will continue to support innovators such as Dr Bruce who are working to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in the industries of the future.

Marking the outstanding contributions to innovation, Innovate UK has commissioned commemorative plaques recognising each of the award holder’s successes. The purple plaque, installed in Aberaeron Comprehensive School in West Wales, honours the beginning of Dr Bruce’s innovation journey, inspiring young innovators and communities alike.

Innovate UK Executive Chair Dr Ian Campbell said:

Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards address a key barrier for diversity in innovation – a lack of female role models. By recognizing their achievement with purple plaques, we are making sure that our nine newly crowned winners inspire the next generation of female innovators.

Whether it’s inspiring young students showing a passion for STEM, someone with the spark of an idea, or an innovative business ready to be taken to the next level, the Women in Innovation 2019 campaign aims to drive long term, far reaching positive change.

Run3D Managing Director, Dr Jessica Bruce said:

The opportunity to be a role-model is really exciting. I’m looking forward to using the platforms provided by this award to share my story and inspire other women in business innovation and STEM.

Supporting female innovators is a key commitment of Innovate UK, and registrations for funding from female innovators on existing competitions have increased by 70% since 2016.

Previous winners have gone on to become ambassadors for Prince’s Trust and develop breakthrough innovations such as Carmen Hijosa, who has created a sustainable alternative to leather using pineapple leaf fibre; Elena Dieckmann, whose company produces novel products using surplus feathers from the poultry industry and Fanzi Down, who has developed a revolutionary chocolate moulding technique by industralising the process of displacement.