Girlguiding, the UK Space Agency and the Royal Astronomical Society have teamed up to give girls and young women in the UK unique and exciting opportunities to engage with astronomy beyond the classroom.

As part of the partnership the UK Space Agency and the Royal Astronomical Society, through its RAS 200: Sky & Earth programme, are sponsoring and have provided expertise to help develop the new Space badge for Brownies.

The Space interest badge aims to spark girls’ curiosity to explore the universe around them by providing opportunities to develop the skills and confidence to engage in astronomy, planetary and space science. Badge activities include stargazing with the challenge of identifying constellations on a clear night, creating a sunspot viewer and plotting a sunspot map, and designing an astronaut training programme.

The new badge, which is available to 200,000 girls aged 7 to 10, features among the 800 newly launched Girlguiding activities and badge challenges designed to equip over 400,000 girls and young women in guiding with the skills and experiences they will need to thrive, succeed, make change and be happy in the modern world.

The five-year partnership will also see girls and young women aged 5 to 25 be able to engage in the many fun space activities taking place at Girlguiding’s national events throughout their time in guiding – from stargazing to getting up close to a real life space suit.

The partnership comes after Girlguiding’s Girls’ Attitudes Survey 20161 found:

• Becoming a scientist was named as being a dream job amongst 7-10 year old girls
• Becoming an astronaut was named as being a dream job amongst 11-16 year old girls
• 15% of 7-10 year old girls believe STEM subjects have the image of being more for boys, compared to over half (52%) of 11-21 year old girls

Alice Bunn, International Director at the UK Space Agency, said:

The UK space sector is booming and it’s vital that we inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to work in this fantastic industry.

The UK Space Agency is delighted to be working with Girlguiding on this exciting new badge which will introduce young girls to the wonders of space.

Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, said:

It’s important that future generations continue to be inspired and have the opportunities to explore the fascinating Universe around us. Introduction to space, astronomy and planetary science will help to spark that initial curiosity, which could lead to potential careers in science and other exciting STEM subjects.

Professor Mike Cruise, the President of the Royal Astronomical Society, said:

Astronomy and space science are some of the most exciting areas in which to work, but they still tend to be dominated by men. This partnership with Girlguiding will help to redress the balance by introducing girls to stars, planets and space travel from a young age. We want to inspire girls and young women to consider careers in these subjects, demonstrating that science is for everyone.

Jess Bond, Lead Volunteer for Girlguiding’s Programme Renewal, said:

This is a hugely exciting time for Girlguiding – it’s revolutionary. We’ve really listened to what girls have told us they’d like to see and incorporated their suggestions, creating new badges and activities and updating others so they’re relevant now and in the future. It’s also been fantastic to have the expertise and input from so many partners.

Our ambition is to give girls the opportunity to discover and develop their interests, skills and confidence, take on new challenges and have fun and adventure with their friends. We want girls to feel equipped to take on the world.

Liddy Buswell, a member of Girlguiding’s Advocate Panel, said:

This is such an exciting time to be part of Girlguiding. Where else would girls have the opportunity to be introduced to such a wide range of topics from tech and STEM, aviation and archaeology to voting or surviving in the wild? Girlguiding is all about providing a supportive space where girls are encouraged to give activities a go so they discover what it is they want to pursue and don’t worry about failing or being judged. It could even lead them to their future career.

Girlguiding’s new programme of activities is divided into interest badges, skills builders, group activities and awards, all developed around six themes: Skills for my Future, Have Adventures, Be Well, Know Myself, Express Myself and Take Action.

The new programme is being phased in over the next twelve months and will be fully rolled out by September 2019. For more information on the new Space badge, programme of badges and activities visit the Girlguiding website.

The court heard that on two occasions (2 and 3 January 2017) the Jennah D exceeded the 1% by-catch limit for bass. On the first occasion bass made up 36.02% of the total catch. On the second occasion bass made up 69.73% of the total catch. The total quantity of bass landed during these trips was 1,198.42kgs with a value of £9630.18.

When being interviewed by MMO marine officers, Mr Davey stated he was under the impression he was working under 2016 rules, but it was pointed out that MMO offices were open on 3 January 2017 to answer any queries and full guidance had been published on the website on 29 December 2016.

Mr Davey pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a fine of £4,699, costs of £3,290.40 and a £170 victim surcharge.

A spokesperson for the MMO said:

Bass conservation is vital and this case highlights the importance of keeping up to date with the latest rules and regulations.

In cases like these the MMO will always take proportionate and appropriate action, including prosecution, to ensure offenders do not profit from such illegal activity and to protect fish stocks for the wider fishing industry and future generations.

A 28-year old man from Rotherham, has been successfully prosecuted after being found guilty of fishing without a licence and providing false details to an officer in April 2018.

The case was brought to Hull & Holderness Magistrates Court by the Environment Agency on 9 August 2018, where Simon Carr, of Pear Tree Avenue, Bramley, Rotherham was found guilty and ordered to pay a total penalty of almost £600.

The penalty includes a fine of £440 plus costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £30 after Simon Carr was found in breach of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975) on 29 April 2018 at Banks End Fisheries in Blaxton, Westwoodside, near Doncaster.

Following the verdict, James Anderson, Fisheries Enforcement Officer for the Environment Agency said:

The case acts as a reminder to anglers of the importance of having a fishing licence. We hope it will also provide a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing without a licence or providing false details to an officer. Although the angler initially gave us false details, we were quickly able to trace him through a check of his car registration. The case also shows anglers how seriously the courts take these offences.

All of the money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.

Every year across the country, thousands of anglers are prosecuted for not having a fishing licence. As well as cheating other anglers, fishing illegally can carry a hefty penalty. Getting caught without a licence could land a fine of up to £2,500.

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. A 1-day licence costs from just £6 and an annual licence costs from just £30 (concessions available). Licences are available from GOV.UK or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency Incident Hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP today (Thursday 23 August) met with China’s General Administration of Customs to reach an agreement which would allow the import of UK dairy products made with milk from third countries. The agreement is estimated to be worth £240 million over five years to the UK.

With demand for most dairy categories growing by more than 20% each year in China, it is one of the country’s fastest growing areas of food demand. The UK exported over £96 million of dairy products to China in 2017, and there has been significant interest in the market following the Prime Minister and Dr Fox’s visit earlier this year.

This deal means that producers will have increased flexibility on sourcing the dairy they use for their products.

The UK Government is determined to open up agricultural opportunities to British businesses, and today’s announcement follows the Chancellor’s visit to China where he announced a lifting of a two-decades long ban on beef. The deal was expected to be worth £250m.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said:

This is my fourth visit to China this year and I’m delighted to see the completion of this deal, bringing significant benefits to dairy producers across the UK at a time when British food and drink exports are at a record high.

China is the UK’s fifth largest trading partner, with exports growing by 28.5% in 2017 when compared with the previous year.

As an international economic department, DIT is working with our partners across the world to liberalise international trade by removing barriers to commerce, helping businesses and ensuring greater choice for consumers worldwide. Today’s announcement will boost our £67.5 billion trading relationship even further.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove MP commented:

Our world-class dairy producers already export £1.7 billion worth of produce per year. This milestone will help to unlock the UK food and drink industry’s full potential forging new trading relationships around the globe. This step shows we can be a truly outward looking Britain outside the European Union.

Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China, Richard Burn, added:

The appetite in China for UK produce is clearly already strong. However there remains untapped potential across all food and drink categories.

Imports into China of products such as yoghurt, flavoured milk and cheese have seen rapid growth as Chinese consumers increasingly associate these items with nutrition and wellbeing.

Today’s good news will build on the success of the Prime Minister and Dr Fox’s visit to China earlier in the year, when they negotiated a lift on a two-decades-long ban on imports of beef from the UK.

Whilst in China, Dr Fox is attending a meeting of the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) in Beijing, as well as meeting companies and senior Chinese government ministers to discuss trading opportunities between the two countries.