An active retro reflector for unambiguous object localisation Plextek Services Ltd (SME) The development of a tagging system for vehicles which can bounce back a unique radar signal in order to provide exact vehicle recognition. This information can be used to support intelligent and autonomous transport systems. Reducing road congestion and improving road safety. £29,970.00 Smart wind barriers for traffic and bridge protection City, University of London Developing a proof of concept prototype smart wind barrier for bridges which adapts to the existing weather conditions in order to maximise the protection to the vehicles while reducing the force on the underlying structure. Improving safety of bridges and reducing the amount bridges are closed in high-wind conditions. £29,894.00 Advance flat panel antenna for satellite communication On-The-Move: an innovative approach towards the Internet of Things for the rail industry Heriot-Watt University Developing a prototype of a flat panel antenna solution which will enable reliable broadband connectivity for high-speed rail services. Improving customer journeys through improved internet connectivity. £30,000.00 Development of a hydrophobic, freezing temperature sensing, and self-heating road coating system University of Plymouth Developing a proof of concept for a smart coating material which could prevent the formation of ice on roads in wintery conditions. Improving road safety in winter conditions. £30,000.00 Enhancing performance analysis of complex transit systems Ito World (SME) Delivering a prototype visualisation tool for a multi-modal transport system through combining real-time and historic data. This will be used to provide a live, detailed, view of the transport system’s performance and provide recommendations for improvement. Enabling transport operators to have live information on the performance of the transport system, enabling better planning. £30,000.00 A compact hydrogen powered range extender Newcastle University Developing and testing a prototype free-piston engine generator, which operates on hydrogen fuel and could be used a range extender for road vehicles. Reducing Carbon Dioxide emission and improving air quality. £29,274.18 Universal Train Access Ramp Cecence Ltd (SME) Developing and laboratory testing a ramp made of lightweight composite materials. This will enable one ramp to be used for all trains and be lighter and easier to use then existing ramps in stations. Improving the accessibility on the transport system. £30,000.00 Range extender hybrid electric motorcycle University of Nottingham The development of a hybrid gas/electric motorcycle which is capable of being used directly as a range extender for an electric aircraft. Facilitating and improving the utilization of electric flight for short journeys. £30,000.00 Integrated platform for booking and allocating recharging slots for electric taxis EV Technology Limited (SME) Developing an electric taxi management system which provides live information and booing of charging stations, which will support the uptake of electric taxis by private hire companies. Supporting the uptake of electric vehicles for taxis, reducing transport emissions and improving air quality. £30,000.00 Vehicle to grid controller with modular communications V2G EVSE Limited (SME) Developing a prototype for a vehicle to grid electric charging station controller, which will enable optimal charging across multiple vehicles, managing energy demand. This will include modular communications which will provide information to a central system. Improving the charging of electric vehicles. £29,050.00 Agile airspace collaborative decision making Winsland Ltd (SME) Developing a software demonstrator enabling the better use of airspace through effectively managing military airspace. This will enable use of this airspace for civil aviation when not being used for military purposes. Improving the utilisation of airspace and reducing air travel times. £30,000.00 Hyperloop beta HYPED Ltd (SME) The development of a software tool which will model the technical feasibility of Hyperloop and inform the potential economic and social impact of Hyperloop on the transport system. Informing DfT evidence base and monitor development of the technology. £29,952.00 Signly Disruption App Signly Ltd (SME) The development of an application which will enable better access to rail disruption information for deaf and hard of hearing passengers, who cannot hear or might miss station announcements, through providing the travel information directly to their personal device. Improving customer journeys and passenger experience. £28,980.00 Smart charging stations for accurate and reliable electric vehicle battery monitoring University of Liverpool Developing improved monitoring and diagnostic techniques for batteries in order to support the reliability of electric vehicles and optimize charging to maximise battery life. Improving the charging of electric vehicles. £26,337.48 Proof of concept for an innovative dynamic power transfer technology (electric roads) Algret Innovations LTD (SME) Developing a working prototype for a direct contact electric system, enabling the safe charging of vehicles on the road. This could be used as an alternative way of charging vehicles which spend significant idle, such as taxis queuing. Developing alternative ways of charging electric vehicles to support uptake. £30,000.00

The Attorney General’s Office helped more victims and their families get justice last year, after 137 criminals had their sentences increased under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

New statistics out today reveal the Law Officers (Attorney and Solicitor General) referred 173 sentences to the Court of Appeal in 2017 because they believed them to be far too low.

The ULS scheme allows victims of crime, prosecutors and members of the public to ask for certain Crown Court sentences to be reviewed if they think the sentence is far too low. The Law Officers then ask the Court of Appeal to review the sentence to have it increased if they believe the judge made a gross error in sentencing.

Sentences were increased for crimes including murder, manslaughter, rape and other serious sexual offences, causing death by dangerous driving, modern slavery, false imprisonment, child cruelty, burglary, robbery, perverting the course of justice, and drugs.

Of the 137 offenders who had their sentences increased, these related to crimes in the following categories: Rape and serious sexual offences (58), homicide and related (15), acquisitive offences (such as burglary, theft, and fraud) (19), serious assault offences (19), firearm-related (8), drug-related (4), kidnap and false imprisonment (2), and other offences (12).

The Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP said:

The Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme allows victims of crime, their families and the public to ask for a review of certain sentences that they believe are far too low.

We only have 28 days from the date of sentencing to refer a case to the Court of Appeal. Unusually, there is no way to extend this deadline – this means we require a referral very early in the process to be able to deal with it in time.

A sentencing exercise is not an exact science and in the vast majority of cases, judges get it right. For an offence there is a range within which a judge might sentence properly. The scheme is available to ensure that the Court of Appeal can review cases where there may have been a gross error in the sentencing decision.

In 2017, 943 referrals were received by the Attorney General’s Office, a slight increase from the 837 referrals the previous year. The Attorney and Solicitor General referred 173 sentences to the Court of Appeal that they thought needed looking at again, compared to 190 in 2016.

137 sentences resulting in increases is a very small proportion of the 80,000 Crown Court cases heard each year, but the ULS scheme is there to allow adjustment of those sentences where an increase is warranted.

The scheme was extended last year to include an additional 19 terror-related offences including supporting extremist organisations, encouraging acts of terrorism or failing to disclose information about a terrorist attack.

The scheme was introduced after public outcry over the lenient sentencing of the offenders involved in the 1986 rape of 21 year old Jill Saward. The victim was brutally raped by a gang of robbers at her father’s vicarage.

Anyone can ask for a Crown Court sentence to be reviewed and you can also follow the progress of referrals made to the Attorney General’s Office.

There are only 28 days from the date of sentencing to refer a case to the Court of Appeal. This deadline cannot be extended. In order to ensure we have time to properly consider a case we ask that referrals are made early in the process.

The ULS scheme only applies to certain Crown Court offences. Details of the offences that are covered by the ULS scheme are listed on our website.

The government has outlined plans to implement a new system of consent for organ and tissue donation in order to tackle a shortage of donors. This will mean everyone is considered an organ donor unless they have explicitly recorded a wish not to be or they are from one of these excluded groups:

• children under 18
• individuals who lack the mental capacity to understand the changes
• people who have not lived in England for at least 12 months before their death

The donor register will include an option for individuals to state important religious and cultural beliefs to ensure these are respected. There will also be strict safeguards in place and specialist nurses will always discuss donation with families so an individual’s wishes are respected.

The proposed new system is expected to come into effect in England in spring 2020 as part of a drive to help people waiting for a life-saving transplant. There will be a 12-month transition period to allow time for discussion with friends and family about organ donation preferences.

The legislation was introduced in Parliament last July and is expected to return to the House of Commons in the autumn.

While the new system shifts the balance of presumption in favour of organ donation, those who do not wish to donate their organs will still be able to record their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register, either via NHS Blood and Transplant’s website or by calling their helpline. The NHS app, launching at the end of this year, will make it even easier for people to record their decision.

Jackie Doyle-Price, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Mental Health and Inequalities, said:

Organ donation saves lives. We believe that by making these changes, we can save as many as 700 more lives every year.

But organ donation remains a gift. I want to encourage people who wish to give life in the event of their death to take the time to record their wishes and discuss it with their family.

However, we know this new system alone is not a magic bullet. We need to address myths and misconceptions around donation, and we will only do this by having informed debate and dialogue, which I hope will be fostered by these proposals.

Following the recent elections in Zimbabwe, the Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin, said: