News story: Call for evidence: Home Office partnership working with other government departments (OGDs)

Call for evidence: Home Office partnership working with other government departments (OGDs) – GOV.UK

The Independent Chief Inspector calls for evidence on the inspection of Home Office’s partnership working with other government departments.

Joint working

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has begun work on an inspection of partnership working between the Home Office and other government departments in support of the former’s asylum, immigration, nationality and customs functions.

The inspection will look at particular aspects of the Home Office’s work with 4 OGDs:

  • data-sharing with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in relation to patients who have been charged for NHS-funded care and have failed to make payment – enabling the Home Office to refuse leave to enter or remain in the UK under the Immigration Rules
  • collaborative working with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in relation to employment, finances and residence, with particular reference to the exercise of EU Treaty Rights and the verification of supporting documents provided with immigration applications
  • checks with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to establish whether an individual has accessed public funds to which they are not entitled, which may be a breach of their conditions of stay in the UK
  • verification checks with DWP of applications for National Insurance Numbers (NINo)
  • work with the Department for Education (DfE) in relation to entitlement to state education and/or free school meals

The evidence gathering process has started and the Independent Chief Inspector is in direct contact with the Home Office and relevant OGDs. However, he is keen to receive written evidence from anyone who has first-hand experience of any of the above areas.

Please submit your evidence by 24 April 2018.

Please email the Chief Inspector: chiefinspector@icinspector.gsi.gov.uk

or write to:

ICIBI
5th Floor
Globe House
89 Eccleston Square
London SW1V 1PN

Published 10 April 2018



News story: Funding to link space industry innovation and university research

UK and Ireland pictured from the International Space Station. Credit: Andre Kuipers/ESA

The Government’s Industrial Strategy set out ambitions to work with industry and academia to grow the UK space sector.

The Universities of Leicester, Southampton, Surrey, Edinburgh and the Open University, which together form the Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology (SPRINT), have received the £4.8 million Connecting Capability Fund (CCF) grant. This will support small and medium-sized businesses to engage with these Higher Education institutions, providing them with unprecedented access to university expertise and facilities.

The UK Space Agency is one of the partners involved in SPRINT, along with the Satellite Applications Catapult, Seraphim, SSTL and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency said:

Our growing space sector depends on the success of technology and expertise that comes from the world-class research carried out in the UK.

The UK Space Agency is working hard to ensure the benefits of space are felt across the whole of the country, as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The SPRINT programme has our full support – it will help smaller businesses tap into the world-class knowledge of some of the UK’s leading universities, giving them a real boost and creating new jobs.

Research England’s funding of SPRINT will act as a catalyst to transform the ways that universities and broader partners collaborate and share best practice in how they work with businesses. The programme will boost economic growth, jobs and prosperity across the UK by delivering market-led solutions to the space and space enabled economy.

The SPRINT funding is part of an investment of £67 million through Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund (CCF) in new collaborative projects, between universities and other partners, to drive forward world-class university commercialisation across the country.

David Sweeney, Executive Chair of Research England, said:

These projects demonstrate the commitment of universities to work together to strengthen the R&D and technological capabilities of the UK, building upon our successful Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). In the Industrial Strategy, the Government asked us to improve our ability to turn exciting ideas into commercial products and services. Universities have stepped forward in these projects to show that they can do world class commercialisation, alongside world class science.

I believe these projects present important innovations that should inform our strategic approach to commercialisation in UK Research and Innovation for the future.



News story: Statement on Ofwat and rebuilding public trust in the water sector

Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water sector in England and Wales, has set out its agenda for rebuilding public trust in the water sector.

On 31 January, Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Defra, wrote to Jonson Cox, Chairman of Ofwat, asking him to investigate what changes could be made to improve water companies’ corporate behaviours.

The Environment Agency regulates the environmental performance of water companies. In February, the Environment Agency released the State of the Environment report for water quality.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

“We welcome the Secretary of State and Ofwat’s call for water companies to act as diligently for their customers and the natural world as their owners. Jonson Cox says they should consider sharing water resources better. Today, the Environment Agency is meeting senior water company representatives to agree how to increase collaboration and coordination across the sector.

“Since 2005, the water industry has invested billions in the environment and brought compliance for discharge at wastewater treatment works to 99 per cent, but this is not a moment for congratulations. Water companies are responsible for at least one serious pollution incident every week. The courts need to make fines for pollution incidents proportionate to the turnover of companies. Sentencing guidelines in 2014 did bring in higher fines for environmental offences, but financial penalties must force board members to seriously consider environment risk, and not see it as an operational expense.

“In line with the ambition of the 25 Year Environment Plan, water companies also need to do more to act on climate change. England’s flood and drought risks are increasing so we need to see more action to provide water security. Water companies shouldn’t think of climate resilience as just expenditure. On Friday, Mark Carney spoke of the major opportunity for investors and creditors it brings in long-term infrastructure.”



Press release: World-leading cyber centre to be developed in London’s Olympic Park

A new world-first £13.5 million cyber innovation centre, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will help secure the UK’s position as a global leader in the growing cyber security sector.

The London Cyber Innovation Centre will boost the thriving East London digital cluster and spur the development of cutting-edge technology to keep the nation safe from online threats. Estimates suggest it could also help create 2,000 UK jobs in cyber security.

Startups chosen for the scheme will work with large firms as they identify cyber security challenges critical to their businesses. This will help make sure the UK’s leading entrepreneurs are creating solutions large firms need as well as securing commercial contracts and crucial investment.

A tech company was formed every hour in London in 2017 and firms attracted almost £3 billion in venture capital investment. The centre will act as a catalyst for startups and help the UK increase its slice of the global cyber security industry forecast to be worth £69 billion in 2018.

Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, said:

“London is the undisputed leader of European tech, with billions of investment flowing in every year and world-leading firms developing groundbreaking innovations.

“This new centre in the Olympic Park will build on the site’s legacy of excellence and spark a wave of creativity to develop the cyber security technology of the future and help protect the nation’s industry.”

The new centre will be run by Plexal from its Here East headquarters, and is being funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s five-year, £1.9 billion investment to keep the UK safe online.

The centre will offer a tailored programme of support to at least 72 companies over three years and is open to firms from across the UK. Other startups not on the programme will also be able to access the centre’s support and facilities.

Those chosen for the scheme will benefit from dedicated technical and engineering support from some of the world’s leading authorities on cyber security, state-of-the-art technology facilities and mentoring and professional business advice. They will also have access to an international network of cyber clusters to bring trade and investment opportunities on a global scale.

Claire Cockerton, CEO and founder of Plexal, said:

“The UK has a strong heritage in tech innovation and a fertile business environment for start-ups to grow. But our future international standing as a world-leading digitally-enabled economy depends on a robust and forward-thinking cyber security sector.

“The centre will help this to develop by delivering bespoke business development programmes, engineering resource, professional services, access to corporate buyers and ambitious investors. Our mission is to bring the whole industry together to accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship and business growth for UK PLC.”

Robert Hannigan, former director of GCHQ, said:

“The London Cyber Innovation Centre will be the launch pad for a whole generation of new cyber security companies, benefiting both the UK’s economy and its security. By combining academic excellence, expertise in innovation and access to investment, the Centre is uniquely placed to secure this country’s preeminent position in cyber security.”

Alan Foreman, CEO B-Secur, said:

“I am thrilled to hear about the creation of the London Cyber Innovation Centre. It will offer a great platform for start-up in the cyber sector. Centres of this nature will be instrumental in the growth of cyber security innovators across the UK and I really look forward to getting involved in LCIC.”

Further info and notes to editors

  • Plexal, which operates London’s largest innovation space, will run the centre. The firm specialises in helping high-tech startups in artificial intelligence, augmented reality and the Internet of Things. It recently launched Plexiglass, a development programme for women-led startups, with Barclays and the London Legacy Development Corporation.

  • Plexal opened in June 2017 and joined a growing tech community in the Olympic Park, including University College London’s Robotics Lab, Ford’s Smart Mobility Innovation Office, the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Loughborough University. Transport for London and HMRC have also announced they will open new headquarters on the Stratford site.

  • The firm will partner with the Centre for Secure Information Technologies at Queen’s University Belfast, the UK’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) for secure information technologies, and Deloitte. This will help develop a pipeline of talent and the commercialisation of research.

  • It is one of two new centres being developed by government to grow the UK’s cyber security sector and make sure the UK is the safest place to live and do business online.

  • An innovation centre in Cheltenham opened in early 2017 with the launch of the GCHQ Cyber Accelerator programme. Seven startups have graduated with a further nine companies currently taking part in an extended nine-month programme.

  • This initiative is part of the Government’s £1.9 billion investment to significantly transform the UK’s cyber security. The 2016-2021 National Cyber Security Strategy sets out how the UK Government will deliver a UK that is secure and resilient to cyber threats, prosperous and confident in the digital world. The National Cyber Security Programme managed by the Cabinet Office coordinates the work undertaken to implement the UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy.

  • London is also home to the headquarters of the National Cyber Security Centre.

  • Firms in the programme will have access to international cyber security networks via the Global Ecosystem of Ecosystems Partnership in Innovation and Cybersecurity (Global EPIC).

  • Sources: Tech Nation 2017 and PitchBook data sourced by London and Partners. Gartner Forecast Information Security , Worldwide, 3Q17 Update (https://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/3836563)

  • Media enquiries – please contact the DCMS News and Communications team on 020 7211 2210.



Press release: Secretary of State reaffirms commitment of UK Government to Belfast Agreement

Speaking after her bilateral meeting this afternoon with An Tánaiste, Simon Coveney TD, the Secretary of State reaffirmed the commitment of the United Kingdom Government to the 1998 Agreement.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP said:

The Agreement reached on 10 April 1998 offered the prospect of a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland; between Northern Ireland and Ireland; and throughout these islands.

On this, the 20th anniversary of that historic Belfast Agreement, the United Kingdom Government welcomes the peace and stability that has been achieved in Northern Ireland. The bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland has never been stronger.

The 1998 Agreement and its successors have been the bedrock of political progress in Northern Ireland over the past two decades. The UK Government remains committed to working together with the Irish Government, in full accordance with the well-established three-stranded approach to Northern Ireland affairs, to ensure that the Agreement is fully protected and implemented.

This means upholding the core principles that there can be no change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland without the consent of a majority of people who live there; inclusive devolved government; North-South co-operation and the strongest bilateral relationship between the UK and Ireland; and the protection of people’s rights, culture and identity.

The current political impasse in Northern Ireland and the absence of a fully functioning devolved Executive and Assembly is deeply regrettable. The UK and Irish Governments remain fully committed to the restoration of devolved government at the earliest possible opportunity and will do whatever we can, in accordance with the three-stranded approach, to achieving that.

A huge amount has been achieved in Northern Ireland over the past twenty years: politically, socially, economically, and of course in respect of the security situation. There is, however, still much work to be done. Today, we take inspiration from those who took enormous risks, on all sides, to reach an accommodation twenty years ago.

The UK Government reaffirms its commitment to building a shared society in Northern Ireland that works for everyone. We also remember those who were killed or injured during the Troubles. We also recall the sacrifice of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Armed Forces in upholding democracy and the rule of law. We will never forget the debt that we owe them.

The UK Government continues to believe that the best way we can honour them, as well as discharge our obligations to this and future generations, is through the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement, along with its successors, to achieve a stronger, more prosperous and united Northern Ireland. We want to build a Northern Ireland that is fit for the future.