News story: Manufacturing better buildings: apply for funding

Funding will establish a core innovation hub that will transform construction.

Innovate UK has up to £72 million to invest in establishing a core innovation hub to support collaboration between industry and academia and transform the construction sector.

The funding is for UK-based research and technology organisations that already have substantive existing facilities and expertise to work with others in the construction sector, such as businesses, the research base or public sector organisations.

Transforming construction

The way we create buildings has not changed in 40 years, and construction has not seen the same increases in productivity as other industries. The sector is also facing a skills crisis due to an ageing workforce.

This competition aims to fund a single, core innovation hub that will develop and commercialise new digital and manufacturing technologies for construction. The hub should focus on how to:

  • create better performing built assets
  • increase the industry-wide adoption of emerging digital and manufacturing technologies
  • design new processes to improve productivity in construction

To be successful in their application, the research and technology organisation will need to demonstrate there is a commitment from the private sector to invest and use the hub once it is complete.

Part of the Industrial Strategy

The transforming construction challenge aims to support the construction industry to adopt the latest digital manufacturing technologies to produce safe, healthy, efficient building.

This will help buildings to be constructed 50% faster, 33% cheaper and with half the lifetime carbon emissions.

It is the part of government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which brings together world-leading research with businesses to take on the major societal and economic challenges of our time.

Competition information

  • the competition is open, and the deadline for applications is at midday on 23 May 2018
  • projects must be led by a research and technology organisation working in collaboration with other businesses, the research base or public sector
  • total eligible project costs should be £72 million or less
  • projects should start in August 2018 and last up to 4 years
  • a briefing event will be held on 28 March 2018 and consortia-building event on 19 April 2018



Press release: Foreign Secretary comments on attempted missile attacks against Saudi Arabia

I was appalled by last night’s multiple Houthi missile launches at Saudi Arabia, which threatened civilian areas and resulted in at least one fatality. I offer my condolences to the families of those killed and injured. Building on the recent UN Panel of Experts report, we will be calling on the UN to investigate how these latest missiles found their way into Yemen in contravention of Security Council Resolutions.

The United Kingdom stands shoulder to shoulder with Saudi Arabia in the face of such serious national security threats. Those responsible must cease these dangerous and provocative actions. A return to political dialogue remains vital to ensuring an end to the conflict for the sake of the Yemeni people and regional security. British nationals in Saudi Arabia should continue to follow FCO Travel Advice.




News story: Skills Minister highlights new provider access law for schools

Skills Minister Anne Milton has highlighted how the Government’s careers strategy sets out how it will ensure all young people can learn from employers and providers about the range of opportunities available to them.

The strategy includes new legislation that aims to give all young people the chance to talk regularly to local education and training providers. This means young people can learn more about different routes to higher-level skills and the workplace, including technical and professional qualifications, apprenticeships, traineeships and supported internships.

The new careers guidance law introduced in January 2018 requires all maintained schools and academies to provide opportunities for a range of education and training providers to have access to pupils, to inform them about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.

Skills Minister Anne Milton explained why this new legislation is important:

I want every young person, whatever their background, to have a good understanding of both the academic and technical routes that can lead to future success in a rewarding career or job.

We must expand the breadth of information that young people receive on all education and training options but particularly technical options and apprenticeships. It is only by talking directly to a range of providers, including university technical colleges, FE colleges and apprenticeship providers, that young people can truly appreciate the opportunities available to them.

To comply, schools must publish a policy statement on their website setting out how providers can request access. The statement can be short but must include:

  • the process for requesting access – this might be details for the main contact point at the school
  • grounds for granting and refusing access – this might include details of timetabled careers lessons, assemblies or events which providers may attend
  • details of premises or facilities available to those given access – this might be a brief reference to rooms and resources

Skills Minister Anne Milton said:

I recognise that schools have needed time to adjust to this new legislation but, now that it is in place, all schools should have published their arrangements for providers to visit all pupils in years 8 to 13. I know that schools already provide a range of inspiring and informative careers events, assemblies and options evenings. In many cases, schools can comply with the legislation by integrating a range of opportunities for provider visits into those existing plans and making this information publicly available.

More details about what schools need to do to comply with the legislation are in Careers guidance and access for education and training providers. This includes an example policy statement, which schools can adapt to suit their needs. This must take account of what action is required to comply with the law, as set out in paragraphs 61 to 69.




Press release: UK government marks centenary of Marshal Foch’s appointment as Supreme Allied Commander in the First World War

The descendants of Field Marshal Haig and Marshal Foch joined Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and dignitaries from the UK and France at a ceremony dedicated to Ferdinand Foch.

His appointment marked the first time the Allied forces fought under one strategic commander and was a significant factor in the successful coordinated defence against the German Spring Offensive and the gains made by the Allies in the summer of 1918.

Attendees laid wreaths to honour Marshal Foch at the statue honouring him in Lower Grosvenor Gardens, Victoria, London.

Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:

The decision to coordinate military operations under Foch’s leadership was crucial. It united the Allied forces who then fought as one to victory and peace in November 1918.

Foch said he had served England as if she were his own country. In our final year of First World War centenary commemorations, it is right that we mark the appointment of Marshal Foch so future generations remember the pivotal role he played in the outcome of the war.

On 26 March, 1918, Marshal Foch was appointed Supreme Allied Commander on the Western Front. This was in response to the start of the German Spring Offensive, which pushed the Allies back to their 1914 lines.

This event is the first in the Government’s 2018 programme that will help people understand how the nature of the war changed during the summer of 1918 and led to the signing of the Armistice on 11 November. The appointment of Marshal Foch as Supreme Allied Commander and the strategic leadership he brought were instrumental to the Allies’ success at the Battle of Amiens and the subsequent Hundred Days Offensive.




Notice: YO43 4AZ, Annyalla Chicks (UK) Broilers Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • how you can view the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)