Sep112017

News story: Urban innovation in Singapore: opportunities for the UK

HM Government

UK SMEs will travel to Singapore to meet potential partners this week – and there’s a chance for you to join the next mission in 2018.

Eleven UK-based businesses will visit Singapore from 16 to 22 September 2017 as part of an Innovate UK global innovation mission.

The mission will support UK-Singapore partnerships in urban infrastructure. It aims to build bridges between the 2 countries and get UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to a position where they are aware and able to exploit the opportunities on offer.

Meet the UK delegation

Companies heading to Singapore this week include:

  • Amplyfi, whose proprietary AI platform, DataVoyant, interprets open source content online to deliver insights and impact on societal and consumer behaviour change
  • Brite Yellow, which provides indoor positioning, navigation, and virtual and augmented reality software-as-a-service platform (SaaS) for pedestrian smart mobility applications. This includes application in shopping centres, airports, train stations, hospitals and museums
  • Bronze Software, whose Framework42 product can be integrated into new and legacy systems, sensors and devices, to improve rail travel and station operations, support citizen engagement for local authorities and city flood resilience
  • CitiLogik, which analyses aggregated anonymised data to better understand vehicle and pedestrian movements to create a reliable picture of the interaction between static, slow moving, vehicle and rail movements
  • Connected Space, who are experts in product technology across connected (IoT) and emerging technologies, mobile and desk apps, with a particular focus on future cities. The company uses agile for rapid product development
  • DriverNet, a driver and customer facing app producer that connect logistics partners together via cloud infrastructure. It is able to improve the accuracy of navigation, provide drivers with site information in advance, and reduce queuing, congestion and emissions
  • EM Solutions, which pioneers AI, control systems, software development, networks and infrastructure, sensing technology, remote monitoring, systems integration, water management and sustainable drainage systems to ensure that regulations, legislation and environmental goals are met
  • Masabi, whose JustRide transit ticketing platform is a cloud-based, end-to-end mobile ticketing and fare collection system. It allows passengers to purchase tickets in any place at any time, reducing the costs to operators while improving the customer experience
  • MassiveAnalytic, with solutions including an intelligent transport system that gives early warning of heavy congestion, supports congestion management and enables smart parking, as well as AI technology for autonomous and connected cars
  • Quantimetrica, whose devices use voice recognition to interact with controlled devices, such as applications in internet of things and home automotion
  • Red Ninja, which leverages open data from city systems to improve urban planning, transport systems and security. This includes clearing junctions of traffic for approaching ambulances, to speed up journey times

Building innovation and research partnerships

This is the second mission we’ve run under the Singapore urban bridges programme. These events:

  • introduce UK delegates to Singaporean peers, partners, stakeholders and challenge-holders
  • define the challenges and opportunities that can be addressed by UK-Singapore collaborations
  • explore commercial and collaborative research and development opportunities in Singapore
  • support consortium-building that will allow UK businesses to more easily exploit commercial opportunities

The activity is in line with government’s UK-Singapore Innovation and Research Partnership and commitment to Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) to collaborate in support of innovation.

Take part in our next mission

We are now inviting applications for the next mission to Singapore. This is due to take place in early 2018.

Sep112017

News story: Office of Tax Simplification: Vacancies

HM Government

The OTS is looking for up to 4 part-time or full-time tax professionals with current or recent experience in the private sector, and an enthusiasm to help drive out structural and administrative simplifications to the tax system, to work as policy advisers on various areas of the Office’s work.

The closing date for applications is 24 September 2017.

Sep112017

High winds warning – power and travel advice

Northern Ireland Executive

With high winds forecast for some areas, disruption to traffic or travel could be a consequence. Power cuts are also a possibility. There are things you can do to prepare in case your electricity goes off. There are practical steps you can take if it does.

Traffic and travel

High-sided vehicles are most affected by windy weather, but strong gusts can also blow a car, cyclist, motorcyclist or horse rider off course. This can happen on open stretches of road exposed to strong cross winds, or when passing bridges or gaps in the hedges.

In very windy weather a vehicle may be affected by turbulence created by large vehicles. Motorcyclists are particularly affected, so keep well back from them when they are overtaking a high-sided vehicle.

Motorists are also advised to drive with care due to possible wind-blown debris.

If there are any problems on the roads as a result of high winds, you can get the latest updates on the  TrafficwatchNI website.

If you’re planning to travel by air or sea, you should check with the ferry company or airline in case there are any delays or cancellations.

Preparing for a power cut

It’s important to be prepared for a potential loss of power. You should:

  • know where your household fuses and trip switches are so that you can check if the problem is with your electrics only
  • test smoke alarms regularly and
  • keep a supply of new batteries in torches and radios (for checking updates on news bulletins)
  • keep a supply of candles
  • if you have a baby at home, make sure you have a supply of pre-prepared formula baby milk (if used) and prepare a flask of hot water to heat bottles and baby food (it is always safer to make up a fresh feed; when this is not possible, feeds should never be stored for longer than 24 hours)

If you depend on electrical equipment that is vital to your health, contact Northern Ireland Electricity Network (NIE) to get on their Critical Care Register:

If your electricity goes off

If your electricity goes off, you should:

  • check your fuses and trip switches – then check if your neighbours are without power
  • leave one light on
  • leave your fridge/ freezer switched on with the door shut to maintain a low temperature
  • check that other electrical appliances and machinery are switched off at the wall
  • preferably use a torch, oil or gas lamp as a source of light rather than candles
  • if you must use naked flames, please take extra care and make certain that they are put out before you go to bed
  • check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours in your area to make sure they are okay
  • if you are using a generator, be careful where you site it in case of carbon monoxide poisoning

Reporting a power cut

If your power is off and you want to report it or get more information, contact NIE’s Customer Helpline or visit their website:

More useful links

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Sep112017

News story: British Day and EU Legislative Reform workshop

HM Government

European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) British Day and EU Legislative Reform workshop.

British Day is an ideal opportunity to hear from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on their activities since the last event in January 2013. They will discuss their new strategic plan, European cooperation projects and legal reform. There will also be an opportunity to discuss your priorities and interests in the European Union trade mark system.

The EU Legislative Reform workshop is an opportunity for you to hear about changes to the European Union trade mark system. The 2015 EU Trade Mark Regulation brought in these changes – the last of these changes will take effect from 1 October 2017.

Date:

27 September 2017

Time:

British Day
9:30am to 2:15pm

The EU Legislative Reform workshop
2:30pm to 4:30pm

Venue:

Gowling WLG,
4 More London Riverside,
London,
SE1 2AU.

Please submit any questions you wish to raise on the day in advance to marzia@citma.org.uk. There will also be a short opportunity to raise questions on the day.

Please secure your place by completing the on-line registration form: EUIPO British Day and EUIPO Legislative reform workshop

Please note that places are limited and will be issued on a first come first served basis. Book now to avoid disappointment.