Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has urged mediapersons to write extensively and regularly on innovations in the field of science and technology.
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Jun232017
Ruth supports Armed Forces Day by becoming the Honorary Colonel of Army Reserve Unit
23 Jun 2017
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has been appointed Honorary Colonel of her former Army Regiment – and today uses her new post to promote Armed Forces Day.
The MSP, formerly a member of 32 Signal Regiment, has been invited to take over the position of Honorary Colonel for the next five years.
The Regiment commands Squadrons based in Edinburgh, East Kilbride, Glasgow, Belfast and Darlington. Ruth previously served with HQ Squadron in Glasgow.
The post of Honorary Colonel is more usually filled by a retired senior military officer or member of the Royal family, but can be undertaken by public figures – with historian Dan Snow and musician Jools Holland having been appointed to other regiments in the past.
As Honorary Colonel for the next five years, Ruth will be asked to act as a figurehead for the Regiment, and to act as a counsellor and supporter for its commanding officer and leadership teams.
Ruth was asked to take on the role the regiment due to her work in the Territorial Army before she became an MSP and her consistent support for the reserve forces during her period in parliament.
She has often credited her military training, in particular the leadership instruction she received during her officer training, as standing her in great stead for leadership roles in civilian life.
Ruth was pictured today with serving soldiers in the regiment at Edinburgh Castle, on the eve of Armed Forces Day, when the country comes together to recognise service personnel, regular and reserve, from all three services.
On the day itself, parades, picnics and receptions are held in honour of the Armed Forces, hosted by individuals, employers and local authorities.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“Reservists make up over a quarter of the British Army and the UK’s defences rely upon them.
“As well as the specialist skills required for the type of regiment you join, the training you receive as a reservist develops leadership, decision making, teamwork, confidence and moral courage.
“I loved my time in uniform and am so grateful for everything it taught me.
“I am delighted to have been asked back to my former regiment to act as its Honorary Colonel for the next five years.
“I will work hard to support and encourage the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of 32 Signal Regiment during their training and service, as well as seek to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the Army Reserve as a whole.
“This Armed Forces Day, people across the country will come together to recognise the debt we owe to those who serve to keep us safe.
“We have the most professional fighting force in the world and – regular or reserve – it’s only right we say thank you for all they do.”
32 Signal Regiment is a specialist Army Reserve Regiment that provides vital communications support and information management to the Armed Forces, Emergency Services, and Local Government Agencies in times of crisis such as:
• Terrorist Attacks
• Natural Disasters
• Flooding
• Enhanced Security for Political Summits
Regimental Headquarters is based in Glasgow with Signal Squadrons in Edinburgh, Dundee, Northern Ireland, Darlington and Glasgow. The job roles within the Regiment include Communications Systems Operators, Drivers, Chefs, Clerks, and Medics.
In recent years, the Regimental remit has expanded to include Op Herrick (Afghanistan), Op Telic (Iraq) as well as supporting UN Operations in Germany and Cyprus.
Jun232017
Speech: British Ambassador to the DRC at the Queen’s Birthday Party 2017
Welcome to the QBP 2017 and to this evening.
As you may know, two weeks ago today we had an election in the UK. As you will also know, two terrorist attacks took place during that election campaign period.
This evening is, then, an appropriate moment for me to say that I was touched by and am very grateful for the many messages of support and condolence here following these attacks, including from His Excellency President Kabila to The Queen. So please join me in a moment’s silence for all victims of violence, in Manchester and London, in the Kasais and elsewhere in Congo. …………. Thank you.
But these attacks did not stop the British people from voting. We have an electorate of 46 million people, and I wish the CENI all the best in enrolling a similar number of people here, to allow the full and timely implementation of the New Year’s Eve agreement.
Following our election we have a government committed to making a success of Brexit and to forging a very close partnership with the rest of Europe from outside the European Union. We have a government which intends to keep the UK’s position as the world’s 5th largest economy, and remain one of the largest forces in diplomacy, defence and international development, with friends and allies throughout Africa and all around the world.
This will be my last national day speech as British Ambassador here. During my tenure, I have seen the grandeur and natural beauty of the Congo, experienced the incredible hard work, passion, unity and solidarity of the Congolese people. I have seen the amazing talents of Congolese entrepreneurs, artists, musicians, sportsmen and many others, and tonight we celebrate this range of talents.
No one can doubt that the Congo is a country of great potential. And the United Kingdom is supporting the DRC to fulfil this potential:
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Above all, we support dignity for the population, with $500m worth of support each year through our bilateral development programme, regional programmes and contributions to multilateral organisations. One day, the number of Congolese people in extreme poverty will not be 50 million and rising, but falling towards zero.
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One day, the United Kingdom will no longer, for example, need to provide basic healthcare services to 9 million Congolese people, because, one day, the corruption which undermines all attempts at development will be addressed, and one day natural riches of this nation will flow into the government treasury.
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One day, the humanitarian aid courageously supplied to millions of Congolese people, to which we are proud to contribute, will no longer be necessary.
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One day, discussions in New York and Geneva will no longer be about massacres, mass graves, and delayed elections. On day we will speak instead about all UN peacekeepers leaving this country because they are no longer needed, as will happen in Ivory Coast in exactly one week’s time.
And one day, the DRC government and its development partners will focus their exchanges on co-operation, rather than sanctions, resolutions, accusations of interference, and refused visas.
In short, one day Congo’s destiny as a great nation will be realised.
Finally, I want to praise our wonderful embassy staff, and their families. No Ambassador could ask for a better team.
And I want to mention the efforts of one particular colleague tonight. He is the first Congolese ever in history to receive the honour Member of the British Empire, which is the equivalent of the Ordres Nationaux Congolais. He works in our embassy office in Goma, and nothing – M23 attacks, volcanic eruptions, nothing – stops him doing his job.
It just remains for me to invite you to raise a toast: – Long live Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whom it is my privilege to represent here. – Long live the partnership between the British and Congolese peoples. – And long live all who work for a stronger Congo.
Enjoy the rest of the evening and thank you.
Jun232017
Grave of brave Nottingham born WW2 Airman finally rededicated
Grave of brave Nottingham born WW2 Airman finally rededicated
Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) Frank Edward Reed’s final resting place has been identified after his aircraft, RAF Stirling Bomber EH945, part of 620 Squadron, was shot down in Germany on 27 September 1943. To honour the bravery and sacrifice of Flt Sgt Reed, a rededication service was held on 20 June 2017 at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
Flt Sgt Frank Edward Reed
The service, organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), part of Defence Business Services, was conducted by The Reverend Father (Flight Lieutenant) James Mealy, Station Chaplain RAF Coningsby.
Flt Sgt Reed was a Flight Engineer and part of a seven man crew onboard the Bomber aircraft which took off from RAF Chedburgh in Suffolk at 19:55 hours on 27 September 1943. Research undertaken by JCCC and Air Historical Branch showed that Stirling EH975 was shot down and crashed later that evening. Subsequent reports stated that some of the crew were taken as prisoners of war, including Flt Sgt Reed who was badly injured; others were unfortunately killed during the crash. Flt Sgt Reed was taken to a hospital in Hanover where it is unclear how he died but most probably from his wounds.
Flt Sgt Reed was just one month short of his 21st birthday when he was killed.
Tracey Bowers, JCCC said:
“This has been an incredibly rewarding case to work on and to be able to bring closure after such a long search for answers by Frank’s son, Nigel, who has travelled from New Zealand to be with us today, is a real privilege.
“Unfortunately we may never know exactly how Flt Sgt Reed died but we know he ultimately lost his life serving his Country. Now finally, his grave can bear his name and we’re very lucky to have his son and members of his RAF family here with us today.”
Nigel Reed
Rev. Fr (Flt Lt) James Mealy said:
“By God’s grace it is right and proper that we gathered today in prayer and thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Flt Sgt Reed. It was a privilege for me as an RAF Padre to lead this rededication service for the family and representatives today.
“This is the first rededication service I have had the honour of leading and I will remember this day for the rest of my life.”
Flt Sgt Reed’s son, Nigel Reed, said:
“Today has opened up a new chapter in my relationship with my father whom I now feel a real connection and closeness to. I would like to thank all those who made this ceremony, and the one held in Chedburgh, possible, it has meant so very much to me.”
The moving ceremony rededicating the new headstone bearing Flt Sgt Reed’s name, as provided by the CWGC, was held in the cemetery in Hanover near to where the crash site was.
To further honour Flt Sgt Reed’s memory a simultaneous ceremony was held in Chedburgh, Suffolk (where 620 Squadron was based). It was organised by former members of The Blues and Royals, Nigel’s former regiment and attended by his regimental brothers.
For more information, please contact Andy Eden, MOD JCCC Media Officer; DBSCS-Comms-AccMgr2@mod.uk
Images: Photo of Flt Sgt Frank Reed – Copyright Reed Family
All other imagery – Crown Copyright
Jun232017
Needs-based, long-term funding certainty for Australia’s schools
The Turnbull Government’s plan for real needs-based funding for Australia’s schools passed the Parliament this morning, ensuring students will get the support and quality education they need to succeed.
This historic reform will deliver tangible benefits to students, parents and teachers. It represents a major investment in Australia’s future.
Our Quality Schools reforms deliver an additional $23.5 billion, on top of the 2016 Budget, for Australian schools over the next decade and we will ensure that investment is distributed according to need, as envisaged by David Gonski’s Review of School Funding in 2011.
Our reforms ensure students with the same need within the same sector attract the same support from the Commonwealth Government, regardless of where they live.
Following the passage of the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017, all schools currently below the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) will be brought to their fair Commonwealth funding level by 2023 and schools that are notionally above the SRS will be brought to their Commonwealth share of funding by 2027 to ensure a manageable transition for those communities.
The Turnbull Government’s plan ensures students who need the most support, get the most support as quickly as possible.
The transition arrangements to get to the SRS do not change the final structural position of the Government’s funding or budget in 2027.
Alongside the Commonwealth’s increased investment, states and territories will be expected to provide 95 per cent of the SRS by 2023. Further, we will appoint a National School Resource Board as was recommended by the 2011 ‘Gonski Review’.
Under the Government’s reforms, by 2023 the Commonwealth’s funding for government schools will rise from the current average of 17 per cent of the SRS to 20 per cent, and the Commonwealth’s funding for non-government schools will grow from an average of 77 per cent to 80 per cent.
While maintaining the historic role of the federal government as the majority funder of non-government schools, this will see the Commonwealth continue to increase its share of funding for government schools, which in 2013-14 stood at 13.4 per cent and under the previous Government in 2009-10 it was just 10.8 per cent.
For the first time, the support for students with a disability will be informed by the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data, which was first committed to under the Gillard Labor Government, ensuring need drives funding allocation rather than the different definitions of disability that exist between jurisdictions.
While a strong level of funding for schools is vital, what’s more important is how that funding is used.
Before the end of 2017, David Gonski AC will chair a panel of education experts to deliver the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools. The Review will provide advice on how this extra Commonwealth funding should be used by Australian schools to improve student achievement and school performance.
Bill Shorten and the Labor Party should be ashamed of and embarrassed by their actions. Voting against increased and truly needs-based investment in Australia’s schools shows that the Labor Party values political expediency over the needs of the nation’s children and grandchildren.
The Turnbull Government thanks the respective minor party and independent Senators and Members for their constructive and considered contributions to the future of Commonwealth support for Australia’s schools.
Along with support from Gonski Review panelists Ken Boston, Kathryn Greiner AO and David Gonski himself, the Government’s plan has been backed by independent think tanks including The Grattan Institute and The Mitchell Institute as well as schools, families and educators such as former head of the Australian Education Union Dianne Foggo AM.
These reforms are focused on the needs of each and every Australian student to ensure they get the support they deserve to set them up for their future.