At the event in London, a series of presentations provided details of three challenges that make up the Defence and Security Accelerator competition ‘Revolutionise the human information relationship for Defence’.

To set the scene, Accelerator Acting Head Rob Solly and Innovation Partner Jim Pennycook opened the event, giving an overview of proof-of-concept research funding opportunities for innovative science and technology providers.

Rear Admiral Tim Fraser and military staff from Joint Force Command outlined the importance of this competition for defence.

Challenge 1

Challenge 1: allowing rapid and automated integration of new sensors was introduced, with details provided from a military and technical perspective.

Challenge 2

Challenge 2: free up personnel by the innovative use of machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) for military advantage was explained from a military and technical challenge perspective.

Challenge 3

Challenge 3: make effective use of operator cognitive capacity, particularly by human-machine teaming was outlined, again with details from a technical and military view.

The competition was then summed up by Joint Force Command and the competition process was explained.

Other opportunities

UK Defence Solutions Centre then talked about export opportunities and Dual Use Technology Exploitation gave an overview of opportunities through non-defence markets.

How to work with the Accelerator

The Accelerator team then outlined how organisations can access the Accelerator and gave advice on how to submit good proposals for funding.

Unmanned Warrior

A briefing on the Unmanned Warrior was then given.

The Low Pay Commission is commissioning new research to understand the effects of the NLW. The closing date is 13 March 2017.

The Low Pay Commission’s purpose is to provide advice to the Government on the rates of the National Living Wage and the other National Minimum Wages, as well as other related issues.

We want to hear first hand evidence from employers, workers and anyone else with a view on the minimum wage and its effects.

We are visiting Leeds, Glasgown and East Renfrewshire, Belfast, Newport and Gwent, and Melton and East Northamptonshire.

See the table below for dates, and click the link below to arrange a meeting with us. You can also give us a call on 020 7215 8772.

We are particularly interested in the effects of the National Living Wage, the minimum wage for workers aged 25 and over, which was introduced at £7.20 in April 2016 and will rise to £7.50 on 1 April 2017.

All the other minimum wage rates will increase on 1 April as well (see table below for rates) and we would like to hear views on these too.

The LPC organises an annual programme of visits to gather evidence in support of our recommendations to government. The visits are attended by members of our Commission and Secretariat.

We can host meetings in the locations we visit, but it is also extremely useful for us to visit businesses and workers at their place of work to see the effects of the minimum wage ‘on the ground’. So, we would be delighted if you would like to host us and show us around your business.

Please note that the date of the visit to Belfast has been changed since the programme was originally sent to our stakeholders.

National Minimum Wage rates

Award-winning Welsh marmalade, mozzarella from Durham, and shortbread from Glasgow are among nearly 100 UK food and drink specialities showcasing the best of British today at the world’s largest annual food trade show in Dubai.

Gulfood brings together more than 100,000 buyers, investors and producers from around the world – and thanks to ongoing government investment and support it will give budding exporters and established global-hitters across the country the chance to promote their produce and boost exports to the region.

The Gulf is the UK’s third largest export market – worth more than £1.5 billion – and is already home to more than 5,000 UK companies and 4,000 British brands.

Food Minister George Eustice is attending Gulfood 2017 to champion the UK’s world-class offer and strengthen the UK’s trade relationship with this rapidly growing market. He said:

The UK already exports more than £550 million worth of food and drink to the Gulf and UAE, and it is clear buyers and producers from around the world are eager to see what we have to offer.

Over the next five years we have an ambitious plan to further our export success, and thanks to our range of exciting foods and delectable drinks on display today, we’re strengthening our global reputation for tasty, good quality produce.

Food and drink exports recently hit the £20 billion mark for the first time, and the Government is committed to building on this success as part of the International Action Plan for Food and Drink – which sets out how we will drive global exports by £2.9billion over the next five years.

Prima Cheese is part of this success story and already exports to the Middle East and South America. The Seaham based company has represented the UK at Gulfood for the past four years and recently expanded their workforce by 15 people to meet growing export demand.

Thanks to government support – which includes funding, expert training and exclusive networking opportunities – they will be part of the UK delegation joining 5,000 exhibitors at the annual five-day trade show, which kicked off yesterday (Sunday 26 February).

Operations Director Nima Beni said:

We’ve been coming to the Gulfood exhibition for the last four years and have found them to be our gateway to the world in terms to new business.

They will be joined by luxury British tea brand, Newby Teas London, who are taking the next step in their global mission. They will be exhibiting at Gulfood for the first time to showcase their renowned range of loose teas to a global audience.

The London based company already exports tea to Dubai but are keen to strengthen their presence in the Gulf and increase exports to this growing market.

Britain is home to one of the most diverse and innovative food cultures in the world. We export British classics such as whisky and gin, salmon and seafood, specialist teas and cheeses to over 200 countries and territories.

Through the Government’s Food is GREAT campaign, Defra is committed to driving exports of UK food and drink, opening new international markets and supporting UK companies in their work to go global.

Minister Jaitley, it’s a pleasure to see you again and to welcome you here for your visit to launch the UK / India Year of Culture, as part of India’s independence celebrations.

It is an important opportunity to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between our countries.

The UK – India investment relationship is hugely important.

India is now the third largest investor and second largest job creator in the UK; the UK is the largest G20 investor in India and plays an important role in building skills in the Indian workforce.

And the UK government is committed to deepening this relationship further.

In my first months as Secretary of State for International Trade, I’ve been lucky enough to visit India twice – most recently accompanying the Prime Minister on her first bilateral visit outside Europe, as well as her first trade delegation.

In the words of Prime Minister Modi, India and the UK are an ‘unbeatable partnership’.

And I’m very glad that our Prime Ministers recently committed to ‘building the closest possible commercial and economic relationship’.