Tag Archives: HM Government

The First of a Kind (FOAK) competition invites bids from companies to fund existing innovations that may be in use outside the rail industry but which could benefit rail passengers. This could, for example, be to create more space in carriages or provide improved assistance to passengers with a diverse range of needs.

The competition, run by Innovate UK, is part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) wider Accelerating Innovation in Rail (AIR) scheme. This is aimed at introducing cutting-edge ways of improving the whole passenger experience on rail, such as helping rail services to run efficiently and on time.

AIR develops ideas from concept, whereas the FOAK scheme aims to fund ideas already working in the real world that could be successfully transferred to the rail industry. As they already exist, under the scheme passengers will be able to use them in trials and give feedback.

The first challenge in the FOAK competition is rolling stock. Organisations are invited to bid for funding for technology not previously used on trains and examine how they can be integrated. Later funding will focus on other aspects of the railway network.

Passengers at the heart

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said:

As well as encouraging innovative ideas from concept, we want to help develop existing ideas that can be transferred successfully to the rail industry for the benefit of passengers.

The aim of government, train operators and infrastructure managers is to put passengers at the heart of everything we do. If we can help fund development of these inventive and ground-breaking ideas then this will help support the biggest modernisation programme in rail since the Victorian era.

Ian Meikle, Innovate UK’s Director – Infrastructure Systems, said:

We want to unlock the talent of UK companies to demonstrate tomorrow’s trains today. This first of a kind competition will result in tangible, realistic prototypes that have the potential to meet the challenges of passenger journeys.

Gordon Wakeford, Chair of the Rail Supply Group, commented:

The rail supply sector is continually seeking to improve the passenger experience by developer new and better products and solutions. This competition will provide a stimulus for the many innovative companies in our sector to develop new and ground-breaking ways to enhance rail journeys.

I am confident that the rail industry will rise to this challenge with commitment and creativity.

Competition information

The Prime Minister met with the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones in Downing Street today.

As well as discussing domestic issues, they spoke about Brexit and the Prime Minister explained how the UK Government’s priority was delivering a successful EU exit that works for the whole of the UK.

On the important engagement with Wales and the other devolved administrations, they spoke about constructive dialogue at the recent Joint Ministerial Committee and the progress made on working together to establish principles on common frameworks.

They also discussed the EU Withdrawal Bill and the Prime Minister made clear that we are working to ensure that as powers are repatriated from Brussels back to Britain, the right powers are passed to the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a way that works for all parts of the UK.

Since its launch, the Defence and Security Accelerator has assessed nearly 700 proposals from almost 400 organisations and has successfully awarded its defence portion of the ‘Open Call’ budget for this year. Subsequently the Open Call for Innovation has been paused for new Defence-related proposals. read more

A £27 million scheme to reduce flood risk to 4,800 properties in Blackpool was officially opened today (30 October) by Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Fred Jackson and the Chair of the Environment Agency Emma Howard Boyd.

The new defence at Anchorsholme safeguards Blackpool’s iconic seafront tramway, which is enjoyed by the thousands of visitors each year who flock to the quintessential British seaside resort. It also helps protect vital infrastructure and a major pumping station.

A kilometre of concrete sea wall has been replaced, maintaining access to the beach, and a new promenade attracts residents and visitors with views over the Irish Sea. The promenade also links the seafront to the nearby Anchorsholme Park, which is being redeveloped. The new defences will help protect Blackpool’s tourism and recreational income for the next 100 years.

The scheme forms part of the Fylde Peninsula Coastal Programme, a partnership between the Environment Agency and Wyre, Blackpool and Fylde councils to reduce flood risk to people and develop historic and natural environments. Anchorsholme together with the Rossall project, which is due to be completed next year, form one of the largest coastal defence projects in the country.

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

Blackpool’s iconic beachfront is visited by thousands of families each year. This new coastal defence, delivered in partnership with local councils, will better protect the town’s popular tourist attractions as well as nearly 5,000 homes and businesses.

It’s great news and demonstrates how our work benefits people and the environment.

Blackpool Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Fred Jackson, said:

I am delighted that this vital sea defence scheme has been officially opened. We now have a sea wall that will provide much stronger flood protection for years to come.

We also have a wonderful new promenade for all to enjoy which makes access from the seafront to the park and town so much easier.

The project has been both an incredible challenge and an incredible achievement for all the organisations involved.

I am also extremely grateful to the neighbours and the local community for being so patient during the construction work. However, I trust that they are delighted with the final result and the additional regeneration work that is being undertaken.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

Anchorsholme’s new sea wall was made possible thanks not only to £20 million of government funding, but also the huge support of local government and other partners.

The result is brilliant news for the community – regenerating the area and providing better protection for almost 5,000 homes and Blackpool’s iconic tram network ahead of winter.

The Blackpool Council scheme has been funded by the Environment Agency through government grant aid and delivered by contractors Balfour Beatty.

The proposed legislation, announced as part of the Queen’s Speech in June, will allow Armed Forces personnel to work part time for short periods of time, as long as operational effectiveness of the military is maintained.

The plans are part of a range of measures that the MOD is currently undertaking to improve service conditions for everyone, including attracting and retaining more women in the military. The Armed Forces are currently working towards a target of having 15% of the military being made up of women by 2020.

Currently 10.2% of the military are women, with expanding career opportunities as the military opens up its ground close combat roles to females. The RAF became the first service to recruit women into all of its trades when it opened up the RAF Regiment to women in September of this year. The Army and Marines will follow suit by the end of 2018.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

Keeping Britain safe means investing in our personnel as well as in new equipment. More flexible working is essential to a modern military, allowing us to recruit the best talent and retain those already serving, while always being ready to deploy as commanders require.

The military must offer conditions of service that keep up with those available in other lines of work. This change will significantly make it easier for women with children.

The flexible working measures, which are due to come into effect in 2019, will also allow personnel to limit the amount of time that they need to spend away from their home base and their families.

The need to maintain operational capability lies at the heart of these arrangements, and applications for part-time working will predominantly be assessed against the need of the Armed Forces. Personnel would still be required to deploy on operations should the need arise, such as in cases of national emergency.

Consultation within the Armed Forces has found that personnel want more choice over the way they serve when their personal circumstances change, such as having young children or needing to care for elderly relatives. Internal MOD surveys have consistently reported that the impact of service life on family and personal life is the most important factor that might influence them to leave (62% in this year’s Attitude Survey).

Flexible working will help retain personnel, and a recent survey found that 70% of respondents were supportive of more opportunities for flexible working, with 71% interested in taking up such opportunities in the future.

The measures are part of military modernisation, aiming to retain personnel who have been trained and have gained important experience, particularly on operations, rather than having them leave for civilian life. 96% of UK employers already offer flexible working for some of their employees and research has found that offering flexible working encourages people to stay with their current employer.

These reforms are part of the modern offer to personnel and the government’s commitment to strengthen the Armed Forces Covenant, which was enshrined in law in 2011 to ensure Service personnel are not disadvantaged through their work.