Today brings to a close the most successful National Apprenticeship Week yet; with unprecedented support received for the week from the apprenticeships community, in the number of events delivered and coverage achieved, both on-line and in social media.

Whatsmore, the ambition of delivering a 10,000 talks movement – #10kTalks – to inspire the next generation of apprentices in schools across the country has been exceeded, reaching over 33,500 people. Over 300 schools joined the 10,000 talks movement and a further 130 schools also hosted teacher-to-teacher talks – reaching an additional 2,300 individuals. The Big Assembly, which tool place on Thursday, reached an additional 20,000 people with a live video stream – showcasing apprentices and employers sharing their apprenticeships stories.

The week kicked off on Monday, 5 March with a launch event at the BBC in London with news of a new ground-breaking apprenticeship programme, developed with the Sutton Trust, to support 50 school leavers from socially diverse backgrounds, to apply for apprenticeships.

Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds recognised the ambitions of the BBC and Sutton Trust in his address, whilst reaffirming the crucial role apprenticeships play in helping people realise their potential as they learn and earn.

Also on launch day, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Anne Milton visited Manchester, where she had breakfast with apprentices from Kelloggs, before attending a 10K Talk at St Ambrose RC High School in Wardley, Manchester. Social media activity saw #NAW2018 and National Apprenticeship Week 2018 trend on social media (Twitter) on launch day – trending top in the UK.

On Tuesday the Minister visited Yorkshire Building Society in Leeds for a Northern PowerHouse event, before a visit to Asda House to meet apprentices. The Minister then moved to Askham Bryan College in York to meet more apprentices from the college. Meanwhile Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service took time to work shadow some apprentices and spent time with Fathima Alim and Christina Janse Van Rensburg, Level 3 business administration apprentices in the Policy Curriculum division at the Department for Education.

Wednesday saw the Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network (ADCN) celebrate its first year with an event dedicated to recognising the achievements of its 50 members – who are all committed to championing apprenticeships and diversity amongst employers. New members, including Channel 4, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, and ITV were welcomed to the network by Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Anne Milton and Helen Grant, MP and Chair of the network, who acknowledged members commitment to ensuring that their workforce includes apprentices, from all backgrounds.

International Women’s Day on Thursday was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate how ‘Apprenticeships Work for Women’ and highlighted and celebrated the positive impact of female apprentices in workplaces across the country.

The event, taking place on the penultimate day of National Apprenticeship Week 2018, saw Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Anne Milton and high profile names in business, politics and society address an audience of teachers, apprentices and female business leaders at the National Gallery, London, whilst leading art historian introduced some of the artwork created by women and on show in the Gallery’s collection.

A fitting end to National Apprenticeship Week 2018 involved 250 apprentices – from across a variety of sectors and job roles – in ‘Class of 2018’ graduation ceremonies, taking place in six prestigious venues across England. Apprentices that have completed their apprenticeship in the last 12 months were recognised and celebrated; whilst showcasing why more people should choose an apprenticeship as a pathway to a great career.

A video thank you message from Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Anne Milton and for everyone involved in the week:

Thank you message from Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Anne Milton

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service said:

The 11th annual National Apprenticeship Week has shown me how apprenticeships continue to be seen as a brilliant career path for individuals and also a great opportunity for employers to shape the workforce they need to deliver.

I have attended many events over the course of the Week and the message I get is that apprenticeships work. From celebrating the new apprenticeship programme with the BBC, to meeting inspiring employers committed to diversity whilst seeing so many apprentices receive the recognition they deserve at class of 2018 graduation ceremonies I am satisfied that the whole apprenticeships community values the opportunities apprenticeships present.

We need to build on this momentum, to encourage individuals – regardless of age or background – to find an apprenticeship and get on the path to a brilliant future. National Apprenticeship Week wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for all the supporters of apprenticeships so I thank them all for their dedication to National Apprenticeship Week and to apprenticeships and the difference they are making to the lives of individuals.

You can find images from all the events that have happened during National Apprenticeship Week 2018 on the National Apprenticeships Service Flickr page.

In the summer of 2016, Bill Emmott stepped down as chair of Ofcom’s Content Board and as a non-executive director on the main Board, posts to which he had been appointed in December 2015. The parties were unable to agree the terms of Mr Emmott’s departure.

Appointments to Ofcom are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS). Mr Emmott subsequently brought judicial review proceedings in the High Court against the Secretary of State, challenging the decision as to how his appointment should be formally brought to an end.

During the time that he was in post, Mr Emmott, a distinguished former Editor of the Economist, brought substantial editorial and leadership experience to both the Content Board and main Board.

The parties now recognise that his departure from the post reflected changed circumstances since his recruitment and have agreed formal terms to resolve the dispute between them.

The DCMS is grateful to Mr Emmott for his significant contribution and commitment to Ofcom.

The Business Secretary Greg Clark has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Clean Energy with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid A Al-Falih.

The MoU, signed at the Cabinet Office on Wednesday (7 March), commits the UK and Saudi Arabia to work closer than ever before on developing technologies that will reduce harmful carbon emissions while growing their respective economies.

As part of the agreement, the 2 countries will share technical knowledge and expertise on clean energy, including smart grids, electric vehicles and Carbon Capture Usage and Storage – a technique that traps, stores and use carbon emissions as feedstock.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

Our Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to build a Britain fit for the future. This means equipping our economy to take advantage of new opportunities and build resilience to new risks.

The global shift to clean growth is one of the most foreseeable and significant global economic trends and will transform many sectors of the economy, including power, transport, construction, energy-intensive industries and agriculture.

This Memorandum of Understanding will help both the UK and Saudi Arabia make the most of this shift.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Khalid A Al-Falih said:

Through our Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has a blueprint to guide its future development through diversifying our energy mix, expanding on key industries and mining opportunities, as well as investing on science and innovation to meet current challenges.

The UK is a world leader in cutting carbon emissions to combat climate change while driving economic growth. Since 1990, the UK’s carbon emissions have fallen by more than a third while the economy has grown by two-thirds.

As the government’s Industrial Strategy sets out, the UK aims to pioneer the development, creation and use of clean technologies, systems and service that cost less than the high carbon alternatives.

Saudi Arabia’s blueprint for its future, Vision 2030, also outlines plans to grow the country’s renewable technologies sector, improve its energy efficiency and diversify its energy mix. Both countries’ ambitious plans are best achieved by working closely together.

On industry, Saudi Arabia is expanding and localising in key industries, such as defence, automotive and pharmaceuticals, as part of its strategy.

Business Secretary Greg Clark hosted Saudi Energy Minister Khalid A Al-Falih for an exchange of views on the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 on Wednesday.

The 2 countries have agreed to have an annual Energy and Industry Dialogue to identify future areas of collaboration, with further collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia on energy matters later this year when Business Secretary Greg Clark visits Riyadh.

The ministers discussed opportunities to work together on some of the Grand Challenges of the Industrial Strategy:

• Artificial Intelligence and the data revolution
• the global shift to clean growth
• the future of mobility

The UK will be inviting government ministers from across the world to its global Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in the autumn.

1. Today’s Memorandum of Understanding is one of several being signed as part of the UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
2. The government’s ambitious, modern Industrial Strategy sets out a long term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.
3. The government’s Clean Growth Strategy is an ambitious blueprint for a low carbon future.
4. Find out more about Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The Business Secretary Greg Clark has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Clean Energy with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid A Al-Falih.

The MoU, signed at the Cabinet Office on Wednesday (7 March), commits the UK and Saudi Arabia to work closer than ever before on developing technologies that will reduce harmful carbon emissions while growing their respective economies.

As part of the agreement, the 2 countries will share technical knowledge and expertise on clean energy, including smart grids, electric vehicles and Carbon Capture Usage and Storage – a technique that traps, stores and use carbon emissions as feedstock.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

Our Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to build a Britain fit for the future. This means equipping our economy to take advantage of new opportunities and build resilience to new risks.

The global shift to clean growth is one of the most foreseeable and significant global economic trends and will transform many sectors of the economy, including power, transport, construction, energy-intensive industries and agriculture.

This Memorandum of Understanding will help both the UK and Saudi Arabia make the most of this shift.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Khalid A Al-Falih said:

Through our Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has a blueprint to guide its future development through diversifying our energy mix, expanding on key industries and mining opportunities, as well as investing on science and innovation to meet current challenges.

The UK is a world leader in cutting carbon emissions to combat climate change while driving economic growth. Since 1990, the UK’s carbon emissions have fallen by more than a third while the economy has grown by two-thirds.

As the government’s Industrial Strategy sets out, the UK aims to pioneer the development, creation and use of clean technologies, systems and service that cost less than the high carbon alternatives.

Saudi Arabia’s blueprint for its future, Vision 2030, also outlines plans to grow the country’s renewable technologies sector, improve its energy efficiency and diversify its energy mix. Both countries’ ambitious plans are best achieved by working closely together.

On industry, Saudi Arabia is expanding and localising in key industries, such as defence, automotive and pharmaceuticals, as part of its strategy.

Business Secretary Greg Clark hosted Saudi Energy Minister Khalid A Al-Falih for an exchange of views on the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 on Wednesday.

The 2 countries have agreed to have an annual Energy and Industry Dialogue to identify future areas of collaboration, with further collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia on energy matters later this year when Business Secretary Greg Clark visits Riyadh.

The ministers discussed opportunities to work together on some of the Grand Challenges of the Industrial Strategy:

• Artificial Intelligence and the data revolution
• the global shift to clean growth
• the future of mobility

The UK will be inviting government ministers from across the world to its global Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in the autumn.

1. Today’s Memorandum of Understanding is one of several being signed as part of the UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council.
2. The government’s ambitious, modern Industrial Strategy sets out a long term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.
3. The government’s Clean Growth Strategy is an ambitious blueprint for a low carbon future.
4. Find out more about Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

Delegates from the UK have met with delegates from Saudi Arabia for the first joint executive committee on healthcare. The meeting was headed by Minster of State for Care Caroline Dinenage and Saudi Minister of Health Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah.

The inaugural meeting was held at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. It provided an opportunity for the 2 ministers to open discussions on a future healthcare partnership between the countries, particularly in relation to:

• patient safety
• digital innovation
• public–private partnerships

Two commercial partnerships were also signed at the meeting:

• Babylon – memorandum of understanding highlighting the future delivery of health solutions for the Saudi Ministry of Health through their local partner Thiqah using Babylon’s artificial intelligence application

• Datix, HealthMatrix and Saudi Patient Safety Center – contractual agreement covering the terms and conditions for the delivery of a nationwide patient safety software to the Saudi Ministry of Health and other healthcare sectors

Saudi Arabia has one of the largest and fastest-growing populations in the Gulf region, and healthcare is a crucial sector. Like the UK, Saudi Arabia is seeking an exchange of healthcare expertise that will deliver world-class sustainable healthcare in the future.

Minister of State for Care Caroline Dinenage said:

Our partnership with Saudi Arabia will have an important impact on the prosperity of our nations and our citizens – paving the way for new approaches to healthcare that can both benefit and improve patient safety.

Today’s signings are also a measure of the confidence industry has in long-term UK–Saudi economic partnerships that will help us to diversify and transform services.

His Excellency Tawfiq Al Rabiah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said:

These partnerships will provide the health sector with a greater opportunity to develop and improve upon the services provided to the beneficiaries within the Kingdom, through sharing experiences with the United Kingdom and utilising the latest technologies for a better and more efficient healthcare for all.