Once again there’s been plenty of positive British news this week. You might not hear about it on a lot of the other news outlets, but remember positive things are happening across our great nation.
Keep checking in with the Conservative Post to see good news every day – the resurgence of British manufacturing, how our military is flying the flag across the world, positive policy making, global trade deals, our wonderful royals and many other things to be proud of.
Here are our 20 best read and most shared positive news stories from just this week (25th September – 1st October 2023):
20. £80 million funding delivered to improve and protect bus services
Millions of people across England will benefit from lower fares, improved reliability and better bus services, as the government delivers a further £80 million to support buses into 2025. Roads Minister Richard Holden confirmed this week allocations for 64 local authorities across England from the £80 million investment in the bus service improvement plan for 2024 to 2025. Local authorities can use the funding to improve local buses in several ways, such as by bringing in new services or routes, extending timetables through new morning or evening buses or making tickets cheaper through reduced fares… click here
19. Thousands more pupils to receive support to improve attendance
Thousands more pupils will be supported in schools as the Department for Education announces four more attendance hubs. Hubs are led by schools with excellent attendance which share practical ideas with other primary, secondary, alternative provision and special schools in England who need support to boost their attendance. The Government has been clear that attendance is everyone’s business. Regular attendance is vital for children’s education, wellbeing and long-term development and evidence shows pupils with higher attendance tend to have higher attainment across all key stages… click here
18. Over half a million people register organ donation decision via NHS App
The total number of organ donation decisions registered for the first time through the NHS App has increased by over a fifth over the last year to 546,825 (up 22% from 448,562 last August). The latest figures, which are being highlighted on the back of last week’s Organ Donation Week, show that 98,263 new organ donation decisions were registered via the NHS App during the period September 2022 – August 2023… click here
17. All storm overflows now covered by plan to clean up waterways
Action to tackle sewage pollution and clean up our waterways has been expanded, Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey has confirmed today (Monday 25 September). All coastal and estuary storm overflows are now included in the largest infrastructure programme in water company history. The updated Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan sets out stringent targets to protect people and the environment; and prioritises for early action areas used for bathing, for growing shellfish or with high ecological importance. The additions to the Plan will also mean that Marine Protected Areas and shellfish water protected areas will also be added to the ‘high priority sites’ list, alongside Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and bathing waters… click here
16. UK science facility receives £85 million for world’s most powerful laser
The Science and Technology Facilities Council Central Laser Facility has been awarded £85 million by UKRI for a major upgrade programme. The investment will support a major upgrade, which will include construction of the Vulcan 20-20 laser, which is set to be the most powerful laser in the world. CLF, based at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in South Oxfordshire, uses a suite of lasers to create the fourth state of matter (in addition to solid, liquid, and gas) known as plasma. Plasma is formed when normal matter is placed in extreme conditions, for example very high temperatures or pressures… click here
15. Government funding to train 500 new youth workers
Young people will get better support and services as the Government supports the training of youth workers with £800,000 of new funding, the Culture Secretary has announced this week. More than 500 youth workers and volunteers, who would otherwise be unable to undertake training, will have their course fees fully paid for by the Government. The funding will allow adults to access a Level 2, 3 or 4 youth worker qualifications, meaning more vulnerable children and teenagers will have someone trained to talk to outside of school, providing a guiding hand to keep them on the right path and unlock their potential… click here
14. Royal Air Force leads five other nations in multinational live-fly aerial exercise in the UK
A Royal Air Force-led exercise has doubled the number of missions and trained night and day to simulate operating against a peer adversary. Exercise Cobra Warrior 23-2 involved more than 50 aircraft from six allied countries – Canada, USA, Italy, Norway, Australia and the UK, along with a NATO aircraft – working together to support a fictional country in conflict to regain sovereign territory. The Exercise was coordinated by the ASWC and took place across the UK and over multiple domains: air, sea, land, space and cyber… click here
13. Disadvantaged young people to enjoy more outdoor experiences away from home
Thousands of disadvantaged young people are to get access to outdoor learning opportunities away from home so they can develop vital life skills, build confidence and resilience. The Adventures Away From Home Fund, worth £1.5 million, will allow more children and teenagers to enjoy activities they otherwise would not be able to take part in. The fund will see disadvantaged young people take part in activities to give them new experiences and expand their horizons… click here
12. British Army trains Ukrainian soldiers in mine disposal skills
The Royal Engineers are delivering world-leading training to Ukraine’s combat engineers in Poland, with 1,500 mine detectors having been provided to Ukraine by the UK. Royal Engineers sappers have delivered crucial explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training to Ukrainian soldiers to disable mines, munitions and other explosive devices that are being used in Ukraine and are currently one of the biggest threats to the safety of civilians in the country. Mines present one of the biggest obstacles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces as they seek to re-take illegally occupied land. It is critical to the success of the ongoing counter-offensive that Ukraine has the resources to deal with mines; this thorough and tailored training package teaches soldiers munition recognition… click here
11. Teesside stainless steel firm grows business with £26 million export finance package
A government credit guarantee has allowed Teesside stainless steel alloy inventor and manufacturer Paralloy to secure up to £26 million of a Santander UK bank guarantee facility to support the continued growth of its export business. Announced on National Manufacturing Day, the guarantee from UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency – allows Santander UK to overwrite a previous facility and increase the amount of facility available to Paralloy from £17 million to £26 million… click here
10. Government steps up digital skills with 2,500 new tech recruits
2,500 ambitious tech talents will be recruited into digital roles in government by June 2025 through new apprenticeship and early talent programmes, the Cabinet Office has announced this week. This is being kickstarted by the new digital apprenticeship programme, which will support the recruitment of 500 early career entrants into digital roles this financial year across government. This new programme will provide the opportunity for both civil servants and new entrants to be recruited into the most in demand data and technology roles, such as Cyber Security Technologists and Software Developers… click here
9. £12.5 million for robotics and automation to boost Britain’s sustainable farming
Innovative projects will receive funding to develop technologies to predict strawberry yield, increase vineyard productivity and optimise harvesting schedules. Nineteen innovative projects developing automation and robotic technologies will receive a share of £12.5 million in government funding to boost productivity, food security and sustainable farming practices, the Farming Minister Mark Spencer has announced this week. This brings the total government funding announced to fund industry-led research and development in agriculture and horticulture to £120 million since 2021… click here
8. New regeneration plans announced to level up Hull and Sandwell
Sandwell and Hull will be the first areas to benefit from a new major bespoke regeneration project which forms a key part of the Government’s levelling up programme. Levelling Up Partnerships (LUPs), announced in the Spring Budget, will see tailored regeneration plans rolled out across twenty of England’s areas most in need of levelling up. The areas have been selected based on analysis set out in the Levelling Up White Paper which considered places against metrics such as educational attainment, gross pay, and life expectancy… click here
7. Government announces employment support boost for over 30,000 economically inactive young people
Tens of thousands of 16-24-year-olds will be given access to additional support in finding and securing work following the expansion of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Offer, it has been announced this week. Despite youth unemployment being down by over 43% since 2010, young people are more likely to be economically inactive than the rest of the population. This week’s announcement expands the DWP’s Youth Offer to economically inactive claimants, who were previously ineligible, as part of welfare reforms the Government is introducing to reduce economic inactivity and help more people back into work… click here
6. UK launches £65 million funding call for space technologies and applications
The UK Space Agency has announced up to £65 million of funding for ground-breaking innovations that could boost UK leadership in space technologies and applications. The National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) will support high-risk, high-reward projects designed by British organisations with the potential to accelerate the development of new space technologies, satellite applications, and services… click here
5. Hundreds of Scottish businesses set to benefit as UK Government invests in new roles to boost exporting
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will significantly expand the support on offer to Scottish businesses after it announced that new DBT International Trade Advisors are to be hired north of the border. Once in place, the new Advisors will be responsible for providing tailored, one-to-one guidance and support to Scottish businesses to help them start or expand their exporting journey. The new resource is intended to complement existing services by expanding the pipeline of exporting companies and should see a further 600-900 companies in Scotland receive help… click here
4. Thousands of veteran cards to be rolled out this year
Thousands more veterans will receive HM Armed Forces Veteran Cards by the end of the year thanks to a £3 million injection to expand the roll-out to veterans who left service before 2018. The ID card will allow veterans to quickly and easily prove their veteran status where required, granting them simpler access to key support from the NHS, charities and local authorities. They can also be used to apply for Defence Discount Service Cards and the Veterans Railcard. Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer visited a facility in Gosport today to see progress made on the ID card rollout, and met with veterans who are already benefiting from the scheme… click here
3. Hooray Henry! England’s new rugby star scores five tries in Rugby World Cup game
Henry Arundell may only be 20 years old, but England’s new rugby star is already receiving international acclaim after scoring 5 tries for England on Saturday’s match against Chile in the Rugby World Cup. England romped to a mammoth 71-0 victory over Chile in the Rugby World Cup pool game with winger Arundell grabbing a record-breaking five tries on his debut appearance. The dynamic 20-year-old winger, who used to ply his trade as a full-back, has a sprinter’s speed and squats more than any other England back. England now top Pool D on 14 points after three victories and have taken a decisive stride towards the quarter-finals… click here
2. Future of cherished local pubs, museums and sports clubs secured with levelling up boost
Pubs, museums and sports clubs across the United Kingdom have been given vital funding from Government to secure their future for generations to come. Forty-five treasured spaces in our villages, towns and cities will receive more than £12.3 million in funding so they can be run by the community, for the community. Thanks to the latest funding from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, these institutions will be owned and run by hardworking community groups. £1 million will rebuild a historic Yorkshire railway bridge in urgent need of repair, which carries the railway line over Bridgehouse Beck between Keighley and Oxenhope… click here
1. BREXIT BRITAIN: UK signs 6th US state-level trade deal with Washington State
The UK and the US state of Washington have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost trade and investment. The UK has already signed state-level trade deals with Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and now Washington. Collectively these states imported £5.1 billion of UK goods in 2022. Washington State is home to major US business including Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft and Boeing, and has a GDP roughly equivalent to Poland. The MoU marks the sixth delivered as part of the UK’s state-level strategy to boost trade with the US and means that the combined GDP of states the UK has MoUs with now totals £2.2 trillion… click here
For last week’s top 20 Great British news stories (18th – 24th September 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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All the good news is about HMG paying out millions, What we want to know is how private business is doing. Are we making our own trains/buses? How many nuclear reactors are we building? How many patients are being cured? Ans so on. We depend on our economy and need to know how well it is performing.