Of course the BBC and most other news outlets may not be interested in featuring these positive British news stories but we certainly are.
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.
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Here are our 20 best read and most shared positive stories from just this week (15th – 21st January 2024):
20. UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines and minerals safeguarded thanks to Government strategy
UK supplies of critical goods such as medicines, minerals and semiconductors will be safeguarded, thanks to the Government’s new Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy launched this week. In response to increased geopolitical disruption, and the unprecedented challenges of recent years the UK Government and businesses have boosted their ability to manage supply chain shocks… click here
19. New platform launched for retired consultants to return to NHS to bring down long waits even further
The NHS is encouraging retired doctors to return to the health service to help bring down long waits for elective care, making it easier and more flexible for staff to return to the NHS as part of the Long Term Workforce Plan. The NHS Emeritus pilot scheme will initially run for a year across England and help to bring down waits for elective care, but if successful has the potential to be expanded to cover other work areas… click here
18. Government action to drive down fuel prices by bringing transparency and competition back to the forecourts
Millions of drivers will be able to get the latest petrol station prices at the click of a button, as the government sets out next steps to bring fair prices back to the pumps and transform how the UK shops for its fuel. Under the new proposals, forecourts across the country will be legally required to share live information on their pump prices within 30 minutes of any change in price, which could save drivers 3p per litre on fuel by helping them find the best deal at the pump… click here
17. Royal Navy submariners win 3000 mile world’s toughest rowing race
Five Royal Navy submariners have won the world’s toughest rowing race across the Atlantic taking 35 days, four hours and 30 minutes. The British servicemen travelled 3000 miles in their boat Captain Jim and arrived at English Harbour in Antigua, just before 1pm on Wednesday having left the Canary Islands on December 13th. With 38 teams taking part from 16 countries, the British team consisting of Matt Main, Dan Seager, Rob Clarke, Ian Allen and Mike Forrester MBE rowed into English Harbour on Wednesday 17th January, at 08:45 local Antiguan time… click here
16. UK ranked highest G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index and introduces new pet abduction law
The UK was the first country in the world to introduce animal cruelty offences and is the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index. Now a new law will create a new specific offence for dog and cat abduction. The new criminal offence for pet abduction has taken a significant step forward this week with the announcement of government backing for new legislation… click here
15. £70 million expansion for Northamptonshire Formula 1 factory gets green light
A plan to expand the Mercedes Formula 1 factory in Brackley has been given the green light by the local council. West Northamptonshire council have said the £70 million investment would lead to “significant economic development benefits” for the town. The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the Northamptonshire-based F1 team has plans to expand their operations over the next five years, which will also see the workforce increase from 1,400 to 1,900 people… click here
14. UK announces 20,000 British Forces to boost NATO
Following last week’s targeted Royal Air Force strikes against the Houthis in Yemen and the announcement of a further £2.5bn UK support package to Ukraine, the Defence Secretary is expected to announce that in the first half of 2024, 20,000 service personnel from the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force will deploy across Europe to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24. The exercises will see the UK’s Armed Forces join thousands of personnel from 31 NATO allies and Sweden, operating across multiple countries… click here
13. Funding helps rough sleepers off streets and into long term settled accommodation
Rough sleepers are being helped off the streets and into long term settled accommodation thanks to further government funding. This brings the total funding for the Rough Sleeping Initiative to over £547 million and forms just one part of a wider package of support backed by over £2 billion of government funding over 3 years. This includes helping individuals find work, manage their finances and access mental and physical health services… click here
12. Anglo American offering world class apprenticeship opportunities working on UK’s Woodsmith Project
Anglo American is searching for their next group of apprentices to embark on a two-year programme as part of their drive to create high-skilled opportunities for local people. Anglo American is a leading global mining company and our products are the essential ingredients in almost every aspect of modern life. They will join over 1,000 other local people working on the Project, which continues to bring huge economic benefits to the region… click here
11. UK and Canada launch joint challenge for purifying the moon’s water
The joint UK-Canada £1.2 million Aqualunar Challenge is launching to support development of water-purifying technologies for the Moon. Nearly 6 in 10 people in the UK believe that developing technology for the harsh environment of space could help us back on Earth, with more than half (56%) believing that using technology in space means we can better understand our own planet and how to protect it. The new research from Challenge Works and the UK Space Agency marks the launch of the Aqualunar Challenge… click here
10. NHS helps tens of thousands of people with mental health problems into work
More than 40,000 people with mental health problems are being supported back into employment thanks to an NHS programme, new data shows. The figures come alongside a new campaign launched this week urging more people to sign up for help they might need through the NHS Talking Therapies service. As part of a pilot programme across the country, currently 40,000 people are being linked up with employment advisors to support them back into work… click here
9. Families to save on bills through new energy saving trials
Families will be able to access instant savings on their electricity bills through a new solar panel subscription service – one of 12 ground-breaking projects awarded funding this week. Sunsave will receive £1.9 million of Government funding to test its Electric Roof project, which aims to reduce the barriers to the widespread installation of solar panels. Rather than an upfront cost of installing solar panels, homeowners will pay a monthly fee, covering their monitoring and maintenance. It will also include gaining access to ‘smart tariffs’ which offer households different electricity rates at different times of the day… click here
8. Huge boost for global security with almost £1 billion government investment
The UK benefited from £830 million in the 2022-23 financial year delivering programmes and peacekeeping in more than 90 countries to bolster global security. The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund’s investment delivers projects in Ukraine, Africa, the Indo-Pacific and the Overseas Territories among other places. Last year it more than doubled spending on cyber security programmes, with £25.5 million spent on the Global Cyber Programme… click here
7. UK Government strengthens UK-Japan partnership on cyber
A new partnership between Japan and the UK will strengthen the UKs strategic approach to cyber. This week the two countries have agreed to a Memorandum of Cooperation to deepen public-private partnerships in cyber between the UK and Japan. The Memorandum was signed during the course of a three-day visit to the UK from Japan’s Keidanren Cyber Security Committee, hosted by the National Cyber Advisory Board. This builds on the UK and Japan’s work together to strengthen our shared values of democracy, rule of law and free and open trade… click here
6. UK and U.S. announce new strategic partnership to tackle increased biological threats
The UK has taken a critical step forward in protecting the nation from increased biological threats this week, as it announces a new Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security with the United States. The partnership builds on existing commitments made in The Atlantic Declaration signed by the UK and US in June 2023, which provides a framework for a modern economic partnership ready to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century – and will be key to bolstering the future health and economic resilience of the UK… click here
5. Government aiming for Rwanda deportation flights to start in the spring, says minister
Conservative MP Chris Philp said the public ‘will respond well’ to progress on immigration and the economy. Deportation flights to Rwanda should begin in the spring now that the bill has passed through the House of Commons, according to policing minister Chris Philp. He told GB News: “We do want to get this done quickly. We want to see these flights taking off in spring. I don’t think it’ll take too long in the House of Lords…” Click here
4. UK’s cutting-edge laser weaponry has potential to revolutionise the battlespace
A military laser which could boost the UK Armed Forces with greater accuracy while reducing the reliance on high-cost ammunition has reached its next milestone. The laser boasts pinpoint accuracy and low long-term costs. During a trial at the MOD’s Hebrides Range, the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets… click here
3. Work begins on new Normandy D-Day heritage centre at British Normandy Memorial
Construction of a new visitors’ pavilion to commemorate the D-Day landings has begun in Normandy, France, following a £600,000 donation from BAE Systems. The new facility, called ‘The Winston Churchill Centre for Learning and Education’, is being built on the site of the British Normandy Memorial. It will open later this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion, which ultimately led to the liberation of Europe during the Second World War… click here
2. Google to invest $1 billion in new UK data centre in Hertfordshire
Google is investing $1 billion in a new UK data centre in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. The 33-acre site will create construction and technical jobs for the local community. Once complete, this investment will bring crucial compute capacity to businesses across the UK, supporting AI innovation and helping to ensure reliable digital services to Google Cloud customers and Google users in the UK and abroad… click here
1. New official portrait of King Charles released to be displayed in UK’s public buildings
The Cabinet Office has released a new official portrait of His Majesty The King that will soon hang in public buildings the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. The portrait, taken at Windsor Castle last year by photographer Hugo Burnand shows His Majesty wearing a Royal Navy uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet and official medals and decorations. A copy of the portrait is being offered to public authorities across the United Kingdom free-of-charge as part of a scheme to celebrate the new reign… click here
For last week’s top 20 Great British news stories (8th – 14th January 2024) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
If you enjoy our news service please consider donating to our journalism fund so we can grow our editorial team, protect conservative journalism and keep spreading the best of British news.
The secure link to donate through Stripe is here. Thank you.
Main Photo: Five Royal Navy Submariners, HMS OARDACIOUS, are the ‘Overall Winners’ of the World’s Toughest Row 2023 in a time of 35 days, 4 hours and 30 minutes. Credit: World’s Toughest Row. Photo permission: Free press use.
