Of course most of the doom and gloom mainstream media may not be interested in featuring any positive British news stories, but we certainly are.
Here are our 20 best read and most shared positive news stories from just this week (10th – 16th April 2023):
20. Government’s TV and film support package during pandemic contributed billions to UK economy
British global TV hits nominated for BAFTAs and Oscar Academy Awards survived and thrived through the pandemic thanks to the Government’s film and TV support package, which also boosted the country’s economy by £2.25 billion. Oscar-nominated film Living, Bafta nominees Brian & Charles, Blue Jean and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, as well as major productions including Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders and His Dark Materials, were all supported by the scheme… click here
19. Disabled children across England to benefit from funding for short breaks
Thousands more families with children with special educational needs will receive support with short breaks, including theatre trips, hiking or craft workshops, as the scheme is expanded to ten new areas of the country. The short breaks scheme gives disabled children a chance to take part in unforgettable activities and develop vitals skills, while giving their families a break from their caring responsibilities. The government funded programme provides councils with up to £1 million each for a year to work with families to develop innovative experiences… click here
18. UK’s Hunter-killer submarine completes historic Mediterranean mission
A Royal Navy submarine has returned home after completing an historic patrol of the Mediterranean. The conventionally armed Hunter-killer submarine, HMS Audacious was on operations for two days short of a year – a mammoth 363 days away from her base on the Clyde, making it the longest ever deployment for any of the Royal Navy’s new Astute-class submarines. While the submarine itself remained poised for operations in the Mediterranean… click here
17. NHS progress on waiting list despite busiest winter on record
New figures show the number of people waiting longest for elective treatment has dropped for the third month in a row as services dealt with the busiest winter on record, new figures show. The NHS has continued to progress against its elective recovery plan, with the number of people waiting more than 18 months for elective care dropping by a third between January and February to 30,000 (29,778), while the number of patients waiting more than one year dropped by 17,000 to 362,498. Progress came alongside a record-breaking February for the number of diagnostic tests performed by staff… click here
16. Grant to boost domestic tree production in England re-opens
£5 million available for tree and seed suppliers of all sizes and from any sector to expand and modernise. Investment in domestic tree production in England will be accelerated this week with applications re-opening for the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Capital Grant. The funding will drive the production of tree seed and saplings through developments in machinery, automation and the expansion of facilities. In line with the aims of the England Trees Action Plan and Government ambitions to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament… click here
15. Crown Jewels light and sound show to tour UK and bring magic of Coronation to millions
A new immersive light and sound show displaying the Crown Jewels on iconic UK landmarks will tour the country as part of plans to tell the story of coronations to thousands of people. ‘Crown and Coronation’, produced by Historic Royal Palaces and Luxmuralis, will explore the history of coronations in an immersive visual and musical show which it is planning to project on some of the country’s most famous landmarks and locations… click here
14. Unlocking deep space exploration with UK tech on spacecraft heading for Jupiter
On Friday the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) took off on its journey to study our largest planet, and investigate whether some of its icy moons are home to conditions that could support life. Funded by the UK Space Agency, the UK leads on one of the ten science instruments on board the spacecraft and has contributed to the development of two more. Blasting off from Kourou in French Guiana at 1:14pm BST on Friday 14 April, JUICE will spend eight years travelling to the Jupiter system… click here
13. Britain’s biggest car maker Jaguar Land Rover sees sales rise as chip supply continues to recover
Britain’s biggest car maker Jaguar Land Rover has this week reported increased sales for the fourth quarter of FY23 (three-month period to 31 March 2023) and for the full financial year, reflecting a continuation of the gradual improvement in chip and other supply constraints. Wholesale volumes for the fourth quarter were 94,649 units (excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China joint venture), up 19% compared to the prior quarter ending 31 December 2022 and 24% compared to the same quarter a year ago… click here
12. Foreign Secretary arrives in Japan to meet G7 partners and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific
Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has arrived in Japan today (Sunday 16 April) for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting ahead of a four-day visit to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand. The combined visit will focus on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific – as the region becomes the centre of growing geopolitical competition. At the three-day G7 conference (16-18 April) in Karuizawa, Cleverly will meet G7 Foreign Ministers… click here
11. Huge new investment to boost UK’s digital connectivity
New plans and investment to boost digital connectivity and put the UK at the forefront of future telecoms technologies have been unveiled by Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan this week – unlocking growth, innovation and potential across the country. As part of the new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, the Government has set out its ambitions to blanket the country with the fastest, most reliable wireless coverage available – with an ambition for all populated areas to be covered by ‘standalone’ 5G… click here
10. UK, US, Canada, Japan and France alliance seeks to isolate Putin’s Russia
An alliance between the UK, US, Canada, Japan and France, aimed at displacing Putin from the international nuclear energy market, has been announced in Sapporo, Japan today. The five nations will leverage the respective resources and capabilities of each country’s civil nuclear power sectors to undermine Russia’s grip on supply chains. This agreement will support the stable supply of fuels for the needs of today, as well as guarantee the safe and secure development and deployment of fuels for the advanced reactors of tomorrow… click here
9. Powering up Britain and increasing our energy security and storage with £30 million government boost
Cutting edge businesses, in locations including Scotland and Nottingham, are set to benefit from a share of £30 million to be at the forefront of designing and testing Britain’s innovative technology of the future that will modernise our energy system and store renewable energy for later use. Capturing and storing energy for use when and where it is needed will play an essential role in powering more of Britain from Britain and increasing our country’s energy security… click here
8. PM meeting with US President Joe Biden
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed US President Joe Biden to the United Kingdom for a meeting in Belfast this week. The leaders reflected on the legacy of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, which was signed 25 years ago this week. They agreed that this anniversary is a moment to celebrate the progress that Northern Ireland has made over the last quarter of a century and to recommit to building an even brighter future for Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister thanked President Biden for the role the US people and businesses have played in Northern Ireland’s prosperity… click here
7. Charity hero Max Woosey and over 850 community champions invited to Coronation service
One of the British Empire Medallist recipients attending the Coronation Service is Max Woosey from Braunton, Devon for services to fundraising for the North Devon Hospice during Covid-19. To date, Max has slept in his garden for 3 years and raised over £600k for the hospice – greatly exceeding his original fundraising goal of £100. Invitations to the Coronation Service in Westminster Abbey have now been extended to over 450 British Empire Medal recipients in recognition of the contributions made by remarkable volunteers, charity representatives and community champions up and down the country… click here
6. British manufacturer of hand-built premium sports cars Morgan to open 3 new dealerships in Germany
Famous the world over for its unique blend of craft, heritage and pure driving experience, the Morgan Motor Company has been manufacturing quintessentially British vehicles in Malvern, UK, for more than 110 years. This week the company has announced a partnership with two of Germany’s leading automotive groups to open three new dealerships to sell the British hand-built premium sports cars in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin… click here
5. British women win historic Team GOLD at European Gymnastics Championships
Britain won team gold at the European Gymnastics Championships by holding off Italy in Turkey this week. The team of Jessica Gadirova, Becky Downie, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella and Georgia-Mae Fenton posted a combined score of 164.428 points over the four apparatus to become the European Champions. The team’s captain, reigning world champion Jessica Gadirova said: “I’m so proud of this team”… Click here
4. Police officers to be freed from ‘consuming bureaucracy’ under new Government plans
“The public expects the police to be catching criminals and keeping them safe. And that’s what these changes are designed to help do.” British Police officers will be freed from “consuming bureaucracy” under new Government plans, it was claimed today. Speaking to GB News, Chris Philip, the Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire detailed how a new measure called ‘single incident filing’ will work. He said: “The Government wants to make sure that police are spending their time protecting the public, catching criminals and keeping our streets safe… click here
3. His Majesty the King visits Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for 200th Sovereign’s Parade
It was a Sovereign’s Parade like none other for Commissioning course No.222. Not only was it the 200th anniversary of the Academy’s Commissioning Parade, but it also included the 40,000th Officer Cadet to pass out from the academy since 1947 when Sandhurst took the title of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; before that it had operated under different titles since its inception back in 1801. However, more importantly the parade combined with a presentation by his Majesty the King of new colours for the academy bearing the new cypher of HM King Charles III… click here
2. MADE IN BRITAIN: Sheffield Forgemasters wins significant US commission for ultra-large steel rolls
Nucor, the largest steel producer and recycler in North America, has placed orders for ultra-large steel rolls with UK steel manufacturers Sheffield Forgemasters for its brand-new plate rolling mill. Sheffield Forgemasters will deliver three rolls weighing 147 tonnes each to Nucor’s Brandenburg Mill near Louisville, Kentucky, one of the world’s most advanced steel plate mills with the ability to produce 1.2 million tons annually… click here
1. ‘Protecting Britain’s skies for decades to come’ with major boost to progress future fighter jet programme
A £656 million funding allocation will propel the sixth-generation fighter jet programme into the next phase, focusing on technology. As part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded the major contract to BAE Systems on behalf of British defence firms; Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce, to progress the design and development of this aircraft… click here
For last week’s Top 20 Great British news stories (3rd – 9th April 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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Main photo – Source: BAE Systems
