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.
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 (12th – 18th June 2023):
20. Boldly going where no country has gone before as UK space-based solar power industry prepares for lift-off
The UK’s space-based solar power industry is preparing for lift off thanks to a multi-million government investment to develop the cutting-edge technology. In a speech at London Tech Week this week, Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps announced that leading UK universities and technology companies will receive a share of £4.3 million government funding to drive forward innovation in the sector… click here
19. New board to make sure all UK children have access to high-quality music education
A team of experts has been brought together by the Government to make sure that all children and young people have access to high-quality music education. The new music Education Monitoring Board consists of over ten panel members with a wealth of experience ranging from teachers to music industry representatives. Last year, the Government set out its National Plan for Music Education to 2030, which ensures that all young people and children have the opportunity… click here
18. Further protections for England’s coastal waterways planned
Consultation launched to expand the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan to cover all coastal and estuarine waters. The government has launched a six-week consultation on expanding its targets to tackle sewage even further to cover all coasts, estuaries and marine protected sites. The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, published in August 2022, set out stringent targets to protect people and the environment, backed up by £56 billion capital investment – the largest infrastructure programme in water company history… click here
17. Rough sleepers in homeless hotspots across England to benefit from NHS mental health support
Rough sleepers in towns with high rates of homelessness are to benefit from specialist NHS mental health care across the country. A total of 14 new outreach teams are starting work to increase the total across the country to 37, exceeding the NHS Long Term Plan target of 20 by 2023/24. Around 100 people a week are already receiving support from specialist mental health practitioners and other experts including advice and treatment to tackle underlying mental ill health… click here
16. Police now attending scene of every home burglary in England and Wales
All police forces in England and Wales are now attending every home burglary after a pledge to roll out the policy nationally. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) have confirmed the move following a historical commitment made last year by all police chiefs in England and Wales, informed by research on the most effective way to tackle burglary. The evidence shared by the College of Policing set out how rapid police attendance at scenes can increase victim satisfaction, help with investigations, and prevent future crimes… click here
15. UK boat manufacturer wins contracts in Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands
A Wirral-based specialist manufacturer of boats serving search and rescue, defence and security sectors has won major international contracts after receiving £5 million in support through UK Export Finance. Marine Specialised Technology Group designs, manufactures and maintains rigid-hulled inflatable and high-speed workboats for use worldwide. Through UKEF’s General Export Facility scheme, MST received a £5 million loan from NatWest bank. This working capital means that MST can access the bond lines and advanced payment guarantees it needed to win new, high-value contracts in Ireland and Italy, the latter of which is a new market for the manufacturer… click here
14. UK and Portugal celebrate the world’s longest diplomatic alliance
This week the UK and Portugal celebrated the 650th anniversary of their alliance, an unprecedented milestone in the history of diplomacy. 16th June marked 650 years since the signing of the Treaty of London in 1373, an alliance originally between King Edward III of England and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal. A service was held at the Queen’s Chapel in central London where the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, alongside His Majesty The King, the President of the Portuguese Republic and the Portuguese Foreign Minister, celebrated the historic ties… click here
13. MADE IN UK: BAE Systems wins major mine contract with Korea Aerospace Industries
BAE Systems, the major British manufacturer of aircraft, missiles, avionics, and other aerospace and defense products has won a major new contract in Korea. The contract is to adapt a new mine disposal system using Archerfish for Korean Aerospace Industries, as part of the development of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s new anti-mine helicopter fleet. Already in service with the US Navy, Archerfish is a remote-controlled underwater mine neutraliser that is launched and operated from surface ships, underwater vehicles and helicopters… click here
12. Over 100 arrested in record breaking illegal working crackdown across the UK
The Home Office deployed over 300 immigration officers on over 150 enforcement visits in one day to crack down on illegal working across the UK. The Home Office has conducted a record number of visits targeting illegal working in one day, as part of a nationwide operation. During the operation, which took place across the UK this week, Immigration Enforcement officers arrested 105 foreign nationals found working without the right to do so during 159 illegal working visits… click here
11. UK and Switzerland sign new agreement recognising professional qualifications
A new agreement recognising UK professional qualifications in Switzerland has been signed by Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, boosting trade between the two countries. Proving you have the right qualifications is key to winning contracts in regulated sectors such as law, architecture and audit. Under the agreement, UK-qualified professionals in regulated sectors who wish to have their qualifications… click here
10. New child maintenance powers to protect victims from domestic abusers
A government-backed Bill ensuring victims of domestic abuse can receive financial support for their children without contact from their abuser, has been approved by Parliament this week. The new law will allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to intervene on behalf of parents where abuse is evident, using its powers to collect and make payments. This set-up, called Collect and Pay, is already used by 37% of parents using the CMS. It provides extra protections for parents who have experienced domestic abuse by avoiding the need for contact… click here
9. Bold plans to cement the UK as an international leader in telecoms
The 10th London Tech Week began this week with a suite of bold initiatives in a bid to cement the UK as an international leader in telecoms. The bold plans to boost digital connectivity across the country include Wi-Fi in lamp posts and satellites in most rural parts of Scotland. From today, residents in Papa Stour, one of the UK’s most remote and inaccessible communities will be connected to high-speed broadband, enabling residents to stay connected wherever they are. The project was announced by the Minister at a speech at London Tech Week, as part of a package of initiatives which also include support for local authorities to procure and test ‘smart lampposts’… click here
8. Climate and Tech investment to supercharge UK-India development partnership
International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in India this week to boost UK-India cooperation on development including through climate and tech partnerships. He will reinforce at a gathering in Varanasi how the UK’s partnerships and investments are having a multiplier effect in tackling the biggest shared challenges of today – including climate change, poverty and food insecurity… click here
7. Six new ambulance hubs and 42 new and upgraded discharge lounges are opening at hospitals across UK
Six new ambulance hubs and 42 new and upgraded discharge lounges are opening at hospitals across the country, which will help cut urgent and emergency care waiting times for tens of thousands of patients. The new facilities are backed by the £50 million investment that was announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay in January to help free up hospital beds and cut down on waiting times for patients ahead of next winter… click here
6. Kemi Badenoch heralds thriving $1 trillion UK tech sector
Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch has addressed delegates, tech firms and investors at Banqueting House during London Tech Week. Below is a transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It’s a pleasure to be here at the flagship event for the Department for Business and Trade on the tenth anniversary of London Tech Week. This Government has a clear mission: to make the UK the most innovative economy in the world and cement our status as a Science and Technology Superpower… click here
5. Powerhouse Britain to boost UK universities with £54 million to develop trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI)
Despite our size as a small island nation, the UK is a technology powerhouse. Last year, the UK became just the third country in the world to have a tech sector valued at $1 trillion.” Universities across the UK are set to benefit from a substantial £54 million investment in their work to develop cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Technology Secretary Chloe Smith announced this week. Delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), £31 million of the funding… click here
4. Asia Pacific investors set to pour millions into UK Tech after biggest post-Brexit trade deal
Cutting edge British tech firms are set to pitch for multi-million-pound deals with Asia Pacific (APAC) investors just weeks after the UK agreed to join the CPTPP – a £9 trillion combined GDP trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific. As part of the biggest APAC delegation to ever visit London Tech Week, investors representing funds of over £100bn will meet with UK tech companies as they seek cash injections into innovative new projects, ranging from fintech and clean tech to life sciences… click here
3. Ambitious plans to grow the UK economy and boost creative industries by £50 billion
Government’s plan to grow the creative industries by £50 billion and support a million more jobs by 2030, with £77 million of new funding for the sector announced. New plans to maximise the potential of the UK creative industries and grow the economy have been set out by the government today. One of the Prime Minister’s priority sectors for economic growth, the creative industries are a global British success story… click here
2. Home Secretary delivers on government pledge to tackle disruptive slow marching protest tactics
Home Secretary Suella Braverman delivers on government pledge to support the police to tackle disruptive slow marching protest tactics. A clearer definition of ‘serious disruption’ will stop slow marching protesters causing hours of delay and distress to the public from this week. This will further clarify existing public order laws to help the police respond to new highly disruptive protest tactics like slow marching. 156 of these highly disruptive protests have taken place in London since April… click here
1. Trooping the Colour for The King’s Birthday Parade – a parade of firsts in so many ways
After weeks of rehearsal and preparation, the dual role soldiers of the Army’s Household Division delivered a magnificent spectacle for The King, the Nation, and the World in London yesterday: the first King’s Birthday Parade in more than 70 years. It was also the first Birthday Parade that the Sovereign has ridden on since 1986. The traditional parade of Trooping The Colour for The Sovereign’s birthday has been the highlight of the Summer season for centuries. It is steeped in echoes of the Nation’s history… click here
For last week’s Top 20 Great British news stories (5th – 11th June 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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Main photo by Kyle Heller / No 10 Downing Street
