Huge global contract wins, new factories and freeports being built, new jobs created, world-leading innovation and export successes are being announced on a daily basis.
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 this week (9th – 15th January 2023):
20. Funding boost to support more young people to progress in education
The government this week announced increased funding rates worth an additional £125 million for schools, colleges and other providers delivering education to 16- to 19-year-olds next year (2023 to 2024). The funding will mean young people, regardless of where they live or their background, will continue to have access to the courses and qualifications they need to build successful careers. These include T Levels and A levels and will also help meet the future skills needs of businesses and the economy… click here
19. Green light given for The Moors at Arne nature haven in Dorset
Planning permission has been granted for The Moors at Arne, a scheme on the Isle of Purbeck adapting approximately 150 hectares of low-lying grassland into diverse wetlands. A partnership between the Environment Agency, RSPB, and Natural England, the project will provide essential space for nature to replace areas lost elsewhere in Poole Harbour due to sea level rise. The granting of planning permission by Dorset Council means this ambitious scheme to compensate for the impacts of climate change can proceed… click here
18. £230 million funding for UK’s multi-sport grassroots facilities programme
The Government has this week confirmed the allocation of a £230 million uplift to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for investment in football facilities across the UK. As part of its ongoing commitment to delivering the grassroots facilities every community needs and levelling up access to high quality pitches, up to a further £168 million will be invested into facilities in England by 2025 – on top of a continued £18m annual commitment. It will be delivered by the Football Foundation… click here
17. Business Secretary in talks with Saudi Arabia to advance commercial collaboration in UK space based solar
The UK and Saudi Arabian governments discussed ambitious plans this week for collaboration in space and innovation, including the potential to invest in the development of space based solar power. Business Secretary Grant Shapps met with His Excellency (HE) Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Saudi Arabian Chairman of the Saudi Space Commission and Minister of Communications and Information Technology to discuss the potential agreement that could help unlock significant commercial opportunities for British businesses… click here
16. UK public and employers back ‘dedicated’ veterans in new research poll
The public and employers have given their backing to veterans of the UK Armed Forces, in a new study by YouGov into perceptions of former military personnel. The study, which will help shape future policy initiatives, showed that 71% of employers believed that veterans have a strong work ethic, whilst a vast majority of fellow employees said that veterans are resilient and would welcome working alongside them… click here
15. UK accelerates Ukraine support ahead of anniversary of Putin’s war
The Prime Minister has announced the UK will send tanks and self-propelled guns to aid the Ukrainian offensive. The Prime Minister is set to accelerate the UK’s diplomatic and military support to Ukraine in the weeks ahead in a bid to push Russia further back and secure a lasting peace. A flurry of UK diplomatic activity will take place across the globe this week after the Prime Minister directed senior ministers to drive international action as we approach the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in late February… click here
14. Government launches new fund to help British SMEs develop more efficient solutions for freight
Delivering freight across the UK could become more efficient and cleaner thanks to a £7 million government-backed fund launched this week that will roll out innovative new ideas and technology across the industry. The freight innovation fund (FIF) will go to up to 36 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They will then work with industry-leading companies to develop innovations to make freight more efficient, resilient and greener, such as ways to improve how freight moves between rail, road and maritime transport… click here
13. UK and Thailand sign new MoU on financial services
The UK Government and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Thailand have signed a new MoU on financial services to promote inclusive economic growth. The new MOU will focus on supporting Thailand to further develop the regulatory environment for the FinTech sector, promote sustainable finance, and increase awareness of sustainable investment in Thailand and other ASEAN countries. The cooperation will be funded by the UK’s ASEAN Economic Reform Programme and the UK’s Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions Programme… click here
12. British luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors delivers more cars than ever in 2022
British luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors Bentley Motors have this week announced total sales of 15,174 in 2022, an increase of 4 per cent over the previous record year (14,659) in 2021 and the first time Bentley has reached over 15,000 cars. Bentley Motors is the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production… click here
11. NHS to get new breast cancer screening units and upgrades to speed up diagnosis
Cancer diagnosis will be sped up for tens of thousands of women after the government pledged an additional £10 million to provide 29 new NHS breast cancer screening units and nearly 70 life-saving upgrades to services in areas where they are most needed. The life-saving investment includes 16 new mobile breast screening units, 13 additional static units, 58 live remote access upgrades for existing units and ten software upgrades to carry out ultrasounds and X-rays… click here
10. Airbus retains its position as the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer
Building on a proud 100-year British aviation heritage, Airbus is part of the very fabric of the UK and has retained its position as the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, delivering 661 commercial aircraft to 84 customers in 2022. The aerospace giant’s 12,500-strong UK workforce is part of a global family of 130,000 employees around the world. The Airbus factory in Broughton, Flintshire is one of the biggest employers in North Wales with more than 5,000 staff and as announced last year, the company is set to invest £100 million and create a further 500 jobs there… click here
9. British soldiers train to fight on modern battlefield in UK’s new state-of-the-art Apache Helicopters
The soldiers who operate the British Army’s Apache AH-64E Attack Helicopter are adapting their tactics to face the challenges of the modern battlefield and maximise the capabilities of the state-of-the-art aircraft. Among the key lessons from the war in Ukraine, countering the threats presented by air defence, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and electronic warfare are important for aviation units to learn… click here
8. Game-changing X-ray body scanners foil over 28,000 attempts to smuggle contraband into UK prisons
Game-changing X-ray body scanners have foiled more than 28,000 attempts to smuggle drugs, phones and weapons behind bars as the war on prison rule breakers picks up speed. Over the last two years, more than 90 new advanced scanners have been installed in all closed male jails, producing high-resolution images of concealed contraband so staff can stop more dangerous items from getting in and causing havoc on prison landings… click here
7. UK and Japan sign historic defence agreement
The UK will be the first European country to have a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, the most important defence treaty between the UK and Japan since 1902. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed a major defence agreement with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on his visit to London this week. The PM signed the landmark defence agreement with the Japanese Prime Minister at the Tower of London, allowing UK forces to be deployed to Japan in the most significant defence agreement between the two countries in more than a century… click here
6. Two new Green Freeports for Scotland creating 75,000 jobs and bringing over £10 billion investment
Two new Green Freeports will be established in Inverness and Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth, the UK and Scottish governments have jointly announced this week, helping to create jobs, drive growth and level up the country. Backed by up to £52 million in UK Government funding, the new sites are expected to bring forward an estimated £10.8 billion of private and public investment and create over 75,000 new, high-skilled jobs… click here
5. Fusion energy project in Oxfordshire expected to be fully operational by early 2027
The future looks bright after authorities have approved a state of the art fusion energy project; construction to start this year at UKAEA’s Oxfordshire campus creating 200 jobs. Following the resolution to grant planning permission by the South Oxfordshire District Council Planning Committee, construction of General Fusion’s demonstration at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Culham Campus is expected to start this summer… click here
4. Jobs and investment boost for Liverpool and East Anglia as Freeports given green light
Freeports in Liverpool and East Anglia have received final government approval this week meaning the majority of English Freeports are now fully up and running. Freeport East and Liverpool City Region will join Freeports that are already delivering jobs and investment across areas including Plymouth, Solent, and Teesside, as part of the government’s mission to level up, spread opportunity and drive economic growth… click here
3. Government introduces laws to mitigate the disruption of strikes on the British public
Millions of hard-working people across the UK will be protected from disruptive strikes thanks to new laws introduced today, which will allow employers in critical public sectors to maintain minimum levels of service during strikes. The government is introducing this legislation to ensure that striking workers don’t put the public’s lives at risk and prevent people getting to work, accessing healthcare, and safely going about their daily lives… click here
2. William and Kate met by cheering crowds on visit to Merseyside
The Prince and Princess of Wales received a very warm welcome from the people of Merseyside this week. The royals met individuals working across healthcare and mental health support services in the county and were cheered by waiting crowds at every location. The Prince and Princess of Wales started the day at the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which opened its doors in October 2022, replacing the old hospital which had served the community for over four decades… click here
1. Conservatives need to coax ‘electoral winner’ Boris back as Prime Minister, says Lord Greenhalgh
One of Boris Johnson’s closest associates has said he will need encouragement from his supporters if he is to mount a bid to return to Number 10. Lord Stephen Greenhalgh spoke out about reports in the media saying Mr Johnson could stage a political comeback. Speaking to GB News, Lord Greenhalgh said: “The membership certainly wants him back. We need to recognise that but equally we need to recognise that we have a sitting prime minister and Boris will want him to deliver”… click here
For last week’s Top 20 Great British news stories (2nd – 8th January 2023).
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By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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Main Picture by Kyle Heller / No 10 Downing Street. UK MOD © Crown copyright
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