Happy Saint George’s Day everyone! Let’s celebrate everything great about England today and everyday.
I’m so proud to be English and so lucky to live in the best country in the world (I do love you too Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) which is why I love reporting all the good news items most of the mainstream media seem allergic to.
Once again there’s been plenty of positive British news this week. You might not hear about it on the BBC or most 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, 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 (17th – 23rd April 2023):
20. Fund to tackle loneliness and boost volunteering in disadvantaged areas across UK
Youth clubs, mental health charities and social enterprises are among the organisations to benefit from up to £30 million to create volunteering opportunities and help reduce loneliness across Britain. Launched by the government working in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and UK Community Foundations, the ‘Know Your Neighbourhood Fund’ will support local organisations in 27 areas to increase their offer of projects that enrich lives to help improve wellbeing and social connections… click here
19. Global British brand Mulberry says revenues are improving thanks to UK and China sales
British luxury leather goods manufacturer Mulberry credits ‘improvement’ in revenue to UK and China performance. The Somerset based company has announced an “improvement” in retail revenue over the second half of the year, in a trading update for the year to 1 April 2023. Mulberry is the largest manufacturer of luxury leather goods in the United Kingdom thanks to the expertise of its 600 craftsmen and craftswomen. The Somerset factories are the foundation on which the brand is built… click here
18. 23,000 new trees now planted to benefit wildlife and environment in Devon’s Lower Otter
The Lower Otter Restoration Project in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, is celebrating another key step ahead of its completion later this year, with over 23,000 saplings now planted across the site as part of the work. Of these trees, 225 were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme, which was launched last year to leave a legacy for the late Queen Elizabeth II. A significant proportion of this planting is located on the former domestic tip site, which has been raised to enable it to be reclaimed by nature and become a pleasant green space for the community and visitors… click here
17. New data regulations to be introduced to help fix everyday problems for British public
New data regulations that will reduce annoying cookie pop ups, crackdown on nuisance calls with bigger fines and contribute £4.7 billion to the UK economy over ten years will be debated in Parliament today. The Data Protection and Digital Information Bill sets out the UK’s common-sense led data laws and will give organisations greater flexibility to protect personal data, while maintaining high data protection standards. The Bill will increase fines for nuisance calls and texts from £500,000 to either £17.5 million or up to four per cent of global… click here
16. Defence Secretary meets US defence and security leaders in Washington DC
Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace has concluded a planned visit to Washington DC to conduct meetings with senior US defence and security leaders. He met with his counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin III, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General Mark Milley, to discuss a range of defence and security issues of mutual concern including support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, NATO, and the AUKUS trilateral security pact. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The US is our closest ally and defence partner”… click here
15. Northern Ireland’s private sector continues to see growth and increased consumer confidence
Northern Ireland’s private sector is continuing to see growth, only being outpaced by London according to Ulster Bank. New figures show in March, private sector growth rose at its fastest rate in a year with output and sales up with only London seeing a sharper rate of growth across the UK. This was boosted by increased consumer confidence. Exports were also up in March in addition to a record rise in employment levels… click here
14. New independent report shows success of government’s support for UK’s cultural sector during pandemic
A new, independent report has revealed that the Government’s unprecedented £1.57 billion package of emergency cultural funding during the pandemic was delivered efficiently, helping support nearly 220,000 jobs and 5,000 organisations. The report, from Ecorys, provides clear evidence that the Culture Recovery Fund worked, helping to safeguard important institutions, protect jobs and preserve our country’s world-class cultural offering. It shows that the Culture Recovery Fund increased the income of supported cultural organisations… click here
13. Best of British business celebrated as the first King’s Awards for Enterprise recipients revealed
The first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise are being announced this week, celebrating the achievements of UK businesses. This year, 148 businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a diverse range of sectors have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country awards. Businesses like these are central to delivering on one of the Government’s five priorities to grow the UK economy – from creating new opportunities and supporting people into work through to developing new innovations and exporting the best of Britain around the world… click here
12. George Cross to tour the nation to mark NHS 75th birthday
The George Cross medal, awarded to the NHS in England last year by the late Queen, is set to tour the nation from July, the head of the NHS has announced. As part of the NHS birthday celebrations, the UK’s highest civilian gallantry medal will be displayed in Science Museums across England, after it was bestowed on staff for their exceptional efforts, particularly during the pandemic. It was only the third time ever in British history the medal has been granted to an organisation for an act of great heroism. NHS Chief Executive, Amanda Pritchard and May Parsons… click here
11. British soldiers getting ready for whole world’s eyes to be on them
34 Squadron from 39 Engineer Regiment is getting ready for nearly three months of Ceremonial Public Duties which will see them guarding the Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St James Palace, and Windsor Castle from late April to June, at a time when the whole world will be watching the UK. Before they are able to do that, they have one last hurdle, to pass their Fit For Role Inspection. Over the past months, under guidance from the Household Division, they have undergone rigorous inspections and drill practice to ensure they are of the highest standard… click here
10. MADE IN BRITAIN: One millionth iconic model to roll off production line at MINI plant in Oxford
In 2013, MINI presented the current reinterpretation of the compact 3-door for the first time. Now, in 2023, the one millionth vehicle of the iconic model will roll off the production line at the MINI plant in Oxford, which fittingly is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. Maximum interior space on a minimum footprint – Sir Alec Issigonis wrote automotive history in 1959 with this simple yet ingenious vehicle concept. The modern version of the MINI 3-door also breaks with conventions, reinventing itself and standing out from the crowd… click here
9. Major new grants to fund specialist care for homeless veterans
“No one, not least those who have served this country, should be homeless.” The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust has announced the launch of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness Programme, which will award major grants to help veterans experiencing homelessness. Under this new programme, the Trust will award grants on behalf of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) to projects that will provide specialist care in veterans’ accommodation. The funding being announced today is expected to provide services for over 900 supported housing places across the UK, supporting veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness… click here
8. US trade envoy says Northern Ireland has an ‘awful lot to offer’ and hints at investment
Washington’s special trade envoy has hinted at American investment in Northern Ireland if stability is restored in the government. US businesses want to invest in the country due to its unique access to European single market as well as the UK market. Joe Kennedy III, Washington’s special trade envoy, said Northern Ireland has an “awful lot to offer”. Having access to both markets, he said, makes up for higher tax rates in the Republic of Ireland. “Taxes are certainly an important calculation for the business community” he said… Click here
7. Thousands gather to welcome Prince and Princess of Wales to Birmingham
Thousands gathered this week to welcome Prince William and Kate Middleton to Birmingham. The Prince and Princess of Wales were in the city to speak with future leaders in Birmingham’s creative industries but still found time to visit some independent businesses and have some fun. Whilst visiting a family run independent Indian restaurant based in the city centre, the future king picked up the phone to a customer wishing to book a table. According to a bystander he was heard saying “Maybe half two? Half past two? In about an hour for two people?”… click here
6. More than 6,000 men and women of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces to feature in Coronation
More than 6,000 men and women of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces will participate in the historic Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla next month. In the largest military ceremonial operation for 70 years sailors, soldiers and aviators from across the UK and the breadth of the Commonwealth will take part in two magnificent processions accompanying Their Majesties to and from Westminster Abbey, where the Coronation Service takes place… click here
5. UK expected to avoid recession due to ‘resilient economic performance’
The UK economy is now expected to avoid both a technical recession and a calendar year contraction in 2023, according to the EY ITEM Club Spring Forecast. The economy is expected to record 0.2% growth this year, which is a significant upgrade from the -0.7% contraction predicted in January’s Winter Forecast. The improved outlook is largely thanks to better-than-expected GDP in Q4 2022 and the expected rapid easing of inflationary pressures. The economy’s resilient performance also means the UK is likely to avoid the two consecutive quarters of contraction that would qualify for a technical recession… click here
4. Best and brightest Brits from UK science, engineering and tech join Government’s new Expert Exchange
The Government have launched a new department to leverage talent in the UK’s world-leading technology and science sectors to drive jobs and growth across the country. Just two months after the creation of the UK’s new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) secondment scheme, the first science, engineering and technology experts have accepted their placements. The Expert Exchange has been set up to overhaul the way secondees are brought into government, in order to bring cutting-edge expertise from UK academia… click here
3. BREXIT BRITAIN: More UK trade opportunities ‘unlocked’ as minister signs trade pact with fourth US state
Trade minister Nigel Huddleston is in Washington to deepen UK-US trade ties and secure two wins that will boost jobs, investment and exports across the Atlantic. He will open his visit by signing a state-level trade Memorandum of Understanding with Oklahoma, the fourth such agreement between the UK and a US state, before welcoming a Mutual Recognition Agreement between UK and US architect regulators. The MoU with Oklahoma will unlock opportunities for UK businesses to export more and encourage inward investment… click here
2. Jacob Rees-Mogg hails migration bill as ‘a clear victory for sovereignty’
The former minister and GB News presenter welcomed amendments allowing the Government to ignore EHCR rulings. Former Brexit minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he fully supports the illegal migration bill, now that it includes amendments allowing the Home Secretary to ignore European court rulings. The GB News presenter said: “It’s been widely reported that the Government will include amendments to the illegal migration bill that will give the Home Secretary powers to ignore the European Court of Human Rights injunctions. These are the rule 39 orders on deportations, and this is a clear victory for sovereignty.”… click here
1. New measures to stop the boats in Illegal Immigration Bill
This week the government has tabled a number of amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill to strengthen it further, ahead of it returning to Parliament next week – helping to deliver on the priority of stopping the boats. The government say the amendments tabled this week will help to speed up the removal of people with no right to be here and enhance safeguards for unaccompanied children who cross the Channel in small boats. The government say the amendments tabled this week will help to speed up the removal of people with no right to be here and enhance safeguards for unaccompanied children who cross the Channel in small boats… click here
For last week’s Top 20 Great British news stories (10th – 16th April 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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Mani Photo Credit: Photographer: SAC Connor Tierney
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UK MOD © Crown copyright
