This week London has been crowned the world’s best city, England has come top in Europe for children’s reading ability and the UK leads Europe in the race for space investment…
You might not hear about these good news stories on the BBC or most of the doom and gloom media, 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, 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 (15th – 21st May 2023):
20. UK to launch talks with Switzerland on new trade deal
Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch flew to Switzerland this week to launch negotiations on a new UK-Switzerland free trade agreement (FTA) to boost trade between the two services superpowers. Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and the UK’s 10th largest trading partner. The two countries are among the world’s leading service economies, exporting almost £15 billion worth of services including financial, professional, legal, and architecture every year… click here
19. 6 new state-of-the-art community diagnostic centres to deliver more than 500,000 lifesaving checks a year
Tens of thousands of patients across the country are set to benefit from six new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) opening this year – with the ‘one-stop shops’ due to deliver more than 500,000 additional tests, checks and scans a year. Cutting waiting lists is one of the government’s key priorities and the six new CDCs will offer patients a wider range of diagnostic tests closer to home… click here
18. £320 million for Royal Navy’s versatile Offshore Patrol Vessels will support more than 100 jobs
Two new support contracts have been secured for the Royal Navy’s versatile Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), creating and sustaining jobs across the UK and delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy. An eight year contract worth around £250 million has been awarded to UK Docks Marine Services, based in the Northeast of England, which will support the second batch of OPVs – HMS Forth, HMS Medway, HMS Trent, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey… click here
17. Top UK labs to receive new equipment and upgraded facilities from £103 million government fund
UK science and research facilities will receive a share of £103 million in government funding, aimed at upgrading the UK’s already world class research infrastructure and opening the doors for new scientific breakthroughs – Science and Technology Secretary has announced. The investments will ensure UK researchers have access to the best labs and equipment they need to keep producing world-class science, helping to support world-changing scientific breakthroughs… click here
16. UK-US partnership set to soar with sustainable aviation summit and collaborative approach
UK and US to work together to reduce aviation emissions and accelerate development of sustainable aviation fuel. Transport Secretary Mark Harper met his counterparts from the USA, Canada and Singapore this week as they work to decarbonise flight and usher in a new era of sustainable travel. Meeting with US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg on a visit to the USA… click here
15. UK leads Europe in race for space investment, new report finds
A new report reveals the UK is the most attractive destination for private investment in space after the US. New analysis from investment experts offers insight on the wealth of opportunities found within the UK’s £17.5 billion space sector. The ‘Expanding frontiers – The down to earth guide to investing in space’ report, produced by PwC in association with the UK Space Agency, highlights expected global space sector growth of up to 11% per year over the next decade and a near doubling of venture capital… click here
14. UK and Japan sign renewed science and tech deal building on decades of close cooperation
The UK and Japan have this week signed a renewed science and technology deal, building on decades of close cooperation. The UK and Japan will take their cooperation on science, technology and innovation to new heights, after agreeing to renew the two countries’ longstanding Science and Technology Agreement for the 21st Century, with a focus on innovation and game-changing new technologies… click here
13. New funding for farmers to protect the English landscape
Farmers and landowners will receive funding and support for projects to create new habitats for wildlife, help protected sites and boost efforts to reach net zero, alongside sustainable food production, the government will confirm this week. Building on the success of the first round of the scheme launched last year, farmers and land managers will be able to bid for a share of £15 million initial development funding… click here
12. £173 million investment in hundreds of new homes for UK Armed Forces families
423 modern homes have been purchased for Service families across the UK in a £173 million deal, as part of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) Capital Purchase Programme. The Capital Purchase Programme (CPP) works in partnership with major developers to identify where there is a need for family accommodation and determine the best way of delivering high-quality, energy efficient homes for our Service families… click here
11. UK and Norway to increase cooperation on undersea capabilities
The UK and Norway have this week agreed to develop a strategic partnership to counter shared threats in the undersea domain, including threats to our undersea infrastructure. Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, and Norwegian Defence Minister, Bjørn Arild Gram, signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) during a visit to the Maritime Operations Centre in Northwood on Thursday, agreeing to collaborate further on undersea capabilities to enhance North Atlantic Security… click here
10. British machinery giant is leading the charge with electric Powerpack range
British machinery giant JCB is expanding its electric Powerpack range, with the addition of three larger models, delivering a 400V, three-phase output. This takes the range to five models, with total storage capacities of 23-104kWh. JCB is building upon the success of its two 230V single-phase electric powerpacks, with the launch of three new 400V three-phase units. When used in conjunction with existing on-site power generation equipment… click here
9. 23 sport sites in Scotland to benefit from £2 million UK Government funding
Grassroots sports facilities in Scotland will directly benefit from the latest £2 million investment in high quality multi-sport facilities from the UK Government, in partnership with the Scottish Football Association. As part of the Government’s 2022/23 commitment, 23 sites in Scotland will see their facilities improved, significantly increasing the availability and access to high quality facilities for football and other grassroots sports… click here
8. Government backs British farmers with new package of support
Government sets out new support for farmers to strengthen food security and grow the economy. Farmers will benefit from a commitment to protect their interests in future trade deals, support to boost domestic fruit and veg production and new investment in technologies, thanks to a package of support set out by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a summit hosted at Downing Street this week. Representatives from the whole food supply chain will come together at No10 for the UK Farm to Fork Summit, to identify ways to boost growth, drive innovation and improve sustainability… click here
7. BRITISH MANUFACTURING AT ITS BEST: Bentley reports record first quarter financial results
British marque begins year with operating profits of €216 million – up 27 per cent on same period in 2022. Bentley Motors has reported record first quarter financial results, and it’s second best-ever quarter in history. The luxury British marque began 2023 with operating profits of €216 million, an increase of 27 per cent on the same period last year. Overall revenue rose to €882 million, up 9 per cent from €813 million… click here
6. New £1 billion strategy for UK’s world leading semiconductor sector
A new twenty-year plan to secure the world-leading strengths of the UK’s semiconductor industry has this week been unveiled by the government. The National Semiconductor Strategy sets out how up to £1 billion of government investment will boost the UK’s strengths and skills in design, R&D and compound semiconductors, while helping to grow domestic chip firms across the UK. Working in tandem with industry, investment made by the government will drive research, innovation and commercialisation through the sector – helping to deliver products from lab to market… click here
5. Government delivers on manifesto commitment of recruiting 26,000 additional primary care professionals
The government has delivered on its’ manifesto commitment of recruiting 26,000 additional primary care professionals – such as dieticians, paramedics and physiotherapists – who provide care directly to patients, or support doctors and nurses to do so. A year ahead of the March 2024 pledge, data published today by NHS England shows there are 29,103 additional primary care staff helping to deliver on one of the government’s key priorities to cut waiting lists… click here
4. UK and Japan to agree landmark new global strategic partnership, ‘The Hiroshima Accord’ ahead of G7
The UK’s relationship with Japan has grown further and faster than with any other international partner, reflecting Japan’s pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific and their centrality to the UK’s security and prosperity. In the last six months, the UK has completed negotiations to join the CPTPP trade bloc, launched the UK-Japan-Italy Global Combat Air Programme and signed a ground-breaking defence Reciprocal Access Agreement.. click here
3. England comes top in Europe in ranking of children’s reading ability
England took the top spot in Europe and came fourth internationally for primary reading proficiency in the highly anticipated Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) results. Despite disruption from the pandemic, England’s score remained stable following significant improvements in 2011 and 2016, coming fourth out of the 43 countries who tested the standard 9-10-year-old cohort. Direct comparison of countries’ performance between 2016 and 2021 is complicated by Covid-19 disruption… click here
2. Brexit is a success but Conservatives must focus on delivering the benefits, says Lord Frost
The former Brexit minister said that the next General Election ‘is there to be won.’ Lord David Frost has claimed that Brexit has been a success but called on the Conservatives to “deliver the expectations that people want.” Asked, during a discussion with Mark Longhurst, if the National Conservatism Conference this week was a distraction, he said: “I think it’s a great event, which is allowing us to debate ideas and what conservatism”… click here
1. London crowned world’s best city in new global ranking
London has been named the best city brand in the world, followed by New York and Paris, by the inaugural Brand Finance City Index released this week. Presented by brand evaluation consultancy Brand Finance, the ranking is based on a global survey of close to 15,000 members of the public conducted in April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents to measure perceptions of the world’s top 100 cities. With a score of 84.6 out of 100, driven by its high familiarity among respondents worldwide, London has recorded stronger brand perceptions than any other city in the study… click here
For last week’s Top 20 Great British news stories (8th – 14th May 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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