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, 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 (7th – 13th August 2023):
20. Lord Chancellor backs campaign to keep cash as legal tender, as petition gains 258,000 signatures
Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk has backed the GB News campaign to protect the legal status of cash as legal tender. Alex Chalk MP also hinted at compromise on the 2030 ban on diesel and petrol vehicles. Asked if he backed the Don’t Kill Cash campaign, he told GB News: “Yes, absolutely. I’m aware of this GB News campaign and I think you’re absolutely right on this because there are some communities for whom cash remains extremely important… and access to cash is something that we’re absolutely committed to try to retain… click here
19. UK invests £9 million in fight against endemic livestock disease in flagship initiative
The investment forms part of an £11.5 million multi-phase flagship initiative to revolutionise the UK livestock sector. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have announced £9 million funding for phase two of the ground-breaking endemic livestock disease initiative. The £11.5 million initiative commenced in 2021 and seeks to transform the UK livestock sector by reducing the burden of endemic diseases on animal health, welfare and productivity… click here
18. British and Indian Armies closer than ever thanks to recent joint training exercises
The British and Indian Armies are closer than ever thanks to recent joint training exercises. This week, the strength of that partnership was clearly in evidence as India’s visiting Chief of the Army Staff, in the UK on a four-day visit, received a formal ceremonial welcome, with a special parade by The Guards of the British Army in London. At the request of the UK Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, immaculate in their scarlet tunics and black bearskin caps, presented a Guard of Honour on Horse Guards Parade for General Manoj Pande… click here
17. Baby beaver boom on Exmoor as kits are born in conservation success story
Three baby beavers (kits) have been born at two different beaver enclosures on the Holnicote Estate near Minehead, Somerset, where the National Trust re-introduced beavers for the first time in 400 years in January 2020. One kit has become the sixth member of the family living at the National Trust’s ‘Paddocks’ enclosure at Holnicote, where Rashford became the first kit born on the estate in 400 years in 2021, followed by twins Russo and Toone last summer. All three were named after England’s football stars… click here
16. £6 million to improve air quality in local communities
Local authorities across England can now apply for a share of £6 million of government funding to deliver projects to improve air quality. The annual Air Quality Grant helps councils develop and implement measures to benefit schools, businesses and communities and reduce the impact of air pollution on people’s health. Since 2010, more than £53 million has been awarded across more than 500 projects through the scheme. Air quality in the UK has significantly improved in recent decades, with levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – the most harmful pollutant to human health – falling by 10% and NO2 by 45% since 2010… click here
15. Largest ever UK action targets Putin’s access to foreign military supplies
The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly has this week announced 22 new sanctions on individuals and businesses outside Russia supporting Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as three Russian companies importing electronics vital to Russia’s military equipment used on the battlefield. The UK Government are also taking further action to tackle Iran and Belarus’ support for Russia’s military. The UK has previously imposed sanctions on Belarus for continuing to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has called out Iran’s destabilising role in global security… click here
14. Scottish premium spirits producer expands into North America
A Glasgow premium spirits business will now be selling its produce in Canada after striking a deal with buyers there. Courageous Spirits had been looking to expand into North America for several years, and having met with importers, their ‘Glaswegin’ gin and ‘King’s Inch’ single malt whisky brands will now be available in stores across Canada. Distilled and bottled in the heart of Glasgow’s Tradeston area and designed by award-winning designer and Glasgow School of Art graduate Paul Gray, Glaswegin Premium Gin was launched in 2018… click here
13. Courts operate at full throttle to cut delays and funding increased to modernise and improve court buildings
The Crown Court will work at maximum capacity for the third year running to reduce waiting times to deliver access to justice, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has this week announced. The decision to continue not to cap judicial ‘sitting days’ will mean the Crown Court can hear the highest possible number of criminal cases this year. Court buildings across the country will also benefit from £220 million for essential modernisation and repair work across the next two years, meaning annual investment will increase to £120 million by March 2025 – to minimise disruptions caused by old buildings… click here
12. TEAM GB: It’s raining GOLD as British athletes win medal after medal at UCI Cycling World Championships
As the world’s greatest riders gathered in Scotland this week to compete at the highest level, make history, and show the world the power of the bike, British athletes have been storming the stage winning medal after medal. Welcoming the UCI World Cycling Championships back on home soil in Glasgow, over 200 rainbow jerseys are being awarded throughout 11 days of competition, with vital ranking points for Paris 2024 on the line. From gold in the velodrome to the BMX freestyle park, here’s your breakdown of Britain’s cycling success in Scotland and how we’re faring ahead of the Olympics next summer… click here
11. New NHS treatments helping extend survival for babies with rare muscle-wasting disease
Nearly three in four babies born with a rare muscle-wasting disease are now surviving for two years or more thanks to advances in NHS treatment, new data shows. Around 70 children are born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) each year in the UK, a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness, progressive loss of movement and paralysis. Historical studies of the disease in the US have estimated that before the availability of treatments, fewer than one in ten (8%) children born with SMA type 1… click here
10. Tougher penalties for those supporting illegal migrants
Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties, in the biggest shake up of civil penalties since 2014, the Home Secretary announced this week. The civil penalty for employers, which was last increased in 2014, will be raised to up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000, and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches from £20,000. For landlords the fines will increase from £80 per lodger and £1,000 per occupier for a first breach to up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier… click here
9. UK to host new global energy security conference in London
The UK will host a new global energy security conference next year, bringing together countries from around the world to shore up critical energy supplies and make the system more resilient to shocks. Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps will invite senior government ministers and industry bosses to the landmark London Energy Security Conference, around the time of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war in Ukraine, and other historic shocks such as the oil crisis of the 1970s, show how interconnected global energy security and critical supply chains are, with the impacts hurting consumers the world over. To prevent this happening again, the UK is convening this new conference… click here
8. NHS launches hospital matching platform to bring down longest waits
Thousands of patients who need NHS treatment could be quickly and easily allocated to hospitals that can take on their care thanks to a new online ‘matching’ platform. As part of efforts to reduce the covid backlog, the easy-to-use tool allows NHS staff to view and add available surgery slots in hospitals across the country, including independent sector capacity. Clinical teams can upload details of patients on their waiting list who are willing to travel, with other NHS and independent sector providers able to log on and ‘match’ people up to treatment… click here
7. COMMON SENSE PREVAILS: New building requirements for separate male and female toilets
The Government has announced today it is acting to bring forward changes to regulations that will mean all new non-domestic public and private buildings will be required to provide separate single-sex toilets for women and men and/or a self-contained, private toilet as a minimum. The change comes amid dignity and privacy concerns from women and elderly people who feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged as publicly accessible toilets are increasingly being converted into gender neutral facilities… click here
6. Move over Champagne as Ascot chooses English sparkling wine as official supplier for first time in 300-year history
Move over Champagne, Ascot Racecourse has announced that Chapel Down, England’s leading and most celebrated winemaker, will become its ‘Official English Sparkling Wine’ Supplier from 2024. This is the first time in the 300-year history of the prestigious British racecourse that an English wine brand has become Ascot’s Official Supplier and the Conservative Post has a fabulous Reader Offer to celebrate. Chapel Down has been the sole English sparkling wine served in the main bars of Ascot Racecourse since 2018 and has been a race sponsor for the past five years. However, this extended partnership will see Chapel Down… click here
5. UK and Turkey strengthen partnership to help tackle illegal migration
The UK and Turkey have agreed a new partnership to enhance cooperation on tackling the illegal movement of migrants, and keep both countries safer. UK and Turkish law enforcement officers will step up joint operations to tackle organised immigration crime and disrupt the supply chain of boat parts and other materials used as part of illegal migration journeys. The move follows Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick’s visit to Turkey (Türkiye) last month, the latest in a number of strategically important international visits to strengthen cooperation on the challenge of tackling illegal migration and disrupting the routes used by smugglers… click here
4. British Commandos train hundreds of Ukrainian Marines in UK programme
Ukrainian marines were trained by Royal Marines and Army Commandos to conduct small boat amphibious operations, including beach raids. Nearly 1,000 Ukrainian marines are returning home after being trained by Royal Marines and Army Commandos, during a six-month UK programme supported by international partners. The training, announced by the Prime Minister during President Zelenskyy’s visit to the UK in February, has seen British Commandos training Ukraine’s forces in small boat amphibious operations – conducting beach raids using inflatable boats… click here
3. World-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo dazzles in Edinburgh
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo burst onto Edinburgh Castle’s famous esplanade at the weekend, for another August full of music and spectacle. The world-famous military show is held over several nights during the month of August on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the oldest and most famous military show in the world and has been an annual fixture at the ancient castle since 1950, when it was originally designed to be the Armed Forces in Scotland’s contribution to the Edinburgh International Festival… click here
2. England’s Lionesses roar into World Cup semi-final
England’s Lionesses have qualified for their third successive Women’s World Cup semi-final with a 2-1 win over Colombia. The Lionesses fell behind to a Leicy Santos cross-shot in the 44th minute but drew level in the final minute of first-half added time after Lauren Hemp took advantage from a fumble by Colombian goalkeeper Catalina Pérez. Alessia Russo then fired the European champions ahead with a brilliant first time strike low past Catalina Perez in the Colombia goal. Russo was awarded the Player of the Match after scoring England’s winner and in a news conference after the game said she was “buzzing for the win and the goal”… click here
1. Government to clampdown on crooked lawyers who coach illegal migrants to lie
A government clampdown on crooked lawyers who coach illegal migrants to lie will see a dedicated taskforce work with industry bodies and law enforcement to build stronger evidence bases to support prosecutions. The Professional Enablers Taskforce is bringing together regulatory bodies, law enforcement teams and government departments to increase enforcement action against lawyers who help migrants exploit the immigration system. The taskforce has been up and carrying out preliminary work over the past few months, working with partners to tackle immigration abuse… click here
For last week’s Top 20 Great British news stories (31st July – 6th August 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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Main photo credit: Photographer AS1 Sian Stephens RAF – UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023
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