You might not hear about it on a lot of the other news outlets but remember it’s not all doom and gloom, positive things are also happening across our great nation.
Latest official data from the Office for National Statistics show GDP is up, real income is up, production is up and the UK is still doing better than EU’s top economy. For the last two years Brexit Britain has also been the fastest-growing economy in the G7, outperforming the world’s biggest, including the EU’s Germany, France and Italy.
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 stories from just this week (9th – 15th October 2023):
20. Britain deploys military assets to Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel
UK military assets are being deployed to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel, reinforce regional stability and prevent escalation. Maritime patrol and surveillance aircraft have begun flying in the region to track threats to regional stability such as the transfer of weapons to terrorist groups. Meanwhile, a Royal Navy task group will be moved to the eastern Mediterranean this week as a contingency measure to support humanitarian efforts… click here
19. AI projects supporting small British businesses in fashion, farming and fire-fighting to get funding boost
Artificial intelligence projects in areas as diverse as fashion, farming and fire-fighting are being backed with a further £37 million, as the Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan highlights how AI can be a force for good ahead of next month’s AI Safety Summit. Research teams and businesses of all sizes in high-growth industries – from transport to agriculture and construction to creative industries… click here
18. UK research into mine detecting drones could change land warfare
Drones equipped with cutting-edge sensors to detect ground mines and explosives are being researched by UK scientists and could alter the face of land warfare. Scientists and engineers at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) are conducting crucial research into the new drone technology, which would see mined areas cleared faster and more safely, ramping up protection for Armed Forces personnel. Maintaining freedom of movement and mobility at pace for the Armed Forces is vital for safety and mission effectiveness… click here
17. UK hosts Minerals Security Partnership for first time to boost investment in critical minerals
The UK hosted a Principals’ meeting of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) for the first time ever in London this week, which focused on boosting responsible investment and sustainable finance in critical mineral supply chains. The MSP is a group of 14 partners – representing over 50 percent of global GDP – that aims to catalyse public and private sector investment in responsible critical mineral supply chains globally… click here
16. Trade Minister in Latin America boosting trade and cutting red tape for UK’s most innovative companies
International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston has this week kicked off a multi-state visit to Peru and Colombia to meet counterparts and push forward action to resolve trade barriers. The Minister will also announce new measures to ease regulation for British pharmaceutical companies in Colombia. Cutting red tape for some of the UK’s most innovative companies will unlock a multi-million-pound market while additionally helping the country access essential products such as medicines and medical devices… click here
15. British start-ups solving complex global issues through the design of semiconductor chips
British start-ups solving complex global issues through the design of semiconductor chips have this week been named as members of a new government-backed incubator that will provide support as they grow into future global chip leaders. Nearly every piece of technology in the world depends on semiconductor chips. Companies chosen for the pilot are already innovating in a range of exciting areas, including developing chips for brain implants that will address debilitating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease… click here
14. Game-changing exascale computer planned for Edinburgh
Edinburgh is poised to host a next-generation compute system amongst the fastest in the world, with the potential to revolutionise breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, medicine, and clean low-carbon energy. The city has been named as the preferred choice to host the new national exascale facility, as the UK government continues to invest in the country’s world-leading computing capacity – crucial to the running of modern economies and cutting-edge scientific research… click here
13. Major funding boost for Yorkshire MedTech industry
A major funding boost will help transform the thriving Medical Technology (MedTech) business community in Yorkshire. The UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) investment will translate state-of-the-art research from universities into the next generation of innovative healthcare products and services, and help bring them to market. It will also create jobs and opportunities for future investment and economic growth in the region… click here
12. Education standards continue to improve as statistics show more primary school pupils meet reading standards
UK education standards continue to improve as new statistics on the phonics screening check published this week show 79% of five- and six-year-olds met the expected standard, up from 75% last year. Phonics is a body of knowledge that is necessary for pupils to learn to read and spell, at whatever age. Young children learning to read are taught how to recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes, as well as the skill of blending the individual sounds together to read… click here
11. £89 million of funding to develop cutting edge new electric vehicle technology
£89 million of funding has been awarded to 20 cutting edge net zero tech projects including hydrogen-powered offroad vehicles, a new lithium scale-up plant and revolutionary new EV battery systems, reinforcing the UK as a world leader in zero emissions vehicle technology. The landmark funding package includes four collaborative R&D projects, five scale-up projects to assess if businesses in the automotive sector are ready for growth, and seven feasibility studies to prepare projects to develop large-scale manufacturing facilities in the UK… click here
10. Government rolls out single biggest investment in childcare in England ever
The Government is rolling out the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever, expanding 30 free hours of childcare for working parents and supporting children from nine months old up to when they start school. This will save eligible working parents up to an average of £6,500 per year. Parents can visit the Childcare Choices website to find out about the range of support available from the Government with the costs of childcare… click here
9. UK announces major new package of support for Ukraine’s counter-offensive
A new package of military support for Ukraine, worth more than £100 million, was announced by the Defence Secretary this week. It will help its armed forces clear minefields, maintain its vehicles, and shore up defensive fortifications to protect critical national infrastructure. This latest package will also provide crucial equipment to help Ukrainian soldiers with river and trench crossings, and heavy duty plant vehicles to destroy Russian non-explosive obstacles and help build defensive positions to protect Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure… click here
8. Teacher recruitment gets huge boost with £196 million to attract more teachers across key subjects
Teacher recruitment will see a huge boost this academic year with £196 million to attract more teachers across key subjects. This will fund scholarships, bursaries and salary grants to help thousands of candidates through their initial teacher training (ITT). Scholarships for those training to teach mathmatics, physics, chemistry and computing will now be brought up to £30,000 tax-free, in order to attract more talented teachers in these key subjects to support the delivery of the advanced British standard… click here
7. £60 million to transform brownfield land and build thousands of new homes
Across the country, from Hull to Somerset, nearly 100 regeneration projects will receive £60 million from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The investment is part of the second phase of the £180 million Brownfield Land Release Fund, with cash going directly to councils so they can release the land and get building as soon as possible. Derelict car parks, industrial sites and town centre buildings that have fallen into disrepair will all benefit from the new funding… click here
6. Britain’s world-leading UK Stem Cell Bank celebrates 20th birthday with manufacturing innovation
The UK Stem Cell bank (UKSCB) is the largest source of clinical grade human embryonic stem cells in the world. Automation is the future for manufacturing stem cells, says the Head of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s UK Stem Cell Bank on its 20th Anniversary. The safe manufacture of potentially life-saving stem cells through innovative automation and machine learning, could give patients faster access to stem cell treatments in the future… click here
5. Foreign Secretary visits Israel to underline UK’s unwavering solidarity in the face of terror
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is visiting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and southern Israel to underline UK’s unwavering solidarity in the face of terror. The Foreign Secretary visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and southern Israel this week, days after Hamas launched a barbaric terrorist attack on the country. Demonstrating the UK’s solidarity with Israel and its fundamental right to defend itself against Hamas, James Cleverly underlined the UK’s support in meeting with President Herzog… click here
4. UK government arranges flights to get British nationals out of Israel
The UK government is facilitating commercial flights to the UK to help British nationals wanting to leave Israel following the Hamas attack, the Foreign Secretary has announced. Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, UK government officials have been working around the clock in London, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to support British citizens in the country. A Rapid Deployment Team has also been sent to Israel to bolster the efforts of British consular officials… click here
3. Luxury British marque Bentley announces record number of trainee positions for future talent
British marque Bentley Motors has announced a record number of trainee positions for the 2024 intake, 164 roles. Career opportunities across the company for Graduates and Industrial Placements are available on www.bentleycareers.com now, with Apprentice applications opening in February next year. More than a third of the positions are focused on Bentley’s R&D department as the luxury brand looks for the industry’s brightest talents to support its Beyond100 strategy, seeking sustainable luxury mobility leadership… click here
2. ‘I expect the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas,’ says Home Secretary
“There can be no place for antisemitism or glorification of terrorism on the streets of Britain. I therefore expect the police to use the full force of the law against displays of support for Hamas, other proscribed terrorist groups or attempts to harass and intimidate British Jews.” Home Secretary Suella Braverman has written to police chiefs asking them to provide reassurance to communities following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. At a time when Hamas terrorists are massacring civilians and taking hostages, provocative demonstrations cause distress to UK Jewish communities… click here
1. BREXIT BRITAIN: GDP up, real income up, production up and UK is doing better than EU’s top economy
Latest official data from the Office for National Statistics show GDP up, real income up, production up and UK is still doing better than EU’s top economy. In what must be yet another devastating blow for Remainers, it’s been revealed by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that not only did the UK’s economy grow again in the second quarter of this year, it also grew by more than originally estimated in the first quarter too. In 2021 and 2022 Brexit Britain was the fastest-growing economy in the G7, outperforming the world’s biggest, including the EU’s Germany, France and Italy… click here
For last week’s top 20 Great British news stories (2nd – 8th October 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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