Once again there’s been plenty of positive British news this week. You might not hear about it on a lot of the 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.
Also if you haven’t yet bought your poppy, please do take a look at the Royal British Legion’s online Poppy Shop… click here.
Here are our 20 best read and most shared positive stories from just this week (30th October – 5 November 2023):
20. UK supports moratorium on deep sea mining to protect ocean and marine ecosystems
The UK government has announced its support for a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects – which involve the extraction of minerals such as precious metals, copper and cobalt – by the ISA. This means the UK will not sponsor or support the issuing of any such licences until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the potential impact of deep sea mining activities on marine ecosystems and strong, enforceable environmental regulations… click here
19. AI to speed up lung cancer diagnosis deployed in NHS hospitals across England
Ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI) that can help clinicians diagnose lung cancer quickly and accurately is being rolled out in NHS hospitals across England following a £21 million funding boost from the government. The funding is being allocated to 64 NHS trusts across all regions of the country so they can deploy AI tools that analyse X-rays and CT scans, speeding up diagnosis and treatments for patients… click here
18. Volunteering boost for charities, libraries and museums thanks to government investment
More than 15,000 people are being supported into volunteering and given opportunities to build social connections in libraries, museums, arts organisations and charities thanks to government investment. Up to £30 million is being provided through the government’s Know Your Neighbourhood Fund to create volunteering opportunities and support those experiencing or at risk of chronic loneliness… click here
17. Hundreds of thousands of households across Wales to receive £300 Cost of Living Payment
Hundreds of thousands of households across Wales will receive a £300 Cost of Living payment from the Government, with payments rolled out from this week, demonstrating the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable with the cost of living. This is the second of up to three payments for those eligible on means-tested benefits, totalling up to £900 through 2023/24. Those entitled do not need to apply for the payment or do anything to receive it… click here
16. UK’s world leading surgical mannequin used to train military surgeons
A cutting-edge trauma casualty simulation mannequin, invented and developed by a UK clinician and funded by the Ministry of Defence, has been used for the first time in a full-scale field hospital training exercise. Invented and developed by civilian orthopaedic major trauma surgeon Professor Ian Pallister; the Surgical Advanced Mannequin is a world-leading training simulation model which can be inserted with different injury patterns such as blast wounds and gunshots… click here
15. Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients to be offered the chance to travel to a different hospital for treatment
Hundreds of thousands of NHS patients who have been waiting the longest for treatment will be offered the opportunity to travel to a different hospital, if it means they could be seen sooner. From this week, any patient who has been waiting longer than 40 weeks and does not have an appointment within the next eight weeks will be contacted by their hospital via letter, text, or email, as announced by the NHS and government earlier this year… click here
14. Nearly 200 swimming pools and leisure centres across England kept afloat by Government funding
Swimming pools and leisure centres across England have this week received a share of £20 million central Government funding to keep them afloat in response to increased operating costs. Swimming is a valuable life skill for people of all ages, important for safety and both physical and mental health. Swim England’s latest Value of Swimming report showed how swimming helps generate social benefits, such as improved communities, skills and education worth £2.4 billion a year. This first £20 million of funding is going to the swimming pools and leisure centres most at risk of closure… click here
13. Great British money-saving pothole fixer helping fix UK’s roads four times quicker than standard methods
Transport Minister Mark Harper was given a live demonstration this week of a machine which is helping fix Britain’s roads and the scourge of potholes. The Minister was shown the JCB Pothole Pro during a visit to JCB’s Derbyshire engine plant and saw for himself how the machine repairs a pothole in less than eight minutes – four times quicker than standard methods. The demonstration came just days after British machinery giant JCB announced it had won its biggest order yet for 50 Pothole Pros from one of the country’s largest hirers… click here
12. Beach landing trials help develop UK’s future AI capabilities for Ministry of Defence
One of the largest maritime artificial intelligence data capture trials has taken place in Hampshire, enabling the development of new AI products for Defence. A large-scale maritime and beach-landing exercise on the Hampshire coast has provided has provided vital data to help develop cutting edge AI products for the Ministry of Defence. The trial was a collaboration with 12 industry and international partners, supported by Royal Navy and British Army personnel… click here
11. New UK women’s sport investment scheme kicks off first round with seven sports represented
“It’s fantastic to see this scheme get off the mark as we aim to make the UK the world’s number one destination for women’s sport investment.” The Department for Business and Trade’s new Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator scheme has held its first session, with seven different sports represented. 20 top tier women’s sport leagues, teams and competitions across seven different sports took part in the first session of a new Government scheme to boost investment and increase broadcast audiences… click here
10. UK airlift to Egypt delivers vital equipment to support aid crossing to Gaza
Shipment follows 21 tonnes of essential supplies delivered last week, and £30 million increase in UK assistance to Occupied Palestinian Territories. A second UK flight carrying equipment that will support humanitarian agencies to deliver lifesaving supplies to Gaza arrived in Egypt. This was followed by several further flights to deliver 30 tonnes of vital equipment such as forklift trucks, belt conveyors and lighting towers, which have been specifically requested by UK partners in the region, including the Egyptian Red Crescent…. click here
9. UK hosts nations and AI experts at first global AI Safety Summit
Leading AI nations, businesses, civil society and AI experts have convened at Bletchley Park this week for the first ever AI Safety Summit where they’ve been discussing the global future of AI and work towards a shared understanding of its risks. Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan opened the event by welcoming an expert cast list before setting out the UK government’s vision for safety and security to be at the heart of advances in AI, in order to enable the enormous opportunities it will bring… click here
8. BAE Systems acquires Eurostep to deliver advanced digital asset management
BAE Systems, the major British manufacturer of aircraft, missiles, avionics, and other aerospace and defense products has acquired Eurostep, a secure data sharing company headquartered in Sweden. The company will form part of BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business. The acquisition is the next evolution in an established relationship between the two companies which have worked together for many years… click here
7. UK to be made AI match-fit with £118 million skills package
The UK’s AI skills base will be future-proofed with a £118 million boost to skills funding, the government announced this week. This will ensure the country has the top global expertise and fosters the next generation of researchers needed to seize the transformational benefits of this technology. This includes naming, for the first time, the further 12 Centres for Doctoral Training in AI that will benefit from £117 million in previously-announced government backing through UK Research and Innovation… click here
6. New technologies on show at Quantum Showcase as Science Minister drives forward UK’s £2.5 billion Quantum Strategy
At the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, taking place in London this week, Minister Freeman set out how the government is continuing with its vision to become a quantum-enabled economy by 2023. The showcase presented the latest in ground-breaking applications of the technology which will potentially revolutionise many aspects of life in the UK. Quantum technologies could bring enormous benefits to the economy… click here
5. New UK and Germany partnership to boost renewable energy and bolster energy security
A new partnership between the UK and German governments has been agreed this week to help secure safe, affordable and clean energy for consumers in both nations for the long term and bolster energy security. Under the new partnership signed in London by Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho and Germany’s Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeck, the UK and Germany have reaffirmed their shared ambition and commitment to net zero and progressing the energy transition… click here
4. Government to deliver 160 community diagnostic centres a year early
The government will meet its target to open 160 community diagnostic centres a year early, the Health and Social Care Secretary has announced. All 160 centres will be open by March 2024, a year ahead of the original March 2025 target – speeding up access to potentially lifesaving tests and checks. In a speech to the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay confirmed the rollout of the one-stop shops following the hard work of NHS staff and the government’s efforts to maximise use of the independent sector… click here
3. New global hub based in the UK is tasked with testing safety of AI backed by leading AI companies and nations
A new global hub based in the UK and tasked with testing the safety of emerging types of AI has been backed by leading AI companies and nations. The UK has already taken a lead by launching the AI Safety Institute, to build public sector capability to conduct safety testing and to conduct AI safety research. Countries and companies developing frontier AI have agreed a ground-breaking plan on AI safety testing… click here
2. UK business confidence rebounds with reports of increased trading prospects and greater optimism in economy
New figures show business confidence rose to 39% in October, a three-point increase, to reach the second highest level in 2023–surpassed only in August (41%). The new figures show the confidence level for October was significantly above the long-term average of 28% and contrasts sharply with the Barometer reading of just 15% in October 2022, in the weeks after the mini-budget. Businesses also reported increased trading prospects for the year ahead alongside greater optimism in the economy… click here
1. Boris was right to want to pursue herd immunity – we don’t want a Prime Minister whose first instinct is to lock us up
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said evidence from the Covid inquiry has demonstrated former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s instincts to avoid lockdown were right. Speaking on GB News, Sir Jacob said: “The Covid inquiry has some supporting evidence for what we already knew to be true: Boris Johnson’s instincts on lockdown and Covid policy were broadly right.” Sir Jacob continued: “Every day that goes by, his instincts are vindicated…” Click here
For last week’s top 20 Great British news stories (23rd – 29th October 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
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