Merry Christmas to all our wonderful readers! Thank you to everyone who has read, commented on or shared one of our stories this past year. You’ve helped pump some positive press back into Britain!
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.
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Here are our 20 best read and most shared positive stories from just this week (18th – 24th December 2023):
20. Nearly 5,000 churches across the United Kingdom benefit from £42 million conservation fund
Nearly 5,000 religious buildings in the United Kingdom have received a share of up to £42 million in public funding ahead of this year’s festive celebrations, as the Government continues its support for the conservation of listed places of worship across the country. More than one million people are expected to attend Midnight Mass and Christmas Day services and they might be attending one of the 4,900 places of worship which have benefited from Government support over the last year… click here
19. Major boost for British towns with next steps for long-term plans
The Government has this week published guidance and setting out initial funding to enable 55 British towns to develop their long-term plan. This follows the Prime Minister announcing the 55 towns that will receive funding and support totalling up to £20 million, as part of a £1.1 billion levelling up investment for towns that have been overlooked for too long. The Long-Term Plan for Towns will ensure that local people can develop plans that deliver the priorities of their community and are given the tools to change their town’s long-term future… click here
18. MADE IN UK: Children around the world enjoy British-made gifts this Christmas
Latest figures show toy and bike exports are worth £640 million, with CPTPP membership to make it even easier for British businesses to export children’s presents to the region next Christmas. British toy and bike manufacturers are currently making gifts to load on Santa’s sleigh for delivery all round the world, in part thanks to the UK’s new free trade agreements (FTAs). The UK is a major manufacturing nation, making us one of “Santa’s biggest workshops”. The toy sector is part of that success story – exports of toys and bikes were worth £640 million in the year ending October 2023… click here
17. British Sign Language GCSE moves one step closer to the classroom
Students are one step closer to the British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE being taught in schools, as the Government launches a 12-week consultation on the content of the new qualification. The qualification will include students being taught to communicate effectively with other signers for use in work, social and academic settings, providing them with valuable life skills welcomed by employers. The Department for Education has been working closely with subject experts, stakeholders and schools to develop proposed content to ensure that this new GCSE is internationally recognised and accepted in school and college performance tables… click here
16. Groundbreaking support for UK digital and quantum technology start-ups
Two pioneering business support programmes dedicated to digital and quantum technology start-ups in the UK, have launched with a first call for participants. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) invites first applications for two business incubation centres (BICs) designed to help start-ups developing advanced digital and quantum technologies. The two BICs will help early-stage technology companies achieve their full commercial potential, by de-risking the route from proof-of-concept to market for innovative new products and ideas… click here
15. NHS boosts health support for new mums
All new mums in England will receive a more comprehensive mental and physical check-up from their GP in the weeks after they give birth, thanks to new NHS guidance published this week. GPs will carry out the comprehensive postnatal check-up 6 to 8 weeks after women give birth covering a range of topics such as mental health, physical recovery, breastfeeding, and will support them with family planning. Around 600,000 women give birth in England every year and they are all entitled to a postnatal check-up after they give birth, in addition to the newborn check-up… click here
14. Christmas joy for children as JCB’s toy appeal gifts are delivered by Olympians
Olympians Adam Burgess and Ben Williams have been playing Santa to children by delivering gifts donated to this year’s JCB Christmas Toy Appeal. The employee appeal got under way in November with the installation of 14 collection points at JCB plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham – and a record 1,242 gifts were donated. Now the toys have been handed over to the Stoke-on-Trent Hubb Foundation, the NSPCC and Wrexham’s Yellow and Blue Charity for distribution to deserving children… click here
13. Families, business and industry to get energy efficiency support
Around a million families and hundreds of businesses will be helped to cut their energy use, backed by £6bn, as part of the new approach to net zero that will save on costs for the public. Families will benefit from a range of options to heat their home for less and reduce emissions through energy efficiency measures, such as insulation for around 500,000 homes and hundreds of thousands more grants for heat pumps. The Prime Minister’s 50 per cent increase in the heat pump grant to £7,500 has already led to a 57 per cent increase in applications… click here
12. Over 70 pubs, theatres and museums rescued by government package
Government announces £25 million of levelling up funding to save cherished places like pubs, theatres and museums through its Community Ownership Fund. Successful bidders will be given a share of the Community Ownership Fund – a funding pot rescuing community places that form the beating heart of a local community. More than 70 treasured buildings across the UK will be saved, protecting important community spaces that mean so much to local people. £2 million will be granted to individual projects for the first time ever, with three historic theatres set to benefit from significant funding in this round… click here
11. Making way for UK’s largest open-die forging line at Sheffield Forgemasters
Phase two of a demolition project has started at Sheffield Forgemasters to make way for the UK’s largest open-die forging line. Unused buildings on the Sheffield Forgemasters site are being removed as the second phase of work gets underway to create space for a new 13,000-tonne Heavy Forge and its 12,700 sq m housing. Victorian-era Forge and Foundry buildings will make way for the new facility, creating one of the most efficient open-die forging operations in Europe and the largest in the UK… click here
10. BAE Systems teams with AMS to reinforce support of artillery systems in Ukraine
British multinational arms, security, and aerospace company BAE Systems and AMS Integrated Solutions Ltd have committed to working together to offer support for artillery systems being used in Ukraine and produced by BAE Systems. During a visit to Kyiv, the two companies have signed an agreement that will enable them to offer specialised artillery systems support directly to Ukrainian armed forces from within Ukraine… click here
9. Government funding for schools in England at a record high
Funding for mainstream schools and high needs is increasing to the highest ever in real terms per pupil. Schools in England are set to benefit from a cash injection as education funding reaches almost £60 billion in 2024/25 – its highest ever level in real terms. This includes additional funding for both disadvantaged pupils and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with pupil premium and high needs budgets both going up alongside mainstream investment… click here
8. UK music strikes festive chord Down Under thanks to new trade deal
The UK’s free trade agreement with Australia is ringing in festive cheer this year, having slashed tariffs and helped British music companies expand Down Under ahead of the lucrative festive period. Backed by British legends Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney, London-based music tech company Audoo produce smart listening devices, or Audio Meters, which are placed in pubs, shops and bars to identify when and where music is being played and ensure musicians are paid for that play… click here
7. Over £1 billion generated from more efficient use of Government property
£1.1 billion has been generated over the course of the last year, through a major drive to make more efficient use of Government land and buildings. New figures, published this week in the Government Estate Annual Data Publication, confirm £1.1 billion of property sales have been achieved in the past year, meaning more than two thirds of the three-year target has been delivered in the first twelve months. The actions the Government is taking to deliver these efficiencies include its work to consolidate how many buildings public services are provided from – creating multi-department, integrated buildings and offices… click here
6. UK Export Finance and Export Finance Australia enhance relationship
UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Export Finance Australia (EFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) deepening co-operation in areas of mutual interest. The MoU builds on UKEF and EFA’s existing strong relationship and will enable the agencies to deepen collaboration in areas such as the energy transition, infrastructure and growing secure supply chains. The signing of the MoU follows UKEF and EFA participating in the financing of the Hai Long Offshore Wind Power Project in Taiwan, UKEF and EFA’s largest renewable energy project financings to date… click here
5. £64 billion funding package for councils proposed by Government
A funding package worth over £64 billion to support councils in England to deliver frontline services has been announced this week by the government. The provisional local government finance settlement makes available almost £4 billion more funding for councils in England in 2024-25, an increase of 6.5% on 2023-24 – an above inflation rise in recognition of the pressures being faced by local authorities. The Funding Guarantee introduced last year will be maintained to ensure every council in England sees at least a 3% increase in Core Spending Power before any local decisions are made around council tax… click here
4. Pensioners receive £4.8 billion in government support to heat their homes over winter
11.9 million Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments – worth over £4.8 billion – have been made to pensioners across the UK over the past month. Each pensioner household has received up to £600 in tax-free cash automatically to help with energy bills and household budgets this winter. It follows this year’s 10.1% State Pension increase – the largest in the history of the State Pension – with next year’s 8.5% increase set to break records again as the full rate of the New State Pension rises to over £11,500 a year… click here
3. Airbus lands huge order from easyJet for 157 new aircraft
British multinational low-cost airline, easyJet has confirmed a firm order for 157 additional aircraft following shareholder approval from Aerospace giant Airbus. Building on a proud 100-year British aviation heritage, Airbus is part of the very fabric of the UK. Its 12,500-strong UK workforce is part of a global family of 130,000 employees around the world. The company’s factory in Broughton, Flintshire is one of the biggest employers in North Wales with more than 5,000 staff. The factory produces the wings for all Airbus’ aircraft including the A320, A330, A340, A350 and the A380 superjumbo… click here
2. Freeport roadmap published to accelerate growth in port towns and cities across the UK
The UK Government has announced an action plan of over 50 measures to further accelerate the success of Freeports – a policy reviving the UK’s port communities. The successful Freeports policy introduced in 2021 is already empowering strategically located port communities to realise their economic potential – and in just two years, has attracted almost £3 billion of investment which will create over 6,000 jobs. The new Freeports Delivery Roadmap will help Freeports to go even further by laying out an action plan of over 50 cross-government measures… click here
1. Universal Studios confirms plans for first UK theme park
Universal Studios says it is exploring the possibility of opening its first ever European theme park in Bedford, England. After launching their newest park and resort in Beijing, and now finishing up the upcoming Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, it seems the entertainment giant has set its sights on building its next full-scale park here in the UK. Universal has confirmed a land acquisition in Bedford and says they are in the early stages of exploring feasibility for a potential park and resort at the site… click here
For last week’s top 20 Great British news stories (11th – 17th December 2023) click here.
By Claire Bullivant
Conservative Post, Founder and Editor
If you enjoy our news service please consider donating to our journalism fund so we can grow our editorial team, protect conservative journalism and keep spreading the best of British news. The secure link to donate through Stripe is here. Thank you.
