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.
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Here are our 20 best read and most shared positive stories from just this week (8th – 14th January 2024):
20. Millions of renters better off with boost to housing support
Around 1.6 million private renters are set to receive a substantial boost to their housing support, as the Government lays legislation to increase Local Housing Allowance. The boost will benefit some of the poorest families on either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit who will gain around £800 a year on average. The support worth over £7 billion over the next five years comes as the government publishes the proposed LHA rates for 2024/25, with people living in the most expensive areas set to see the biggest boost… click here
19. Waiting list falls again as NHS staff treat more patients than ever before in one month
New figures released this week show the backlog from the pandemic has fallen for a second month in a row thanks to the huge efforts of NHS staff. Monthly performance data released shows that the overall waiting list fell by more than 95,000 – down to 7.6 million in November from 7.7 million in October. Thanks to the measures set out in the NHS elective recovery blueprint, there were 60,000 fewer patients waiting for… click here
18. Britain’s tourism is back with record-breaking spend by American visitors
The US continues to lead UK tourism’s recovery with record-breaking spend by American visitors in the UK in 2023, up 28% on 2019 based on latest figures even when adjusted for inflation. VisitBritain is expecting the US market to be worth £6.7 billion in 2024 with American visitors contributing almost £1 in every £5 of all inbound spending. The latest official ONS statistics available for inbound tourism show that there were 28.2 million inbound visits from January to September 2023 with overseas visitors spending £23.0 billion in the UK… click here
17. More than 102,000 properties protected during Storm Henk and recent flooding
More than 102,000 properties were protected during Storm Henk and the recent flooding, the Environment Agency has confirmed. The Environment Agency continues to monitor the forecast and impacts on river levels, including the potential for groundwater and tidal risks. The message to the public remains to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation… click here
16. Family hubs now open in 75 areas across England
Parents across England can now access free help and support at local family hubs, with all 75 local authorities involved in the government scheme now offering access to a centre. The hubs centralise a range of vital services in one location and act as a ‘one stop shop’ for parents and children. Trained staff provide practical help including early language and communication development, mental health support for parents and carers, and programmes for improving children’s home development… click here
15. Emergency hazards to be repaired in 24 hours through Awaab’s Law
New plans to clamp down on rogue social landlords who fail to provide safe homes have been announced this week, supporting the Government’s pledge to deliver Awaab’s Law. The Housing Secretary has launched a consultation proposing new legal requirements for social landlords to address hazards including damp and mould quickly. Landlords will be expected to keep clear records to improve transparency for tenants – showing every attempt is made to comply with the new timescales so they can no longer dither and delay to rectify people’s homes… click here
14. British defence companies win contracts from Polish Navy for state-of-the-art frigate fleet
The UK Government has welcomed deals between three of the UK’s largest defence contractors and the Polish Navy. An agreement between MBDA UK and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) was signed on this week. This is the third of PGZ’s contracts with UK companies under the Miecznik programme, following agreements with Babcock and Thales UK. The first of the three multi-mission frigates is expected to enter service in 2029… click here
13. 4 new centres to boost UK expertise in flood management, wetland restoration, mineral resources and water quality
Four new centres for doctoral training will boost UK expertise in flood management, wetland restoration, sustainable mineral resources and freshwater quality. The new Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)-funded centres will teach the next generation of PhD students who will go on to build careers in research, business and public service. Each centre will be supported with £2.6 million funding… click here
12. £120 million investment programme gets underway at East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport (EMA) have announced an investment programme of more than £120 million to improve all aspects of the passenger experience over the next five years. Following an intensive period of planning and design, work is getting underway on the transformation to refresh the airport infrastructure, maintain safety and regulatory standards and help it operate more efficiently – making travel through the airport even more effortless than it already is for its more than 4 million annual passengers… click here
11. Luxury British marque Bentley making a difference by investing in community schemes across the country
British marque Bentley supported more than 320 charitable donations and projects across all regions of the UK in 2023, a 150 per cent increase to the previous year. Community investment is an important element of Bentley’s ground-breaking Beyond100 strategy. The projects have been carefully selected, to improve people’s access to services, empower and improve the quality of life, and support a better future… click here
10. UK-India to build closer trade and innovation partnership during UK Ministerial visit
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, UK Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict arrives in India this week where he will launch two new UK-funded sustainability projects. The Minister is using the trip to highlight the strong UK-India trade partnership and explore new opportunities to collaborate, including on clean energy growth… click here
9. NHS expands mental health support for veterans
The NHS is rolling out an expanded mental health support service for British Armed Forces veterans, as a survey found that more than half find it difficult to speak up about mental health issues. The health service has this week launched a new campaign to highlight its Op COURAGE service, which now includes enhanced specialist support for addictions. Latest available data shows that from April-November 2023, more than 4,500 referrals were made to the NHS service which provides specialist care, support and treatment to former Armed Forces personnel… click here
8. Brexit success story as British factory secures £1.2 million export contract
A British factory has secured a £1.2 million export contract and increased its workforce by 20 per cent in yet another Brexit success story. Alucast, which is one of the UK’s biggest foundries, has signed new contracts for high-quality parts used in car manufacturing and hydraulics. An award-winning aluminium casting business, the company has won a Manufacturer of the Year award and exports more than one third of its product… click here
7. IT’S GOLD! Great Britain’s men win team pursuit at European Championships
Great Britain have won gold in the men’s team pursuit at the European Championships in the Netherlands. Dan Bigham, Ethan Hayter, Ethan Vernon and Charlie Tanfield beat current World Champions, the Danish by 1.154 seconds to win in three minutes 45.218 seconds. The win has come at a crucial time with just over six months to go until the Olympic Games in Paris… click here
6. Jaguar Land Rover sales growth continues with 148,000 vehicles on order
Britain’s biggest car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have reported increased sales volumes for the third quarter of FY24 (three-month period to 31 December 2023), reflecting improvements in supply as more vehicles were delivered to clients. Wholesale volumes in the period were 101,043 units (excluding the Chery Jaguar Land Rover China JV), up 27% compared to the same quarter a year ago and up 4% compared to the quarter ended 30 September 2023… click here
5. UK defence in north-west of England benefits from £2.5 billion each year supporting 16,000 jobs
UK defence in the north-west of England benefits from £2.5 billion each year, supporting 16,000 jobs – including to make crucial weaponry for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. This week, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, visited some of these facilities across the north-west where key components are made for a selection of the UK’s most lethal weaponry, such as Storm-Shadow and Brimstone, that has been gifted to Ukraine… click here
4. UK’s new car market delivers best year since 2019 with 17th month of consecutive growth
New figures show the UK new car market has recorded its best year since the pandemic as a strong December, up 9.8%, wrapped up the 17th month of consecutive growth. 1.903 million new cars reached the road during 2023 – an increase of 17.9%, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Growth was driven entirely by fleet investment as the previous year’s supply constraints faded and helped fulfil pent-up demand… click here
3. Construction of new £12 million shipbuilding academy starts in Glasgow
Construction has begun on a new Applied Shipbuilding Academy at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow. The Academy will support the development of the entire workforce, from apprentices to senior leaders, and forms part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to develop future talent. It will accelerate the modernisation of Glasgow’s historic shipbuilding industry, upskilling the existing workforce whilst attracting new talent to secure its future for generations to come… click here
2. UK is better for manufacturing than the EU, say industry chiefs
“With the UK Government’s increasingly supportive policies, businesses are recognising the UK as a competitive and inspiring place to operate.” The majority of Britain’s manufacturers are now viewing the UK as a more competitive place to locate their activities, compared to just a third one year ago. These findings come from Make UK and PwC’s Executive Survey 2024, published this week, which polled more than two hundred senior manufacturing executives… click here
1. Biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years to create jobs, reduce bills and strengthen Britain’s energy security
The government’s has outlined plans for the biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years to reduce electricity bills, support thousands of jobs and improve UK energy security – including exploring building a major new power station and investing in advanced nuclear fuel production. In the two years since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the government has doubled down on security of supply to protect the country from price volatility and hostile foreign regimes and bolster the UK’s energy independence… click here
For last week’s top 20 Great British news stories (1st – 7th January 2024) 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.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP: Please send the following letter to your MP to FIX OR KILL Rishi’s Rwanda Bill
On Tuesday (16th January) MPs will be voting on Rishi’s Rwanda Bill. In its present form it’s useless.
Foreign courts will still stop our flights sending illegal migrants to Rwanda. The Bill needs amendments.
Please click here to whizz the following letter off to your MP to tell them to do the right thing and back the amendments OR we will need to kill the bill entirely. No ifs, no buts. Far better to introduce a new Bill that would stop the boats than pass yet another one that won’t.
All you need to do is fill in your postcode and our system below will send your letter off to your local MP. People power! Every single letter is so important. It only takes 2 minutes Thank you!
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Main Photo: The Household Cavalry march down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace. Photographer: SAC Connor Tierney UK MOD © Crown copyright – MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
