WORLD™ GovernmentAutumn 2020 Edition

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Full Page Half Page Quarter Page 148 x 210 mm 105 x 135 mm 105 x 68 mm All display advertising should be in PDF 300 dpi / CMYK digital files and sent to: [email protected] Full Page £98.80 Inside Front Cover £104.00 Half Page £52.00 Inside Back Cover £104.00 Quarter Page £31.20 All rates are exclusive of VAT @ 20% Disclaimer: All artwork will be checked pre-press for technical set-up, however it is the responsibility of each supplying agency to make sure artwork is correct on sending out. Any artwork requiring modification must be charged. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Reservations and cancellations cannot be accepted after the closing date of each issue. Subscribe and never miss a copy! Page 2 Contents ® News & Sports Roundup 4 Creativity keeping road workers safe and the country moving 9 weltersORGANISATION New video tech to increase remote hearings in civil and family court 11 WORLDWIDE Comprehensive new funding package for councils to help address coronavirus pressures and Design and Innovation cover lost income during the pandemic 12 Additional tooling capacity - social media post 15 Visit us on-line at Ventilator Challenge hailed a success as UK production finishes 16 government-world.com Armed forces lead tributes to Dame Vera Lynn at her funeral 19 A silver lining - social media post 20 Advertising | Articles | News | Letters | Editorials HMRC invites hospitality industry to register for East Out to Help Out 21 Roll-out of 2 new rapid coronavirus tests ahead of Winter 22 welters organisation Government further boosts UK vaccine manufacturing capacity 26 P.O. Box 159 Carlisle, Great Britain CA2 5BG Office: 08702 416 422 Projects to heat homes through disused mines and faster offshore wind farm construction win E-mail: [email protected] government backing 28

Chamber stock - social media post 30 Submissions should be sent to New help on offer for disabled people working from home during the pandemic 31 Government WORLD, PO Box 159, Carlisle, CA2 5BG Pupils start returning to schools in England 32 Email: [email protected] Scottish diners eat more than 6.3 million meals to support hospitality sector 34 ISSN 1744-6996 Silage crop - social media post 36 Environmental issues - noise pollution 37 The Coronavirus edition of Big broadband boost for rural English shires and counties 41 Government World, embracing the full year of 2020, will be New Lighthouse Labs to boost NHS Test and Trace capacity 43 available later in the year. Government to explore new ways of delivering ‘sat nav’ for the UK 45 Please apply to

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all articles, advertisements and other insertions in this publication, the publisher can accept no responsibility for any [email protected] errors or omissions or incorrect insertions. The views of the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the advertisers. The publisher makes no warranties, claims or guarantees in regard to accuracy,completeness or currency of information and cannot accept any liability resulting from the use or misuse of any such information. The Publisher with your full contact details for does not accept responsibility for mistakes, be they editorial or typographical, nor for consequences resulting from them. your free copy. Page 3 Newsand sports Roundup Summary of the main news and sports events over the last three months By Paul G Bazeley for Government World

July News Review offered UK citizenship after a controversial US President Donald Trump national security law was passed by officially declared his intent to In coronavirus news, pubs, restaurants China. China claimed the UK was violating withdraw the United States from and hairdresser were allowed to re-open international law and threatened to stop the World Health Organisation in England with strict distancing rules recognising the BNO passport (British (WHO) in 2021. The president in place. While restrictions were eased National (Overseas) Passport). notified Congress and the UN of earlier in the month further lockdown his intentions after he accused easings were postponed due to an The Casual Dining Group, who own the WHO of being under China’s increase in coronavirus cases. Places restaurant chains Café Rouge, Bella Italia control. Presidential challenger such as casinos and bowling alleys were and Las Iguanas, fell into administration. Joe Biden tweeted that he would told to remain closed after Boris Johnson They citied the Covid-19 pandemic re-join the WHO if he were to stated it was ‘time to squeeze the brake as having been a major factor in their become president. pedal’ now that cases were beginning to economic downturn. Ninety-one of the increase. outlets closed immediately leading to The UK Court of Appeal ruled that 1,900 job losses. Shamima Begum, a 20-year-old Protests continued in America and the EnchroChat, a military-grade encrypted who left the country to join ISIL UK over the killing of George Floyd by communication system used by organised in 2015, can return to the UK to American police and to raise awareness criminals, was hacked by police after a fight for her citizenship. The Home of racism with many of the protests being Europe-wide operation that lasted four Office had previously revoked her organised by the Black Lives Matter years. The hack led to the arrests of 746 citizenship while she was living in a movement. suspects and the seizure of more than refugee camp in Syria, they stated £54million in goods including cash, drugs that they were disappointed by Boris Johnson announced that up to three and guns. the decision and would apply for million Hong Kong residents would be permission to appeal. Page 4 and Norwich were relegated. results downgraded over a third A statue of Jen Reid, a Black Lives Matter of results. It was later announced protestor, was briefly erected without The delayed Formula One season got that students were able to use their permission on the plinth of the toppled underway with Valtteri Bottas won the first teachers predicted grades instead statue of Edward Colston which stood race in Austria before a hat-trick of wins of their algorithm results. in the centre of Bristol. The statue was for Lewis Hamilton put the other Mercedes removed the next day. Bristol Mayor Marvin driver top of the driver standings at the Joe Biden was officially nominated Rees stated that the ‘people of Bristol will end of the month. as the Democratic presidential decide its future’ when deciding what will candidate to run against Donald be placed on the plinth. Trump (the Republican candidate) August News Review in the November US Presidential A sealed copy of the Nintendo election. Entertainment System game Super Mario The UK economy officially entered Bros. from 1985 sold for $114,000. It recession for the first time since 2009. Jacob Blake, a black American, became a world record for a video game The economy shrank by 20.4% compared was shot several times in the back sold at auction. with the first quarter of the year. Lockdown by police as he tried to enter his measures due to the coronavirus saw car where his three children were It was announced that Johnnie Walker shops close and factory and construction seated. It is alleged that Blake Scotch Whisky will soon be sold in paper output fall leading to a decrease in had a knife before officers fired bottles. A trial for the environmentally household spending. A recession is seven shots. His family said he had friendly packaging is scheduled for 2021. defined as two consecutive quarters of been left paralysed from the waist economic decline. down, however, it is unknown if it July Sports Review is permanent. Protests broke out The Office for National Statistics reported around the Police headquarters in The Premier League concluded it’s the worst quarterly job losses in the UK Kenosha and cars were set alight 2019/2020 season with Liverpool being since the 2009 financial crisis. Later in the before a night-time curfew was put crowned the champions on 99 points, 18 month the Office for National Statistics in place. points ahead of Man City in second place. also claimed the UK’s national debt had Man United and Chelsea also managed to exceeded £2 trillion for the first time. Virgin Atlantic declared itself capture Champions League spots, while bankrupt and files for Chapter 15 Leicester and Tottenham secured Europa A-level results sparked protests after it was bankruptcy protection in New York League places. Bournemouth, Watford revealed the algorithm used to calculate after a large decline of international Page 5 flights due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The them clinch victory. transmission rate of coronavirus is company filed for protection after it told a ‘high or rising exponentially’. The court in London it would run out of money Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 8-2 in governments’ scientific advisor in September if a rescue deal failed. the quarter-finals of the Champions warned there could be 50,000 League. It was the first time that a side cases a day by mid-October if no Toshiba, which led the laptop market in has conceded eight goals in Champions further action was taken. the 1990s, sold its final stake in the PC League knockout match and was one of manufacturer Dynabrook Inc to Sharp. The Barcelona’s worst defeats and the first The BBC reversed its decision to move saw Toshiba exit the PC market after time they have conceded eight goals ban the songs ‘Rule, Britannia!’ and 35 years. since 1946. Bayern went on to win the ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ from the tournament after beating Paris Saint- Last Night of the Proms 2020 after The African Regional Certification Germain 1-0 in the final. It was the German expressing concerns over their Commission announced that they have clubs’ sixth Champions League title. links to colonialism and slavery. declared Africa free of Polio. The news In the Europa League Sevilla defeated Critics claimed the songs were came four years after the last recorded Inter Milan 3-2 in the final to claim the ‘outdated’ and glorified racism. case of wild polio in Nigeria. trophy for a record sixth time. An article from The New York Times reported that it had obtained The actor Chadwick Boseman, famed for The Manchester United and England tax-returns for Donald Trump and his role in the Black Panther film, died defender Harry Maguire was given a his business enterprises. The after a battle with cancer. The news came suspended sentence by a Greek court documents seemed to show that to a surprise for many with the actor never after being found guilty of aggravated Trump had paid no federal tax in 11 discussing his diagnosis in public. assault, resisting arrest and attempted of the last 15 years and had paid bribery. $750 in income taxes in 2016 and August Sports Review 2017.

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup September News Review The US National Snow and Ice final to secure a place in the Europa Data Centre reported in 2020 the League next season. Chelsea took the A rise in coronavirus cases led the Arctic Sea had melted to an area of lead with an early goal from Pulisic, Government to place a ban on gatherings 3.74 million square kilometres, the however, a penalty saw the Gunners draw of six or more people in England. Later second smallest area since 1979 level before half time and then a strike in the month, the alert level in the UK when records began. According to from Aubameyang in the second half saw was raised from 3 to 4 meaning the reports Arctic sea ice has already Page 6 lost two-thirds of its volume over the past September Sports Review four decades and is a sobering reminder that polar warming is a growing issue. The 2020/2021 Premier League season began, just seven weeks after the previous The United Arab Emirates announced season which was disrupted due to the the Emirates Lunar Mission, in which COVID-19 pandemic. The first games it plans to send a space exploration saw strong starts for the two Merseyside vehicle to the moon by the end of 2024. clubs, Liverpool and Everton. Leicester In an announcement on Twitter, Sheikh also secured a good start to the season Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said with fans hoping for a repeat of their 15/16 the country will send an unmanned lunar league win. rover to unexplored parts of the moon. In Formula One Lewis Hamilton stayed top Two people were stabbed outside the of the driver standings. However, Bottas former headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, secured a win in Russia at the end of the the satirical magazine, in Paris. Two month as Hamilton slipped to third in the suspects were later arrested in the city race giving the Fin some hope of catching centre with further arrests happening in his teammate. the following days. The attack was thought to be connected to a terrorist enterprise Long-distance runners Mo Farah and and came after the magazine republished Sifan Hassan broke the world record for cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad as the the most distance covered in one hour trial of suspected accomplices of terrorist for men and women respectively. Mo gunmen who attacked their office in 2015 Farah ran 21.33 kilometres (13.254 miles) began. and Sifan Hassan ran 18.930 kilometres (11.763 miles). US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died of cancer at the age of 87. Toyota Gazoo Racing won the 24 Hour Ginsburg was a well- known feminist and of Le Man race. It was the team’s third liberal in the US. She was also the second straight victory in consecutive years. woman to sit on the Supreme Court. End Page 7 ®

weltersORGANISATION WORLDWIDE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND MANUFACTURING

The Originators and Leaders in the industry

INNOVATION BY DESIGN Creative and original Over the past three decades, welters® have introduced new and innovative above and below ground interment and memorial facilities to the industry.

Today, many of these systems are accepted as standard nationwide and the company continues to produce new and original concepts, leading the way into the next decade.

Supplying products & systems for all full body interment needs, below & above ground, cremated remains & memorialisation.

Visit us at www.welters-worldwide.com Page 8 Creativity keeping road workers safe

and the country moving July

Highways England has followed to get essential roadworks done without are finding innovative solutions Government guidance and continued to compromising the safety of workers. to keeping workers safe on site carry out essential maintenance and press by adapting existing technology ahead with major schemes to get supplies We are proud of the way that during these designed to alert workers when and workers where they need to be during difficult times our teams have carried on heavy equipment is close by. the lockdown. working to keep the country moving and through various safeguarding measures By reprogramming radio But to ensure workers are also protected have been able to help prevent the spread transponders worn on a waistband and can stick to strict COVID-19 of COVID-19.” we have been able to provide a restrictions, teams have developed some protective bubble around all our creative ways to maintain social distancing In the South West workers have been workers. When someone gets close – ranging from waistband alarms that alert wearing devices tied around their waists to two metres away a buzzer is set workers to anyone within 2m to virtual which sets off a buzzer in their safety off in the workers hard hat to alert safety inspections. helmets if someone gets too close. them and social distancing can be maintained.” Highways England Executive Director, The technology was already being used Commercial and Procurement Malcolm by Highways England contractor, Barrier Dare said: Service Ltd, to alert workers on site when heavy equipment and machinery was “During the coronavirus crisis maintaining moving nearby. The transponders have now a safe road network while ensuring our been adapted to alert workers to anyone workers are protected has been the priority. close to two metres away.

Project teams across the country, from Mark Fox, Head of Scheme Delivery in the both Highways England and our supply South West, said: chains, have taken up that challenge and developed creative and innovative ways “With the help of our contractors we

Page 9 Follow the guidelines prevent coronavirus including daily The system is being used on barrier Keep 2m distance briefings and updates, COVID-19 replacement schemes on the M4, M5 and Wash your hands risk assessments, social distancing, M32. deep cleaning and pop-up In Manchester, an important operation to handwashing stations. It is hoped that the waistband devices will lift a bridge – weighing around 800 tonnes shortly be replaced with a smaller, armband - looked like it might not take place when Low traffic numbers – which have alert. a key member of the team could not be fallen by up to 85 per cent during present because of COVID-19 restrictions. the lockdown – have also enabled While in the West Midlands, managers have schemes across the country to been able to carry out safety checks on Highways England is repairing the safely carry out work during the work sites and depots through a virtual tour 200m-long bridge which carries the M60 daytime. which has avoided the need for additional over the River Mersey and Palatine Road people to travel there. near Didsbury and needed to lift it by 5mm This gives the teams a longer so the work could take place. working window than they have Wearing a mounted portable camera and overnight so can finish the headset, a supervisor already working on Balfour Beatty’s permanent works designer roadworks more quickly and means site has been directed around the facilities Phil Davis was unable to attend because residents are not disturbed by noise by the managers through Microsoft Teams. of the lockdown but was vital to the work. during the evening. This enables them to view different areas Using Microsoft Teams, Phil could monitor and facilities as well as ask questions of the situation from his home and help The A500 Etruria Widening Scheme workers on site. complete the job without compromising in north Staffordshire, adding an anyone’s health or safety. extra lane in each direction to the As well as the usual safety checks they busy dual carriageway, has been have also been able to check the COVID-19 Balvac, Balfour Beatty’s repair, able to switch to daytime working to measures such as wash stations and strengthening, refurbishment and protection get ahead of schedule. vehicle sanitisation are all in place. specialist, is the principal contractor on the scheme to repair the 15 concrete columns While in the South West a number of Elsewhere, hi-vis jackets have been issued that the M60 bridge currently rests on. projects have been brought forward to those working on the A45/A6 Chowns and completed in April and May Mill roundabout improvements project The bridge was originally constructed using including six resurfacing schemes which carry messages to remind workers to reinforced concrete in the early part of the on the A30, A38 and M5 and the keep their distance. 1970s and some of the steel inside the replacement of six-and-a-half miles concrete has now begun to rust. of central reservation barrier along Workers on the Northamptonshire scheme the M32, M5 and M4. wear jackets carrying the warnings: Across the country Highways England projects have introduced strict measures to Page 10 New video tech to increase remote

hearings in civil and family courts July

- The Cloud Video Platform is being Training rooms can also be set up so that plan, which sets out how courts extended to civil and family courts sessions may be rehearsed before they go will tackle the expected increase in live. - Over 120 courts set to have more reliable video tech that improves remote court Extending it to civil and family proceedings hearings means that all courts in England and Wales will have the technology needed to hold - Roll out is part of HMCTS recovery plan to remote hearings – giving users a safer, ensure justice continues to be served reliable, and more accessible service, while ensuring justice continues to be delivered. It follows the successful implementation of the Cloud Video Platform (CVP) across 60 Courts Minister, Chris Philp, said: crown courts and 93 magistrates’ courts. The technology has been used in some “We have worked closely with the judiciary 3,600 crown court hearings and more than to continue thousands of hearings during 7,000 overnight remand cases heard by the pandemic. magistrates. This new system will bolster our efforts to CVP can be accessed by any device that prioritise urgent cases and increase our has a camera and a microphone – such capacity to hear them remotely – ensuring as a mobile phone or tablet. Anyone can justice is delivered effectively and safely.” join easily, and securely, through a web browser, and sessions can be locked to Today’s (1 July 2020) announcement make sure only appropriate parties join. forms part of the wider HMCTS recovery

Page 11 outstanding cases following the pandemic in a safe way. Plans include: Comprehensive new funding - Increasing capacity by identifying several package for councils to help address new ‘Nightingale’ court sites to increase capacity coronavirus pressures and cover lost July - Assessing whether there is a need to income during the pandemic extend operating hours - Government announces new The government has delivered an comprehensive package of support unprecedented package of support - Determining how best to hold jury trials in to address spending pressures and in to councils over recent months, and a socially distanced way recognition of lost income councils in England will now receive

a further, unringfenced £500 million Thanks to dedicated HMCTS staff and the - Further £500 million brings funding given to respond to spending pressures judiciary, the number of criminal, civil and to support local councils with pressures to they are facing. family cases involving remote technology £4.3 billion, part of a package of over £27 has increased by 90% since the pandemic billion to help councils, businesses and Recognising that councils are began. This has meant that domestic abuse communities best placed to decide how to meet victims could continue to obtain protection orders, children could be safeguarded, and dangerous suspects would not be released - New scheme will also reimburse councils from jail as their remand expired. for lost income and allow council and business rates tax deficits to be repaid over The CVP roll out will ensure that these 3 years instead of one vital cases continue to be heard safely and securely. The extension to county courts A major new support package to help will take place over the next few months to councils respond to coronavirus has been cover every civil and family court site. announced by Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick today, Thursday 2 July, as CVP is being rolled out to further Crown part of a comprehensive plan to ensure and Magistrates’ courts this month, and it’s councils’ financial sustainability for the scheduled to be available in all our criminal future. courtrooms by the end of July. Page 12 pressures in their local area, this funding unsung heroes of this pandemic. has not been ringfenced. Today I am providing a further In addition to this funding, a major new package of support that takes our scheme introduced by the government support for councils during this today will help to reimburse lost income pandemic to £4.3 billion to help during the pandemic and boost cash flow. meet the immediate pressures councils are facing. I know that the Where losses are more than 5% of a loss of revenue from car parks and council’s planned income from sales, fees leisure centres has created huge and charges, the government will cover difficulties, so I am introducing a them for 75p in every pound lost. providers through a new infection control new scheme to help cover these fund losses. Additionally, to enable them to get on the front foot and build much-needed breathing - Over £20 billion in support for businesses This government will continue to space into their budgets, the government stand shoulder to shoulder with is also bringing in changes so that they can - £500 million in council tax hardship funds councils and communities as we spread their tax deficits over 3 years rather to offer economic support to the most recover from this pandemic as we than the usual one. vulnerable renew our commitment to unite and level up the country.” Overall, in the last 6 months, government - £300 million to support track and trace has worked closely with local authorities The package also follows the Prime to understand their needs and provided Local Government Secretary Robert Minister’s announcement yesterday more than £27 billion to help councils, Jenrick MP said: of the fast tracking of £96 million of businesses and communities through investment through the Towns Fund COVID-19. “Councils are playing a huge part in to help kick-start activity in town supporting their communities during this centres and high streets, improve This comprehensive support includes: pandemic. From supporting the most outdoor spaces, build cycle lanes vulnerable and keeping vital services and more. £360 million will also be - £3.2 billion of new funding to councils running to operating local track and trace, provided to redevelop brownfield council workers have been at the forefront sites to provide much-needed -£600 million to adult social care to support of this great national effort and are the housing. Page 13 Scheme to cover councils’ lost income This will allow authorities to pay deficits off By introducing a 5% deductible the Recognising the unprecedented impact the in a reasonable timescale and will limit their government is accounting for an pandemic has had on councils’ income cashflow pressures. acceptable level of volatility, whilst from car parks, museums and other cultural shielding authorities from the worst assets, the government is introducing a Minister for Regional Growth and Local losses. scheme to compensate them for these Government Simon Clarke MP said: losses. In the next Spending Review, “Since the start of this pandemic, local the government will agree an This means that all relevant losses, over councils have been at the forefront of our apportionment of irrecoverable and above the first 5% of planned income national effort to tackle the virus, and they council tax and business rates from sales, fees and charges, will be will continue to play a significant role as we losses between central and local compensated for at a rate of 75p in every look towards our recovery. government for 2020 to 2021. pound. We are more committed than ever to unite Beyond the support provided, This balances the need to provide and level up this country and this package any council that is faced with compensation given the scale of the will ensure councils have access to vital, an unmanageable pressure or income losses, encouraging councils to additional funding so they can continue is concerned about their future manage and minimise loss where they can to serve their communities as they so financial position should contact and giving them the certainty they need. admirably have done to date.” Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In the next Spending Review, we will Further information determine what support councils need to The Barnett formula will apply in the help them meet the pressures of income Further details on the allocations of the usual way to additional funding. The loss from council tax and business rates. funding will be made in due course. devolved administrations will therefore initially receive almost As part of this, the Local Government The new income loss scheme will involve £100 million in relation to this Secretary also announced today a proposal a 5% deductible rate, whereby councils announcement. This comprises £50 for a phased repayment of council tax and will pay the first 5% of all lost planned million for the Scottish Government, business rates deficits over 3 years, rather sales, fees and charges income, with the £30 million for the Welsh than requiring complete repayment of government compensating them for 75p in Government and £15 million for the deficits next year. every pound of loss thereafter. Northern Ireland Executive. Page 14 Additional Tooling Capacity ® Further production uplift by welters with additional tooling capacity. All coming on stream next week. Knowledge, experience and expertise over weltersORGANISATION many years being rolled out in new product development and response. WORLDWIDE Social media post Design and Innovation

Page 15 Ventilator Challenge hailed a success as

UK production finishes July

Scientific modelling at the start of the newly adapted for the Ventilator coronavirus crisis predicted that the “The Ventilator Challenge has proven Challenge, is now available for NHS was going to run out of ventilators, just how much Britain can achieve export abroad. Learning from so the Government launched the when confronted with a difficult problem their experiences of the Ventilator Ventilator Challenge with a call to arms – bringing together the best minds in Challenge Penlon are now setting to manufacturers and medical device manufacturing, innovation and design. up a new line aimed at exporting companies to step up production of existing across the world. designs and design new ventilators from Thanks to these efforts, everyone who scratch. needed a ventilator has had access to Chancellor of the Duchy of one, and the NHS has the vital machines Lancaster Michael Gove said: The Government received an overwhelming it needs to continue providing life-saving response, with over 5000 companies support against this deadly virus.” “The Ventilator Challenge has offering their support and over 7500 been a great success and I would members of staff contributing to the effort. UK production of ventilators under the like to thank every manufacturer Ventilator Challenge is to draw to a close and designer, and their incredible Thanks to the extraordinary sacrifices this weekend with 14,000 devices expected workforces, for the huge part they’ve of the British people, and to businesses to have been produced in around three played in the national effort to across the United Kingdom in joining the months, accounting for over a half of all protect our NHS and save lives. national effort, the NHS has been protected the ventilators now available to the NHS throughout the coronavirus crisis and frontline. In around three months, industry everyone who needed a ventilator has been has stepped up to make 14,000 able to access one. It has also been confirmed that the Penlon new machines to save lives on the ventilator has had its CE mark confirmed, NHS frontline and to help safeguard Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: meaning that the device, which was against any future outbreak.

Page 16 up the production of existing devices and stages within weeks. Four of The Ventilator Challenge has shown calling on manufacturers who do not make these designs, the Dyson/TTP that UK manufacturing always rises to ventilators, to help design and build new CoVent, the Babcock Zephyr+, the the challenge at a time of national need. models. Cambridge Consultants Veloci- Everyone involved is truly a hero of the Vent and the Swagelok Piran Vent, coronavirus crisis.” The Ventilator Challenge helped scale up were deemed to have achieved the production of three models (paraPAC, a performance level which met The programme has formed a key part of a Vivo65 and Nippy4+) and helped guide one the MHRA’s requirements. The successful three pillar strategy to increase newly adapted model, the Penlon ESO 2, independent testing organisation the number of mechanical ventilators, with all the way through regulatory approval. (MD-TEC) concluded that they over 25,000 devices now available in total would have all been clinically usable to the NHS, up from 9,000 before the start A number of other UK manufacturers also as pandemic ventilators and could of the pandemic. Over 2,500 have been progressed novel designs to advanced have supported large numbers imported from abroad. of critically ill patients. Ultimately these designs were not progressed Health and Social Care Secretary Matt to mass production as part of the Hancock said: Ventilator Challenge due to reduced demand. “We protected the NHS during this global pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 Director of the Medical Devices showed the best and the brightest stepping Testing and Evaluation Centre, forward to serve their country. The response which tested the Ventilator the government received to this challenge Challenge devices, Dr Tom Clutton- was astonishing. Brock, said:

Alongside the government’s wider ventilator “Designing, manufacturing and strategy, the Ventilator Challenge has testing ventilators usually takes played a crucial role in ensuring everyone years. So it’s outstanding the who has needed a ventilator during this progress which has been made in a pandemic has had access to one.” space of months.

The Government’s strategy involved Having tested all of these devices, procuring devices from overseas, scaling it’s impressive that several new Page 17 models met the regulator’s requirements. ourselves to do everything required Guru Krishnamoorthy, CEO Penlon said: and continue to provide high quality These models would all have been clinically medical devices.” usable as pandemic ventilators and could “It has been an amazing and humbling have supported large numbers of critically experience for Penlon to be a part of such Raffi Stepanian, CEO Breas ill patients.” a nationally important project. There is Medical said: nothing more purposeful for a UK medical The NHS now has a readily available device company than rising to an occasion “I would like to thank my colleagues, supply of devices that will enable the health like this to save thousands of lives. our suppliers and the UK Cabinet service to have resilience of supply for Office for the extraordinary efforts possible future pandemics. Every member of Penlon has put in their everyone has made to address the best lifetime efforts into this project. We emergency need for ventilators and Penlon and Smiths, who are part of the have been supported extremely well by the to support us to ramp up capacity. Ventilator Challenge UK consortium have members and leaders of the Consortium The ingenuity, commitment, so far delivered over 10,000 devices. companies, our suppliers and other pace and collaboration has been Penlon is now making more ventilators in business partners. We take this opportunity breathtaking and truly inspirational one day than the company used to deliver to thank each one of them. We wish the all against the backdrop of such in ten months, further underlining the people of the UK and rest of the world demanding circumstances.” success of the scaling up of the device. a very safe and healthy life. We commit

The last Penlon and Smiths devices will be delivered this weekend, subject to final manufacturing and testing, and with the addition of the final Breas devices arriving in the coming weeks, we expect the Ventilator Challenge will produce a total of over 14,000 devices.

In addition, today there are also around 11,000 non-invasive ventilators and almost 5,000 CPAP machines available to the NHS across the UK which were not available before the start of the crisis. Page 18 Armed Forces lead tributes to Dame

Vera Lynn at her funeral July

The Armed Forces led the nation in saying her memory. airmen, and airwomen; she farewell to the Forces’ Sweetheart with a maintained a close connection with series of ceremonial tributes at the funeral of As we approach the 75th anniversary of VJ the Armed Forces throughout her Dame Vera Lynn today. Day, we remember her performances for life. The Royal Navy, the British Army troops in Burma during the Second World and the Royal Air Force are proud Dame Vera enjoyed a special connection War, bringing a welcome reminder of home to be part of the final farewell to the with the Armed Forces and personnel from to those fighting in the Far East. Her support Forces’ Sweetheart and celebrate a the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force helped to sustain the fortitude of British life well-lived.” led the tributes in a solemn ceremony at the personnel deployed around the world and request of her family. those waiting for them to return. Personnel from Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, HMS Personnel from all three services lined the We remember her life with fond memories, Collingwood and the Queen’s Colour streets and carried Dame Vera’s coffin into and all that she gave to our country in its Squadron of the RAF Regiment lined the private ceremony. Royal Marines bugler time of need.” the route of the funeral cortège in Corporal Kimberley Hare sounded The Last Ditchling this afternoon. Post and Reveille during the service. Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter said: Aircraft from the Battle of Britain Cpl Kimberley Hare of the Royal Marines Memorial Flight performed a flypast sounded The Last Post during the funeral “Dame Vera Lynn’s stirring performances over Ditchling before returning to brought comfort and joy to personnel serving RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Paying tribute to Dame Vera, Defence far from home and lifted the nation during Secretary Ben Wallace said: the darkest of times. The Armed Forces will Two Second World War-era Spitfires forever be grateful to Dame Vera Lynn for from the Battle of Britain Memorial “Dame Vera’s inspirational work in support her service. Our thoughts today are with her Flight performed a tribute flypast of our Armed Forces will never be forgotten family for their loss, but her lasting legacy of and my thoughts are with her family and lifting spirits will remain. The Armed Forces are honoured to loved ones at this time. In tribute to her life, have held such a prominent role in our services have come together to pay their Dame Vera has been close to the hearts of today’s events and to pay tribute to respects at Dame Vera’s funeral and honour generations of soldiers, sailors, marines, such a significant icon.

Page 19 A Silver Lining ® weltersORGANISATION WORLDWIDE Social media post Design and Innovation

Page 20 HMRC invites hospitality industry to

register for Eat Out to Help Out July

Restaurants and other establishments within five working days. Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First serving food for on-premises consumption Permanent Secretary of HMRC, can now sign up to a new government The scheme is open to eligible said: initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the establishments across the UK and can be hospitality industry and encouraging people used all day, every Monday to Wednesday, “The hospitality industry is among to safely return to dining out. between 3 and 31 August 2020. the sectors worst affected by COVID-19. The Eat Out to Help Out The Eat Out to Help Out registration service Businesses will receive a window sticker to Scheme will deliver support to more went live this morning on GOV.UK, allowing show they are using the scheme and can than 100,000 businesses, including businesses to join the scheme announced download promotional items from GOV.UK. restaurants, cafes and bars serving last week by Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of food and drink, helping to protect the Exchequer. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak 1.8 million jobs across the UK. said: Restaurants, bars, cafes and other Registering is easy, and we urge establishments who use the scheme will “Restaurants and other eligible businesses to sign up early so they offer a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of establishments are now able to support are ready to use the scheme when it £10 per person, to all diners who eat and/or jobs by signing up to a place on the Eat Out starts on 3 August. drink-in throughout August. to Help Out Scheme. Businesses have made great efforts Customers do not need a voucher as HMRC’s quick and easy registration to re-open their sit-down services participating establishments will just page will soon have you on your way to safely in line with social distancing remove the discount from their bill. welcoming back your customers with guidance, so people can feel Businesses simply reclaim the discounted discounted dining on every Monday to confident to dine out again. amount through an online service, Wednesday throughout August, with a supported by HM Revenue and Customs simple process to reclaim these discounts Businesses can find information (HMRC). Claims can be made on a weekly back from the Government each week.” about the scheme and how to basis and will be paid into bank accounts register online at GOV.UK.” Page 21 Who can register?

You can register for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme if your establishment: Roll-out of 2 new rapid sells food that is intended for consumption coronavirus tests ahead of on the premises when purchased provides its own dining area or shares a winter August dining area with another establishment for eat-in meals - Both tests will be able to detect COVID-19 settings. has registered as a food business with the and other winter viruses in just 90 minutes relevant local authority on or before 7 July This will help to further strengthen How to register - New tests will hugely increase testing the coronavirus response this capacity ahead of winter, delivering fast winter, arming both clinicians and Businesses can register to be part of the results that will help to break chains of NHS Test and Trace with the ability scheme online at GOV.UK. transmission quickly to distinguish between COVID-19 cases, which have specific self- A searchable restaurant finder tool will be Millions of ground-breaking rapid isolation requirements, and other available to the public before the scheme coronavirus tests will be rolled out to winter viruses. launches on 3 August. hospitals, care homes and labs across the UK to increase testing capacity ahead of Health Secretary Matt Hancock The scheme can be used by diners who winter. The tests will enable clinicians and said: order food and/or drinks for consumption NHS Test and Trace to quickly advise on on the premises. Alcohol is excluded from the best course of action to stop the spread We’re using the most innovative the offer. of the virus. technologies available to tackle coronavirus. Millions of new rapid Two new tests – both able to detect the coronavirus tests will provide virus in just 90 minutes – will be made on-the-spot results in under 90 available to NHS hospitals, care homes and minutes, helping us to break chains labs. The 2 tests will be able to detect both of transmission quickly. COVID-19 and other winter viruses such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The fact these tests can detect flu The tests do not require a trained health as well as COVID-19 will be hugely professional to operate them, meaning beneficial as we head into winter, so they can be rolled out in more non-clinical patients can follow the right advice

Page 22 to protect themselves and others. West Middlesex University Hospital to process swab and saliva samples Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to detect the presence of COVID-19 I am hugely grateful for the excellent Royal Hospital Chelsea in 60 to 90 minutes. work done by DnaNudge and Oxford Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Maternity Nanopore to push forward these life-saving Hospital The new test has the same innovations in coronavirus testing. the Renal Transplant Centre at sensitivity as the widely used PCR Hammersmith Hospital swab test, but can be used to A new test that uses DNA to detect the Tower Hamlets Centre for Mental Health process swabs in labs, as well as the virus will be rolled out across NHS at Mile End Hospital on-location through ‘pop up’ labs. hospitals from September, with 5,000 The desktop GridION machine DNA machines, supplied by DnaNudge, The machines are located in cancer wards, can process up to 15,000 tests a to provide 5.8 million tests in the coming A&E and maternity wards to protect those day, or the palm-sized MinION can months. most at risk. process up to 2,000 tests a day for deployment in a near-community Separately, 450,000 90-minute LamPORE The government is signing contracts with ‘pop-up’ lab. swab tests will also be available across more companies to produce machines for adult care setting and laboratories from DNA coronavirus testing. 450,000 of the new LamPORE next week, supplied by Oxford Nanopore. tests will be available from next Rapid LamPORE tests week across adult care settings, DNA testing for coronavirus NHS laboratories and lighthouse The new rapid LamPORE test will be able laboratories, with millions more tests 5,000 DNA ‘Nudgebox’ machines, supplied to be rolled out later in the year. by DnaNudge, will be rolled out across NHS hospitals in the UK to analyse DNA Details of positive test results will in nose swabs, providing a positive or be shared with NHS Test and Trace, negative result for COVID-19 in 90 minutes, so close contacts can self-isolate in at the point of care. The machines will line with guidance. process up to 15 tests on the spot each day without the need for a laboratory. Regius Professor Chris Toumazou FRS, CEO and co-founder of The DNA COVID-19 test machines are DnaNudge and founder of the currently operating in 8 London hospitals: Institute of Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington commented: Charing Cross Hospital

Page 23 The DnaNudge team worked with high performance technology that has a tests to the UK – critical to support incredible speed and skill during the peak profound, positive impact on society. expanded testing at a time when of the pandemic to deliver this highly global supply chains are squeezed accurate, rapid COVID-19 test, which LamPORE has the potential to deliver a for traditional tests. requires absolutely no laboratory or highly effective and, crucially, accessible pipettes and can be deployed anywhere global testing solution, not only for About LamPORE with a direct sample-to-result in around just COVID-19 but for a range of other over an hour. pathogens. We are delighted to be working LamPORE uses a method called with the UK government to support and RT-LAMP to identify and amplify We have been able to successfully adapt empower our communities to effectively the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an original our in-store consumer DNA testing manage testing at a national and localised sample, and Oxford Nanopore’s technology – which identifies genetic risks level. sequencing technology to precisely for chronic conditions related to obesity identify the amplified virus. It tests and type 2 diabetes – and validate it for Background information for active infection, providing a detecting COVID-19 with gold-standard About DnaNudge complementary testing solution to accuracy. antibody detection, currently only DnaNudge, based in London, is a retail able to indicate a previous infection. We are extremely proud to be playing such based, on-the-spot genetic testing service a pivotal role in supporting the national that provides product recommendations LamPORE includes a control effort on testing, as this major contract suited to your DNA to promote a healthy mechanism that detects and award signifies. With the ability to test not lifestyle. invalidates samples where there has only for COVID-19 but also FluA, FluB and been an error in sample collection. RSV on the same single COVID-19 Nudge DnaNudge’s new RNA COVID-19 tests cartridge, our multiplex test offers a vital are based on DnaNudge DNA testing solution to protect the NHS as we head into innovation delivering processing outside the flu season. of a laboratory environment, using DnaNudge’s patented and miniaturised Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford ‘NudgeBox’ analyser, which can be used Nanopore, said: anywhere.

We are honoured to be playing a part in About Oxford Nanopore fighting COVID-19 in the UK, and preparing the country for the winter virus season. Oxford Nanopore, which last year built a Ever since we founded Oxford Nanopore, factory in Oxfordshire, is a rapidly growing our mission has been to create disruptive, business that is scaling its operations to be able to provide substantial volumes of Page 24 TM weltersPage 25 ART Government further boosts UK vaccine

manufacturing capacity August

- Government partners with Wockhardt to company Wockhardt to carry out the crucial provide ‘fill and finish’ services as part of the ‘fill and finish’ stage of the manufacturing Today we have secured additional effort to accelerate vaccine manufacturing process, which involves dispensing the capacity to manufacture millions in the UK manufactured vaccine substance into vials of doses of multiple COVID-19 ready for it to be distributed. candidates, guaranteeing the supply - Wockhardt’s facility in North Wales could start work on COVID-19 vaccines as early This is an essential part of the vaccines as September 2020 supply chain and as part of this deal, Wockhardt will provide these services - agreement will help ensure people in the for the UK government and producers of UK can receive a safe and effective vaccine vaccines being developed around the world as quickly as possible once one becomes in large quantities. available The fill and finish line is expected to start The UK’s vaccine manufacturing in September 2020. It will take place at capabilities will be further boosted today CP Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of (Monday 3 August) thanks to a new deal Wockhardt, based in Wrexham, North to considerably increase capacity in a Wales, which has the capacity to finish crucial part of the manufacturing process millions of coronavirus vaccine doses. for COVID-19 vaccines, advancing efforts to ensure a successful vaccine is widely Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: available to the public. “Ensuring the UK has the capability to The government has entered into research, develop and manufacture a safe an 18-month agreement with global and effective vaccine is critical in our fight pharmaceutical and biotechnology against coronavirus. Page 26 of vaccines we need to protect people with the UK government to make vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in across the UK rapidly and in large numbers.” available and the arrangement brings Braintree, Essex, to accelerate the in a huge sense of purpose and pride, it mass production of a successful Kate Bingham, Chair of the Vaccines upholds our ongoing commitment to fight COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. Taskforce said: against such a pandemic of global human importance. As a global organisation, While the Vaccines Manufacturing “Never before have we needed to find and we are focused and committed to assist and Innovation Centre is under manufacture a vaccine at this speed and in mitigating the worldwide impact of construction, the government has scale in order to protect the UK population. COVID-19.” invested an additional £38 million to establish a rapid deployment facility We have made significant progress in Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart opening later this summer. securing a diverse portfolio of potential said: vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, Wockhardt is a global adding a fourth vaccine candidate from “This agreement demonstrates the pharmaceutical and biotech GSK and Sanofi earlier this week. However, importance of Welsh manufacturers in the organisation that brings affordable, discovering a successful vaccine is only UK’s fight against coronavirus, highlighting high quality medicines to market. part of the solution, we also need to be able once again the strengths of working In the UK, Wockhardt is one of the to manufacture it. together across the UK to combat the largest suppliers into the NHS for pandemic. over 20 years, has had a presence Fill and finish is a critical step in the process in Wrexham for over 2 decades to get the vaccine in a form to be given to Securing this manufacturing capacity and employs over 400 people at patients. The agreement with Wockhardt will means that safe and effective vaccines, its 612,000 square feet high-tech boost our capability to ensure that from the produced in Wales, will potentially be manufacturing facility. moment a successful vaccine is identified distributed rapidly to people across the UK.” we will be able to produce the quantities of The news follows the government vaccine required, as quickly as possible, for The agreement with Wockhardt securing early access to millions of the people who need it.” complements the new Vaccines vaccine doses from AstraZeneca Manufacturing and Innovation Centre, for the University of Oxford vaccine, Founder Chairman of Wockhardt Dr Habil which is currently under construction BioNTech/Pfizer alliance, Valneva Khorakiwala said: in Oxfordshire as a result of £93 million and GSK/Sanofi as part of its government investment. The UK’s vaccine strategy to build a strong portfolio of “The pandemic of COVID-19 is a challenge manufacturing efforts are further supported promising new vaccines to protect for all and needs a concerted effort to by an additional £100 million for a state- the UK from COVID-19. overcome. We are proud to be collaborating of-the-art Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

Page 27 Projects to heat homes through disused mines and faster offshore wind farm construction win government backing August - 17 research projects across the UK will Projects include heating homes and Alok Sharma during a visit to Belfast receive up to £50,000 each to drive local businesses in Glasgow using energy today. At the site in Belfast Harbour, economic growth, provide skills training and from disused mines, digitising the UK the Business Secretary is expected create high-value jobs construction sector so it is safer and more to meet with partners of the project productive, researching quicker ways of to hear how it plans to establish - projects include accelerating building diagnosing cancer, and accelerating building Belfast as a global leader in zero of offshore wind farms in the South West, of large scale offshore wind farms in the emissions maritime technology. digitising construction sites in the North South West of England. East, and creating low carbon heat from Business Secretary Alok Sharma disused mines in Glasgow Through the second round of UK Research said: and Innovation’s (UKRI) flagship Strength - funding forms part of government plans to in Places Fund, each project will be able to “We are backing our innovators and power up the country’s economic recovery apply for a further longer-term investment with the support they need to turn through research and development of £10-50 million later this year if the early great ideas into first-class industries, stages of development are successful. products and technologies. Ambitious research and innovation projects across the UK will today (Tuesday 11 It follows the announcement by the From virtual construction projects to August) receive up to £50,000 each of government in June this year of the first extracting clean heat from disused government funding, supporting their aim to wave of the fund, which saw 7 projects mines, the pioneering projects we create high value jobs, upskill local workers across the UK benefit from over £400 are funding today will help create and boost economic growth. million of government and industry funding jobs and boost skills across the UK to develop their research and innovation as we continue to drive forward our The 17 projects, running from Glasgow and projects. economic recovery.” Belfast, through to Nottingham and parts of Cornwall, will help the UK to respond One of these projects, Artemis Technologies, The projects to some of the world’s most pressing led a consortium that was awarded £33 challenges – from climate change to the million to develop zero emissions ferries in Projects each receiving up to production of medicines. Northern Ireland – a project which will be £50,000 of early stage government viewed first-hand by Business Secretary funding include: Page 28 Britain’s offshore wind exports Midlands as a supercluster for net HotScot, led by the University of zero transport. The project will form Strathclyde The International Centre for Connected part of the UK’s commitment to Construction, led by Northumbria carbon neutrality by 2050, creating HotScot will provide low-cost, low carbon University thousands of new and upskilled jobs. heat to Scottish homes and businesses by extracting energy from disused, flooded This project will bring together experts The Northern Ireland Precision mines in Glasgow. By overseeing 3 new from industry, academia and the public Biomarkers and Therapeutics geothermal minewater projects, the sector to create, test, and bring to market Consortium, a consortium led by consortium aims to deliver economic growth new technologies involving 3D modelling, Queen’s University Belfast equivalent to £303 million and around 9,800 smart cities and cloud computing. This will jobs across the Central Belt of Scotland help engineers to tackle potential problems This project bring partners from before building has even begun, ultimately industry and academia together to South West Floating Offshore Wind speeding up construction and improving develop new, more cost-effective Accelerator, led by the offshore safety on building sites. The project aims targeted drugs and antibodies, as renewable energy research company to create 500 jobs across the North East, well as researching new, quicker Wave Hub making the construction industry cleaner, ways of diagnosing cancer. The long safer, and more productive term aim is to attract and secure This will build on Cornwall and Plymouth’s highly-skilled jobs to the region world-renowned excellence in offshore Trans-Mid, led by the University of while making Northern Ireland’s renewables business and research, to fast Nottingham life and health science sector more track the building of large-scale floating productive. offshore wind farms in the Celtic Sea from Trans-Mid will partner universities with 2025 onwards. This will enable the region transport technology businesses, as well Today’s funding forms part of the to make a decisive contribution to Britain’s as local suppliers to the vehicle, aerospace government’s ambitious commitment offshore wind target of 40 gigawatts by and rail industries to develop new green to increase public spending in 2030, and also target a five-fold increase in products, with the aim of establishing the research and development (R&D) by £22 billion by 2024/25, putting the UK on track to reach 2.4% of GDP being spent on R&D across the UK economy by 2027.

It also follows the publication of the government’s R&D roadmap last month, which sets out plans to drive the country’s economic recovery through research and development and level up UK regions.

Page 29 Chamber Stock ® Another ‘of the moment’ example of welters ‘art of manufacturing’ in chamber stock to facilitate the current demand for product in response to market weltersORGANISATION requirements. welters provide the widest range of chamber designs, types WORLDWIDE and sizes in the UK and beyond Social media post Design and Innovation

Page 30 New help on offer for disabled people

working from home during the pandemicAugust

Disabled people can now benefit from to and move into employment. - Applying for funding is easy - financial support to work from home, thanks to an extension to the Access to Work New extensions to the scheme scheme. - You can get grant funding if you’re - People who are clinically extremely disabled and need support to work from vulnerable can get new applications for home because of Covid-19, which can grant funding fast-tracked. help pay for special equipment such as a screen reader or video remote interpreting - Funding can now cover taxi fares and or support worker services. public transport costs, if a health condition prevents you from travelling on public - This funding can also be fast-tracked if transport during the pandemic. you’re in the clinically extremely vulnerable group. Those working from home or in the workplace with a disability will benefit from - If you’re travelling into the office and due extra help, thanks to an extension of the to your health condition public transport Access to Work scheme, including support isn’t a safe option for you at the moment, for special equipment, travel costs and you can also apply for financial support with mental health. things like taxi fares.

Covid-19 is changing the way we work - If you are anxious about returning to work and impacting working environments and and need support, you can also get mental arrangements. With many employers asking health support through Access to Work with workers to adapt to a new environment, a tailored package of support for up to nine Access to Work can play a key role in months. supporting disabled people to retain, return Page 31 either online at: gov.uk/access-to-work or over the phone on 0800 121 7479. Following a short assessment, you can start getting support. Pupils start returning to Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Justin Tomlinson said: schools in England September “In these unprecedented times, it is absolutely right that we continue to support Hundreds of thousands of children and back into classrooms for the autumn disabled people to pursue employment young people across England will reunite term. without barriers. with their teachers and friends as schools and colleges start to open their gates from Pupils will return to school This extension of funding and support will today (Tuesday 1 September). environments with a ‘system help to protect thousands of jobs which of controls’ in place to keep all provide vital independence allowing After months of hard work and dedication pupils, teachers and staff safe by disabled people to reach their full potential.” from school staff across the country to minimising direct contacts and implement protective measures first set out maintaining social distancing About Access to Work in July, pupils will begin to be welcomed wherever possible.

The Access to Work scheme is designed The new school term follows the to help people who are disabled or have unanimous backing for a full return a physical or mental health condition stay from the Chief Medical Officers in employment. Last year, it provided across the four nations of the UK in personalised support to a record 36,000 their recent consensus statement, people with disabilities and health highlighting that the health risk conditions to do their job. posed by Covid-19 to children is extremely low and noting the It can help you speak to your employers significant risk to young people’s about changes they need to support you, wellbeing if they are not back in and can even provide grants up to £60,000 school. A British Medical Journal to keep your job accessible. Your grant is study also said that the risk of tailor-made to your needs and you’ll be severe illness due to Covid for assigned an Access to Work adviser to children was ‘vanishingly small’. support you through the process. Last week the National Association Page 32 of Head Teachers published survey findings ensure the risk of transmission is reduced. science and medical advice. that highlighted 97 per cent of schools plan to welcome all pupils full-time from the start The Education Secretary and Schools Consistent with the latest Public of the autumn term and will have the range Minister have both been visiting schools Health England advice, strict of recommended safety measures in place. ahead of the new term and have praised hygiene and cleaning protocols will The remaining 3 per cent have outlined some of the innovative ways schools will be in place along with a one-off PPE that they will phase students back or using be looking after children including the supply boost being distributed to transition periods to reopen more widely. use of cleaning stations, and staggered schools for use in the small number breaks, keeping pupils in ‘bubbles’, social of instances where it is necessary. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: distancing and safety on transport. All children will stay in groups “For many, today marks the first day of a School term start dates will vary across or bubbles to reduce the risk of new school year, with thousands of children the country, with approximately 40 per cent spreading infection, and older set to walk through their school gates again schools expected to start term today, and children in particular will be as schools across the country begin to bringing teachers and pupils back to school expected to follow social distancing reopen for full-time education for all pupils. over the coming days. guidelines. Face coverings should also be worn in communal areas in I do not underestimate how challenging the It remains the Government’s priority to secondary schools in any areas with last few months have been but I do know continue to support schools, nurseries local lockdowns in place. how important it is for children to be back in and colleges through the next few months, school, not only for their education but for continually guided by the best possible As the shielding advice for all adults their development and wellbeing too. and children was paused on 1 August, even the small number of But it is down to the sheer hard work of pupils who remain on the shielded so many teachers and school staff that patient list can also return to school, from today pupils will be able to learn in as can those who have family their classrooms together again. It has not members who were shielding. been easy for parents nor schools, but we could not have got to this point without your Pupils are encouraged to walk, support and I cannot say thank you enough cycle or scoot to school but the for this.” Government is also to providing an additional £40 million to local Today’s return for pupils follows the authorities to increase home to reopening of schools in Leicestershire last school transport and ease pressure week, with the Prime Minister visiting to see on public transport. first-hand the practical steps being taken to Page 33 Scottish diners eat more than 6.3 million

meals to support hospitality sector September

Thousands of jobs across Scotland have £38 million, with an average discount of been supported after statistics revealed £6.10 a meal. This has meant more jobs These numbers are likely to grow, that more than 6.3 million meals were eaten being supported as a result of people going with restaurants having until the in Scotland as part of the landmark Eat Out out and boosting the economy. end of September to claim back the to Help Out scheme, and more than 100 50% government-funded discount million eaten UK-wide. applied to bills in August.

Rishi Sunak said the scheme’s popularity Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack said: had helped support the livelihoods of the 1.8 million people working in the “The UK Government’s Eat Out hospitality sector across the UK and driven to Help Out scheme has been a the nation’s economic recovery from roaring success, helping support coronavirus. 1.8 million jobs in the hospitality sector. More than 6.3 million meals Latest figures show that Eat Out to Help out were enjoyed in Scotland with the significantly boosted restaurant bookings UK Government paying up to £10 during the month of August, with the towards each. I want to say thank scheme growing in popularity each week. you to everyone who has supported the scheme - as well as the staff By midnight on 27 August 6,333,000 meals who made it possible. were eaten at 8,543 establishments across Scotland, making claims worth more than This initiative is just one part of

Page 34 an extensive package of UK Government bookings increased by an average of 53% the first week, 35 million meals in support for Scotland’s economy and on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays the second, 64 million in the third jobs. That includes supporting more than throughout the whole of August, compared and over 100 million by 31 August. 930,000 jobs, providing business loans, to the same days in 2019. In July 2020, The scheme was used across the helping to get young people into jobs, restaurant bookings were down 54% on entire UK, with over 2 million meals and a VAT cut for tourism and hospitality average from Mondays to Wednesdays claimed for in both Wales and businesses. We are also providing an compared to July 2019. Northern Ireland and over 51 million additional £6.5 billion through the Barnett meals claimed for in England by 27 formula for the devolved administration at On 31 August - the final day of the scheme August. Holyrood.” - bookings were up 216% compared to the equivalent day in 2019. And early signs The Eat Out to Help Out scheme Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: show that despite ending, the scheme has is one part of the Chancellor’s Plan continued to boost demand, with a 2 per for Jobs. The UK Government has “From the get-go our mission has been to cent rise in restaurant bookings on Tuesday supported more than 930,000 jobs protect jobs, and to do this we needed to 1 September compared to the equivalent in Scotland through the pioneering be creative, brave and try things that no day in 2019, according to OpenTable. furlough and self-employed government has ever done before. schemes and has loaned more There had been an upward trend in the than £2.3 billion to 65,000 Scottish Today’s figures continue to show Eat Out scheme’s popularity since it launched, with businesses. to Help Out has been a success. I want to 10.5 million meals claimed for in total in thank everyone, from restaurant owners to This support for the hospitality waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it sector comes on top of the and helping drive our economic recovery. government’s unprecedented assistance for all businesses The scheme is just one part of our Plan including our £1,000 job retention for Jobs and we will continue to protect, bonus, a £2 billion Kickstart scheme support and create jobs to ensure we come to create thousands of high quality back stronger as a nation.” jobs for young people and a cut to some VAT to assist tourism According to OpenTable data, restaurant businesses.

Page 35 Silage Crop ® Part of our silage crop on one of our hill farms, for our three pedigree native breed herds (Black Galloway, White Galloway and Whitebred Shorthorn), weltersORGANISATION which form an integral part of the organisation’s environmental policy in WORLDWIDE maintaining and developing native species. Social media post Design and Innovation

Page 36 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

- Noise Pollution by Paul Bazeley

In the final instalment in our series and traffic noise averages around 100 Noise pollution is an invisible about environmental issues, we look dB. Construction sites and concerts danger that is having at noise pollution. Firstly, let’s make it are around 110-120 dB, a siren or a ramifications on our health. A clear that not all noise is noise pollution. clap of thunder are near 120 dB and The World Health Organisation (WHO) an aircraft can generate 130 dB. defines noise above 65 decibels (dB) as noise pollution, while noises above Look on any noise map of the world 75 dB are considered harmful and and it shows that any major city has levels above 120 dB are considered large amounts of noise pollution. The painful. It is recommended that noise World Health Organisation (WHO) levels should be kept below 65 dB data shows about 40% of the EU throughout the day to reduce noise population are exposed to road pollution. Sound levels should be traffic noise above 55 dB, 20% are kept below 30 dB at night to allow for exposed to levels above 65 dB during restful sleep. Noise levels should be the daytime and more than 30% are kept below 35 dB in classrooms for exposed to noises above 55 dB during appropriate conditions for learning. the night. The most common causes of noise pollution are road traffic, air To put decibels into perspective, rustling traffic, construction sites, catering and leaves are said to be around 20-30dB, nightlife and animals. a lawnmower is approximately 90dB Page 37 study by the European Environment even heart attacks. While noise will and avoid predators and noise is Agency (EEA) has estimated that impact all ages, research is showing making it difficult to accomplish 16,600 premature deaths and over that children are likely to be severely these tasks and is impacting 70,000 hospitalisations occur every impacted with children who live near their ability to survive. Studies year in Europe alone due to noise. airports or busy streets having been show that bluebirds have fewer The most common health problem is found to suffer from stress, poor chicks due to excessive noise, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), attention span, reading difficulties and while caterpillars hearts have however, studies have shown that poor memory. been found to beat faster with excessive noise can also cause loud noise and whales and tinnitus, high blood pressure, a racing Despite having serious consequences dolphins echolocation has been pulse, loss of focus, headaches, for our health noise pollution is also impacted by ships, sonar and stress, fatigues, irritability, depression, impacting wildlife. Animals use sound oil drilling. respiratory agitation, colitis and to locate food, navigate, attract mates, In terms of solutions, WHO and many other associations agree that better awareness of this invisible pollutant is key to minimising its impact. Earplugs are an obvious solution to protect our ears and insulating homes with noise absorbing materials can mean buildings are less susceptible to outside sounds. Planting trees and plants can help to absorb some noise and data shows they can reduce sounds close to them by 5-10 dB. Page 38 not the main talking point when lockdown, the earth became a environmental issues are mentioned, much quieter place, perhaps it does cause problems and is having as we slowly move toward an impact on our health and wildlife. a more normal life again the Although talk of air, land and water increase in noise will be noticed pollution dominate the headlines the much more. It seems, rather suggestions from WHO that we need paradoxically, that people to be better informed about noise need to speak louder about the pollution and its consequences seem impact of noise pollution before justified. Early on in the coronavirus more is done, the question is, pandemic, when the world went into will anyone hear them? Governments and/or councils can/have put some restrictions in place. Many places in the UK have regulations to control noise levels with construction work only being allowed to occur during daylight hours. They are also protecting certain areas from noise such as the countryside, areas of natural interest and city parks. Further preventative and corrective measures include a separation between residential areas and places of noise such as airports or manufacturing plants and fines for any breaches in regulation.

Although noise pollution is probably

Page 39 TM weltersPage 40 ART Big broadband boost for rural English

shires and counties September

- More than £22 million invested in is now urging businesses and government’s Gigabit Broadband Voucher This new frontier in digital connectivity communities to apply for the Scheme for rural areas has the potential to revolutionise rural vouchers to future-proof their communities and make them more internet connections and be ready - 250,000 English homes and businesses attractive places to live. It will give people to reap the economic and social eligible for boosted funding from 17 English who depend on reliable connections to benefits brought by new advances councils work from home and keep in touch with in technology. family due to coronavirus, the freedom to More than £22 million of additional funding live and work more flexibly and will help Matt Warman, Minister for Digital is being invested into the UK Government’s develop thriving digital economies. Infrastructure, said: broadband voucher scheme, which subsidises the costs of building gigabit- Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman This government is determined to capable broadband networks to hard-to- connect every home and business reach areas. to the fastest broadband speeds available from the Highlands to the Gigabit-capable broadband enables Jurassic Coast. internet download speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second (mbps) - enough But we can only do this with to download a HD movie in less than collaboration at a local and national 30 seconds and lay the foundations for level so I’m delighted English 8K-quality video streaming and virtual councils have committed to pump reality online gaming. more money into our voucher welters ART Page 41 scheme to help rural communities get expected to be eligible for this funding. commitment until the end of 2021. gigabit speed broadband. These include the Borderlands, Combined with industry investment “A quarter of all properties across the UK Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire & it means 8 million premises can now can now access these fast and reliable Peterborough, County Durham, Derbyshire, access gigabit capable broadband speeds, and we have earmarked a further Dorset, East Riding of Yorkshire, East compared to around 1.4 million £5 billion so rural towns and villages Sussex, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire, premises two years ago. across the four nations can get the speeds Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, they need to seize all the benefits of new Warwickshire, West Sussex and Nearly 45,000 gigabit broadband technology.” Worcestershire. vouchers, worth more than £90 million, have already been issued The UK Government’s Gigabit Broadband Kent County Council also agreed to top- and there is more than £70 Voucher Scheme targets areas where the up the scheme for a second time, after million worth of vouchers on offer cost of building new gigabit broadband providing additional funding back in immediately to take companies and infrastructure, which often requires digging September 2019. residents in rural towns and villages trenches to lay full fibre cables to people’s out of the digital slow lane. doorsteps, is likely to be too high for Rural communities in Wales saw the value commercial operators to cover alone. of their vouchers double in June, after the On top of this, the government has UK and Welsh governments announced promised £5 billion to ensure hard- Since May 2019, vouchers worth up they were working together to boost the to-reach areas get access to gigabit to £3,500 for small and medium sized scheme. The UK Government is also in connections over the next few years. businesses and up to £1,500 for residential discussions with the Scottish Government Details on how this will be spent will premises have been available to cover and the Northern Ireland Executive and be announced this autumn. these costs in rural areas across the UK. local councils about the potential and approach for gigabit schemes there. Seventeen local councils in England have also provided £22.2 million worth of funding Almost 500,000 premises across the UK to top-up the values of the vouchers in have been given access to gigabit-capable their areas. At least 250,000 homes and broadband since summer 2018 through businesses in the English countryside are a £1 billion UK Government funding

Page 42 New Lighthouse Labs to boost NHS Test

and Trace capacity September

- 2 new Lighthouse Labs to be set up in Newcastle and Bracknell, increasing The 4 new labs come on top of ongoing NHS Test and Trace has reached a capacity by tens of thousands work to build capacity at existing record number of positive cases this Lighthouse and partner lab facilities. week, with more than 12,800 people - Weekly data from NHS Test and Trace Measures taken include recruitment of testing positive sharing their recent shows testing continues to increase each hundreds of additional staff and new contacts. This is the result of a 74% week technology to boost the number of tests increase in positive cases being processed. Surge laboratories will continue transferred to the system since the - 20 new testing sites opening across the to maximise testing as demand rises. A previous week. country for this week further 20 new testing sites are opening across the country this week, increasing Contact tracers continue to reach Weekly data from the 15th week of the number of local booking slots available the vast majority of those contacts operation of NHS Test and Trace shows that throughout England. identified, with 83.9% of those with 27% more people have received a test for contact information successfully the first time this week and repeat testing in New labs in Newcastle and Bracknell advised to self-isolate in the latest care homes continues. will help increase capacity by tens of week. thousands, gradually increasing the The 2 new Lighthouse Labs follow the number of tests they can process over the Interim Executive Chair of the previous announcements of others in coming months. Newcastle will be able to National Institute for Health Newport and Charnwood, which will scale deliver 80,000 tests per day by the end of Protection Baroness Dido Harding testing capacity to help deliver 500,000 March, and Bracknell 40,000 tests per day said: tests per day by the end of October. by February.

Page 43 We are working tirelessly to boost testing work through a risk assessment. Where September): capacity so that everyone who needs a test necessary, complex cases will be escalated can get one. Each day, around 200,000 to health protection teams to provide further - testing capacity increased by people are successfully booking and taking support. Usually, full closure will not be 2% from the previous week to tests and we are growing our capacity to necessary, but some individuals may need 1,612,543 (pillars 1 and 2) across 500,000 tests across the UK by the end to self-isolate if they have had close contact the UK of October, with more and more capacity with the confirmed case. being added each week. - 82.6% of people who tested Demand is being increased in part by a positive and were transferred to the I cannot stress enough how important it is large number of people without symptoms that only those with symptoms book tests. booking tests. The guidance – and the clear The service is there for those experiencing advice of public health experts – is that you a high temperature, new continuous cough should not book a test if you do not have or loss or change in sense of taste or smell. symptoms, unless advised to do so by a If you don’t have symptoms but think, or public health professional. Anyone who is have been told by NHS Test and Trace, that self-isolating because they have had close you have been in contact with someone recent contact with someone who has with the virus, please stay at home but do tested positive must self-isolate for the full not book a test. We need everyone to help 14-day period. make sure that tests are there for people with symptoms who need them.” Tests can be booked via gov.uk/get- coronavirus-test or 119, with new booking From today, a new dedicated helpline slots made available throughout the day. will be available for nurseries, schools A number of tests continue to be reserved and colleges to seek advice if they have for NHS staff and essential workers a confirmed positive coronavirus case experiencing virus symptoms. in their setting. The helpline will inform educational settings of what action is The weekly statistics from the 15th needed in response to a confirmed case week of NHS Test and Trace show in the from the latest public health advice and most recent week of operations (3 to 9

Page 44 contact-tracing system were reached and asked to provide information about their contacts Government to explore new - 83.9% of contacts where communication ways of delivering ‘sat nav’ details were given have been reached and told to self-isolate for the UK September

- pillar 1 testing capacity was at 575,043, Government to look at wider range of options for Navigation Satellite System (UK GNSS) a UK satellite navigation and timing capability, programme, which is due to conclude at the same as the previous week critical for energy networks and communications the end of the month. to maritime, aviation and defence - pillar 2 testing capacity was at 1,037,500, the government will explore cutting-edge ways UK GNSS is an exploration programme to deliver vital ‘sat nav’ services to the UK – which has developed outline plans for an increase of 4% since the previous week including use of satellites at different orbits a conventional satellite system as an this will boost the UK’s thriving space industry alternative to American GPS or the EU’s - pillar 3 testing capacity was at 840,000, and expertise, paving the way for greater Galileo. The programme will now be independence from foreign systems reset as the SBPP to build on this work the same as the previous week to consider newer, more innovative New options for a UK satellite navigation and ideas of delivering global ‘sat nav’ and - pillar 4 testing capacity was at 72,700, a timing capability programme to support the secure satellite services to meet public, decrease of 12% since the previous week nation’s critical infrastructure will be explored government and industry needs. by the government, it was announced today (Thursday 24 September). Satellite navigation is a sophisticated Statistics from the 15th week of operation technology that works by beaming of NHS Test and Trace show that since the The Space-Based Positioning Navigation signals from space that devices such as and Timing Programme (SBPP) will explore smartphones can use to determine their service launched: new and alternative ways that could be used location and time – otherwise known as to deliver vital satellite navigation services position, navigation and timing (PNT). 417,296 people have been reached by the to the United Kingdom which are critical for the functioning of transport systems, energy This could include technology that service. This includes both those testing networks, mobile communications and national supports people’s everyday lives, positive and their contacts security and defence, whilst boosting the British such as emergency services to locate 86.6% of all contacts where communication space industry and developing the UK’s own incidents, financial services companies details were given have been reached and capabilities in these services. to regulate exchanges on the UK stock market, or energy networks to ensure told to self-isolate This will follow the work of the UK’s Global households receive power. Satellite Page 45 navigation systems are also necessary to Development and Foreign Policy, to unlocking future technologies such as driverless In order to meet UK industry and government create the conditions for a strong, cars, smart cities and artificial intelligence – needs for resilient global navigation and timing secure and innovative space sector that transforming the way people live, work and while also providing value for money to the delivers for the British people. travel. public, the new SBPP will consider collaboration with international allies to share satellite A government-backed study from Capitalising on the ingenuity of British navigation services, costs and technology. London Economics estimated that businesses and academics, the programme will sustained disruption to existing satellite explore the use of different kinds of satellites at Graham Turnock, CEO UK Space Agency said: navigation capabilities would likely various levels of orbit by exploiting technologies cost the UK economy £1 billion per offered by companies at the cutting-edge of Our work to date has developed cutting-edge day. Investment in space technology innovation such as OneWeb, Inmarsat and UK expertise in satellite navigation spacecraft, and services will enable the UK to Airbus. antenna design and control systems, while build back better, unleashing the supporting high-skilled jobs. country’s global competitiveness and Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: underpinning growth and high-skilled Now is the time to drive this work further to look jobs. Satellites underpin so many of the services that into wider, more innovative ways of delivering we all use every single day, from precise train this important national capability - to help In 2018, the government announced timetables on our phones and satnavs in our protect our critical infrastructure and put the UK an 18-month programme led by cars. at the forefront of the development of new space the UK Space Agency to develop a technologies. conventional Global Navigation Satellite Through our Space-Based Positioning System, which could meet UK security Navigation and Timing Programme, we will draw Currently, the UK is entirely dependent on requirements and support the UK’s on the strengths of the UK’s already thriving foreign systems for these critical navigation sovereign space and cryptography space industry to understand our requirements services. SBPP will enable to the UK to build sectors. The UK GNSS Programme for a robust and secure satellite navigation on its thriving space industry, home to global in its current form will conclude on 30 system. This includes considering low orbiting players such as Inmarsat, Airbus, Surrey September 2020. satellites that could deliver considerable Satellites (SSTL) and others, to become a benefits to people and businesses right global leader in space navigation technologies, Work completed by the UK GNSS across the UK, while potentially reducing our developing new opportunities for businesses in Programme so far has developed dependency on foreign satellite systems. the UK and overseas and creating new highly cutting edge British expertise in areas skilled jobs. such as spacecraft and antenna design, A Cabinet Office Study examining the need for a satellite and ground control systems, UK space-based system for secure positioning, The government has made clear its ambitions systems engineering and simulation, navigation and timing concluded that any for the UK to become a globally competitive which have wider applications solution would need to examine more options space power and is taking action through the across the space sector, in addition and further work is needed to determine what newly established National Space Council, to supporting specialist UK jobs and form a potential system takes so it provides emerging National Space Strategy and the industrial GNSS capability. value for money. Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Page 46 ®

considered by for our Editorial Department the Summer edition weltersORGANISATION WORLDWIDE Design and Innovation COVER OPTIONS of which the top design was selected Acknowledgements

Grateful acknowledgement is made to the following sources:

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