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Government WORLD ™
Autumn 2020 Edition
Page 1
Government WORLD ™
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Page 2
welters
Contents ®
News & Sports Roundup 4
Creativity keeping road workers safe and the country moving 9
O R G A N I S AT I O N
New video tech to increase remote hearings in civil and family court 11
W O R L D W I D E
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: office@government-world.com
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: submissions@government-world.com
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
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Page 3
News
a n d s p o r t s Roundup
Summar y of the main news and spor ts 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
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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 10New 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 11outstanding 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
- Assessing whether there is a need to
income during the pandemic July
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 12pressures 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 13Scheme 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 14Additional Tooling Capacity
Further production uplift by welters with additional tooling capacity. All
coming on stream next week. Knowledge, experience and expertise over
welters ®
O R G A N I S AT I O N
many years being rolled out in new product development and response. W O R L D W I D E
Social media post Design and Innovation
Page 15Ventilator 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 16up 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 17models 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 18Armed 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 19A Silver Lining
welters ®
O R G A N I S AT I O N
W O R L D W I D E
Social media post Design and Innovation
Page 20HMRC 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 21Who can register?
You can register for the Eat Out to Help Out Roll-out of 2 new rapid
coronavirus tests ahead of
Scheme if your establishment:
sells food that is intended for consumption
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 22to 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 23The 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 24welters ART
TM
Page 25Government 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 26of 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 27Projects 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:
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