Published 12 November 2018
Last updated 29 November 2018 + show all updates

Scottish Secretary David Mundell today [12 November 2018] reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to help find a solution to the closure of Dundee’s Michelin factory and provide wider support the region’s economy.

Mr Mundell today attended the first meeting of the Michelin Action Group in Dundee, along with the Scottish Government and other partners, to discuss the next steps for the factory.

At the meeting the Scottish Secretary also confirmed the UK Government’s wider support for the region by announcing a £5 million investment for innovation and development in Dundee’s world-class gaming industry. He also confirmed the Tay Cities Deal – in which the UK Government is investing £150 million – will be signed on 22 November.

Mr Mundell said:

Today’s meeting was a constructive one, with everyone committed to doing everything possible to support the Michelin workers, and help find innovative proposals for a new future for the factory. That is the Action Group’s priority.

We also need to ensure the Dundee and wider Tay economies are as robust as possible. That is why I have today announced a £5 million investment in Dundee’s world-leading games industry through the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy. I look forward to signing the Tay Cities Deal later this month, which will bring a £150 million UK Government investment to Tayside, boosting jobs and prosperity.

The £5 million games industry funding, part of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, will go to the InGAME project. Led by Abertay University, it brings together a number of games companies, the University of Dundee and the University of St Andrews in a dedicated research and development centre. Based in Dundee, it will provide product, service and experience innovation to games companies across the UK.

The UK delegation secured more than £2 billion of commercial deals across a range of sectors including creative industries, healthcare, education, energy, mining and aviation. The deals include:

• a £30 million partnership between Clipper Media Capital and Arca Pictures on film co-production
• a deal between TPP and Shanghai Kunfu Bio Technology to roll-out an AI-led health management app in Shangai
• a deal signed by Rolls Royce worth more than £850 million

In addition to the commercial deals that will have immediate benefits for the UK economy, CIIE saw China take some significant steps towards further opening its economy.

China’s ongoing efforts to open up, increase imports across both goods and services and improve the business environment were welcomed by the UK government, as were President Xi’s calls to relax investment restrictions in the education and healthcare sectors.

The UK delegation at the China International Import Expo

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP said:

Shanghai Expo was a major success for UK firms with more than £2 billion of deals signed by businesses of all sizes – from SME’s in the creative industries to global powerhouses like Rolls Royce. China demonstrated a real desire for British goods and collaboration with British firms and the UK delegation took full advantage.

There were also very encouraging signs that China is genuinely committed to further opening up of its economy. And while we welcome the signals, we want to see a clear timeline for liberalisation and even further opening up including easing investment restrictions across all sectors, amending technology import-export regulations and ensuring government procurement follows WTO standards.

Further liberalisation in the services sector, in particular, is key for British firms as we have the world class expertise that many Chinese businesses need in order to reach their economic potential.

Baroness Fairhead, Minister for Trade and Export Promotion, said:

The UK Pavilion at the CIIE in Shanghai exhibited the very best of British innovation in areas like education, AI and big data where we are truly global leaders. UK businesses used this unique platform, and benefited from our country’s position as a ‘Country of Honour’, to secure substantial new sales.

There is real and significant demand in China for British products and services. Indeed, recent research from Barclays shows that Chinese consumers are willing to pay more for goods made in the UK because of their trusted quality.

Our department’s new Export Strategy aims to ensure British businesses are properly supported to capitalise on this opportunity. Our goal is to help UK companies build even further on last year’s impressive 28% growth of exports to China.

Bringing together over 70,000 young people with employers and a wide range of learning opportunities, including apprenticeships, WorldSkills UK Live hosts and promotes a diverse range of sectors, from engineering, construction, business, IT, hospitality, healthcare and creative arts.

Over the course of the three-day event, National Apprenticeship Service colleagues will deliver nine Spotlight Talks, to young people, parents and employers alike, on the benefits of apprenticeships, whilst running two main events. On day one, an NHS Round Table Event will reflect on and celebrate the commitment of NHS organisations across England in the recruitment of apprentices. On the same day, an Apprenticeship Ambassador Network event will celebrate the good work of apprenticeship ambassadors in reaching out to new and potential apprentice employers as well as apprentices to join the Young Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

The National Apprenticeship Service will have a presence throughout the event, with stands in the main hall, in the staff room and teacher zone and also in the university zone. Apprenticeship experts will be on hand to answer apprenticeship queries from young people, parents, teachers, employers and anyone else with an interest in apprenticeships.

For those organisations who work with employers to recruit apprentices, there will also be two smaller stands situated in the NEC for those organisations who are interested in finding out more about apprenticeships.

The National Careers Service will also be represented with 40 professionally trained careers advisers at the show. They will be on hand to offer impartial advice and guidance to visitors on everything related to careers. Careers advisers will also be delivering spotlight sessions and will be in the staff room talking about what the National Careers Service offer.

Keith Smith, Director, Apprenticeships, Education and Skills Funding Agency said:

WorldSkills UK Live is a huge hub of skills activity over three days, showcasing brilliant career options, skills competitions and giving everyone who attends the opportunity to explore ideas for their future careers.

Apprenticeships are an excellent career option, whether you are leaving school or college, or looking for a new career path. And our presence at WorldSkills UK Live means we can reach out to all those individuals considering an apprenticeship and support them with the next step. In addition, we will speak to employers about the benefits apprentices can bring to their businesses. We will also reach out to teachers and careers guidance staff, to provide them with the knowledge they need to help individuals make informed decisions about apprenticeships.

This three-day event really does bring skills and careers opportunities to life and is a fantastic moment in the skills calendar for apprenticeships.

Find out more about WorldSkills UK Live and following @worldskillsuk on Twitter.