The Memorandum of Understanding, signed at the International Astronautical Congress in Bremen, Germany, provides a framework for collaborative activities and the exchange of information, technology and personnel between both nations.

Sam Gyimah, UK Science Minister said:

When Brits first heard about Australia we thought it was the final frontier, but now we can boldly go even further together through this special space partnership benefitting science, jobs and growth the world over.

This agreement is a great example of the importance of international collaboration and how, through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are working with our growing space sector to ensure it continues to thrive.

Hon Karen Andrews MP, Australian Minister for Industry, Science and Technology said:

Forging international partnerships is vital to building Australia’s space industry and ensuring our businesses can compete on the world stage,

These agreements with counterpart space agencies in Canada and the United Kingdom will increase opportunities to work together and share information, technology and personnel between our nations.

They represent a significant step in Australia’s journey with fellow spacefaring nations, and will help to grow the capability and competitiveness of our domestic space sector.

The agreement was signed between the UK Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency, which was established on 1 July 2018. With 10,000 people already working in its space sector, Australia has strong capabilities in areas such as satellite data applications and the tracking of space debris, as well as an established network of ground stations to support communications and other space technologies.

Dr Megan Clark AC, Head of the Australian Space Agency, said:

UK and Australia are both committed to growing their space industries and we welcome new cooperation between UK and Australia in space including CSIRO’s partnership with Surrey Satellite on the NovaSar earth observation satellite and Airbus and UK Ministry of Defence on the Zephyr.

The UK and Australia have a deep history and friendship that includes long-term partnership in space science. During the Space Race from the 1950s, the first British Skylark and Black Arrow rockets were launched from Woomera in Southern Australia.

This MoU builds on cooperation in space between the two countries in the areas of space science, technology and applications, space policy, law and regulation and human capital development.

Joint work continues to this day with the launch last week of the Surrey Satellite NovaSAR, which uses radar to view the Earth through cloud cover. The satellite will share 10% of its data with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia.

The International Astronautical Congress is an annual meeting of global space agencies and industry which is organised by the International Astronautical Federation, of which the UK Space Agency is a voting member. The UK Space Agency CEO Graham Turnock will address the conference (3 October) about the UK’s plans to thrive in the commercial space age over the next decade by developing national launch capabilities and supporting the growth of satellite applications, while continuing to play a leading role as a founding member of the European Space Agency.

The Home Secretary proposed a series of reforms to British citizenship today (Tuesday 2 October). The reforms include tougher English language requirements for people applying for British citizenship and proposals to reform the Life in the UK test to give greater prominence to the British values and principles expected of those wishing to call the UK their permanent home.

A public consultation will be brought forward on the Life in the UK test, which is the test an individual is required to take as part of their application for British citizenship or settlement in the UK, and accompanying handbook. The proposals would ensure that the test is more relevant to daily life and culture in the UK.

In addition, the level of language proficiency expected for adults seeking to naturalise as British citizens will be raised.

He also outlined that powers to deprive individuals of their British citizenship will be applied to individuals convicted of the most serious criminal offences, where it is in the public interest.

The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has today (October 2) set out a range of innovative new measures to address violent crime in the UK.

This builds on the ambitious programme of work outlined in the Serious Violence Strategy, published in April, which brings together a range of partners across different sectors to form a multi-agency response.

The new package of announcements to be taken forward by the government includes the following.

Consultation on new legal duty to underpin a ‘public health’ approach to tackling serious violence

This would mean police officers, education partners, local authority and health care professionals will have a new legal duty to take action and prevent violent crime. This statutory duty would make serious violence a top priority for all key partners, ensuring that all agencies are working together to prevent young people being caught in the criminal cycle.

New £200 million youth endowment fund

This will be delivered over 10 years and will build the evidence for early intervention. The fund, which is aimed at 10 to 14 year olds, will focus on those most at risk of youth violence including those displaying signs such as truancy, aggression and involvement in anti-social behaviour in order to steer them away from becoming serious offenders.

Independent review of drug misuse

This will ensure law enforcement agencies and policy are targeting and preventing the drug-related causes of violent crime effectively. Drugs have been identified as a major driver of serious violence and this review will look at recreational drug use, as well as considering use by the small number of users who cause the most harm to themselves and their communities.

Tackling the root causes of serious violence, and in particular, preventing young people getting involved in criminality is right at the heart of the Serious Violence Strategy.