The Energy Secretary has reappointed Dr Martin Read as Chair of the Low Carbon Contracts Company and the Electricity Settlements Company.

Updated: September reports uploaded.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Defence and Security Accelerator (Accelerator) exhibited at the Defence Procurement, Research, Technology and Exportability (DPRTE) event on 28 March 2017 showcasing science, technology and innovation.

Defence and Security Accelerator: Driving Innovation

Rob Solly, who has been Acting Head of the Accelerator since December, gave a keynote speech at the event, explaining how the Accelerator is driving innovation for UK defence and security. The Accelerator is already engaging and funding innovators to solve defence and security challenges with backing from the £800 million Innovation Fund.

Explaining why Dstl and the Accelerator were at the event, Rob said:

DPRTE is a key event in the defence exhibition calendar and gave us the opportunity to talk to customers, suppliers, academics and government agencies in one place.

We want to hear from innovators about their ideas, from small niche companies to large organisations. We’re particularly keen to hear from organisations who haven’t been involved in defence or security before. We believe there is a wealth of knowledge and ideas in parallel markets which can be, with some adjustments, used to provide game-changing support to our armed forces.

Some organisations are put off getting involved due to perceived long, complicated Government processes. However, the Accelerator team has developed a simple application process to make it easier for innovators and businesses to work with us and develop their ideas, from initial concepts to mature applications. Our Innovation Partners can also guide suppliers through the process.

At DPRTE we were keen to highlight that unlike other schemes, the Accelerator allows businesses to retain their intellectual property. Our return on investment is providing our Armed Forces and Security teams the best kit and services to do their jobs and keep our country safe.

View the slides from Rob Solly’s keynote speech, Driving Innovation.

Defence in Innovation: Medical Sciences

Neal Smith, Dstl’s Capability Adviser for Medical Sciences, presented Innovation in Defence: Medical Sciences, in the Research and Technology Zone. Neal’s presentation demonstrated how rapid responses to evolving threats and changing scenarios can be generated to enhance military medical responses.

Reflecting on the event, Neal said:

From my point of view, a very interesting and useful event, certainly great for getting our message across, in terms of investment in innovation and exploitation. I was pleased that Professor Ian Pallister of from Trauma Simulation Ltd, could join us and many participants enjoyed hearing about the trauma model and Ian’s experiences of working with Dstl and the Accelerator.

View the slides from Neal Smith’s presentation at DPRTE Defence in Innovation: Medical Sciences.

Dstl and the Accelerator had a presence in the Innovation Hub, where they demonstrated the breadth of work within Dstl and how suppliers can get involved.

Dstl and Accelerator representatives were busy all day talking to a wide range of suppliers, from SMEs, academia and primes enquiring about opportunities to get involved. With many positive discussions with suppliers, Dstl and the Accelerator have a number of leads to follow up from the event. The most popular exhibit was the graphic and realistic trauma surgeons model.

Trauma surgeon’s model

Recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq exposed troops to traumatic injury, particularly from improvised explosive devices. As part of its multifaceted response, MOD wanted to ensure that medical teams had, and continue to have, the training and resources required to address traumatic injury.

Part of this programme was to support Professor Ian Pallister, a civilian trauma surgeon and his colleagues at Trauma Simulation Ltd, in the creation of extremely realistic life-size training models to assist in the training of combat medics and surgical teams. This was funded by Dstl through the Centre for Defence Enterprise (now Defence and Security Accelerator).

For more information on how to work with or sell to Dstl visit our website.

The modernised and consolidated rules replace the Insolvency Rules 1986 and their 28 subsequent amendments.

The rules have been recast to reflect modern business practice and to make the insolvency process more efficient. Changes include:

• enabling electronic communications with creditors
• removing the automatic requirement to hold physical creditors meetings, although creditors will be able to request such meetings
• enabling creditors to opt out of further correspondence and for small debts to be paid by the office holder without requiring a formal claim from creditors

The Insolvency (England & Wales) Rules 2016 were developed in cooperation with the insolvency profession as part of the government’s Red Tape Challenge. It is expected that they will save businesses an estimated £20 million annually enabling greater returns to the creditors of insolvent businesses.

The rules apply in England and Wales. A parallel project to modernise the Scottish insolvency rules is currently underway in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Insolvency Service form templates: England and Wales

Statutory forms relating to insolvency procedures have now been withdrawn. We have produced a limited number of templates for matters that fall under the responsibility of the Insolvency Service.

Using these templates will ensure full compliance with the new rules when completed properly.

You may use an alternative template/form but you will be responsible for ensuring its content complies with the Rules.

A document that fails to comply may not be accepted by the intended recipient including the office holder (official receiver, liquidator or trustee) or the court, for example.

Companies House and Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service have also produced a number of templates for insolvency matters that fall under their responsibility.

Previous templates should no longer be used.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has urged people across 6 of England’s region’s to make sure they are registered to vote, with only 1 month to go until mayoral elections.

In just 1 month there will be a huge shift in the way Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Liverpool City Region, West of England, West Midlands, Greater Manchester and the Tees Valley, are run.

On Thursday 4 May 2017, local people will have the power to vote for a brand new Combined Authority Mayor to take control of the region.

This forms part of ground-breaking devolution deals, through which Whitehall is handing powers to local areas to create jobs, improve skills levels, build homes and improve transport.

The powers will be held by a directly-elected mayor who, like the Mayor of London, will be able to represent the region on the international stage.

Eligible voters have until 13 April to register to vote, to enable them to cast their ballot in a month’s time.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:

It’s one month to go until residents in 6 of England’s regions have an historic opportunity to shape how their area is run and vote for their region’s first directly-elected mayor.

But this is not just about voting for another politician – they’re voting to take control of issues that matter to them, whether that’s housing or transport, skills provision or new jobs.

So my message to people is simple: check you’re registered to vote, so you can have your say on 4 May.

Devolution deals are putting power in the hands of local people. They help communities take control of decisions that matter to them, with Combined Authority Mayors who will be accountable to the people they serve.

So far the government has agreed ground-breaking devolution deals across the country and on 4 May there will be elections for new Mayors across the country, in Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, West of England, West Midlands and Tees Valley.

Each Mayor will:

• have control over new long-term budgets from central government
• exercise powers to control local roads, transport investment, strategic planning, improve skills and build new homes
• lobby on behalf of their area, on the issues that matter to local people not only in Westminster, but on the world stage
• work with local business leaders to achieve what’s best for local jobs and the economy
• capitalise on local strengths and assets like our universities, scientific research and innovation

Elections will take place on 4 May, with the new Mayor expected to take their seat by 8 May. Residents eligible to vote can register to do so.

[Contact: 3149]