DASA upcoming events, September 2022

News story

DASA will be attending a number of events in September 2022. Come and meet us!

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) will be attending a range of events during September 2022, where DASA will be showcasing the funding opportunities and business support services available for innovators to develop their defence and security innovations.

We will also be showing how we can help the defence and security community to find the best ideas to address their challenges and how we can help accelerate the delivery of impact from these ideas.

Anita Friend, Head of DASA, said:

We are very excited to be attending so many events in September. These events present us with a great opportunity to meet with both a diverse range of innovators and those working in government, to demonstrate how DASA is fundamental in finding and funding innovations for the defence and security of the UK. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you are attending any of the following events, please do visit us to find out how DASA can help you accelerate innovation.

Be sure to follow our events page to stay up to date on the latest competition developments and webinars, showcasing how defence and security innovators can reach their potential through DASA.

Published 30 August 2022



One month left for importers to move to single customs platform

Businesses importing goods only have a matter of weeks left to move across to the UK’s new streamlined customs system.

Import declarations must be submitted through the new Customs Declaration Service from 1 October this year when it takes over from the Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system for import declarations.

HMRC is writing to all declarants and traders affected by the change to urge them to access the help available now and move to the Customs Declaration Service.

Businesses with customs agents should check they are ready to use the Customs Declaration Service. Those without a customs agent must set themselves up to make their own declarations using software that works with the system.

Julie Etheridge, HMRC’s Director of Programme and Operational Delivery for Borders and Trade said:

There is only a month left until businesses must use Customs Declaration Service for imports. Businesses who are still waiting to move need to start the process now or face possible disruption to their business. 

Those concerned about moving across to the Customs Declaration Service should work with a customs agent who is ready to use the system and can make declarations on their behalf.

The Customs Declaration Service was launched in 2018 and import declarations when moving goods into the UK have been made through it since then. The service will replace the 30-year-old CHIEF system, representing a significant upgrade by providing businesses with a more user-friendly, streamlined system which offers greater functionality.

This marks the first step towards the government’s vision of a Single Trade Window, which will have considerable benefits for businesses through reduced form-filling, better data use across government and a smoother experience for users. 

To help all businesses and agents prepare for the Customs Declaration Service, declarants are being contacted by phone and email to inform them of steps they need to take. Further information is available on GOV.UK, including a Customs Declaration Service toolkit and checklists, which break down the steps traders need to take. Traders can also register or check they have access to the Customs Declaration Service on GOV.UK and access live customer support services for additional help.

There is more information about using the Customs Declaration Service on GOV.UK.

Businesses who make import declarations from inventory linked ports should use Community System Providers systems. You can find updated guidance to ensure imported good are not delayed at ports.

CHIEF will close for export declarations on 31 March 2023, with businesses being required to use the Customs Declaration Service to send goods out of the UK.



Reappointment of Dr Lesley Rushton, OBE as Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

News story

Dr Lesley Rushton has been reappointed as Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council for a further two years.

On behalf of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, we are pleased to announce the reappointment of Dr Lesley Rushton as Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council for a further two years from 1 April 2023.

Dr Rushton has served as Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council since 1 April 2018 and is pleased to have been reappointed for a further two years until 31 March 2025. Dr Rushton said,

I’m very pleased to continue as Chair of this important committee which in the last 5 years has been heavily engaged in evaluating evidence relating to several major occupational risks and particularly the sequelae of Covid.

She is Emeritus Reader in Occupational Epidemiology in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Imperial College London whose expertise is in epidemiological and statistical research investigating environmental and occupational causes of ill health, with over 30 years’ experience in the fields of occupational, environmental and public health.

Published 30 August 2022



UK statement on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet

Thank you Mr President.

Madam High Commissioner, we wish to join others in putting on record our sincere appreciation for your work over these last four years. You have been the UN’s leading voice on human rights at an incredibly challenging time. And perhaps the most challenging time since the position of High Commissioner was created.

When you took up your mandate no one could have predicted the huge global challenges that we have collectively faced in recent times. It was essential that the international system shone a light on the many human rights challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we thank you for being at the forefront of that effort.

Regrettably, we have seen many more serious problems which could have been avoided.

The aggression against Ukraine remains, appalling, an ongoing deliberately–made crisis which has clearly been driven by one party – Russia. We thank you for your recent comments calling on the Russian President to halt the armed attack against Ukraine and for accountability for the violations which have occurred.

In all regions, we have seen persistent attacks against human rights defenders; we have witnessed dramatic set-backs on women’s rights; and we have observed with great alarm that persons belonging to minorities have come under attack.

It is vital that your successor continues to keep these issues firmly in focus.

Madam High Commissioner, we remain hopeful that in your final days in office, one piece of business, which remains as yet unfinished, will be dealt with. The UK has been among those at the forefront in calling for violations in Xinjiang, China to be properly investigated. It is essential for all of us, that no state is free from objective scrutiny on its human rights record, and that no state can be allowed to stifle the High Commissioner’s independent voice. We therefore urge you to publish your report on China.

Madam High Commissioner, we wish you well in the next chapter of your hugely distinguished life and career and thank you for everything you have done to advance human rights over these last 4 years. Thank you Mr President.



Fast-track planning route to speed up major infrastructure projects

Press release

Major infrastructure projects such road improvements and offshore wind farms will be delivered more quickly through a new fast-track planning route.

  • New fast-track planning route for major infrastructure projects in England and Wales
  • Changes will support economic growth, improve transport links and enhance our energy security
  • More than £750,000 for 10 projects to help councils get better outcomes for local communities in major infrastructure projects

Major infrastructure projects such road improvements and offshore wind farms will be delivered more quickly through a new fast-track planning route, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up Greg Clark announced today (30 August).

New powers will mean shorter deadlines can be set for examinations of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects – speeding up decisions and getting projects built more quickly. The relevant Secretary of the State – for example for Energy, Transport, Environment or Levelling Up – will decide whether to put the shorter deadline in place.

This also means decisions on smaller (non-material) changes to projects that have already been approved can be made much more quickly – currently these can take up to 16 months, sometimes causing significant delays to delivery.

Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark said:

Particularly in a time of high inflation, things need to be done more quickly or costs of major infrastructure projects will rise.

These changes will help deliver new infrastructure more quickly, by speeding up the planning process often moves too slowly.

The government will make the changes to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects process through amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

Today’s announcement is part of plans to speed up the planning process for large-scale projects and builds on efforts in the government’s Energy Security Strategy to make sure the country is building the infrastructure it needs faster than before.

More than £750,000 has also today been awarded to 10 council-led projects to support innovation in ensuring the needs of local communities are reflected in the process.

Councils and local communities will continue to play a key role in the planning process, including by producing local impact reports that represent the views of residents and must be taken into account. Only suitable projects will go through the new fast track process.

  • The policy statement, including a full list of the local authority projects receiving funding, has been published.
  • The government intends to publish a full Action Plan, as well as consultation on the national policy statements and on further regulatory and guidance changes to improve the operation of the system, over the coming months. This will include more details about possible timeframes and how the process would work.
  • The funding for 10 council-led projects will go to councils in Somerset, Cumbria, Essex, Suffolk, Leicestershire, North Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, West Sussex and Norfolk:
    • Norfolk County Council are building a virtual system that will log information about local NSIPs including timelines, deadlines, contacts and meetings for other local authorities and applicants to see.
    • Cambridgeshire County Council and Suffolk County Council are each producing a centre of excellence, helping to capture and disseminate best practice – allowing other authorities to benefit from their considerable experience.
    • Selby District Council and North Yorkshire County Council are collaborating to develop a multi-disciplinary environmental framework which sets out the local authority requirements for submitting an NSIP application. These will be around landscape, biodiversity, environmental health and heritage. This framework will help to bring forward multiple NSIPs in one place and could be used by applicants, the council and the Planning Inspectorate at application and examination stages.
  • To accommodate parliamentary printing times, the amendments will be available for MPs to read when they return from recess on 5 September 2022.

Published 30 August 2022