Innovation Fellowship Launches

News story

The jHub are seeking high-quality military talent to help lead the transformation of Defence.

jHub Logo

The Fellowship

The jHub is Defence’s foremost innovation hub. We want to harness the game-changing potential of emerging technology to enhance and improve the operational effectiveness of the UK armed forces. We’re seeking to independently recruit the best military talent to serve as an innovation broker on behalf of Defence and accelerate the next generation of cutting-edge military capabilities.

Who are we looking for?

We want a richly diverse group of military officers united by a passion for innovation and the application of cutting-edge technology to deliver positive impact at pace.

What can we offer?

Located in central London, the jHub has excellent links to the nation’s start-up and innovation ecosystem.

If successful, you’ll enjoy unparalleled opportunities to deliver the type of high impact projects that are only possible in Defence. You’ll be matched with a user community that is looking for your unique skill set; have access to senior decision makers; and help tackle the critical challenges facing Defence.

You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with a peer group of exceptionally talented innovation scouts and build strong links across government and the private sector.

We’re offering each Fellow a 24-month assignment with a possibility of extending it up to 36 months; a dedicated recruitment and onboarding process; and bespoke professional development.

Fellows will work in small teams on projects that are technologically challenging, highly impactful and deliverable within a year. Take a look at the projects we are currently involved with for an idea of the scale of the challenges you could be working on.

Register your interest now

If you are currently serving in the Armed Forces you can register your interest for the UKStratCom Innovation Fellowship via internal channels.

For external candidates vacancies with the jHub can be found on Civil Service Jobs.

Published 8 August 2022




NPCC led review: operational productivity of policing

News story

The Home Secretary has asked the National Police Chiefs’ Council to lead a review of productivity in policing.

police officers in a line

Getty Images

Total funding for policing in 2022 to 2023 is nearly £17 billion – the highest for over a decade. By April 2023 we will have invested over £3.5 billion in supporting the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers through the Police Uplift Programme, of which 13,790 have been recruited so far.

It is therefore crucial that we deliver the best possible value for the public from this investment. This review will improve our understanding of effectiveness and productivity in policing, identifying the barriers and the most efficient operating models.

The review will also look at the scope for using new technology or streamlining processes and removing bureaucracy to drive efficiency and better outcomes.

The review will be led by Sir Stephen House, supported by an advisory board including Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire Service (HMICFRS), the chief executive of the College of Policing and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).  Terms of reference will published in due course, following agreement by the advisory board and Home Office.  It is expected to report within 12 months and with interim findings in spring 2023.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt, said:

We want to provide the best possible policing to the public.  This review, commissioned by the Home Office and led by the NPCC, will make recommendations on how to improve effectiveness and productivity in policing, identifying the barriers and the most efficient operating models.

In the coming weeks, we will work with Sir Steve to draw together an advisory board of policing partners and external experts to shape the terms of reference and put a review team in place.

Published 8 August 2022




Pioneering pipework system helping local wildlife at M5 Oldbury

Press release

A pioneering drainage system thought to be the largest of its kind in the country has been installed by National Highways underneath the M5 at Oldbury.

the new filter system

National Highways has installed the new filter system which has cost £7m.

The new system will help improve the quality of rainwater entering the canal after it has fallen on the M5 carriageway.

The £7m system will help to capture debris and pollutants before the water is discharged into the water course.

National Highways Project Manager Colin Jackson said:

This new drainage system is a real boost to the local canal network that runs underneath the M5 Oldbury viaduct.

We know that the local habitat is a crucial part of the landscape at Oldbury and we’re confident this new system will play a significant role in helping biodiversity.

The drainage has a special filter installed inside the pipework which is designed to capture debris and pollutants before entering the water network which can then simply be removed by specialists at regular intervals.

The new system is made up of 10 filters and was installed underneath the road without impacting traffic using the M5 or local road network.

It took around eight months to put in place with teams using specialist equipment to dig down between the foundations under the M5 to install the new system.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the National Highways customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the National Highways press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Published 8 August 2022




Work to repair damaged flood defence in Sprotbrough starts

Press release

Works are expected to last approximately 8 weeks and will help reduce the risk of flooding to the local area once completed.

The damaged flood wall at Sprotbrough

The damaged flood wall at Sprotbrough

The Environment Agency is starting a project to repair a flood wall in Sprotbrough, Doncaster, to protect homes and businesses from the devastating impacts of flooding.

A 60m wall, which stands along the banks of the River Don, opposite the Boat Inn, was damaged during the 2019 storms.

The Environment Agency is now rebuilding the defence and driving more robust materials deep into the ground along this length of the Don. The height of the wall will remain unchanged.

Planned utilities diversion have now been completed and construction to the floodwall is expected to start today (8 August). Work will last approximately 8 weeks. As construction machinery will use the canal-side area, the Trans Pennine Trail will be diverted onto the nearby access road. To ensure pedestrians and cyclists are safe, there will also be a lane closure and temporary traffic lights on Nursery Lane.

Gavin Usher, Area Operations Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

We are very pleased to have completed diversion works ahead of schedule and look forward to starting work on-site to help the residents and businesses of Sprotbrough. We are using a new steel piled defence which will be stronger and more robust than the previous concrete wall. This will be finished with brickwork to blend into the local landscape.

It has been a real challenge to get this project to site and we thank the community for their continued patience and understanding regarding the disruption that comes with delivering these critical works.

Published 8 August 2022




OIM accepts landmark first request to examine proposed law change

Press release

The OIM has taken its first decision to accept a government’s request to consider the potential impact of a proposed regulatory change, a ban on the sale of peat in England, on the UK Internal Market.

Image showing paper files with OIM logo

The UK government has consulted on banning the sale of peat in England. The proposed ban, designed to address environmental concerns surrounding the use of peat in horticulture, would not apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The UK government has requested that the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) – which sits within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – report on how the proposed ban may impact the effective operation of the Internal Market.

The OIM has considered this request in line with the criteria set out in the UK Internal Market Act and the principles stated in its operational guidance and has accepted the request. It will aim to provide its analysis by February 2023.

OIM Panel Chair, Murdoch MacLennan said:

This request is a significant development for the UK Internal Market and for the OIM. Since the OIM was launched less than a year ago, we have taken important steps to ensure we are ready to perform this new role and our decision to accept this request is another milestone.

We’ll now examine any potential economic impacts the proposed ban could have on the UK Internal Market and provide our report within 6 months.

The OIM was launched in September 2021 and published its Overview of the UK Internal Market report in March of this year.

For more information on this request visit the OIM’s website.

  1. The OIM was launched in September 2021 to provide, among other things, non-binding technical and economic advice to all 4 governments of the UK on the effect on the UK Internal Market of specific regulatory provisions that they introduce. The OIM operates independently of all 4 governments.
  2. Since leaving the EU, significant powers have returned to the UK government and devolved administrations, increasing the possibility of regulatory differences between the nations. Under the UK Internal Market Act 2020 (‘the Act’), the OIM’s work assists governments in understanding how effectively companies are able to sell their products and services across the 4 nations of the UK and the impact of regulatory provisions on this for the governments’ consideration alongside their own wider policy issues.
  3. This request to the OIM by the UK Government (i.e. the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), on its proposal to end the sale of peat in horticultural products, is made under section 34(1) of the Act, which provides that the OIM may at the request of a relevant national authority (or two or more acting jointly) give advice or provide a report on a proposed regulatory provision of the requesting relevant national authority. A ‘relevant national authority’ means the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and a Northern Ireland Department.
  4. The proposed regulation applies to England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently considering their approach.
  5. For media queries, please contact the press office via press@cma.gov.uk or on 020 3738 6460.

Published 8 August 2022