The outstanding achievements of Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya (CBE FREng FRS) are to be recognised with two dedicated tributes to continue his legacy, the Government announced today (Tuesday 16 July).

Lord Bhattacharyya, who passed away 1 March 2019, was formerly Regius Professor of Manufacturing at Warwick University and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. As the founder of Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) he was widely recognised globally for his position as a leading light in the fields of manufacturing, engineering and technology.

The reputation of WMG and Lord Bhattacharyya’s status as one of the UK’s foremost experts in manufacturing saw successive administrations call on his expert advice for a range of initiatives, including most recently the Government’s investment in battery technology through the Faraday Challenge.

Business Secretary Greg Clark announced in the House of Commons today two tributes designed to reflect Lord Bhattacharyya’s life and achievements by championing excellence in engineering education, and industry-academia collaboration. They are:

• a Bhattacharyya Award for sustained collaboration between universities and industry. This Award, administered by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will recognise the types of partnership being championed by the Government’s Industrial Strategy, that bring together academia and industry to tackle challenges across sectors; and

• a Bhattacharyya Engineering Inclusion Programme in the South West Midlands area. This Programme will be an engineering Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) education support programme for schools and FE colleges in the region, providing a providing a range of extra-curricular activities, resources and bursaries to engage and inspire young people to pursue further study and careers in engineering.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

Today I am pleased to announce a tribute to celebrate the contribution Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya has made to the UK, since he came here from India in 1961.

He founded and led Warwick Manufacturing Group for nearly 40 years. Through his leadership, WMG has developed a global reputation in automotive research, the built environment, digital technology and healthcare systems, built on strong collaborations between academia and industry.

Successive UK governments have drawn on his advice on manufacturing and technology and built strong lasting collaborative relationships with India and China. Kumar Bhattacharyya also championed high quality technical education so the tribute I am announcing today reflects both these important aspects of his work.

Dr Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

We are delighted to be working with BEIS on a new suite of programmes and awards to celebrate the life of the exceptional engineer Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya. Lord Bhattacharyya was a pivotal figure in UK manufacturing industry while having a long and distinguished career in higher education.

The new award to promote longstanding industry-university collaboration is a fitting tribute. In addition, the Academy is delighted to be supporting a new engineering inclusion programme for schools and colleges in the West Midlands to encourage children from diverse backgrounds into careers in engineering.

Lord Bhattacharyya was a passionate advocate of diversity and inclusion and we look forward to working with the Warwick Manufacturing Group, local employers, schools and colleges to create future generations of engineers and technicians for our industries.

Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, said:

Lord Bhattacharyya’s contribution to the West Midlands economy was immense, not least in helping to place our region at the cutting edge of next-generation automotive technology.

We are also benefitting from the strong and lasting links he forged between industry and education, relationships that will help stand us in good stead over the coming years.

But Kumar was also a friend, colleague and trusted advisor and I can think of no better way of growing his wonderful legacy than with these two new initiatives.

The Award and the Programme will be opened officially from later this year.

In the teacher recruitment and retention strategy published in January, the government committed to helping great people become teachers and making sure they receive high-quality teacher training.

To support this, the government today announced that it is introducing a new approach to assessing the numeracy and literacy of prospective teachers, which will replace the existing skills tests.

The current skills tests will be replaced with a new system where trainees will be assured against a set of fundamental maths and English skills by the end of their initial teacher training.

This approach will allow universities and schools to better identify the individual needs of each trainee and offer them extra support to strengthen their skills where needed.

This decision was taken following a review of the skills test and after engaging with universities, schools, candidates, teachers and representative bodies. This review found that these tests do not provide appropriate assurance of the maths and English skills of teacher trainees.

Over the coming months, the Department for Education (DfE) will work with the Standards and Testing Agency and teacher training providers to develop new guidance on the fundamental maths and English skills for teachers.

James Nobel-Rodgers, Executive Director of the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) and Emma Hollis, Executive Director of the National Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers (NASBTT) said:

UCET and NASBTT wholeheartedly welcome the news that the skills test will be replaced. We know that our members find it ineffective as a measure of literacy and numeracy, and logistically burdensome – not to mention the impact on the candidates themselves. We support the decision to replace it, and look forward to working with the Department of Education and others to design an alternative approach that more accurately reflects the skills that teachers need in today’s classrooms.

Million Plus, the Association for Modern Universities in the UK said:

Today’s announcement is a hugely positive step for teacher education. Ending arbitrary testing, which is a very real barrier to recruitment, will encourage more capable candidates to undertake teacher education and should result in a much-needed increase in high-quality teachers across England. We have been working with the DfE to ensure that, as a result of this change, not only will the standards of literacy and numeracy be maintained they should actually improve, as the standards will be linked to the demands of modern teaching. MillionPlus has long called for reform to the skills tests system so we are very pleased that the DfE has made this step today, a policy reform that will help support and strengthen the profession.

A more detailed announcement on the implementation of this approach will be made in September when DfE publishes interim guidance.

Read the written ministerial statement from The Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for School Standards.

The governments of Egypt, France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America reiterate their deep concern about ongoing hostilities in Tripoli, call for an immediate de-escalation and halt to the current fighting, and urge the prompt return to the UN-mediated political process. There can be no military solution in Libya. Persistent violence has claimed nearly 1100 lives, displaced more than 100,000, and fueled a growing humanitarian emergency. The ongoing confrontation has threatened to destabilize Libya’s energy sector, and exacerbated the tragedy of human migration in the Mediterranean.

We note our deep concerns about the ongoing attempts by terrorist groups to exploit the security vacuum in the country, call on all parties to the Tripoli conflict to dissociate themselves from all such terrorists and individuals designated by the UN Sanctions Committee and renew our commitment to see those responsible for further instability held accountable.

We fully support the leadership of UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salamé as he works to stabilize the situation in Tripoli, to restore confidence in order to achieve a cessation of hostilities, expand his engagement throughout Libya, promote inclusive dialogue, and create the conditions for the resumption of the UN political process. We need to re-energize UN mediation, which aims to promote a transitional government representing all Libyans, prepare for credible parliamentary and presidential elections, enable a fair allocation of resources, and advance the reunification of the Central Bank of Libya and other Libyan sovereign institutions.

We also call on all UN member states to fully respect their obligations to contribute to Libya’s peace and stability, prevent destabilizing arms shipments, and safeguard Libya’s oil resources in accordance with Security Council resolutions 2259 (2015), 2278 (2016), 2362 (2017), and 2473 (2019). Finally, we remind all Libyan parties and institutions of their responsibility to protect civilians, safeguard civilian infrastructure, and facilitate access to humanitarian supplies.

The flagship SERMON project led by RAL Space and supported by the UK Space Agency will use microwaves to examine the atmosphere in order to improve weather forecasting.

The equipment will be tested onboard a converted aircraft but could in future be deployed on small satellites or high-altitude drones.

Other UK Space Agency supported projects include developing 3D printing techniques which could lead to light-weight materials being used instead of metals for key components of weather satellites, reducing weight and cost, and improving gravity measurements which are important for our understanding of climate science and oceanography.

Graham Turnock, CEO of the UK Space Agency said:

It’s incredible to think that with the touch of a button we can direct firefighters to the precise location of wildfires in Australia and observe detailed levels of air pollution over London, but these are just two examples of Earth Observation space technology in action.

Earth Observation technology provides us with the eyes and ears for monitoring our planet and underpins dozens of scientific fields, from oceanography to meteorology, so I’m delighted to announce this new funding which is being matched by industry to maintain momentum in science innovation, job creation and growth.

This investment has come through the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI), which is the UK Space Agency’s national Earth Observation technology R&D funding programme.

The funding was announced this afternoon at the Policy Exchange think tank in London UK, where Science Minister Chris Skidmore made the keynote speech.

The ten projects receiving a share of £2m are split into Pathfinder, Fastrack and Flagship categories.

The Pathfinder projects include an innovative flat lens from the University of Glasgow which would save weight over traditional curved lenses and a reconfigurable software defined radio receiver called Babel, developed by In-Space.

The FastTrack projects HYMAS-X, 3DPAMS and META-TEL from the Universities of Cambridge, Cardiff and the National Physical Laboratory will deliver technologies to improve remote sensing of the atmosphere, for more accurate weather forecasting and monitoring air quality.

LEGO from the University of Surrey and CAGE from Teledyne e2v will develop gravity sensors, useful for studying the Earth’s surface in fields such as oceanography, climate science, and oil and gas prospecting.

Other FastTrack developments include Leonardo and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) adapting an infrared camera which could be used to monitor fires, volcanoes and human activity from space and a project from Craft Prospect Limited which will aim to improve the operation and management of small satellite constellations.

The global satellite-based Earth Observation market is buoyant and growing. Market studies estimate that the industry was worth $43.7 billion in revenue in 2017 and is expected to reach $66.1 billion in 2020.

The UK has world-leading satellite Earth Observation capability, from developing and building missions to managing and exploiting data and creating trusted applications and services. Earth Observation services are already supporting £92 billion worth of the wider UK economy and are growing rapidly.

As part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is building on this strength while growing our share of the global space market.

Plans to increase the number of British female entrepreneurs have taken a leap forward, with major banks and venture capital firms signalling their support

Published 16 July 2019 From: HM Treasury and Robert Jenrick MP

Plans to increase the number of British female entrepreneurs by half have taken a leap forward today, with major banks and venture capital firms signalling their support.

Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Santander, TSB, Metro Bank, the Co-operative Bank and Bank of Ireland UK have today all signed up to the Investing in Women Code, alongside venture capital firms Frontline, Episode 1, and Angel networks UK Business Angel Association, Angel Academe, and institutional investor British Business Bank.

The Investing in Women Code is a commitment to support female entrepreneurship in the UK by improving women’s access to the advice, resources and finance needed to build a business.

It comes after an independent review – commissioned by the Treasury and headed up by Alison Rose, Deputy CEO of NatWest – identified barriers faced by female entrepreneurs and what could be done to overcome them. The Rose Review found that only one in three entrepreneurs are women, and that businesses run by women are on average half the size of firms led by men.

Speaking at the launch of the Investing in Women Code at a reception in Downing Street, the Exchequer Secretary Robert Jenrick said:

Breaking down gender barriers could add billions to the UK economy.

I’m pleased to see so many of our major banks and venture capital firms support the code, and I call on others to follow suit.

It’s shocking that only one in three entrepreneurs are women, and I hope that today’s commitment signals a turning point in attitudes towards investing in female-led businesses.

Deputy CEO of NatWest Holdings and CEO, Commercial & Private Banking, Alison Rose, said:

When we began this process, everyone involved was in agreement that raising awareness of the Rose Review’s findings is only one small part of what is needed; what we need is action.

The reaction from industry and the commitment that so many leading institutions have already shown towards the Code has been fantastic and encouraging, and this is just the beginning.

I’m proud that NatWest has been a leading driver behind the development of the Code, and I look forward to working with others who support it, it is going to make a real difference.

Ian Rand, CEO of Barclays Business Banking said:

Boosting female entrepreneurship is vital to the future of the country’s economic growth, and Barclays is committed to ensuring we offer all the support we can to those starting and scaling their businesses.

We’re delighted to be a founding signatory of the Investing in Women Code and look forward to our continued partnership as we work together to address some of the challenges facing female entrepreneurs.

Susan Davies, Managing Director, Santander Business said:

The Code represents a determination among the whole sector to tackle the barriers that are still faced daily by female entrepreneurs.

What is important for the UK economy is that a great business idea has the chance to succeed. We should always be asking ourselves if we are doing enough to help female entrepreneurs take their idea from the drawing board to the consumer.

The Code will enable financial institutions to come together to build upon our individual initiatives and ensure that the tools and the resources needed to succeed are easily available.

The Government and industry will also come together later today for the first Rose Review Board meeting to drive forward the recommendations from the Rose Review.

Alice Hu Wagner, Managing Director for Strategy & Markets, British Business Bank, said:

Collecting data about how finance providers invest in female, male and mixed-gender founder teams is an essential first step in identifying and tackling the inequalities that exist in the market.

Our recent VC and Female Founders Report, which found that all-female teams received under 1p out of every pound of venture capital investment, has helped stimulate the right sorts of conversations about these issues. We’re delighted to sign up to the new Investing in Women Code to build on this and help develop a fuller picture across UK smaller business finance markets.

Rebecca Park, Managing Director, External Affairs, UK Finance said:

Innovation and entrepreneurship are foundations for success and inclusion in our economy and society and it is important that everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Business diversity translates into UK economic growth which benefits us all.

Today’s announcement demonstrates the finance sector’s commitment to promote and back female entrepreneurship in the United Kingdom.

The Code builds on a number of important initiatives already underway that are helping to provide access to the right tools, resources and funding to all entrepreneurs.

UK Finance will continue to work closely with the industry to support this important initiative.

The Government and industry will also come together later today for the first Rose Review Board meeting to drive forward the recommendations from the Rose Review.

Notes to Editors:

The Government and industry will also come together later today for the first Rose Review Board meeting to drive forward the recommendations from the Rose Review.

For further information on the Investing in Women Code, click here

The Investing in Women Code is complementary to the Women in Finance Charter, which promotes gender equality for employees within firms in the financial services sector.

For further information on The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship click here

Signatories to the Investing in Women Code will:

• have a nominated member of the senior leadership team (or key individual within my Angel group or network) who is responsible for supporting equality in all its interactions with entrepreneurs

• provide HM Treasury, or a relevant industry body designated by HM Treasury, a commonly agreed set of data concerning: all-female-led businesses; mixed-gender-led businesses and all-male-led businesses. My organisation agrees that HM Treasury will collate this data and publish it on an aggregated and anonymised basis in an annual report

• adopt internal practices which aim to improve the potential for female entrepreneurs to successfully access the tools, resources, investment and finance they need to build and grow their businesses, working with relevant players in the ecosystem. My organisation will review these actions annually and make this commitment publicly available