Innovators are key to helping the UK face key security challenges such as preventing terrorist activity and protecting national infrastructure. But it can be difficult to understand the world of UK security innovation, what the science and technology priorities are, and how your innovation can help.

To help you learn more about the UK’s security challenges, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to offer the opportunity to attend two upcoming webinars, featuring the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and UK Counter Terrorism (CT) Policing.

Get involved for guidance on areas of focus for UK security innovation, and how your ideas might help address security challenges in the DASA Security Rapid Impact Innovations Open Call.

Webinar: Discover the work of the CPNI

Date: 18 January 2022, 13:00 – 14:00 GMT

CPNI is the UK government’s National Technical Authority for protective security advice to the UK national infrastructure. Their role is to protect national security by helping to reduce the vulnerability of the national infrastructure to terrorism and other threats.

CPNI is also a key stakeholder in DASA’s Security Rapid Impact Innovations competition, and works closely with other key government security departments, including the Home Office Homeland Security Group, Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the Police, in particular the National Counter Terrorism Security Office.

Join this webinar for the opportunity to learn about the CPNI’s science and technology priorities, providing you with guidance on topics that may help you submit a proposal to DASA’s Security Rapid Impact Innovations competition.

What will be covered in the webinar?

• Introduction to CPNI
• CPNI science and technology priorities
• What DASA does and how Security Rapid Impact Innovations works
• Q&A

Register here

Webinar: Discover the work of UK Counter Terrorism Policing

Date: 23 February 2022, 13:00 – 14:00 GMT

CT Policing is a collaboration of UK police forces working with the UK intelligence community to help protect the public and our national security by preventing, deterring and investigating terrorist activity.

Also a key stakeholder in DASA’s Security Rapid Impact Innovations competition, CT Policing’s activity spans four key streams of activity: Pursue, Protect, Prepare and Prevent. CT Policing is also engaged in Project Servator, visible police deployments designed to deter, detect and disrupt crime.

Join this webinar to learn about CT Policing’s science and technology priorities, and find out what innovations may be relevant to the Security Rapid Impact Innovations competition.

What will be covered in the event?

• Introduction to CT Policing
• CT Policing science and technology priorities
• What DASA does and how Security Rapid Impact Innovations works
• Q&A

Register here

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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.

Since becoming Transport Secretary, I have worked consistently to raise the bar on motorway safety and I am determined to make sure people using our motorways continue to benefit from one of the safest and best-performing road networks in the world.

To this end, one of my first actions as Transport Secretary was to order a stocktake of smart motorways. I also welcome the Transport Committee’s report published on 2 November 2021, following their inquiry into the rollout and safety of smart motorways.

The Stocktake and Action Plan, which I published in March 2020, focused efforts on further upgrading the safety of smart motorways. I am pleased that these efforts have been recognised by the committee, which agreed that the government was right to focus on upgrading the safety of all lane running (ALR) smart motorways, rather than reinstating the hard shoulder – which the committee recognised could cause more deaths or serious injuries on our roads.

Having carefully considered the committee’s report, I will be taking forward all of its recommendations. This includes the recommendation to pause the rollout of future ALR smart motorway schemes until a full 5 years’ worth of safety data is available.

During the pause, we will continue to make sure all existing ALR smart motorways are equipped with best-in-class technology and resources and are as safe as they can possibly be.

I will also follow the recommendations to:

• pause the conversion of dynamic hard shoulder smart motorways to ALR until the next Road Investment Strategy
• retrofit more emergency areas across existing ALR schemes
• conduct an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of stopped vehicle detection technology
• explore the introduction of the emergency corridor manoeuvre to the Highway Code
• investigate the benefits of health and safety assessments being undertaken by the Office of Rail and Road.

Taken together, and building on my initial stocktake, these measures will ensure that our roads continue to be among the safest in the world – helping drivers not just to be safe, but crucially, to feel safe and confident when driving.

I am grateful for the Transport Committee’s scrutiny and to all those who provided evidence for their work. I will be instructing National Highways to take immediate steps to implement the actions as set out in the response and will update the committee on progress over the coming year.

Rollout and safety of smart motorways: government response to the Transport Committee’s third report, 12 January 2022.

Smart motorway rollout to be paused as government responds to Transport Committee report news story, 12 January 2022.

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) allows young people aged between 18 and 30 to live, work or study in the United Kingdom for up to 2 years.

As before there are a total of 1,000 places available to South Korean nationals each year.

800 places will be allocated in the first ballot in January, while the remaining places will be made available in a second ballot in July 2022. If your application is successful you will be able to live, work and study in the UK for up to 2 years.

How to apply for the ballot

If you would like to be in with the chance to apply for the scheme you should send one email per applicant to: southkorea.yms2022@fcdo.gov.uk between midday (12pm) on Monday 17 January 2022 to midday on Wednesday 19 January 2022 (South Korea time).

The header or subject line of your email must contain your name, date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY) and passport number as shown in your passport.

This must be written in English only.

For example: Kim Jayne – 31/03/2000 – Passport123456789.

The main body of your email should include the following information, written in English:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Passport Number
• Mobile phone number

The email account will only be open for 48 hours and all emails received within this timeframe will be sent an automated reply confirming receipt.

Once the ballot closes applicants will be chosen at random by UKVI. If you have been successful a second email will be sent to you by 28 January to confirm acceptance and provide further instructions on how to make an appointment, along with documentary evidence required to apply for your entry clearance.

Please note successful applicants must prepare online applications and online credit card payments no later than 28 February 2022. Failure to submit your payment online by this date will automatically remove your name from the list and your allocation will be retracted. After you have paid online you have 90 days to book your appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and submit your paperwork for consideration.

If you are a South Korean national living overseas you can also apply following the instructions above, and if you are chosen to apply you will be able to do so in your country/territory of residence. Applications cannot be submitted for the Youth Mobility Scheme in the UK.

If you’re unsuccessful you will also receive within two weeks of the ballot closing and no further action is required. You’ll be able to re-apply for the ballot when it reopens in July 2022, if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Further information about the scheme can be found on gov.uk and any enquiries relating to the application process, online application forms and questions in general should be directed to the UKVI International Enquiry Line.

• The Grain to Woolwich stretch connects the sea and the Thames Estuary to central London for the first time.
• The nearly 50-mile route forms a continuous walking trail on the south bank of the Thames to the coast at Grain in Kent.
• The route links with the existing Thames Path at Woolwich to create a continuous ‘source to sea’ National Trail along the length of the River Thames.

The new year brings a new trail for London and Kent residents and visitors to enjoy, to connect with nature and for health and wellbeing opportunities.

An incredibly varied 47.12-mile (75.85km) trail from the north Kent coast, along the wild reaches of the Thames Estuary which supports a wealth of wildlife, and beside the dynamic working tidal Thames in London, has been opened by Natural England today.

Marian Spain, Natural England Chief Executive said:

The 2,700-mile-long England Coast Path will be the longest coastal walking route in the world as well as England’s newest National Trail. It follows the whole coast, passing through some of our finest coast and countryside as well as iconic seaside towns and places of marine industry, past and present.

At a time when the benefits of connecting with nature are clearer than ever, it’s fabulous that we are opening up this 47 mile-long section of footpath from the capital to the Kent coast. Easily walkable in all weathers and readily accessible by public transport, it is a wonderful new recreational resource for the hundreds of thousands of people who live nearby, as well as a tourist attraction for those who will come from around the world to walk the whole Path.

This new trail covers a wealth of unique environments. As you set off from Grain on the Hoo Peninsula, you can enjoy views across to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, to Southend-on-Sea, and the confluence of the Medway and Thames.

Surprisingly so close to such an urban area are some of the remotest grazing marshes in the south east. Between Allhallows and Cliffe in Kent, you can walk more than 12 miles (nearly 20km) without passing another coastal village or car park. There are some gorgeous little pocket beaches and extensive mudflats full of wintering wading birds. Along the river, you may also see the occasional grey seal hauled up on one of the many small beaches.

In the Thames Estuary, the largest in England, the creeks, extensive mudflats, saltmarsh and grazing marshes support a wealth of wildlife of national and international importance. During the winter months, you’ll see flocks of waterbirds such as avocet, knot and dunlin and the nature reserve at Cliffe Pools in Kent is a popular spot for bird watching.

The Thames Estuary also has a long and rich military and industrial history. You can see forts such as Shornemead, near Gravesend, which were installed to protect London in the 1860s. You pass under the largest pylon in the UK and can look up at the impressive Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which is the busiest estuarial crossing in Europe.

A new section of the path will also take visitors through the recently designated Site of Special Scientific Interest at Swanscombe Peninsula, where an industrial history has resulted in habitats that provide ideal conditions for a unique variety of wildlife.

As you walk beside the Thames, the busiest working port in the UK, the boat traffic provides a fascinating view into this dynamic working river. There are many independently run wharves handling goods arriving by large maritime vessels.

As you arrive in Woolwich, with great views of London’s skyline, the England Coast Path meets the existing Thames Path National Trail. You pass the impressive Thames Barrier, which protects London from flooding, and can walk along the Thames to its source in the Cotswolds. This new stretch of the England Coast Path completes a ‘source to sea’ walking route along the country’s most famous river.

Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs and access to nature said:

The England Coast Path is greatly improving access to our cherished coastlines and connecting people across the country with nature, in line with our 25 Year Environment Plan. Home to a diverse array of bird life at this time of year, this latest stretch links the salt marshes and mudflats of the Thames Estuary with the heart of London. I encourage people of all ages and abilities to venture outdoors and explore this fantastic new path for themselves.

Mike Hill, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services said:

The opening of this section of the England Coast Path extends opportunities for local residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors and to discover some hidden gems along the lower Thames and North Kent coast. This really is an extremely varied stretch of coastline rich in wildlife and with a long history of industry, trade and transport. The result is a walk full of contrast and interest that will help support the health and wellbeing of visitors and the local economy.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services, said:

Medway is proud to have two National Trails in our area including the England Coast Path, which is the longest, continuous, coastal trail in the world. Medway is also home to the Thames Path extension from Greenwich to Grain, making this trail a ‘Source to Sea’ walking route. We are delighted to have been part of this historic project that gives people even more opportunities to connect with nature and explore news pathways and views. As well as giving Medway residents access to new trails, we look forward to welcoming new visitors to Medway where they can enjoy 1,900 hectares of rich and varied greenspaces.

Natural England has worked with a number of partners to develop this trail, especially the four Access Authorities – Kent County Council, Medway Council, London Borough of Bexley and Royal Borough of Greenwich, who have worked on this project from the start and will be taking on management of the path now that it is open.

Find out more about the England Coast Path here.

For more information about the walking route, visit: www.nationaltrail.co.uk

For more information about the Thames Path visit: Thames Path – National Trails where you can also find more information about the Source to sea.

Hundreds of former teachers have signed up with supply agencies following the Education Secretary’s call for them to temporarily return to the profession, data published today (Wednesday 12 January) shows.

Initial data from around ten per cent of supply agencies shows that 485 former teachers have signed up with agencies, with some teachers already placed back in the classroom during the first week of term. A further 100 Teach First alumni have also expressed interest in supporting the workforce.

Given the size of the sample, the actual number of ex-teachers who have signed up is likely to be much larger.

Supply agencies are reporting that the levels of interest they are receiving represent a marked increase in the levels they would otherwise have expected in a normal year.

This comes as millions of children and young people returned to early years settings, schools and colleges last week as the Government continues to prioritise face to face education.

Overall levels of teacher absence are relatively stable compared to the end of last term, however the proportion of staff absent due to COVID-19 is higher than normal as a result of the Omicron variant and is expected to remain a challenge throughout the first weeks of term.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said:

Making sure all children and young people can attend school or college remains my number one priority.

I want to thank all former teachers who have come forward to support the national effort and help keep our children in face-to-face education. I call on all other former teachers who are able to do the same to come forward now.

The vaccine continues to help us pave the way out of this pandemic and more than ever it is absolutely vital that all those eligible get their booster or second jab, as well as continuing to test regularly.

Once teachers have signed up with an agency and have completed necessary checks they are able to return to the classroom as soon as an opportunity arises that fits their subject specialism and local need.

The government continues to work closely with the sector to make sure every possible route is being used to keep schools equipped with the teaching staff they need to maintain face-to-face education.

Over a phased return during the first week, all secondary schools were asked to complete one on-site test for pupils to help reduce the transmission of Covid-19 after a period of social mixing. College and university students and all staff were asked to self-test at home before they returned to the classroom.

Proportionate safety measures remain in place in schools, colleges and universities to help reduce the transmission of the virus, including increased ventilation, testing and good hygiene, with older students and staff wearing face coverings in the classroom until the review point on 26 January.

All early years settings, schools, colleges, and universities are advised to continue to follow the latest guidance set out by the department which is kept regularly under review.

ENDS