World-leading engineering and science experts have joined the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) on its mission to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy.

UKAEA has signed two multimillion-pound framework agreements this week to aid the development of safe, efficient, and low-carbon fusion energy. Fusion has the potential to be a critical component in the global effort to tackle climate change.

A £4 million, four-year Engineering Embedded Resource Framework agreement with seven companies, Assystem, Atkins, IDOM, Morsons, NUVIA, EASL and Norton Straw Consultants, will cover fusion research, powerplant design, robotics, modelling, materials, and other specialist technology areas.

The second framework, a £3.5m Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) Manufacturing Support Services agreement, will push forward UKAEA’s plans to deliver the first prototype fusion energy plant in the UK.

Five lead companies – Ansaldo, Doosan Babcock, Frazer Nash, Nuclear AMRC and Rolls-Royce – will be supported on this programme by more than 25 collaborators from industry, research and technical organisations, The High Value Manufacturing Catapult (a group of manufacturing research centres in the United Kingdom), and academia until March 2024.

The frameworks will allow companies to embed their own specialists in project roles or add experience and expertise to UKAEA research into the development of fusion energy.

Paula Barham, UKAEA Head of Procurement, said: “Signing these two major framework agreements in the run up to Christmas is a big boost for UKAEA and our partners. Joining forces with such world-class organisations brings exciting opportunities for us to team-up with a wide range of experts, with this type of collaboration vital to UKAEA succeeding and positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable fusion energy.”

Gary Stables, Engineering Contract Project Manager at UKAEA, added: “This is another example of how UKAEA works closely with its industrial partners to access resources as well as help develop the UK manufacturing supply chain in the push towards our goal of delivering fusion energy, which has huge potential as a low carbon energy source.”

Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, promises a near-limitless clean electricity source for the long term. Fusion power creates nearly four million times more energy for every kilogram of fuel than burning coal, oil or gas.

STEP is a UKAEA programme that will demonstrate the ability to generate net electricity from fusion through its prototype power plant. It will also determine how the plant will be maintained through its operational life, and demonstrate its potential to recycle its fuel. Five sites have been shortlisted across the UK, with a decision on the final location to be made by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy around the end of 2022.

• The export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the piece
• An exceptional example of royal propaganda, the portrait shows royal desire to appear “ordinary” during the American Revolutionary War

Valued at £314,880, Portrait of Prince William by Benjamin West is at risk of leaving the country unless a UK buyer can be found.

This rare portrait of the young Prince William, the third son of George III, who was destined to become the ‘sailor king’ William IV, shows him wearing his midshipman’s uniform on the quarterdeck of the Prince George during the American Revolutionary War.

American painter, Benjamin West, who created the portrait, was appointed historical painter to George III from 1772, and this is among the most original of his works.

Commissioned by his father, the Portrait of Prince William is one of the very few accurately to depict an eighteenth-century midshipman. It also shows how the royal family used portraiture during the American Revolutionary War as propaganda, aiming to present the Prince as an ordinary midshipman, working his way up the ranks without “parade” or “marks of distinction”. The aim was to reinforce King George’s simple, moralistic public image and show the royal family living a respectable family life.

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

This rare painting from the late eighteenth century gives us an insight into how the Hanoverian Royal Family wanted to be seen: as humble figures working their way up the naval ranks in the same way as anyone else.

I hope this fascinating portrait, which teaches us about our royal and naval history, is saved for the nation so it can be appreciated for generations to come.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA). The Committee agreed that this painting is not only significant for its connection to royal propaganda during the American war, but also for its relation to the cult of sensibility during the 1780s.

Committee Member Professor Mark Hallett said:

This is a highly original and visually striking portrait of a royal prince by one of the leading painters working in Georgian Britain. Showing the future King William IV standing alone on the deck of a warship, dressed in his midshipman’s uniform, looking steadfastly out to sea and resting his hand on a sword, the portrait highlights both his youth and bravery. The work’s significance lies not only in its exceptional quality and interest as a painting; the portrait also provided the basis for a widely disseminated engraving that served to promote the modest, heroic virtues of the prince and his family at a time of profound national crisis. For all these reasons, this is a painting of great historical and art-historical importance.

The Committee made its recommendation on the grounds that the portrait’s departure from the UK would be a misfortune because it is so closely connected with our history and national life and it is of outstanding significance for the study of naval portraiture in Britain.

The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred until 16 March 2022. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £314,880 (Inclusive of VAT). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

Offers from public bodies for less than the recommended price through the private treaty sale arrangements, where appropriate, may also be considered. Such purchases frequently offer substantial financial benefit to a public institution wishing to acquire the item.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the painting should contact the RCEWA on 0845 300 6200.
2. Details of the painting are as follows: Benjamin West, P.R.A. (1738-1820) Portrait of Prince William, later King William IV of Great Britain (1765-1837), when a midshipman, in naval uniform, standing on the deck of HMS Prince George, 1781 Oil on canvas, 53.5 x 43.2 cm Condition Report The canvas is lined and there is good adhesion between the canvas and the lining material. The paint layer is stable and secure and in very good original condition. There is a small repaired loss to the mast, to the right of the sitter’s hat in the decking and in the sky, left, between the ships. Fine details are well preserved, including the more vulnerable details such as the rigging. The vigorous handling of the paint through the white clothing of the sitter is intact, with the impasted highlights of his buttons very slightly compromised. Removal of a degraded and discoloured varnish would significantly improve the tonal and chromatic values of the image. The painting presents well. Frame: a period carved gilt wood frame with some minor wear
3. Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter’s father, King George III and given by him to his son’s commanding office, Admiral Robert Digby (1732-1815); By descent to his nephew, Admiral Sir Henry Digby (1770–1842); By descent to his son, Edward Digby, 9th Baron Digby (1809-1889); Thence by descent.
4. The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by the Arts Council, which advises the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.
5. Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. They invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk 

The British Ambassador hosted a live question and answer session for UK nationals in Croatia on 30 November 2021. This article summarises the main questions that were raised by UK nationals and the official advice provided by the embassy in response.

Stay updated about your rights in Croatia by following Living in Croatia guide as well as via the UK embassy’s social media channels:

Securing your rights in Croatia

If you have lived in Croatia since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members can request a new Withdrawal Agreement biometric residency card called the ‘dozvola boravka’. This card shows that you enjoy rights defined in the Withdrawal Agreement. We recommend that you request the ‘dozvola boravka’ as it also exempts you from visa requirements when returning to Croatia.

You may have to pay a fine (around 200 Croatian Kuna) if you did not apply for the new card before 30 June 2021 but your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement will not be affected.

Your close family members can join you and settle in Croatia at any point in the future. Find more information on who this applies to on the Living in Europe page on gov.uk.

Family members must travel to Croatia and then submit an application for the new Withdrawal Agreement residency card as your family member. Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel.

Passport stamping

If you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement your British passport should not be stamped when exiting or entering Croatia. The stamping (rather than scanning) of a passport is to note the dates of someone entering and exiting Croatia. If it is stamped, the stamp is immediately negated by your residency documentation and has no impact on your rights in Croatia. We continue to advise UK nationals to carry your residency documentation with you when travelling and to show this to border guards even before you show them your British passport.

British Embassy Zagreb is raising passport stamping with the Ministry of Interior. The Croatian government has recently issued further guidance to border guards. The Croatian Ministry takes this seriously and engages with specific border teams and airports when necessary. Continue to report passport stamping via our Consular Contact Centre. Find details on Living in Croatia page.

Right to healthcare in Croatia

If you were lawfully living in Croatia before 1 January 2021 you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Under this agreement you enjoy lifelong rights to access healthcare as you were doing before the UK left the EU.

Anyone living in Croatia for more than 3 months must have health insurance. Healthcare is not free in Croatia. As well as insurance contributions, you need to pay something towards the cost of any medical treatment. This is called a co-payment.

UK nationals access the Croatian healthcare system in one of these ways:

• paying contributions to the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO)
• using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for tourist visits, temporary stays when studying, or as a ‘posted’ (detached) worker
• registering a UK-issued S1 form with HZZO

If you are a UK national accessing healthcare via one of these routes your right to continue to do so is protected for life for as long as you remain living in Croatia.

Finding a doctor in Croatia

Find a list of doctors published in guidance Croatia: doctors or on the Croatian HZZO site in English.

Visit doctors in your vicinity to confirm their availability to take on new patients. Check whether they speak English if that is what you require.

There are freephone numbers to call if you need information about primary medical insurance (0800 7979) or regarding additional medical insurance options (0800 7989).

Driving in Croatia

If you are resident in Croatia, you should exchange your UK licence for a Croatian one. You should exchange your driving licence at the nearest police station. You can do this if you have either approved temporary or permanent residence in Croatia.

To exchange your licence, you will need:

• original UK driving licence and translation
• a certificate of medical fitness to drive
• payment slip
• administrative fee
• a 35 x 45 mm photograph

Other documentation may be required. Find more details on Living in Croatia.

You cannot renew or replace your UK licence if you are resident overseas. If you return to settle in the UK you can obtain a UK licence by exchanging your Croatian one without the need to re-take your test.

Purchasing property in Croatia

You do not need to be resident in Croatia to buy property or land. The regulations for third-country nationals apply. You need to make sure you are complying with these regulations. Check our Living in Croatia guide for more information. Find guidance from the Croatian government there as well which you should read through carefully.

If you’re considering purchasing property you may wish to seek specialised advice.

Keeping your rights as a resident

If you were lawfully resident in Croatia before 1 January 2021 you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. If you’ve been living in Croatia for less than 5 years you keep your temporary residency status if you spend at least 183 days in every 365 days in Croatia. Once you’ve lived in Croatia for five continuous years you are eligible for permanent residency status. As a permanent resident you can leave Croatia for up to 5 years without losing your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

UK nationals arriving to settle in Croatia from 1 January 2021 are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (unless moving to Croatia as a close family member of someone who is). You need to adhere to Croatia’s immigration rules applicable to third-country nationals. This means you are likely to require a visa to spend more than 90 days in Croatia. You should check official immigration advice from the Croatia government before planning your trip MVEP visa requirements overview. The length of time you can live in Croatia as someone not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement is dependent on the type of visa you have obtained and its duration.

British Embassy Zagreb is continuing to seek clarification on additional areas including on car registration plates and on the process for non-EU family members joining a UK national in Croatia under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Continue checking Living in Guide and Travel Advice.

The government and faith leaders have united in the national effort to get the country boosted in the wake of a surge in Omicron cases.

The drive is being supported by religious leaders, including members of the Prime Minister’s Places of Worship Taskforce, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sheikh Nuru Mohammed, and the General Secretary of the Hindu Council.

Faith Minister Kemi Badenoch was today (17 December 2021) meeting with religious leaders to thank them for their work so far and call on their urgent support in increasing booster uptake.

Faith leaders – who are the pillars of many communities across the country – have played a vital role throughout the pandemic, from backing the vaccine drive, to making sure people practice their faith safely, and even adapting places of worship into pop-up soup kitchens and food banks.

As numbers of the new variant continue to rise at an alarming rate, the government today joined forces with faith leaders to help spread the message that booster vaccines are critical in our fight against the virus.

At a summit alongside senior NHS figures, Kemi Badenoch today outlined the government’s response to the latest variant and highlighted areas where faith leaders’ support will be most welcome.

Vaccines have saved countless lives and continue to be our best way to protect against COVID-19 – and have helped over the last few months to bring communities back together. The UK has one of the highest uptake rates in the world, with more than 85% of adults double jabbed so far, allowing people to come together in places of worship, to practice their faith safely.

However, data shows that people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are currently less likely to take up the vaccine, and we need everyone from every background to do their bit.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Faith and local community leaders have played a vital role supporting the COVID-19 vaccine programme from the very beginning. Thank you to everyone who is uniting behind this national mission, spreading the word about the life-saving benefits of the vaccines and encouraging people to roll up their sleeves and get boosted now.

We’re working with the NHS to provide advice and information at every opportunity on how to get a vaccine and the protection it provides. Today’s discussion with faith leaders is another opportunity to listen to views from across the country and join forces to get ahead in the race against the Omicron variant.

It is never too late to get your vaccine, whether it’s your first, second or third. Please come forward and get protected for yourself, your family and your community.

Faith Minister Kemi Badenoch said:

More than 25 million people have already received their booster jab, helping to keep themselves, their friends and family safe this winter but we need everyone from every community to come forward to get ahead of this virus.

This is why I have joined up with leaders from across all the major faiths to ask people of every denomination to come forward and support this huge national effort.

Vaccines are our best defence against Omicron – I therefore urge faith communities, and everyone, to book yourself in today and join the national fight against this virus.

All eligible adults aged over 18 can get their lifesaving booster jab from a walk-in vaccination centre or book online through the National Booking Service following updates to the programme this week.

A total of 750 troops have been drafted in to support deployment of booster vaccines across the UK, while tens of thousands of volunteers have stepped up to support the national mission. Extra vaccine centres and pop-up sites have also opened to make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated.

Vaccines are the best way to protect people against COVID-19 and data from the UK Health Security Agency shows a booster vaccine tops up protection against symptomatic infection from the Omicron variant to around 70%.

The government is doing everything possible to spread this message, including through regular meetings with local authorities, faith leaders and organisations that represent ethnic minority communities to provide advice and information about COVID-19 vaccines.

Working together with the NHS and UKHSA, the Department of Health and Social Care is providing advice and information at every possible opportunity to support those getting the vaccine and to anyone who might have questions about the vaccination process.

If you have yet to get your first or second dose, it is never too late – vaccines reduce your risk of hospitalisation and death.

Whatever your faith or your background, join the national effort and get the protection you need now.