The seed of the idea of joining the Royal Naval Reserve was planted at University. Kiera studied Biomedical Sciences at King’s College London, and having sailed for most of her life, decided to join the University Royal Navy Unit (URNU). Kiera commented:

I loved it. We met once a week, like any other society. At weekends we did adventurous training, and leadership and management qualifications. It was fantastic to train alongside like-minded people and make friends.

Kiera now works for Greencore, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of convenience foods, as a Purchasing Excellence Partner. She is part of a dynamic new team who are looking at innovative new ways of working. She said:

One of the ways that the navy has complimented my civilian career is through leadership and management. At a basic level, you have to be confident standing up and presenting, or mapping out a new idea. But the strategic thinking side of my business career is really important, and so many of the skills I have, I built up in the navy. And vice versa, everything I learn about Project Management in my day job goes straight into my reserve duties. It’s a win win!

A spokesperson for Greencore said:

We’re proud of the work that Kiera is doing as a Reservist. At Greencore we encourage as many colleagues as possible to get involved in organisations and activities that support and help our local communities and wider society. Kiera is an excellent example of a colleague who has this ethos at the core.

• 260,000 workers left the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) in August.
• The number of workers on the scheme fell to a low of 1.3 million, an 85% reduction since its peak in May 2020.
• Redundancy statistics show that notifications for redundancies in the same month were 12,687, the lowest level in seven years.

The furlough scheme has been a vital shield in the face of unprecedented economic challenges, protecting 11.7 million jobs and supporting communities across the Union.

Insolvency Service statistics show that notifications for redundancies in the same month were 12,687, the lowest level in seven years.

In September they were the second lowest since January 2020, under 14,000, less than a fifth compared to the same period a year before.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:

The furlough scheme was a lifeline for communities all over the UK. I am proud of the vital support the scheme provided during the toughest of economic times.

The economy has reopened, and as planned millions of workers have moved off the scheme and back into work, now we move into the next stage of our Plan for Jobs with a £500m support package to help get people into work and into better paid jobs.

The statistics come after the Chancellor this week announced an extra £500 million toward the next phase of the government’s Plan for Jobs which will support hundreds of thousands of people into work and into better paid work.

This package of support will help those on Universal Credit boost their career with advice from their dedicated work coach, support older workers with enhanced support through the Job Finding Support and Job Entry Targeted Support schemes and extend the Kickstart jobs placement scheme for 18–24-year-olds.

Further information:

• The latest HMRC statistics on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme can be found online.
• The number of redundancies registered for September remained stable with fewer than 14,000 registered via the Advanced Notification of Redundancy Scheme, statistics for which can be found online.
• Claims for September 2021 for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme must be submitted by 14 October 2021 and any amendments must be made by 28 October 2021.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, said:

I’m delighted to congratulate Admiral Sir Tony Radakin on his appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff, a post he will take up on November 30th. Admiral Tony brings an unparalleled wealth of experience to the role at a time of significant change for the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence. We are modernising to address the challenges posed by an increasingly unstable world and I know he will lead the Armed Forces with distinction in his new post.

Admiral Tony has been an outstanding First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff overseeing a period of transformation in the Royal Navy that has seen more ships deployed, for longer, all over the world. That includes the inaugural voyage of HMS Queen Elizabeth at the head of our new Carrier Strike Group which set sail in May.

There is much to be done, at home and abroad, the threats against the UK and our allies are growing. Last year this Government made the biggest investment in Defence since the Cold War, and delivered a transformational vision for the future of the Armed Forces through the Integrated Review and Defence Command Paper. I would like to thank General Sir Nick Carter for his leadership and counsel as Chief of the Defence Staff. I now look forward to working with Admiral Tony as we fulfil the ambitions we both share for the nation’s Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said:

I am delighted to welcome Admiral Sir Tony Radakin as the next Chief of the Defence Staff. He has proven himself an outstanding military leader as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff and I have every confidence he will be an exceptional Chief of the Defence Staff. Under his command we have more Royal Navy sailors on the front line, more warships at sea – including our two world class aircraft carriers – and we are leading a shipbuilding renaissance which is creating jobs and protecting lives around the UK.

This Government has made a clear commitment to create the Armed Forces of the future, establishing the biggest defence investment programme since the Cold War. Admiral Tony will lead the Armed Forces at a time of incredible change while upholding the values and standards that they are respected for around the world. I know he will bring drive and dedication to the job and I look forward to working with him.

We owe General Sir Nick Carter our deepest thanks for his decades of steadfast duty spent keeping the UK, its citizens and our allies safe. During his time as CDS, I have valued his wisdom and support through moments of national crisis, including the Covid pandemic. He leaves his post at the end of November with the Armed Forces in excellent health, ready to face whatever challenges tomorrow brings. I wish him every success in his next endeavour.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said:

I am humbled to have been selected as the next Chief of the Defence Staff. It will be an immense privilege to lead our outstanding people who defend and protect the United Kingdom. I would like to thank General Sir Nick Carter for his leadership and wise stewardship of the UK’s Armed Forces over the last three years.

I am looking forward to working further with The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP and the rest of the Department’s senior leadership team as we modernise the Armed Forces and implement the Integrated Review. The Government has given us clarity and additional resource to counter the threats we face as a nation. It is now time to get on and deliver.

I am honoured to be chosen to lead the Armed Forces in this exciting time and in a period of enormous change. The Prime Minister and Secretary of State have demanded reform and we must seize the opportunity the Government has given us and ensure we are a global force delivering for Global Britain.

A biography of Admiral Sir Tony Radakin can be found here