Sellafield Ltd has a key role in a consortium of industrial, aerospace and aviation giants that has won a share of a £30 million government challenge fund to develop and test a remotely operated drone system.

The futuristic system will enable remote inspection and monitoring of nuclear sites and has a range of other applications including on construction sites, oil and gas installations, road, rail and telecoms infrastructure and in providing live support to emergency services.

Led by the specialist drone command and control solution developer, Sees.ai, the consortium includes BAE Systems, Atkins, Skanska, NATS, Vodafone and a host of other organisations with unique specialisms and perspectives.

Mark Foster, Head of Specialist Equipment Services, Sellafield Ltd, said:

The specialist equipment services team provides engineering and maintenance support to the whole of Sellafield and we continually seek out areas of innovation to improve services on our complex and congested site.

This new technology has huge potential for our future operations; making our work safer, faster and more cost effective.

We’re proud to be at the forefront of a national challenge and our experienced team, together with our local supply chain partners, is demonstrating every day how we can truly make a difference for our mission and beyond.

The funding comes from the Future Flight Challenge, Phase 2 competition, part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy that works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.

As a publicly funded organisation itself. Sellafield Ltd will not receive any of the challenge fund but the Sellafield site offers a unique testbed for the use of this technology on nuclear licensed sites and already has its own team of highly skilled and experienced drone pilots.

The drone system, which uses similar technology to autonomous cars, enables autonomous drones to be flown under tight human supervision by pilots based in a central control room hundreds of miles away.

The challenge put the drone system through a series of increasingly complex tests to see how it would respond in a range of circumstances, demonstrating significant potential for inspections and maintenance of congested and hazardous areas.

Peter Allport, Remote Handling Lead for Specialist Equipment Services, Sellafield Ltd Engineering and Maintenance said:

This technology has the potential to revolutionise how we use drones at Sellafield, increasing the operational envelope and transforming the way in which drones are piloted.

It also closes the loop between our engineering and maintenance and robotics and artificial intelligence programme; ensuring we are always using the best available technology so we can continuously improve our service to the Sellafield site and the rest of the NDA Group.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) recently worked with the Premier League to deliver an online awareness session for clubs, looking at the work that DBS does and how we can work together to make recruitment safer.

The Partnership and Engagement team at DBS, who are also responsible for delivery of the DBS Conference, work regularly with other organisations, looking at how we can collaborate and share key messages amongst the safeguarding community.

This recent session with Premier League clubs looked at a number of different topics, including:

• an overview of the work that DBS does, alongside a general update
• the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and DBS’ response to this, including the introduction of 24-hour emergency Barred List(s) checks and other temporary measures
• a look at the new filtering rules that were introduced in November 2020

The Premier League clubs involved in this session were also encouraged to ask questions about the work that we do at DBS to maximise understanding, and were invited to remain in contact with DBS as we continue to build effective relationships, and look at how we can work together with safer recruitment in mind.

The session also provided the Partnership and Engagement team with the platform to introduce our new DBS regional teams and Outreach Officers to the Premier League. The focus of this new regional outreach service is to work collaboratively with safeguarding organisations and organisations that are recruiting.

Head of Partnership and Engagement at DBS, Helen Chandler, said:

We have been delighted to have the opportunity to develop our relationship with the Premier League and support them, and their clubs, by increasing awareness and understanding of the role that DBS plays in making recruitment safer. We are learning from them what works well for their clubs, and adjusting our approach to take advantage of communication technology, and the added support that our new regional outreach officers can give to organisations and communities at a local level, at the time that it is needed.

As detailed in the DBS 2020-25 Strategy, keeping people informed and increasing public understanding of the work we do at DBS is one of DBS’ strategic objectives, and this type of work is a key part of meeting these objectives over the next five years.

For more information about this piece of work, or the work of the Partnership and Engagement team, please contact: Danielle Oakford, Safeguarding Engagement Manager.

DBS is looking forward to continuing this work in collaboration with the Premier League.

Today (Monday 25 January), Scots across the world will be celebrating Burns Night with a hearty serving of haggis, thanks to the rise in exports from Scotland’s largest producer of the iconic dish to key Free-Trade Agreement markets including Singapore and Canada.

Macsween of Edinburgh, which produces a range of haggis products including gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian haggis, has played an important role in sharing the dish globally.

The company made history in 2017 when it became the first company to export the dish to Canada since 1971. In the last three years, Macsween has seen an increase of 135% of their products exported to Singapore and, just last year, exported vegetarian haggis to the USA – their first export to the region in nearly 50 years.

It’s not just haggis leading the way in representing Scotland’s culinary delights on the international stage. Companies like Nairn’s Oatcakes already export to some of the UK’s key markets including Canada and New Zealand, seeing a 15% and 95% increase in sales respectively in 2019.

Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP, said:

It’s fantastic that haggis will again be enjoyed all over the world this Burns Night thanks to our brilliant Scottish businesses.

In 2019 we overtook France to become the world’s fifth largest exporter and we’re helping Scottish businesses export their world-famous products including Scottish beef and lamb to new markets.

Our new free trade agreements will make it easier for businesses to sell their goods overseas, which will encourage growth and create jobs for people in Scotland.

UK Government Minister for Scotland, David Duguid said:

It’s fitting that on the day Scots around the globe celebrate the work of one of our greatest cultural icons, Robert Burns, we can announce an exports boom in Scottish food and drink.

I congratulate all our producers from this vital sector for their success in exporting iconic goods such as haggis and oatcakes so they can be enjoyed throughout the world.

Whilst there will be no big Burns suppers this year, I know people will be enjoying Burns Night traditions from the safety of their homes across the planet.

James Macsween, 3rd Generation Managing Director and Owner of Macsween, said:

Macsween now exports Haggis and Veggie Crumble to six international markets, and we expect to see that demand continue as we gain wider distribution of our products.

We are proud to grow through innovation, and we are dedicated to introducing our award-winning products to new international markets.

David Thomson, Chief Executive Officer, FDF Scotland, said:

Scotland’s food and drink manufacturers have great success at home and abroad. This success is largely due to the hard-working and passionate people that make up our vibrant sector.

As you enjoy some amazing Scottish food and drink to celebrate Burns Night – please remember to raise your glass to the hard-working people in the food and drink industry. Without them we wouldn’t be lucky enough to enjoy such a variety of high quality food and drink.

In under two years, the Department for International Trade (DIT) has secured trade agreements with 63 countries plus the EU, that account for £897bn of UK bilateral trade.

Our agreement with Canada locks in preferential tariffs and trading terms for more than 800 businesses in Scotland, which exported £411 million in goods to Canada in 2019. More than 40% of the UK’s food and drink exports to Canada come from Scotland.

Scotland will benefit significantly from the UK-Japan trade deal. Businesses in Scotland exported goods worth £503.4m to Japan in 2019. There will also be an opportunity for more flagship Scottish products, such as Scotch beef, to receive protected recognition in Japan in the future.

Shortbread manufacturers like Walkers could also benefit from new rules allowing them to source ingredients from different countries and still sell in Japan without tariffs. This will allow them to cut costs to boost profits.

This year, the department will be adding to these deals, with negotiations already underway with the USA, Australia and New Zealand. With the food and drink industry employing over 115,000 people in Scotland alone, DIT is committed to promoting the combined strengths of our Union, opening up new markets and export opportunities across the globe.

Self Assessment customers will not receive a penalty for their late online tax return if they file by 28 February, HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRCs’) Chief Executive Jim Harra has announced.

More than 8.9 million customers have already filed their tax return. HMRC is encouraging anyone who has not yet filed their tax return to do so by 31 January, if possible.

But anyone who cannot file their return by the 31 January deadline will not receive a late filing penalty if they file online by 28 February.

Taxpayers are still obliged to pay their bill by 31 January. Interest will be charged from 1 February on any outstanding liabilities. Customers can pay online, or via their bank, or by post before they file. More information on how to pay is at GOV.UK.

Taxpayers who cannot afford to pay their tax bill on time can apply online to spread their bill over up to 12 months. But they will need to file their 2019 to 2020 tax return before setting up a time to pay arrangement, so HMRC is encouraging everyone to do this as soon as possible.

HMRC’s Chief Executive, Jim Harra, said:

We want to encourage as many people as possible to file their return on time, so we can calculate their tax bill and help them if they can’t pay it straight away.

But we recognise the immense pressure that many people are facing in these unprecedented times and it has become increasingly clear that some people will not be able to file their return by 31 January.

Not charging late filing penalties for late online tax returns submitted in February will give them the breathing space they need to complete and file their returns, without worrying about receiving a penalty.

We can reasonably assume most of these people will have a valid reason for filing late, caused by the pandemic.

Normally, late filing penalties are applied to all returns filed after the 31 January deadline. Those penalties are cancelled if the customer has a reasonable excuse for filing late. However, this year HMRC is not issuing late filing penalties for a month to help taxpayers and agents who are unable to meet the deadline. Late filing penalties will not be issued for online tax returns received by 28 February.

HMRC has previously said that it was keeping the situation closely under review. It has become increasingly clear from the filing rate that some taxpayers and agents cannot file on time, and the department has now determined that ensuring no customers will receive late filing penalties if they file online before the end of February is the best way to help them.

More than 42,000 customers have already used the service, without needing to call HMRC, to manage their liabilities, totalling almost £130 million.

HMRC has increased support for customers who may need help with their tax liabilities. Once they have completed their 2019 to 2020 tax return, customers can set up an online payment plan to spread Self Assessment bills of up to £30,000 over up to 12 monthly instalments.

Customers can apply for self-serve Time to Pay via GOV.UK. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021.

More than 25,000 customers have already used the service, without needing to call HMRC, to manage their liabilities totalling £69.1 million.

Customers with bills over £30,000, or who need longer than 12 months to pay their bill, can call HMRC 0300 200 3822 to discuss Time to Pay.

Customers who are required to make payments on account, and know their bill is going to be lower than the previous tax year, for example due to loss of earnings because of COVID-19, can reduce their payments on account. Visit GOV.UK to find out more about payments on account and how to reduce them.

Customers who are trying to contact HMRC in the run up to the deadline can do so via webchat, Twitter or the Self Assessment phone helpline. They may also find the information they need via the free HMRC app or their Personal Tax Account.

The phone helpline and webchat will both be open on 30 and 31 January, in addition to the weekday service.

Opening times are:

• phone and card payment lines: Saturday 30 January: 8am to 6pm and Sunday 31 January: 9am to 6pm
• webchat: Saturday 30 January and Sunday 31 January: 8am to 8pm

To protect against identity fraud customers must verify their identity when accessing HMRC’s online services. They must have 2 sources of information including:

• credit reference agency data
• tax credits
• P60/payslip
• UK passport

Find more information on Self Assessment tax returns.

HMRC expects more than 12.1 million people to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the 2019 to 2020 tax year.

Help and support is available to customers completing their Self Assessment tax return.

Customers will need to pay their tax bill by 31 January. Guidance on ways to pay is at GOV.UK.

Customers with Self Assessment debts over £30,000, or who you need longer than 12 months to pay, may still be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement by calling the Self Assessment Payment Helpline on 0300 200 3822.

Where tax credits customers are unable to report their final/actual income for the tax year 2019 to 2020 by 31 January 2021, they should report the figure as soon as possible after 31 January. In most cases HMRC will update the income used to calculate finalised entitlement to tax credits if the delay is due to the impact of COVID-19.

Self Assessment customers who need to claim a contributory benefit soon after 31 January 2021 need to ensure Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) payments are paid. This is to make sure their claims are unaffected. Class 2 NICs may be affected if they:

• couldn’t pay all of their 2019 to 2020 Self Assessment liabilities by 31 January 2021
• have entered into a Time to Pay arrangement to pay off those liabilities through instalments

As Class 2 NICs are included in their 2019 to 2020 Balancing Payment, they may not have paid the necessary Class 2 NICs payments by 31 January 2021. Affected customers should contact HMRC on 0300 200 3822 for help as soon as possible.