I normally manage a team at the British Embassy in Beijing, analysing China’s foreign policy. The team in Wuhan had been reporting on the early stages of coronavirus since December.

When it became clear we would need to run a second flight, I volunteered to help; we needed Chinese speakers so we could communicate with the authorities and drivers to get us there.

The drive to Wuhan (all the way down to the banks of the Yangtze) took about 15 hours and the roads were pretty much empty, which is unheard of in that part of China.

I’ve been working in Beijing for 5 years, and the snowfall as we set off was the heaviest I’ve seen during that time.

We stopped at a couple of service stations on the way. There were very few customers, but they were still staffed. The people working there were baffled to see a group of Brits driving towards Wuhan.

We had our temperatures taken at checkpoints along the road. Fortunately we were never above the limit. The Chinese officials reiterated that if we went into Wuhan, we wouldn’t be able to drive out again because of the travel restrictions, so we certainly didn’t want to miss the flight!

It was night by the time we reached Wuhan. Neon lights along the banks of the Yangtze lit up the river with slogans like ‘salute the heroes fighting the epidemic’.

On the day of the evacuation, we woke early, ate ration packs and drove through the deserted city. At the airport, we hung Union flags so Brits, their families and other Europeans joining the UK flight would know who we were.

I really respect the stoicism and patience of those who joined us on the flight. People had travelled from all over Hubei province and had a long wait ahead. There was a real ‘keep calm and carry on’ mentality.

There were a couple of mini-dramas like people losing and then finding their passports again. Once people made it to the airport the process was generally smooth.

Our colleagues in Beijing and London had been working long hours for many days to make the flight happen, building up good relationships with the local authorities and sorting out much needed medical supplies with help from our colleagues across the world. This really made our job on the day easier, both getting Brits and their families to the airport, and supporting them when they arrived.

The flight had a strict deadline for leaving to avoid the pilots going over their flying time. Just before we were due to leave, one person, going through health screening, still hadn’t made it to the departure gate. The team in Beijing kept in contact with him throughout, and when he eventually got through we ran together to the gate.

The flight itself felt short. Once the adrenaline had worn off, I fell asleep listening to Bob Dylan (‘Shelter from the Storm’ felt appropriate until landing in Storm Ciara). We had been up for nearly 24 hours at that point; I’m sure some of the Brits had been up for much longer. There were lots of young people and parents with babies. People seemed in good spirits.

It felt like home when the plane finally broke through the rain clouds and I saw the rolling green countryside. The landing was hard, but I didn’t really notice.

Departing the plane in blustery conditions, we walked across the Tarmac to the waiting buses. We were given goodie bags – mine contained an RAF-branded ham sandwich and salt and vinegar crisps.

We had 3 days in solitary confinement before being able to mingle more freely. We keep busy: watch films, read, exercise, play guitar, organise quizzes. The NHS staff have been great and are always asking how they can help.

I hadn’t told my family I was going to Wuhan because I didn’t want to worry them. I called them once I got into quarantine; they seemed to take it ok. I look forward to seeing them soon.

Once I’m out of quarantine I want to get back to Beijing as soon as possible. Embassy staff are still out there working really hard, just like our colleagues in London, Tokyo and beyond, to deal with one of the most complicated crises we have faced in recent years.

Matt Crow is First Secretary (Foreign and Security Policy) at the UK Embassy in Beijing. He went to St Aidan’s School in Harrogate.

Summary

To aid in scoping a potential competition, we are engaging the market in order to provide Border Force with an understanding of:

• what capabilities are already in development
• technologies which could be adapted from other market sectors
• novel innovations that could provide solutions

This request for information is not a commitment to subsequently launch a formal DASA competition.

Background

International trade is a vital component of the UK’s prosperity. More than 481m tonnes of trade crosses the UK border, annually, in containerised traffic and roll on roll off ferry traffic (RORO).This figure is set to rise year on year. For further background please see UK Port Freight Border Force holds responsibility for the protection of the UK border, interdicting a variety of illicit contents including (but not limited to) narcotics, precursor chemicals, firearms, explosives, radiological and nuclear devices, and people. It is also responsible for ensuring correct duties are paid on legitimate freight. The vast majority of goods are legitimate and contribute to the prosperity of the UK. However, Border Force needs to be able to identify the illegitimate consignments from his high level of commerce.

RORO freight

RORO freight is predominantly centred on ferries and ports like Dover, Eurotunnel and Portsmouth. The contents of this freight is typically (but not limited to) housed in metal, fibre glass or canvas sidings and may be temperature controlled. It is a fast-moving stream of commerce, with schedules designed around meeting ferry/train bookings. Therefore, loads must be quickly screened, whether in juxtaposed configurations within neighbouring borders, or disembarking at a UK port.

Containerised freight

Containerised freight is most commonly encountered at ports, and the content is typically housed within steel containers. It is slower moving freight, though the process must remain fluid. Containerised freight may be temperature controlled and include intermodal ISO platforms suitable for being lifted on and off a variety of transport types.

Challenge areas

We are looking for solutions that will detect and identify multiple types of illicit content and improve the burden on operators, whilst aiding the flow of commerce. There are two challenge areas in which we are looking for innovative capabilities to detect and identify illicit contents:

1. Within RORO freight.
2. Within containerised freight.

We are interested in the detection and identification of illicit contents, but may also consider innovations which provide a significant improvement in detection alone. Please make this clear in your market exploration submission.

What we want

Border Force is interested in solutions that can detect and identify items in the following categories, which may be concealed within loads being carried, or within the structure of a vehicle:

• please address a minimum of one item from ‘category 1’ or
• please address multiple items from either ‘category 1 or 2’,

We are not interested in any technology that can just detect a single Category 2 item. It is expected that the technology will specifically identify content of interest by automation or operator assistance. There is a need for a high degree of confidence in the technology because an incorrect reporting of a threat item will result in a requirement for significant additional resource to mitigate and/or confirm the threat. The implementation of novel technologies must give consideration to the restrictions imposed by port operations, where space is often at a premium.

The focus on RORO and containerised freight in this market exploration is a starting point in the consideration of new freight detection technologies. Border Force will always look to scale any new and emerging technologies into other modes; it is likely that any technologies developed through any subsequent funding competition may ultimately be applied to a variety of freight detection environments. By completing the market exploration submission form neither DASA nor yourselves are committing to anything, but your submissions will be used to help the DASA focus the direction of the work and shape the requirements for a possible themed competition in this area in the future.

What we don’t want

• Border Force makes extensive use of x-ray technology for freight screening applications; we are not looking for submissions based only on x-ray off-the-shelf technology. However, if a novel technique could be integrated into an existing capability which uses ionising radiation that makes a significant step change in capability, then this would be considered within scope
• a manufacturer just making minor improvements to algorithms for one of their existing systems would not be considered in scope
• the use of animals for detection are not within the scope of this market exploration activity
• we are not interested in receiving ideas for literature reviews, plans for paper-based studies or marginal improvements to existing capabilities This is not a competition and therefore we are not asking for costed proposals at this stage. This is a market exploration exercise and we do not commit to subsequently launch a formal DASA competition.

You will be asked for a title and description of your innovation, then will be directed to answer six questions relating to your capability. The finance and delivery schedule can be left blank. We are seeking to understand what and how much further development is required for a complete solution to all requirements, or whether a combination of separate solutions is required. The information you provide will assist in developing a statement of requirements for potential future activities. At this stage you will not be held accountable to deliver to any of the timescales that you may give.

Submissions must be submitted by midday on Tuesday 14th April 2020.

Please only provide details of one product/capability per proposal. If you have a number of potential solutions, then please submit multiple proposals. If you have any questions, then please email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk with ‘roll on roll off’ in the subject line.

How we use your information

Information you provide to us in a Capability Submission for this market exploration, that is not already available to us from other sources, will be handled in-confidence. By submitting a Capability Submission you are giving us permission to keep and use the information for our internal purposes, and to provide the information onwards, in-confidence, within UK Government, to the UK police and civil defence agencies, to European Customs administrations, and to the US Department for Homeland Security. The Defence and Security Accelerator will not use or disclose the information for any other purpose, without first requesting permission to do so.

• Terms of reference published for the digital radio and audio review
• Part of a commitment to ensure a sustainable, vibrant radio and audio sector for the UK in the long term
• Review will support decisions about the future of radio in light of rapid changes in radio and audio consumption particularly amongst young people

Previously, radio’s future was seen in terms of a transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. But with the growth of smart speakers in homes and online audio platforms, the UK audio market is rapidly changing and there is no longer simply a binary choice between analogue and digital audio broadcast (DAB) platforms.

The digital radio and audio review will examine future trends and consider how radio should adapt to the growing challenges and opportunities from the latest audio technologies, as well as the impact of new consumer behaviours such as streaming.

Its terms of reference, as agreed with industry partners, focus on how to ensure radio remains fit for the future, assessing potential future listener trends and making recommendations to strengthen the UK radio audio industry and promote innovation.

John Whittingdale, Minister of State for Media and Data said:

Ever since Chelmsford in Essex became the birthplace of radio in 1920, Radio has demonstrated its ability to adapt and compete with new technologies.

I’m very pleased to bring together key partners so that we can collectively look ahead to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for the UK’s cherished radio and audio sector.

Will Harding, Chair of Digital Radio UK and Global’s Chief Strategy Officer, said:

Global launched no less than 7 new digital stations last year and we are investing heavily in digital platforms through Global Player and DAX. We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Government and industry colleagues to help ensure the sector reaches its full potential in the digital age.

Travis Baxter, Content and External Affairs Director, Bauer Media, said:

Digital innovation is delivering great opportunities for the radio industry and digital listening continues to grow apace. Now is the time to ensure we work together to assess and understand the wider future landscape and harness the full potential of existing and new technologies for a vibrant UK radio and audio sector.

Matthew Evans, Director, Markets, techUK, said:

We are looking forward to working withGovernment and broadcasters, alongside other key stakeholders from the supply chain on this. We must address the challenges and explore the opportunities of the ever-diversifying audio delivery and devices landscape on behalf of our members.

Radio remains a thriving media sector for audiences across the UK, adapting to the challenges and embracing the opportunities of digital and online listening. Listeners on average consume over 20 hours of radio a week and 87% of the adult (15+) population listen to live audio each week (Source: RAJAR Q4 2019).

But given the pace of change, the government and key industry organisations have come together to steer the review, including the BBC, Bauer Media, Global, Arqiva, Radiocentre, tech UK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders amongst others. The review will be published in March 2021.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The Government has previously supported the need for a formal review of the progress on digital radio when:

-the majority of all radio listening were on a digital platform: on DAB, TV or via the internet – (the “digital listening” criterion of 50% of all radio listening);

-national and local DAB network coverage substantially matched equivalent analogue coverage for the BBC and for national and local commercial radio – (the “DAB coverage” criterion)

• The listening criteria were reached in May 2018 and the Government announced its intention to launch a review in May 2019. Digital radio listening has subsequently risen to 58.5% of all radio listening. 95% of new cars have DAB digital radio installed as standard and 44.5% of all listening in cars is now digital (up from virtually nil in 2010). [Source: CAP/SMMT Q4 2019 and RAJAR Q4 2019]

Digital Radio and Audio Review – Terms of Reference

A joint Government/Industry review to:

(a) assess future scenarios for the consumption of UK radio and audio content on all radio and online platforms and assess the impact of these scenarios on access to UK radio services

(b) assess the impact of likely models of future listener trends on current and future distribution strategies for UK radio groups and industry

(c) make recommendations on further measures and collaborative actions to strengthen UK radio audio and industry for the benefit of all listener groups and to promote innovation

Approach: Joint industry work groups under the direction of a cross Govt/Industry steering board with expert independent input. Secretariat –DCMS supported by resources from DRUK and industry.

Outputs: Written report or reports setting out sector commitment and options for future Government support linked to level of ambition and assessed benefit. The Government will need to consider recommendations for future Government action

The report with actions will be supported by published evidence. To be completed by March 2021.

Public confidence

One of the key challenges a public institution faces is ensuring it maintains public confidence.

• To maintain the confidence of a body like the Parole Board, it is crucial that the public understand the central role that the Parole Board plays in the protection of the public, which is always our over-riding priority.

• Reading the media and social media, I sometimes think there is a risk of fundamental misunderstanding of the role that the Parole Board plays in the criminal justice system.

• Whilst most people focus on those we release; there is little understanding of the flip-side of our decisions. I am certain that our decisions prevent dangerous prisoners being released and we do not shirk from keeping people in custody, if necessary, for the rest of their lives if we consider they remain a risk to the public. I am regularly made aware of people who have been reviewed by the Board on multiple occasions, sometimes being held in custody for decades beyond the minimum period set for punishment. Without a court-like body reviewing the continuing detention of those individuals, after the period for punishment has expired, the detention of those individuals would not be lawful under the European Convention on Human Rights or domestic law.

So, what are the facts?

• Last year around 65,000 people were released from prison. Just 3,000 of those releases followed consideration by the Parole Board.
• Well over 75% of the prisoners we review each year are assessed by the Board as being too dangerous to release. Our decisions can result in decades of additional time in prison after the period for punishment has passed.
• Over 40% of the c9,000 people currently serving an indeterminate sentence remain in prison because the Parole Board continues to assess them as being too dangerous to release.

To me these figures suggest that the Parole Board undertake the serious decisions we take with some caution.

I do however believe in reform and redemption. People can commit serious offences and reform over time. What is my evidence for this? Well our success rate demonstrates that only a tiny proportion of people – consistently at, or less than 1% – are charged with a serious further offence after a Parole Board release, and fewer than that are convicted. That rate compares favourably with international parole systems in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.

Through sentencing in individual cases and the legal framework, it is a matter for judges and Parliament to decide how long people must serve in prison before release is possible. But the overwhelming majority of people are likely to be released at some point. There are currently just 66 people (0.0001% of all of those in prison) whose whole life sentence means release will never be considered. Every other person in prison has a chance of release at some point; and the majority will be released automatically. But however long an offender spends in custody, I am certain that our criminal justice system would be far weaker without a detailed and independent risk assessment of the most serious offenders by the Parole Board before their release.

A victim’s perspective

• Whilst our primary role is to look at the risk posed by prisoners; I am glad that our system has become more focused on, and sensitive to, the needs of victims. Victims can now make statements at a parole hearing, request a summary of a decision (around 2,500 have now been issued) and ask the Justice Secretary to seek a reconsideration of a parole decision.

• The victims I have met display astonishing bravery and fortitude. I am acutely aware of the impact the parole process can have on them. The system needs to understand that reality.

• Even though a criminal offence may have taken place many years previously, I find that victim impact statements are visceral. They read as if the offence was committed yesterday. The statements I have read illustrate the continued trauma of serious offending on lives. To make it even more difficult, few victims properly understand the sentences imposed, and are therefore ill-prepared for the Board to contemplate release. Few victims understand that the parole process is about the assessment of future risk, not punishment. The system needs to do better.

• That is why I am committed to working with other agencies to ensure that the process supports and prepares victims. I am concerned that some vulnerable people are not aware of, and therefore unable to properly access, their rights, because they have not signed up to the Victim Contact Scheme in the past. I strongly support the move to a position where victims can “opt-out” of the victim contact scheme, rather than being asked to “opt-in” shortly after the trauma of a criminal trial. More also needs to be done to ensure that victims can access professional victim support when they are engaged in the parole process. I suspect that for many victims the parole process is more difficult than the trial itself.

Root and Branch Review of Parole

• Recent cases underline the seriousness and gravity of the challenges facing the criminal justice system in managing complex and potentially dangerous people. We cannot be complacent. I support the case for a “root and branch” review of the parole system and do not think we should fear further scrutiny. Whilst we have no crystal ball, I think the Parole Board has proven itself to be effective at keeping the public safe. But there is surely more that can be done to ensure we have a safe, fair and effective system; sensitive to the needs of victims; whilst commanding the confidence of the public?

Published 27 February 2020

Ladies and gentlemen, Sir David, Governor Carney, Tanya.

Let me start by thanking the Lord Mayor for hosting us today.



It is staggering to think that over 600 years have passed since the Guildhall’s master mason, John Croxton, started work on this incredible building.



Today, this is the only secular stone building in the City dating back from before 1666.

 In part, thanks to the choices Croxton made all those years ago.

 When the Great Fire of London ravaged the City, the Guildhall’s oak frame is said to have saved it from collapse.

And when it was bombed in World War II, the roof fell in, but his stone walls stood firm.



With COP26 this year, we want to do what John Croxton did all those centuries ago. 

Leave a legacy which stands the test of time, and makes life better for future generations.

 Building on the foundations of past conferences, especially Paris, to create a zero-carbon economy which will benefit our children and grandchildren. 



COP26 will be the biggest summit the UK has ever organised. In this year, the Year of Climate Action, it will be the top international priority for this Government. And we are getting ready for it.



In my first fortnight as COP President, I have been listening to those who have done this before. Meeting people like Paris COP President Laurent Fabius, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and Patricia Espinosa from the UNFCCC.

And, we are working closely with our partners in Italy. Our vision for COP26 is clear. In Glasgow, the world must ramp up momentum towards a zero-carbon economy.

Sending out a message of hope, that decarbonisation is the future. With huge opportunities for those who are prepared to act now.



And, of course, this transition must be fair and inclusive, leaving no-one behind.To achieve this, all countries must commit to significant further cuts to carbon emissions by 2030, and to reach net zero as soon as possible.



Agreeing a package that delivers the Paris Agreement and powers the UN climate process forward. And we will do that, working with all parts of the global economy and society.

But there are some areas which need particular attention in 2020. First, adaptation and resilience, helping people, economies and the environment adapt and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

This was a personal priority for me when I was Secretary of State for International Development.

Working with Egypt, and others at the UN General Assembly, we launched a Call for Action on adaptation and resilience where 118 nations and over 80 organisations committed to raising their ambition.

The next step is to translate these political commitments into on the ground action. 



Second, nature, safeguarding ecosystems, protecting natural habitats and keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. Promoting nature-based solutions.



Third, energy transition, seizing the massive opportunities of cheaper renewables and storage.
Cleaning our air, and helping economies shift away from a legacy of polluting fossil generation.

Fourth, clean road transport, accelerating the move to zero-carbon road transport.



And fifth, to make this all possible, unleashing the finance which will power the shift to a zero-carbon economy. From solar panels, to electric vehicles and tree planting, it is often finance that turns good intentions into action.

All of you here are in a unique position to drive the transition to a zero-carbon economy. 

Helping developing countries leapfrog the polluting options of the past, to the clean, green, resilient technologies of the future.

Last month, I helped launch East Africa’s first ‘green bond’ on the Nairobi securities exchange.

Followed by its dual listing on the London Stock Exchange. The first Green Simba bond.

A bond which UK Government funding helped to develop. Raising funds to build environmentally-friendly housing for 5,000 students in Nairobi.

The OECD estimates that we will need nearly 7 trillion dollars a year up to 2030 to meet the Paris Agreement, as well the development goals.

Much of this funding needs to come from the private sector.

Whilst I was at the Department for International Development I set up the UK’s International Development Infrastructure Commission to help corral private sector money, alongside sovereign development funds, into sustainable infrastructure projects in developing countries.

Following the Commission’s recommendations, the UK is now partnering with five countries in Africa to design a new facility to plan, deliver and support funding to a range of infrastructure projects that are attractive to businesses and investors like you.

Sustainability will be central to these new infrastructure projects, focusing on investments with low carbon emissions and infrastructure that will be resilient to changing climates.

The UK and other developed countries have committed to mobilising 100 billion dollars a year by 2020, building on the 71 billion we reached in 2017.

We are firmly committed to this goal. And to meet it in a way that responds to the needs of developing countries.

And last year at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson underlined his personal commitment to tackling climate change by announcing a doubling of the UK’s international climate finance commitment to 11.6 billion pounds over the period 2021-25.

This, in turn, will mobilise further finance from public and private sources. Helping us meet and indeed move beyond the 100-billion-dollar goal, as we begin discussions on the goal that will replace it from 2025.

Today, Multilateral Development Banks are the largest vehicle for channelling climate finance to developing countries.

And donor support will remain critical as we shift to low carbon investment and protect the world’s most vulnerable.

Last October, I made the UK’s backing for the World Bank fund dependent on putting more money into developing resilience to a changing climate.

And we will continue to work with Multilateral Development Banks and Development Finance Institutions to help them deliver Paris Alignment Plans.

But to move from billions to trillions, we will need all finance to look at aligning with the Paris Agreement.

Making the spirit of Paris felt in London, New York, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Shanghai and every other financial centre around the world.

Encouragingly today, as the financial risks and opportunities of the low carbon transition become clear, we are seeing a major shift in private finance.

This shift is based on a simple fact.

The only economy which can avoid the worst effects of climate change, and thus continue to deliver growth, is a decarbonised economy.

I know Governor Carney will be speaking about this in just a moment.

Of course we are seeing firms moving beyond Corporate Social Responsibility and funding green projects, to integrate climate and environmental factors into decision-making across all sectors and asset classes. Focusing on impact and not just return.

We are starting to see real momentum. Campaigns like ‘Make My Money Matter’ are giving a voice to those who want to see their pensions invested in line with their values.

Last year, a survey by the Department for International Development found that the vast majority of UK savers wanted their investments to be made in a manner which considers the impact on people and planet, alongside financial performance.



As part of COP26, we will be supporting private sector coalitions to do even more, sooner, helping them look at the climate impacts of asset portfolios and loan books.

Ladies and gentlemen, I started by mentioning the origins of the Guildhall.

Centuries ago, a historian described how it grew from a “little cottage” into a “large and great house”.

And, in many ways, that is what we need for COP26.

From governments, businesses, civil society, young people and so many others, we are opening up our doors and inviting absolutely everyone in.

Each of us will write the future.

Our choices will make or break the zero-carbon economy.

Together, I know we can make the right decisions.

Thank you.