The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) can today announce it has awarded nearly £2m to develop new capabilities to detect, disrupt, and defeat the hostile and malicious use of drones.

Eighteen bids have been funded as part of the Countering Drones competition launched earlier this year by the then-Defence Secretary.

Among the proposal being developed are methods for detecting 4G & 5G controlled drones, cutting edge applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence for sensors to automatically identify UAVs, and low risk methods of stopping drones through novel electronic defeat or interceptor solutions.

The competition, run by DASA – the MOD’s innovation hub – on behalf of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is the latest stage in Dstl’s ongoing research programme into countering unmanned air systems (UAS) which has been running for ten years.

The competition has also been supported by the Department for Transport and NATO to counter the rapidly evolving threats from UAS.

David Lugton, competition technical lead, said:

The introduction of Unmanned Air Systems (UAS), often referred to as drones, has been one of the most significant technological advances of recent years and represents a shift in capability of potential adversaries.

The threat from UAS has evolved rapidly and we are seeing the use of hostile improvised UAS threats in overseas theatres of operation. There is a similar problem in the UK with the malicious or accidental use of drones becoming a security challenge at events, affecting critical infrastructure and public establishments; including prisons and major UK airports.

There was a very high level of interest from industry with over 90 bids from a wide range of organisations from micro businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, large defence firms and academia.

This led to a doubling of initial funding from around £1m to around £2m being awarded to organisations in Phase 1.

The first phase of this competition is intended to demonstrate proof of concepts that can be further developed and integrated during later phases.

Phase 2 is planned to launch next year with a focus on developing and maturing successful research into integrated solutions

The 18 projects funded around £100,000 each are:

• Airspeed Electronics Ltd – to develop an artificial intelligence detection system which uses acoustic sensors.
• Animal Dynamics – to develop UAS swarm system to detect and neutralise.Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV) by employing peregrine falcon attack strategies.
• Autonomous Devices Limited – to develop interception technology.
• BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Ltd – to develop electromagnetic defeat of UAS.
• BAE Systems Applied Intelligence Ltd – to develop passive radar for detection of UAVs.
• Cubica Technology Ltd – to develop an automatic recognition and targeting system of UAVs from large distances.
• MBDA UK Ltd – to demonstrate an integrated system to detect, track and intercept hostile drones.
• Northrop Grumman – to develop UAS defeat using cyber and sensor vulnerabilities.
• Northumbria University – to develop anti-swarm drone technology.
• PA Consulting – to develop a detection system against cellular controlled UAS.
• Plextek Services Limited – to develop detection and signal jamming capability for UAS.
• Plextek Services Limited – to develop miniature Counter-UAS radar.
• QinetiQ – to develop a drone tracking system in complex environments.
• QinetiQ – to develop a ‘hard kill’ for disrupting the UAV’s on board electronics.
• RiskAware Ltd – to develop an automated drone identification and target tracking system.
• Thales UK – to develop a machine learning for Counter-UAS radar.
• University College London – to develop signal processing and machine.learning algorithms to identify drones in areas highly populated by birds.
• An additional proposal, subject to contract.

Phase 1 of the competition is due to run until summer 2020.

DASA and Dstl will be hosting a collaboration day for the Countering Drones competition on Thursday 28 November 2019 in London.

Representatives from industry and academia interested in making collaborative bids for Phase 2 of the competition can register their interest in attending the event here.

Note that numbers at the event are limited and those who express an interest will be selected to attend depending on their skills and experience.

The digital service, launched in March 2018, allows people that are owed sums of up to £10,000 to resolve their dispute completely online. This means claims can be issued, responded to and settled without the need for third-party involvement.

The service aims to make it simpler and quicker for people to submit a claim, by allowing them to do so from their own home and removing complex legal language from the online application. Most people take less than 15 minutes to complete the initial claim form.

Almost 9 in 10 people using the service have been satisfied or very satisfied with it, with claims now being issued in minutes, not days. This makes it easier to resolve disputes and hands power back to consumers, which should help to drive more honest behaviour amongst traders and result in fewer people losing money.

Justice Minister, Chris Philp MP said:

Submitting a civil money claim online is allowing thousands of people up and down the country to claim the money they are owed quicker and more easily.

This is just one way this Government is using technology to ensure our world-renowned justice system remains fit for the 21st century and increases access to justice for all that use it.

Ola Osenie, 45, from North London, is one of those to benefit from the online service. He said:

The business claimed they weren’t happy with my services, which I knew wasn’t true; they’d already provided positive feedback saying how pleased they’d been.

I’d tried to resolve the situation myself, by trying to set up meetings, sending letters, emails, leaving voicemails and sending text messages, but it hadn’t worked.

Making a claim online took about 10 to 15 minutes. It was very easy to follow and easy to use and designed in an intuitive way. It’s a great service and very simple to use. I’d definitely recommend it to others who are owed money.

Online civil money claims is part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s £1 billion reform programme designed to modernise courts and tribunals, making them swifter, simpler and easier to access for everyone. People can now apply for uncontested divorce and probate online, and make pleas for low-level offences.

Notes to Editors

1. Online services do not replace existing paper-based applications but often provide a quicker, easier alternative for many people.
2. More than £10m in court fees have been issued using HMCTS’ online civil money claims service.
3. If you would like to speak to Ola, or other people who have made a civil money claim online, please contact HMCTS press office on 020 3334 3536.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has launched a consultation to gain consumer and stakeholder insight on its Complaints Scheme.

Although, there have been no changes to the Commissioner’s powers in relation to the complaints process, the Commissioner is seeking views on amendments which we think will help advisers better understand the complaint being put to them and how the OISC will deal with the matter and increase the range of possible outcomes for consumers.

The Complaints Scheme is designed to explain the process by which the OISC will receive and investigate complaints relating to immigration advice by registered organisations.

The OISC seeks to protect consumers by ensuring the continuing fitness and competence of registered advisers and organisations, setting standards for registration and promoting good practice throughout the sector.

Setting and maintaining high professional standards for immigration advisers and firms and ensuring that they are fit and competent plus committed to providing a positive experience for consumer is at the heart of the OISC’s work.

Having a robust complaint scheme is a major part of this.

A fundamental review of the Complaints Scheme was last undertaken in 2015 to reflect amendments to the Commissioner’s powers implemented by the Immigration Act 2014.

The consultation runs until 22 January 2020.

The consultation can be found [here] (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/oisc-complaints-scheme)

The British High Commissioner, Ms Holly Tett, has encouraged the media fraternity to apply for the Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship, which offers a unique opportunity to explore the mechanisms through which public trust in the media can be restored, and the boundaries of media freedom.

The High Commissioner made the remarks at the opening of the regional conference on media freedom, which started in Lilongwe on Monday and brought together media representatives from Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Namibia to discuss how to defend freedom of expression and build democracy in the sub region. Ms Tett revealed that the scholarship deadline is 9 December and applications can be submitted via Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship (CAMFF)

The fellowship is an eight-week residential course to be delivered by the University of Westminster, in London, from 18 May to 10 July 2020, and is designed for those involved in setting and pushing the boundaries of trust, standards and freedom in the media in 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa including: senior journalists at public service and independent media; senior staff at media regulators; statistics agencies responsible for releasing information; and media NGOs.

The British High Commissioner, Ms Holly Tett, said:

We are looking for ambitious, professional, and innovative leaders from Malawi and ten other countries – Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe – who will study hard in the UK, and be open to immersing themselves in the opportunities that arise.

Our alumni network is full of dynamic influencers who have shared the same experience that you will. They can offer encouragement, mentorship, advice, and contacts. When you return home after your studies you should feel well-equipped to start making a real difference professionally or socially.

There is a lot to potentially gain from submitting a thoughtful application, so if you have what it takes to be a Chevening Fellow, I would encourage you to apply before the 9 December deadline.

The fellowship will be delivered by the University of Westminster’s Dr Winston Mano, a leading academic expert on communication in Africa and director of the University’s Africa Media Centre, and Peter Cunliffe-Jones, who founded Africa Check – the continent’s leading independent fact-checking organisation.

Chevening Fellowships are offered to mid-career professionals who have reached a position of influence and want to increase their knowledge, networks, and potential through tailored short courses, research, or professional placements at UK institutions.

Chevening Fellowships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership experience who also have strong academic backgrounds. Since Chevening was created in 1983, over 50,000 outstanding professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through its scholarship and fellowship programmes.

More information

Visit Chevening Africa Media Freedom Fellowship (CAMFF) for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and fellowship specifications.

Extended warranties offer people the chance to pay for increased protection when buying products, over and above the standard guarantee. Under a legal Order issued by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) predecessor, the Competition Commission, all electrical retailers selling extended warranties are required to provide accurate information to their customers so they can make informed decisions about whether the extra cover is worth buying.

As part of this, Currys arranged for mystery shops to take place at 100 of its stores. The mystery shoppers found around a quarter of staff tested could not provide accurate information on whether cosmetic damage was covered. For example, they were told products would be replaced if they were damaged but still worked, when this was not the case.

The CMA has since been working with Currys to improve the way it sells this type of insurance. The retailer is now making several changes, including introducing extra training for staff; and posters and leaflets around its shops will be clearer in explaining what is and isn’t covered. Currys will also implement a new monthly mystery shopping programme to make sure its staff abide by the rules.

As well as ensuring retailers sell extended warranties fairly, the CMA has today published a new guide on what people should consider before taking out an extended warranty.

It includes advice such as:

• extended warranties are optional – you don’t have to buy one
• you might be covered already, so check other insurance products such as home contents
• think about whether you really need protection. Would it be more cost effective to buy a replacement than pay for an extended warranty?
• there might be better options than buying an extended warranty. For example, if you have lots of gadgets, it might cheaper in the long run to buy multiple item insurance
• if you want to purchase an extended warranty, you don’t need to decide at the time you buy
• you can shop around. Check comparison sites for the best price and features

If people think they have been mis-sold an extended warranty, they should first ask the business to look into the complaint. Citizens Advice, Consumer Advice Scot and Northern Ireland Consumerline may also be contacted if you need additional help. 

The CMA’s guide is not a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied on as such. 

More information on consumer issues and unfair contract terms can be found on the CMA’s webpages. 

Notes:

1. Currys PC World is owned by Dixons Carphone plc.
2. The CMA’s letter to Dixons Carphone plc can be found here.
3. The 2005 order was made under the market investigations provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002. It requires all retailers of domestic electrical goods to ensure that extended warranty prices are made clear and cancellation rights are in place at the point of sale (for example, on the internet and in shops).