Sustainable fuel set to power the Royal Air Force reaches landmark new stage

  • Major new research into mass production of sustainable aviation fuel is set to get underway
  • British technology could have the potential to eliminate use of fossil fuels in military aircraft
  • New fuel could increase resilience and boost RAF’s Net Zero goal

The research, carried out by the RAF in partnership with British firm Zero Petroleum, and focussed on using synthetic fuel technology, was announced today at the Farnborough International Airshow.

It will provide crucial data to evidence the scalability and efficiency of the synthetic technology, which has the potential to revolutionise the RAF’s fuel while ensuring its capability remains cutting edge.

The Royal Air Force, having flown a world-record first 100% synthetic flight in November 2021, will move to the next phase producing more fuel for certification and testing. Design blueprints from this research will enable construction of squadron-scale fuel manufacturing capability as a next stage.

Synthetic fuels are believed to burn more cleanly and consistently than fossil fuels – that theory will form part of the testing in this phase. Fuel manufactured using this technology could eliminate fossil carbon emissions in flight, lessen the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains, and improve operational resilience through reducing the necessity for fuel resupplying.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

The creativity and ingenuity of the RAF and UK industry, backed by our ring-fenced research and development funding, has resulted in ground-breaking new fuel technology.

It has the potential to improve operational resilience while eliminating fossil carbon emissions in flight.

In November 2021 the Ikarus C42 microlight aircraft, which was on display at Farnborough today, completed a short UK flight, powered by 15 litres of whole-blend synthetic gasoline. Whilst green technologies like electric and hydrogen power generation are viable for many RAF platforms, high-performance aircraft for example fast jets require a liquid fuel alternative to maintain operational capabilities.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said:

This ground-breaking collaboration with Zero Petroleum is a glimpse of the future for aviation fuel. It points to how we will crack the NetZero challenge as a national and international endeavour, and the leading role the Royal Air Force and UK science and technology can play in that.

Zero Petroleum’s synthetic fuel is manufactured by extracting hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using energy generated from renewable sources like wind or solar, these are combined to create the ‘drop-in’ synthetic fuel.

Paddy Lowe, founder of Zero Petroleum, said:

The RAF’s vision for fossil-free flight using synthetic fuels is matched by Zero Petroleum’s commitment and enthusiasm to deliver the solution using unique British technology. Together we showed what was possible with our record-breaking demonstration flight in 2021.

We are incredibly excited to start now on the important development of this technology to production-readiness in advance of deployment at scale to flight operations. We could not wish for a better partner than the RAF which has been a pioneer throughout its 100+ years of existence.

The revolutionary breakthrough underscores the MOD’s solution-based approach to addressing climate change issues whilst meeting operational commitments and remaining agile in a world of evolving threats. It also supports ambitions laid out in the Defence Command Paper and is backed by the £24 billion defence settlement, including a £6.6 billion R&D investment.

The sustainable aviation fuel could mark a step-change towards the RAF’s goal to be Net Zero by 2040. Working towards the Government’s Net Zero by 2050 goal, the RAF also plans for their first Net Zero airbase by 2025.




Scottish Secretary responds to July Labour Market Statistics

News story

New employment figures from the ONS show an increasing number of Scots on the payroll, and two million more women in work across the UK than in 2010.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

Today’s figures show Scotland’s labour market remains strong, with an increasing number of people on the payroll and unemployment at low levels.

It’s also great to see more women in work, with two million more women across the UK in paid work than in 2010.

As we continue to focus on growing our economy and levelling up opportunities across the country, we’re helping as many people as possible onto the jobs ladder, as having a secure and stable income is one of the best ways to get on. Our Jobcentres and work coaches stand ready to provide support, while our £37bn package to assist families with the cost of living is giving extra financial assistance to those who need it most.

Published 19 July 2022




International Programme Fund – call for bids 2022-23

World news story

The British High Commission Port Louis is pleased to invite proposals for projects in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Bid Proposal

Project proposals should cover one or more of the following areas:

  • Women and Girls – provide women and girls with the support they need to succeed, unlocking their potential, supporting their empowerment and protecting them against violence
  • Climate and Nature – reduce global emissions, build resilience, and halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity
  • Good Governance – supporting sustainable long-term development including good governance and democracy
  • Encouraging sustainable economic development including trade facilitation
  • Global Health – supporting resilience and the reduction of social and economic impacts of health threats

Funding will be up to Rs 850,000 per project which should be completed by end January 2023.

Bid submission

  1. Project proposals must have a clear purpose supported by achievable and measurable outputs (eg events and reports) and outcomes (ie what the project aims to help address through its activity), supported by an activity-based budget.
  2. The project costs should be in Mauritian rupees where the project implementer is based in Mauritius.
  3. Applicants are requested to fill in the Project Proposal Form and Activity Based Budget in English (attached below) and to send them electronically to the British High Commission in Mauritius at bhcportlouis.generalenquiries@fco.gov.uk indicating ‘IP: Project bid and name of your organisation’ in the subject field.

Deadline: 4pm Mauritian time on 10 August 2022

Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Published 19 July 2022




Alan Lovell appointed as Environment Agency Chair

Press release

Environment Secretary George Eustice has confirmed Alan Lovell DL as the new Chair of the Environment Agency

Alan Lovell portrait

Alan Lovell DL has been appointed as the new Chair of the Environment Agency.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has today (19 July) confirmed Alan Lovell DL as the new Chair of the Environment Agency.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

Alan will bring a wide range of experience, enthusiasm and leadership to the role and I am delighted he will be the next Chair of the Environment Agency.

His knowledge and experience will be a real asset as we work together to improve and enhance the natural environment.

Commenting on his appointment, Alan Lovell said:

It is a great honour to be appointed Chair of the Environment Agency.

This is a vital organisation, full of excellent committed people striving to do their best for the nation’s flood defences, for the environment as a whole, and in the battle against climate change. It will be a privilege to join them and to try to make a difference.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

The Environment Agency is a fantastic organisation of committed public servants who save lives, protect nature and support business. It’s been a privilege to be Chair.

I am delighted to welcome Alan as the next Chair of the Environment Agency. He brings a wealth of experience from his time in business and his time as Chair of the Consumer Council for Water.

The appointment follows the EFRA and EAC committees’ joint report into Alan’s suitability for the role, published on the 8 July, and a public hearing with the committees held on 5 July. Mr Lovell’s selection followed a rigorous process conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Mr Lovell will take up the post on 26 September 2022. Emma Howard Boyd’s CBE second term as Environment Agency Chair will end in September 2022.

Biographical details of Alan Lovell:

  • Alan is an experienced Chair of both commercial and not-for-profit enterprises. He is currently Chairman of the Interserve Group Ltd, and is Senior Independent Director of SIG plc and Chair of Safestyle UK plc.
  • His executive career included time as a Chief Executive of six companies, including Infinis, Jarvis, Costain and Dunlop Slazenger.
  • Alan was also Chair of the Consumer Council for Water for four years and has chaired the University of Winchester and the Mary Rose Trust.

Notes to editors:

  • All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mr Lovell has declared no political activity.

Published 19 July 2022




Better Care Fund framework 2022-23 published

  • The Better Care Fund Framework 2022-23 aims to enable those who need it to get the right care in the right place at the right time.
  • Over £7 billion committed in 2022-23 to enable people to stay well, safe and independent at home for longer.
  • It will introduce capacity and demand planning for intermediate care services to help the health and social care system prepare for winter.

Government has today published the Better Care Fund framework (BCF) 2022-23 ensuring greater join up of health, social care and housing services to help older people and those with complex needs and disabilities to live at home for longer. A minimum of £7.2 billion has already been committed to the BCF this year to enable people to stay well, safe and independent at home and get the care they need, when they need it by funding things like adaptations to homes for disabled people and rehabilitating people back into their communities after a spell in hospital.

Over 90% of local areas have consistently agreed that delivery of the BCF in other years has improved joint working between health and social care, helping to provide joined up NHS and social care services to patients, supporting hospitals across the country with discharge pressures and ensuring a better transition for those needing support after a hospital stay.

The 2022-23 BCF framework will continue to build on initiatives developed during the pandemic, strengthening the integration of commissioning and delivery of services and providing person-centred care, as well as continuing to support system recovery from the pandemic. It will also strengthen focus on person-centred outcomes by asking areas to meet two overarching objectives reflecting the priorities for health and social care integration:

  • Enable people to stay well, safe and independent at home for longer
  • Provide the right care in the right place at the right time

As part of this, local authorities will be asked to develop capacity and demand plans for intermediate care covering both admissions avoidance and hospital discharge across health and social care to help the system prepare for winter.

The Better Care Fund was launched in 2015 to join up the NHS, social care and housing services so that older people, and those with complex needs, can manage their own health and wellbeing and live independently in their communities for as long as possible.

The BCF requires local authorities to pool budgets, including £4.5 billion of NHS funding, £2.1 billion from the improved Better Care Fund (iBCF) grant to local authorities and £573 million from the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

The NHS contribution to the BCF is increasing by 5.66% in line with the NHS Long Term Plan settlement. Since 2015, the BCF has included a condition that a minimum amount of the NHS contribution is used to fund social care services that have a health benefit. In 2022, this minimum is almost £2 billion, and will protect vital social care services that help people to remain independent or recover following a spell in hospital.

The improved Better Care Fund (iBCF), which is part of the overall BCF funding package, has increased by £63m this year, to £2.14bn. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) will be maintained in 2022-23 at £573 million.

  • The BCF Policy Framework sets the parameters of the fund for 2022-23 [[Better Care Fund policy framework: 2022 to 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
  • Further details on the Better Care Fund are available on the NHS website