Air Vice-Marshal highlights Dstl’s unique contribution to supporting air power

News story

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory hosted an Air Systems Showcase demonstrating the impact of its research portfolio across UK military aviation.

Featuring a keynote address from Air Vice-Marshal Linc Taylor, Chief of Staff for Capability (Air), the Showcase brought together stakeholders including senior RAF leaders, Army and Royal Navy aviation specialists, industry representatives and Dstl scientists.

Dstl Air Showcase

The event highlighted Dstl’s achievements and future plans over the 5 themes within Dstl’s Air Systems programme:

  • air operational analysis and decision support
  • air manoeuvre, maritime aviation, and air mobility (future aviation concepts; aviation in contested environments; support to Apache, Chinook, New Medium Helicopter)
  • air information and enablers (air information advantage; counter-uncrewed air systems; aircrew systems research)
  • combat air (support to Typhoon and F-35; future combat air systems (FCAS); CUTLASS air combat simulator; concepts and technologies; freedom of access and manoeuvre)
  • air survivability (concepts, technologies, and analysis; air platform protection)

In addition to speaker presentations, military stakeholders had the chance to meet Dstl and industry representatives as well as viewing and experiencing some of the technology on display. The day also provided the opportunity to explore how Dstl and its industry partners could deepen their collaboration with military customers.

Air Vice-Marshal Linc Taylor said:

When we bring scientific, technical and engineering advice alongside the experience of the war fighter about how we are going to employ either the analysis, the techniques or the technologies behind them, that synergy is far better than just the two organisations operating alone.

Dstl brings a unique insight. It brings decision-quality evidence and world-class technology.

Published 4 July 2022



Second community drop in event to be held in Matlock

The Environment Agency and its partners, Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council, are holding a second community drop in event in Matlock, Derbyshire on Thursday 14 July from 2pm to 8pm.

The event offers an opportunity for locals to find out more about the Environment Agency’s work to restore flood protection for 50 homes and businesses in the town and view the designs for the new replacement flood wall.

It also gives visitors the chance to learn more about the partnership plan to activate two way traffic on Matlock Bridge while part of the A6 is closed to allow for construction of the replacement flood wall.

Members of the project team will also be on hand to discuss other key matters of interest to people including heritage, environmental enhancements, water based recreation and flood risk contingency plans.

The event will be held in the large hall at:

Imperial Rooms
Imperial Road
Matlock
DE4 3NL

Naomi Doughty, Project Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

Following on from our first well-attended community event in May, we have responded to feedback from attendees who told us they would like to know more about the replacement flood wall design.

The event will enable visitors to see the new designs and allow us to make any necessary adjustments following their feedback. Members of the public will also be able to learn more about the construction programme that is due to start in August and the likely impacts of the project such as vibration, noise and hours of operation.

We have extended the opening hours for the event to allow more people to have the chance to come along and find out about our long-term plans to reinstate the flood protection for Matlock.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal, said:

I’m pleased to see the work underway in Matlock and would encourage local residents to go along to the meeting to find out more about the Environment Agency plans for the flood defences.

Tim Braund, Director of Regulatory Services at Derbyshire Dales District Council, said:

Derbyshire Dales District Council is pleased to be a part of this essential project and we would like to remind residents and visitors that Matlock remains open for business during the ongoing works.

More information about the flood defence project can be found on the dedicated webpage.



Independent assessment of FCDO support for persecuted Christians around the world: FCDO’s response to the findings

Government response

Lord Ahmad responds to an independent assessment of how the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office implemented recommendations to support persecuted Christians.

In response to recommendations from an independent assessment of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) support for persecuted Christians around the world, Lord Ahmad (FCDO Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth) said:

Freedom of religion or belief is a human right and should be a free choice for all, no matter where in the world you are.

In 2019, the Bishop of Truro published a report setting out recommendations for a strengthened UK government response to the horrifying abuses and persecution of Christians and other faiths around the world.

Three years on, I am pleased to welcome a report on the findings of an independent review carried out by Professor Nazila Ghanea, Sir Malcolm Evans KCMG OBE, Professor Ahmed Shaheed, Dr Gehan Gunatilleke and Dr Caroline K Roberts on the FCDO’s implementation of the Bishop’s review recommendations.

I welcome the review, and I am encouraged by what has been achieved so far in the face of many global challenges.

Standing up for freedom of faith or belief is a right which we will always stand up for. The UK is committed to promoting and strengthening the freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental human right for all – including through hosting an international conference this week bringing together governments, civil society, faith and belief groups.

Published 4 July 2022



State-of-the-art Warrington Youth Zone opens its doors

News story

A new youth zone in Warrington town centre, which will bring a range of activities to young people has opened its doors.

The youth zone opened its doors to the young people of Warrington.

The youth zone opened its doors with a grand opening ceremony.

As one of the Founder Patrons of Warrington Youth Zone, Sellafield Ltd is delighted to see the opening of a state-of-the-art facility in the centre of Warrington.

The facility provides young people across the town with a safe and inspiring place to spend leisure time away from the pressures of home and school.

Pauline Deans, Sellafield Ltd’s community liaison officer said:

The youth zone is an amazing facility, providing young people with a place to enjoy a range of activities while also being given much needed support.

We are delighted to be a supporter as part of our Social impact, multiplied (SiX) programme and look forward to seeing the outcomes it will achieve in years to come.

The climbing wall is one of many activities on offer at the new facility.

The youth zone will ensure that every young person in Warrington, regardless of their circumstance or background, can access first-rate facilities alongside expert mentoring and employability programmes; levelling the playing field and tackling specific issues that might otherwise hold back our young people.

Pauline added:

With help from local partners like ourselves, the building will transform the lives of young people in the area with the aim of making them happier, healthier and better equipped with the skills they need to forge their own positive futures.

Warrington Youth Zone CEO, Dave McNicholl said:

I’m extremely grateful to our partners, including Sellafield Ltd. This facility will transform and enhance the lives of thousands of young people in Warrington.

Our incredible universal offer will provide so many opportunities alongside a network of support, that young people need now more than ever.

Published 4 July 2022



Introducing the Ideas Marketplace

  • The Ideas Marketplace is an online networking Collaboration Platform for innovators to discuss, collaborate and share ideas to meet defence and security challenges
  • The Ideas Marketplace enables innovators to get their ideas in front of an array of government stakeholders and end users

The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch the Ideas Marketplace. The Ideas Marketplace is an online networking Collaboration Platform where innovators can discuss, collaborate and share ideas with like-minded users to overcome defence and security challenges and help deliver the next generation of defence and security tools and services.

Welcome to the Ideas Marketplace

The Ideas Marketplace is designed to enable innovative organisations to engage with the best people in defence and security, easily. It encourages collaboration between organisations of all shapes and sizes, to foster new and dynamic relationships to make innovations a success.

From helping innovators gain expertise and specialist support to develop technologies, to forming longstanding partnerships and finding new funding opportunities. The Ideas Marketplace will help innovators to:

  • hear about funding opportunities from across government

  • access exclusive competitions

  • collaborate with another innovators to make ideas a success

  • engage with industry leaders and learn more about the defence and security landscape

  • foster collaborative relationships and partnerships

Join the Ideas Marketplace here.

Key Features: Innovate. Collaborate

The Ideas Marketplace connects industry to stakeholders. Once a user has signed up, they can:

  • list abstracts on project hubs and collaborate with other innovators

  • get updates on funding opportunities from across the defence and security community

  • learn about the latest defence and security industry news and see how they can get involved

  • gain access to networking and collaboration events

  • find expert knowledge to make innovation a success

  • get help to understand the market for an idea and help to build the business behind it

How does the Ideas Marketplace work?

The Ideas Marketplace functions similarly to an online forum. Once a user has created an Ideas Marketplace profile, they can upload an abstract of their idea or challenge area that they need help with. Like-minded innovators with the same interests will easily be able to find each other through the abstract and specialism search functions, and foster collaboration opportunities.

To help find collaborators, users can also follow areas of interest, specialisms, write posts and spark conversation by sending messages.

The Ideas Marketplace community comprises 10 UK defence and security innovation organisations. Innovators can visit each Ideas Marketplace hub page to see what funding opportunities are available, and if their innovations are relevant.

  • DASA: DASA finds and funds exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity.

  • jHub & jHub digital: jHub is the Innovation centre for Strategic Command, seeking innovation and technology to enhance and improve the operation of the UK armed forces.

  • Discover, Analysis and Rapid Exploitation (DARE), the DARE team explores ways of providing cutting-edge technology and operational prototypes to show where the Royal Navy could go in the future.

  • RAFX: RAFX develops technology for the RAF to discover how it can help deliver safer, more efficient and predictable operations, and create the next generation Air Force.

  • Army Rapid Innovation & Experimentation Lab (ARIEL) seeks to work with innovative industries in a shared space, allowing ideas to be developed, and technology and equipment to be refined.

  • DE&S Future Capabilities Group: The DE&S Future Capabilities Group (FCG) works with industry to explore and de-risk new capabilities against Front-Line Command needs.

  • Regional Defence and Security Clusters: These are regional collaboration clusters led by industry and academia with the support of government and its ministerial departments such as the MOD and its innovation directorate, and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA).

  • UK Space Command: UK Space Command is a joint command staffed by the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, civil servants, and commercial partners. It aims to deliver space equipment programmes that integrate with other defence capabilities.

Checklist: How to sign up and use the Ideas Marketplace

Signing up for the Ideas Marketplace is an easy process:

  • Step 1: Visit the Ideas Marketplace homepage and register for an account

  • Step 2: Wait for your registration request to be approved

  • Step 3: Complete your Ideas Marketplace profile and choose how you want to be contacted

  • Step 4: Use the ‘Home ’ tab to upload your abstract, so other like-minded users can engage with you

  • Step 5: Use the ‘Collaborate’ tab to see your feed, follow your areas of interest; find collaborators and write posts

  • Step 6: Search the Ideas Marketplace for Abstracts by area of specialism

  • Step 7: Spark conversation by sending messages to other innovators

Join the Ideas Marketplace

Want to collaborate with like-minded innovators and get your ideas in front of government stakeholders and end-users?

Join the Ideas Marketplace here.