Your weekly digest of policy news, funding competitions, and calls for evidence.
What’s been in the news?
Businesses and public can influence post-Brexit trade, promises Fox
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has set out proposals aiming to ensure that businesses and the public will have a voice in the UK’s post-Brexit trade negotiations. The 14-week consultation will mean MPs, the Devolved Administrations, businesses, civil society groups, trade unions and the public will all be able to contribute their opinions to the ongoing talks. As part of the consultation, Department for International Trade (DIT) has confirmed events will be run across the UK to encourage debate on prospective trade agreements that the UK government hopes will support future prosperity and growth.
‘For the first time in over 40 years the UK will have the chance to decide who we trade with and on what terms,’ said Fox. ‘Those decisions must work of the whole of the UK, and that is why we are making this unprecedented commitment to transparency and inclusiveness. As an international economic department, we have the chance to deliver trade agreements that work for consumers and businesses across the UK. The more input we get on these, the better they will be.’
DIT launches £1.5bn space export campaign
A new Space Exports campaign announced by DIT will target two of the world’s fastest growing markets – the US and India – with trade missions. The government is working closely with the UK space industry to grow the sector to £40bn by 2030. ‘With over a third of its business coming through overseas sales, the space sector is a great example of the benefits of seizing global opportunities which in turn create jobs back home,’ said International Trade Secretary Liam fox.
Dr Jamie Reed, Industry Co-Chair of the Space Growth Partnership’s Space Exports group, said: ‘Industry and DIT have been working closely to build a solid evidence base demonstrating the potential for significant new UK business in major global markets. It’s fantastic to see the government committing to growth through these new announcements.’
New laws to encourage roll-out of electric charge points
The Automated and Electric vehicles (AEV) Act was this week passed by parliament, in what is being seen as a significant step towards improving air quality and reducing congestion. As part of the AEV Act, the government now has the power to improve the availability of electric charge points across the UK and its motorway services. The new laws will also ensure that there is a standardisation of pay for the charge points and there are rules on their reliability.
‘The UK is becoming a world leader in the roll-out of low-emission transport. Today we have passed a significant milestone in that journey,’ said Roads Minister Jesse Norman. ‘The increasing automation of our cars is transforming the way we drive, and the government is steadily updating our laws in order to prepare for the future. This act will ensure that the UK’s infrastructure and insurance system is ready for the biggest transport revolution in a century.’
Calls for evidence
- Defra: Environmental Governance Consultation Paper inquiry
Deadline: 2 Aug 2018
- BEIS: Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) inquiry
Deadline: 26 August 2018
For Parliamentary Calls for Evidence please see the Parliament Committee page.
Funding competitions
Deadline: 8 August 2018
To help eliminate plastic waste, Innovate UK is offering UK businesses a share of £4m for innovative solutions to the problem.
Deadline: 22 August 2018
SMEs developing innovative medical devices, diagnostics, and regulated digital health products can apply for a share of £1.5m from Innovate UK and the Office for Life Sciences.
Deadline: 22 August 2018
This competition is a Small Business Research Initiative led by the Department of Health and Social Care that will invest £10m in projects that focus on infection prevention and new therapies for AMR.
Deadline: 29 August 2018
The Office for Low Emission Vehicles and Innovate UK are investing £20m into innovative approaches to electric vehicle charging.
Deadline: 29 August 2018
Innovate UK is offering up to £10m in loans to micro and SMEs for game-changing innovations with strong commercial potential.
Deadline: 29 August 2018
UK businesses can apply for a share of £20m in innovation grants to design, develop, and deploy wireless electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commercial users.
Visit Blog