The Government has launched proposals for a modern Industrial Strategy to build on Britain’s strengths and tackle its underlying weaknesses to secure a future as a competitive, global nation, including plans to upgrade the country's water and flood defence infrastructure.
New ‘Sector deals’ and investment in research and development will support the industries of the future where Britain has the potential to lead the world – from electric vehicles to biotech and quantum technologies.
At the heart of the Strategy green paper is an offer to businesses to strike new ‘Sector Deals’. As part of the deals government will be prepared to offer a range of support, including addressing regulatory barriers to innovation and growth, looking at how trade and investment deals can be used to increase exports, or supporting the creation of new institutions to provide leadership, support innovation or boost skills.
The Industrial Strategy is a part of the Plan for Britain set out by the Prime Minister last week aimed at driving growth right across the UK and using major new investments in infrastructure and research to drive prosperity.
The green paper also sets out technologies where Britain has strengths in research and development which could be supported through the government’s new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, including: smart energy technologies; robotics and artificial intelligence and 5G mobile network technology. The fund is part of £4.7 billion of additional R&D funding announced by the Prime Minister in November.
The government has said it is prepared to work with any sector which can organise behind strong leadership to address shared challenges and opportunities.
The green paper sets out ten strategic pillars to underpin a new government approach:
- Investing in science, research and innovation
- Developing skills
- Upgrading infrastructure
- Supporting businesses to start and grow
- Improving procurement
- Encouraging trade and inward investment policy
- Delivering affordable energy and clean growth
- Cultivating world-leading sectors
- Driving growth across the whole country
- Creating the right institutions to bring together sectors and places
The Green Paper sets out a plan to release a further £556 million for the Northern Powerhouse - new projects include flood resilience measures in Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Kirklees and Leeds.
Deadline for responses to the consultation is 17th April 2017. Click here to download the Green Paper
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.