Category: Gov Press Releases

Londres (28 de março) – O ministro da Indústria, Comércio Exterior e Serviços, Marcos Jorge de Lima, e o Ministro de Comércio Internacional do Reino Unido, Liam Fox, presidiram hoje a 10ª reunião do Comitê Econômico e de Comércio Conjunto Reino Unido – Brasil (JETCO na sigla em inglês), realizada em Londres.

“Estou convicto de que o JETCO ganha em relevância nesta nova fase de nossas relações comerciais e este encontro certamente cria as base para resultados concretos e mutuamente benéficos para nossos países”, declarou o ministro Marcos Jorge.

Para o secretário Liam Fox, como a maior economia da América do Sul, o Brasil tem um enorme potencial que as empresas britânicas podem utilizar. “Continuaremos a trabalhar em estreita colaboração com o governo brasileiro para derrubar as barreiras ao comércio e apoiar nossas economias em benefício mútuo”, disse.

Acordos

Durante a reunião, Marcos Jorge e Liam Fox assinaram um Memorando de Entendimento para fomentar temas importantes no comércio bilateral, como facilitação de comércio, cooperação regulatória e promoção da cultura exportadora, com estímulo para maior participação das micro, pequenas e médias empresas (MPMEs) no comércio exterior. Além disso, o Memorando alcança ainda o apoio para reestruturação do Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) e para a implementação de instrumentos de compliance para permitir o acesso do Brasil à Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE), candidatura oficializada em maio de 2017.

Marcos Jorge ressaltou a importância da parceria com o Reino Unido. “Acredito que uma das características mais importantes de nosso relacionamento tem sido a capacidade de inovar na identificação de meios de fomentarmos projetos de desenvolvimento associado, como é o caso da cooperação no contexto do Fundo da Prosperidade, o “Prosperity Fund”declarou o ministro.

O Prosperity Fund é o fundo de cooperação do Governo Britânico financiado pelo Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ministério das Relações Exteriores Britânico). Entre 2011 e 2016, o fundo britânico o investiu mais de 14 milhões de libras em projetos no Brasil, com o intuito de melhorar o ambiente de negócios, bem como atrair novos investimentos em infraestrutura com melhorias no ambiente regulatório e capacitação em parcerias público-privadas.

Intercâmbio comercial

O ministro também destacou as trocas comerciais entre o Brasil e o Reino Unido, que chegaram, em 2017, ao valor de cerca de US$ 5,15 bilhões. “Apenas nos dois primeiros meses deste ano, nosso intercâmbio de bens já cresceu 30% de lado a lado, o que demonstra o potencial existente para o incremento de nossas trocas comerciais”, afirmou.

Em termos de investimentos, o Brasil possui estoque de US$ 30 bilhões e o Reino Unido, US$ 4 bilhões.
“Isso demonstra o grande esforço e empenho de nossas empresas para o incremento das relações bilaterais. Por isso, Brasil e Reino Unido, inclusive por intermédio do engajamento do MDIC e do DIT no JETCO, têm trabalhando com afinco para dar mais fluidez ao ambiente de negócios”, lembrou Marcos Jorge. .

Parceria INPI-UKIPO

Durante o Jetco, o diretor-executivo do Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI), Mauro Maia, e o diretor-executivo e controlador-geral do Escritório de Propriedade Intelectual do Reino Unido (UKIPO, na sigla em Inglês), Tim Moss, assinaram um acordo que vai acelerar a análise de pedidos de patentes.

O acordo prevê a colaboração entre o INPI e o UKIPO através de um projeto piloto de Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH). Neste modelo de parceria entre dois países ou regiões, o solicitante da patente poderá pedir que o exame de seu pedido seja priorizado em um dos países, após ter sido concedido pelo outro.

Deste modo, um pedido de patente já concedido no Brasil poderá ter seu exame acelerado no Reino Unido, ao mesmo tempo em que uma solicitação deferida no instituto britânico poderá ser agilizada no INPI. Em média, segundo o INPI, o prazo é reduzido de cerca de 10 anos para nove meses, via PPH.

Segundo o ministro Marcos Jorge, é importante destacar que “patentes concedidas com agilidade são essenciais para estimular a inovação e a competitividade das empresas, inclusive para as que pretendem investir no mercado externo. Também contribuem para atrair investimentos no Brasil”, informa.

Neste PPH entre o INPI e o UKIPO, que entrará em vigor no terceiro trimestre de 2018, poderão ser incluídos até 100 pedidos de patentes por ano. Os campos tecnológicos ainda serão definidos pelos dois institutos.

Atualmente, o Brasil possui projetos de PPH com os Estados Unidos, o Japão, a China, o Escritório Europeu de Patentes e os países latino-americanos que fazem parte do projeto denominado PROSUR.

O Governo Britânico, em parceria com o Fundo Newton, abre as inscrições para o Prêmio Newton 2018. Os países contemplados para a chamada são Brasil, Chile, Colômbia e México. São elegíveis beneficiários existentes ou passados de projetos financiados pelo Newton Fund. O prêmio será concedido para a melhor pesquisa ou inovação que promova desenvolvimento econômico, bem-estar social ou que enfrente desafios globais.

O Prêmio Newton reconhece e celebra pesquisas e inovações de excelência financiadas pelo Fundo Newton, desde o seu lançamento em 2014. Ele busca incentivar pesquisadores e inovadores a participarem como parceiros do Reino Unido e a trabalharem para responder aos mais urgentes desafios globais.

Neste ano, cinco projetos serão contemplados, pelo menos um prêmio para cada país será concedido, no valor máximo de200 mil libras, aproximadamente 1 milhão de reais, o qual deve ser usado para avançar ou desenvolver trabalhos existentes no Fundo Newton. A lista de inscrições será analisada por um comitê independente, liderado pelo Sir Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, um dos mais ilustres cientistas britânicos, vencedor do Prêmio Nobel e presidente da Royal Society de Londres.

“A América Latina tem uma riqueza de excelentes pesquisadores trabalhando em colaboração com o Reino Unido para abordar questões diversas como biodiversidade, saúde e observação da Terra através das parcerias do Fundo Newton na região. Como presidente do Comitê do Prêmio, estou ansioso para descobrir mais sobre esses empreendimentos colaborativos”, afirmou o cientista.

As inscrições, em inglês, são feitas pelo site até o dia 25 de maio de 2018:
http://www.newtonfund.ac.uk/newtonprize/

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

Prime Minister Theresa May today spoke with President Trump to welcome the US decision to expel 60 Russian diplomats in response to the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury.

The PM said the US had delivered a very strong response and welcomed the breadth of international action in response to Russia’s reckless and brazen behaviour – with 26 countries now putting expulsions in place.

The Prime Minister welcomed the temporary exemption to steel and aluminium tariffs announced by the US last week in relation to the European Union.

She said she looked forward to constructive talks taking place between the EU and the US on making the exemption permanent.

Finally, the Prime Minister thanked the President for his personal help and support in securing the passage of the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act or CLOUD Act by the US, which will provide an important tool in the investigation of terrorist and other offences in the UK and keep people living here safer.

The next generation of navigation systems that could operate without GPS, cameras that can see round corners and truly trust-worthy methods of exchanging data are 3 of the devices and systems that could be developed in the next quantum revolution, led by UK companies and researchers.

The government has confirmed that a £20 million pioneer fund will be available to support the development of between 3 and 5 prototype quantum-enabled devices that could be used in future sensors, consumer electronics and digital services.

The investment is the part of government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, which brings together world-leading research with businesses to take on the major societal and economic challenges of our time.

Pioneer funding will be used to establish whether more significant future funding could help UK businesses to establish a global advantage.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

Throughout the centuries Britain has led the world in creating new products and services and this new £20 million investment will enable us to be at the forefront of discovering new innovations that could change the world.

Through our modern Industrial Strategy we are investing in the newest technologies, which will create the high-value, high skilled jobs ensuring we build a Britain fit for the future.

ISCF Wave 2 – Quantum Technology

Speaking at a National Physical Laboratory quantum industry dinner, Interim Challenge Director Sir Peter Knight, said:

In order to secure the UK lead in this area and make sure that UK companies take a significant share of this large future sector, we must act now with a focus more than ever on working across the spectrum of industry, academia and across government to achieve innovation.

The Pioneer Challenge will develop our industrial base, integrated with UK research. The rise of quantum technologies will have a huge impact on all our lives.

The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund is the greatest single increase in government research and development funding for almost 40 years, and will deliver the science that business needs to build on our industrial strengths and deliver economic impact, jobs and growth right across the country. It will play a central role in achieving the Government’s commitment to raising the UK’s public and private spend on research and development to 2.4% of GDP by 2027.

Case studies of quantum technologies research and innovation projects

Cold atoms space payload (CASPA)

Developments in quantum technology allow cold atoms – cooled down near to absolute zero using lasers – to be used in highly precise sensors for measuring gravity.

A team led by Teledyne e2v is developing a small satellite payload to generate cold atoms in space (CASPA). The CASPA project involves the translation of leading UK science into a core technology. A demonstration of the core technology in space would represent an important step towards the future realisation of instruments that can map the changes in gravity across the Earth. As gravity can vary minutely depending on the Earth’s composition at a given point, this, in turn, would allow for applications in Earth observation, for instance enabling the accurate monitoring of polar ice, ocean currents and water sources across the globe.

The project is funded by Innovate UK, with co-funding from EPSRC, and involves Gooch & Housego, Clyde Space, XCAM, Covesion and the universities of Birmingham and Southampton.

Single Pixel Imaging Technology (QUANTIC)

Researchers at QuantiC have developed imaging technology using a single pixel camera that is capable of seeing through smoke, visualising gas leaks and capturing high precision 3D images.

The technology combines low-cost micro-mirror arrays and image reconstruction algorithms to capture video-rate images of a scene faster than any existing scanning system.

Working in collaboration with industry partners, such as specialised laser company M Squared Lasers and global engineering company Leonardo, QuantiC have developed prototypes for invisible gas sensing and computational 3D LIDAR systems with potential routes to commercialisation that will have a market impact in the heavy industry and defence and security sectors.

Going Deeper Underground (UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Metrology)

Physicists and civil engineers at the UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Metrology, in collaboration with industrial partners such as Te2v and RSK, are developing quantum gravity sensors to locate utilities buried underground without having to excavate.

The sensors have the potential to speed up the location process one hundred fold and lead to annual savings to the UK economy of several hundreds of millions of pounds.

The work builds on 2 major EPSRC-funded projects led by civil engineers at the University of Birmingham, which made huge strides in the development of a shared multisensor platform through the application of technologies such as vibro-acoustics, passive magnetic fields and ground penetrating radar.

Notes to editors

• The challenge will be delivered by UK Research and Innovation through Innovate UK and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. The first briefing event for businesses and researchers will take place in London on 18th April. Further details of the event will be available shortly
• The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund was created to ensure that research and innovation takes centre stage in the government’s Industrial Strategy, with investment earmarked for technologies where the UK can build on its world-leading strengths and help innovative businesses to tap into large and growing global markets, as well as the industries of the future. The fund is being administered by UK Research and Innovation under the leadership of its Chief Executive Sir Mark Walport. It will play a key role in strengthening the UK’s competitiveness through the Industrial Strategy

In the first event of its kind, Digital and Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, today brought together more than 100 organisations from across the digital, culture, media and sporting worlds to address diversity concerns.

The diversity forum, hosted at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, is part of the Government’s mission to create a fairer society where success is based on merit, not privilege. The forum brought together high profile figures including former paralympian Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson, CodeFirstGirls’ Chief Executive Amali de Alwis, ITV’s Head of Diversity Ade Rawcliffe, Chair of UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce Keith Harris and Sport England’s Director of Insight Lisa O’Keefe.

Too often sectors work on diversity and social mobility in silos, convinced that the challenges they face are unique. The new forum will identify and share best practice for increasing diversity and social mobility, making the sectors inclusive and representative of the communities they serve across the country.

Speaking at the event, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Matt Hancock said:

Diversity is not just a moral imperative, it makes good business sense. It’s crucial that these positive intentions are converted into good decisions.

Talent in music, sport, tech, art and design can be found anywhere but unless we look for it everywhere, we all risk losing out. We need to open up opportunities to everyone in this country – because you’ll never serve the nation unless you reflect the nation.

Sport England’s Director of Insight, Lisa O’Keefe said:

This was an invaluable opportunity to share learning from our successful This Girl Can campaign with representatives from very different industries – each with a common goal to increase diversity. We all have so much to learn from each other as we work to tackle the same big challenges of under-representation in our respective sectors – and so much more to do to. But by working together, we will achieve faster change.

Attendees also heard from Deborah Williams, Executive Director of the Creative Diversity Network. She oversees Project Diamond which tracks levels of diversity in front of and behind the camera of all UK-originated productions on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.

Debbie Williams said:

It was so pleasing to see representatives from across the entire DCMS portfolio in one space sharing experiences and learning from each other. Matt Hancock showed his passion for diversity and made clear there is no turning back in this agenda.

The Diversity Forum coincides with the publication of the Creative Industries Sector Deal which will see £2 million made available to kickstart an industry-led skills package. This includes a creative careers programme to encourage a more diverse intake of talent and more routes into the creative industries.

Commenting on the event the British Film Institute’s Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Nevill, said:

We strongly welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and believe that film, as one of the most accessible art forms, is a vital driver for change.

The BFI actively demonstrates our commitment through what we say and what we do, for example our current BFI Flare: LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the BFI Film Academy or the adoption of BFI Diversity Standards, which have become a game changer for film. The Diversity Standards are a prerequisite to receive BFI National Lottery funding but they are also enthusiastically being adopted by the industry as an essential tool to effect change through challenging recruitment decisions. They show just how determined and open we are as an industry to offer opportunity to everyone.

Notes

• The Creative Industries Sector Deal published today can be found https://www.gov.uk/government/news/creative-industries-sector-deal-launched

A Sheffield man who seriously assaulted and imprisoned a vulnerable victim has had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, appealed it for being too low.

Shakaiyah Swindells (aged 17 at the time) was involved in a sustained campaign of abuse and violence towards a 40 year old vulnerable victim. Swindells was part of a trio of abusers, which included Matthew Ward and Marcus Cullumbine. Ward and Cullumbine had their sentences increased at the beginning of March after the Solicitor appealed them for being too low.

Swindells was the last of the 3 abusers to move into the victim’s home. While he was living there, the victim was assaulted for a second time by Ward. The 3 offenders later laughed about the attack, which resulted because the victim had not paid the Sky TV subscription on time.

The most serious of the attacks on the victim started when he was locked in a cupboard again – this time the offenders put bolts on the outside of the cupboard to stop him getting out. He was later punched in the face, kicked in the head, attacked with a Stanley knife and burnt with various weapons. The victim was then locked in the cupboard overnight. He managed to escape the next day after claiming he had to collect a prescription and not doing so would raise suspicions. The offenders let him leave to go to the chemist but threated to hurt his brother if he reported the attacks. The chemist called the emergency services who found that the victim had serious wounds including broken ribs and extensive burns.

Swindells was originally sentenced to 7 years. Today, after the Solicitor General’s action, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 9 years.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, said:

By becoming involved in Ward and Cullumbine’s campaign of abuse after it had started, Swindells had the chance to stop it. Instead he joined the attacks and inflicted untold damage on a vulnerable member of the community

I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has increased Swindells’ sentence today. I hope that the fact that all three of the abusers’ sentences have now been increased sends the message that this kind of hate crime will be severely punished.

A prolific Essex burglar has had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred it for being too low.

In late 2017 James Zammutt-Cook, aged 27, burgled three homes, stealing a range of personal belongings from families, such as jewellery and a wallet. After his arrest, Zammutt-Cook also admitted to a further 24 offences, which totalled over £20,000 of loss to victims, and were motivated by a desire to fund his drug habit.

Zammutt-Cook was originally jailed for 2 years and 5 months at Chelmsford Crown Court. Today, after the Solicitor General’s reference, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 3 years and 9 months in prison.

Commenting on the sentence increase, the Solicitor General said:

I am pleased that the Court of Appeal agreed that Zammutt-Cook’s sentence should be higher. He showed no remorse for the impact that his crimes had on his victims, of which there were many.

I hope he will spend the extra time in prison reflecting on the choices he has made and turn over a new leaf on his release.

During the upcoming Easter holiday period and over the busy summer months, Highways England traffic officers will patrol and assist incidents on parts of the A30 in Cornwall.

Highways England already works in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police and forms part of a multi-agency partnership in terms of safety and severe weather handling.

Patrolling of the A30 is a trial initiative to support Devon and Cornwall Police and help to address increased traffic volumes and related incidents on the A30 in Cornwall.

Traffic officers currently assist drivers in any difficulty, co-ordinate the resources of the emergency services, manage traffic to reduce incident-related congestion and clear debris from the carriageways.

Based at both Bodmin police station and Cornwall Council’s Castle Canyke depot during the peak holiday months, they will now be closer at hand to provide assistance along the A30 and A38.

Traffic officers will patrol the A30 between Carland Cross and Lifton Down, and Rob Penney, South West Service Delivery Manager for Highways England, said:

We have assisted with incidents along the A30 before, but we’ve only previously patrolled routinely as far as Daisymount.

The aim is to provide further assistance to motorists on our South West network. We’re delighted to extend our service further south into Cornwall and to continue our close working partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council.

At this stage, our traffic officers will only be patrolling the A30 during the holiday months, but there may be scope to increase the patrols in the future, dependent on a review of this trial period.

Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, head of roads policing for the Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police alliance, said:

Devon and Cornwall Police is delighted to expand its partnership working with Highways England into Cornwall.

This builds on the considerable success of the operational activity on the M5, A38 and A30 in Devon, where Highways England Traffic Officers have supported police resources in dealing with road traffic collisions and other incidents which have the potential to cause disruption on our strategic road network.

This ‘one team’ approach will undoubtedly help support communities and businesses who rely on a resilient and capable road network in Cornwall, during what will be the busiest periods of the year.

Highways England’s Traffic Officer service patrols England’s motorways and major A roads, helping to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

Traffic Officers are not an enforcement agency, but they do have the power to stop and direct traffic, close lanes and carriageways and manage traffic, and road users must obey their directions.

Traffic Officers help to keep roads running smoothly by attending incidents, ensuring the scene is safe, clearing the carriageway of debris, managing debris and supporting the emergency services.

They also deal with broken down and abandoned vehicles on the strategic road network, recovering vehicles that are causing a blockage or hazard, and ensure that the scene of an incident is safe, for road users and working partners.

For more information on the roles and responsibilities of a traffic officer go to our web page Highways England’s traffic officer service.

Over the Easter period, Highways England is removing some 300 miles of roadworks to make journeys better for drivers and their passengers. That means around 99 per cent of motorways and major A-roads will be roadworks-free in time for Easter.

And Highways England is also calling on drivers to do their bit and check their vehicle before setting off to avoid breakdowns, and keep the road network flowing freely.

Research shows almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems which could be avoided with simple checks and nearly a quarter are caused by tyre problems.

Before setting off on journeys, motorists are advised to:

• check fuel: make sure you have enough to get to your destination.
• check tyres: check your tyre pressure and the condition of your tyres, including the spare. Look out for cuts or wear and make sure the tyres have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm, which is the legal limit.
• check engine oil: use your dipstick to check oil before any long journey, and top up if needed. Take your car back to the garage if you’re topping up more than usual.
• check water: to ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear debris or dirt off your windscreen.
• check your lights: if your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights are not functioning properly, you are putting yourself at risk. In addition, light malfunctions can be a reason for your vehicle to fail its MOT.

Christian Morgan, South West operations manager for Highways England, said:

Traffic volumes increase in the South West during holiday periods and breakdowns and other incidents can cause issues on our network during these busy times.

Safety is our top priority and we advise all motorists to carry out a few simple vehicle checks before setting off over this period.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.