Pulse.Assent

Speaking today (Thursday 29 March), Dr Fox announced that the Department for International Trade (DIT) is looking for an innovative, award-winning design concept for the UK’s pavilion at Expo 2020, which creates the most original, inspiring and memorable visitor experience possible.

The Expo 2020 theme will be ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the future’ with an expected footfall of 25 million visitors from around the world, providing an ideal platform to project Britain as a global force for prosperity, innovation, creativity and thought leadership. As this is the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, the opportunities to connect with one of the most dynamic, young, and fastest growing regions in the world are immense.

The UK’s participation will consist of a self-build pavilion, supported by an accompanying programme of business and cultural events all related to the theme: Global Britain – Innovating for a Shared Future.

Britain has a proud tradition in supporting global expos, hosting the first ever Expo, The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry at Crystal Palace in 1851, with previous winning entries at Shanghai 2010 and Milan 2015. This historic expertise was a key factor in British companies, including Foster and Partners and Grimshaw Architects, winning contracts worth £1 billion to help build and deliver Expo 2020 Dubai itself.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:

I am delighted to announce that the UK will be participating in Expo 2020 Dubai which will offer UK businesses a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of British innovation, over 150 years on from the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, the world’s first ever expo.

As an international economic department, DIT is ensuring British businesses make the most of growing markets and export their goods around the world. The festival will be a major showcase for the UK in the Middle East, and a shop window for the best of our creativity and innovation.

Further information

• Expo 2020 Dubai takes place between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021 and is based on the theme: Connecting Minds, Creating the future. This will be the first Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region (MEASA). 180 nations will take part in Expo 2020 Dubai alongside NGOs and sponsors.
• Six million visitors attended the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851. This gave rise to the development of the area now known as ‘Albertopolis’ in London, which contains a large number of educational and cultural sites including the Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall and the V&A.
• Companies have until the 24 April to apply to design the pavilion – applications should be made online
• Companies interested in wider Expo supply opportunities should visit the Expo procurement portal for further information
• DIT is holding a series of events across Britain for everyone interested in the design tender.

About Department for International Trade

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, as well as delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.

The government will amend the regulations so that all 18 to 21-year-olds will be entitled to claim support for housing costs within Universal Credit.

Alongside the Youth Obligation, this change will mean young people get comprehensive and intensive work-focussed support, whether they are ‘learning’ or ‘earning’ as they set off into adulthood. They will also be assured that if they secure a tenancy they will be entitled to receive support towards their housing costs in the normal way.

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Esther McVey said:

We want every young person to have the confidence to strive to fulfil their ambitions.

For those young people who are vulnerable or face extra barriers, Universal Credit provides them with intensive, personalised support to move into employment, training or work experience; so no young person is left behind as they could be under the old benefits system.

As we rollout Universal Credit, we have always been clear we will make any necessary changes along the way. This announcement today will reassure all young people that housing support is in place if they need it.

The employment rate is at 75.3% – up from 74.6% compared to a year ago and the joint highest rate since records began. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed young people is down 40% since 2010.

St Basils CEO Jean Templeton said:

We welcome this decision to reinstate housing cost entitlement for 18 to 21-year-olds. This means no young person will need to disclose vulnerability in order to find somewhere to live. We hope this decision will increase landlord confidence in offering accommodation to younger people, knowing they can access assistance with their rent if needed. The decision is particularly timely as the Homelessness Reduction Act comes into force.

This change means that there are no barriers to young people accessing housing because of their age and is in line with the Homelessness Reduction Act which comes into force next month, and the government’s commitment to eradicate rough sleeping by 2027.

More information

The Youth Obligation is available in areas offering Universal Credit full service. It means 18 to 21-year-olds receive intensive work-focussed support from day one of their claim. If they are still unemployed and claiming Universal Credit after 6 months they are referred to work-related training or guaranteed work experience to give them the skills to gain an apprenticeship, move into education or work.

St Basils provides support for young people, including emergency accommodation, supported accommodation, advice services and skills services.

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The outcome of the EU referendum delivered a golden opportunity for us to recast our place in the world. An opportunity where Wales can sell itself on a global stage and where our businesses can forge new lucrative relationships with the millions of people around the world looking for their skills, expertise, goods and services.

In our ongoing effort to support their ambitions, the UK Government has convened a Board of Trade to meet the modern needs of businesses, exporters and inward investors across the country.
The second meeting of the Board will take place in Preston today – an area playing an integral part in the success of the Northern Powerhouse which stretches from North Wales to Newcastle.

I will take my place at the table with two key aims – to show that Wales is open for business and to underline the fact that there has never been a better time for Welsh companies to export overseas.

Wales is already punching above its weight on the global stage.
Exports from Wales rose by 12.3% to £16.4 billion in the latest year on year figures, and is home to nearly 4,000 exporters with an average value per exporter of more than £4.2million.

North Wales’ companies are making a significant contribution to that success.

Products made in North Wales are proudly sold right around the globe. One of the first Board of Trade award winners announced today, Halen Mon Sea Salt is now sold in over 17 countries, and over half of the world’s commercial aircraft are now flying on wings made by Airbus in Broughton.

I was also delighted to welcome Snowdonia Cheese Company to London earlier this month at a UK Government celebration of international Welsh trade at the Foreign Office. This is a company scaling the heights of export ambition, actively infiltrating markets across Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific nations.

And international companies are also showing confidence in the Welsh economy. Only last month, Toyota announced its commitment to building the next generation Auris vehicle at their plant in Derbyshire, confirming that the majority of the engines will be sourced from Deeside.

This is testament to the confidence there is in Wales’ credentials as a prime destination for international investment, and the UK Government’s commitment to creating the conditions to make these deals happen.

And as we mark the one-year anniversary of the triggering of Article 50, we can take confidence in the fact that – for the first time in 40 years – we will soon be in charge of our own trade policy. One that puts all regions of the United Kingdom at its heart.

We will be able to take a fresh look at our approach to trade and investment and how we do business. And every choice we make will be in the interests of the UK.

There has never been a better time for Welsh companies to start exporting to new markets.

We are on the verge of a bright, prosperous future. The opportunities are there for the taking. We need only the courage to seize them.

ENDS