Record funding uplift for UK battery research and development

THE UK's world leading manufacturing industries will be boosted thanks to £211 million in new Government funding for battery research and innovation, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg was confirmed on:- Friday, 21 October 2022.

The record funding uplift will be delivered through the Faraday Battery Challenge, which began in 2017 and supports world class scientific technology development and manufacturing scale-up capability for batteries in the UK. It will help to seize on opportunities for private investment and economic growth in industries where powerful, fast charging batteries will be essential; such as domestic energy storage and electric vehicles.

The funding, from 2021 settlement, will be delivered between:- 2022 and 2025, by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with support from:- the Faraday Institution, Innovate UK and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).

It will help the sector deliver 100,000 jobs in battery gigafactories and the battery supply chain by 2040. Supporting the scale-up of these technologies and unlocking further private investment supports the sustainable growth of the economy, which will boost tax revenues and put public services on a more secure footing for the longer term, helping improve life for people across the UK.

Speaking on a visit to the £130m UKBIC, which is the UK's centre of excellence in battery manufacturing, Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg said:- "Safe and powerful batteries are central to our plans to grow the industries of the future. From our world leading renewables industry, to our growing electric vehicle sector, secure supplies of batteries are key to delivering jobs and prosperity. The Faraday Battery Challenge has brought the UK's greatest minds and best facilities together to develop the innovations that will help us achieve this goal. The work it has done since 2017 has laid the groundwork for our future economic success and I am pleased to confirm this work will continue, supported by record funding."

The Faraday Battery Challenge combines:-

► Research and capability development to reduce battery weight and cost, increase energy and power, and ensure reliability and recyclability.

► Collaborative business led innovation in the UK battery sector, development of the wider network and skills needed to manufacture batteries through Innovate UK.

► Manufacturing scale up and skills development at the UKBIC the national battery manufacturing development facility.

The Challenge has supported over 140 organisations working across the UK, attracting over £400 million in further private sector investment. It has enabled the Faraday Institution, the UK's independent battery research body, to unite 500 researchers across more than 25 Universities to improve current and develop future battery technologies.

Faraday Battery Challenge Director Tony Harper said:- "This new funding allows us to strengthen the foundation we've created by consolidating and building on the UK's position to become a battery science superpower. We now have an opportunity to ensure that our national industrialisation infrastructure remains world leading in this fast-evolving critical net zero technology."

With the support of the Challenge, the £130 million UKBIC in Coventry opened 3 years ahead of its nearest European competition. The Centre provides the link between battery research and successful mass production. So far UKBIC has supported over 140 UK battery developers, working on more than 80 research and innovation projects, to successfully scale their products to market.

Felicity Buchan, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:- "The battery industry will play a pivotal role in the growth of our future economy. That's why it's so important that we are making this record investment in cutting edge research, supporting businesses to become more innovative and productive, and creating high skill, high wage jobs across the UK."

UKBIC Managing Director Jeff Pratt said:- "I'm delighted with this announcement which demonstrates the Government's sustained commitment to supporting the development of advanced battery technologies across the UK. Since the Faraday Battery Challenge was launched in 2017, we have seen rapid change in the battery industry as it develops increased capacity across Europe; and this will continue over the coming decade. For UKBIC, this additional funding will ensure that we retain our leading-edge manufacturing capability for the UK and can continue to support our industry in the next few years as novel chemistries and formats scale towards volume production."

UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said:- "Advanced battery technology will play a central role in our lives and the economy, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, creating new jobs and opening up new opportunities. The Faraday Battery Challenge is at the forefront of the clean technology revolution, catalysing collaboration and innovation that will benefit society. This exciting work and the further investment announced today underlines the ways in which research and innovation can help to create a sustainable future while driving economic growth."

Along with the Challenge, the UK Government is helping to deliver a world leading electric vehicle industry for the UK through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF). Through the ATF the UK has secured major investments in battery production, including Envision AESC expanding their existing plant in Sunderland.

A further £4 million is also being announced through UKRI's Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge to support skills, talent and training across Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) manufacturing and supply chains. PEMD components are the parts that make things 'go,' from cars to hairdryers, underpinning a wide range of high value industries.
 

Sefton Council scoops North West title for backing small businesses

SEFTON Council has been awarded a prestigious:- 'best in the Region' award for its support for the local small business community. Sefton beat Local Authorities from across the North West to scoop Council of the year in the Covid19 Support and Recovery category; testament to its fantastic work supporting businesses during the Pandemic. It was among 250 Councils in England who entered the inaugural Local Government Awards run by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the UK's 's biggest business representative group, ultimately emerging triumphant! FSB's inaugural Local Government awards, sponsored by Maybe, were aimed at celebrating and recognising those that had made the biggest impact on local SME's during the Covid crisis and beyond. At a virtual online final on Friday, 14 October 2022, Sefton Council was named as the North West Regional champion, with judges being impressed by the Council's work to help the local small business community during the Pandemic.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:- "During the COVID, our Invest Sefton and Business Rates teams paid out a total of over £100 million in grants to hundreds local businesses to support them through the Pandemic, so I'm delighted that work has been recognised through this FSB award."

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Services said:- "It was an unprecedented time and I'm so proud of the way our teams adapted quickly to enable them to provide so much this financial and practical support to local businesses."

FSB Area Leader for Merseyside and Cheshire, Michael Sandys; himself based in Southport; said he was pleased Sefton Council's hard work had been recognised amid a high quality field of entries by local Councils. "It is really pleasing to see Sefton Council rewarded for its hard work and effort to help local SMEs through what has been a very challenging couple of years... Both the quality and quantity of entries from this Region and beyond was incredibly high so Sefton should feel very proud to be among the winners. We look forward to continuing to work with Sefton; and all our other business supporting Councils; to ensure we can build a vibrant and strong local SME community."
 

Festive fun at Dobbies' Southport store

DOBBIES, the UK's leading garden centre retailer, is gearing up to create a Christmas to remember for customers in Southport and announces a magical line up of great value festive events to get the whole family excited for the season ahead, with booking now open. Santa's Grotto is back and better than ever, with families having the opportunity to take part in an interactive experience in the Southport store. Attendees will be greeted by Santa's elves to walk through the snowy woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and more, as well as helping to pack Santa's sleigh. They'll then spend time with Santa and receive a special gift to take home. Families can opt in to purchase a photograph with Santa, creating memories to last forever. Dobbies' Quiet Grottos will also be available on 9 December 2022. This experience is designed to help support children with additional needs, with sound and visual elements adapted to reduce anxiety.

If you're looking to get the whole family involved, Dobbies' Southport store will also offer a Santa Paws grotto experience. Dog lovers across Southport have the chance to bring their pups to see Santa, with a special doggie gift and photo opportunity available. Children's tickets can be added, for a full family experience.

The garden centre is also hosting its ever popular Santa's Breakfast experience, perfect for families and children under 10 years old. Breakfast options are available for both adults and children, including:- vegetarian and lighter options, with food, fun activities and a gift from Santa all included in the children's great value ticket price.

Dobbies' Festive Afternoon Tea will also take place, with options to suit the whole family. Guests can indulge in 3 tiers of fantastic festive food, and unlimited tea and coffee refills. There are also options to upgrade with additional savoury items, hot drinks and Prosecco.

Dobbies' Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said:- "Christmas is all about getting the family together and spending quality time with your loved ones. At Dobbies we want to give families an experience to remember and unforgettable memories to cherish for years to come. Nothing is more magical than Christmas time, and our interactive festive events in Southport will help bring the season to life for the entire family."

Customers in Southport are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies' Christmas events to avoid disappointment. Customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dobbies' National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, when booking online:- Dobbies.Com.