Government launches counter terrorism science and technology strategy

Experts from industry and academia are being invited to provide groundbreaking innovations to help combat the threat of terrorism as part of the government’s Science and Technology Counter Terrorism Strategy launched today.

Scientists are being asked to come forward with state-of-the-art ideas that could be used to identify new threats and develop ways to counter the challenges we face from international terrorism.

The three-year Science and Technology Counter Terrorism Strategy published today aims to:

* Understand future threats and opportunities;

* Develop effective solutions; and

* Work with our international partners on counter terrorism-related science and technology

Alongside the strategy, a brochure has been produced for science and technology experts, to put them in touch with key contacts.

Science and technology play a key part in counter-terrorism, enhancing our ability to pursue terrorists, prevent radicalisation, protect essential services and infrastructure and prepare for a terrorist attack.

The government’s counter terrorism strategy (CONTEST) has identified that terrorists will continue to exploit modern technology, not only to plan and conduct attacks, but also to disseminate propaganda and recruit people to their cause. The report published today sets out what the government is already doing to counter terrorism through science and technology.

The strategy and accompanying brochure set out key challenges and invite commercial experts to get in touch to see if they can work towards meeting the operational needs of the wider counter-terrorism community as well as our traditional partners such as the police, military and security services.

Security Minister Lord West said:

“The UK currently faces a real and serious threat from terrorism and we need to utilise our position as a world leader in science and technology to counter this.

“We need to match products and ideas to problems, which is why we are actively inviting people to join us and share expertise.

“The UK is a leading innovator in the design and provision of defence and security solutions. British technology can have greater practical applications across the world and is just one more tool in our fight against those who would wish to do us harm.”

I'm fighting hard for you

All year I have been clear that the Government will be tested continually by events - but that we should be judged by our responses.

Recent weeks have underlined this.

Cases of swine flu are increasing, although they have so far proved to be generally mild in most people.

But we are reacting in a calm, ordered and organised way. Good stocks of antivirals, plans for mass vaccination and groundbreaking advice services are in place.

The latest economic figures underline the sheer scale and force of the global recession we're now fighting and why our recovery plan has had to be so bold.

Although there is no room for complacency, the government's action is shortening the recession and reducing its effects. We are cautious but confident that growth is going to return towards the end of this year.

In Afghanistan, our troops face constant danger and at times their efforts come with a human cost.

But the security operation they are currently engaged in against the Taliban has made considerable progress.

Work with local Afghans and civilian experts also continues to help build up the police, basic justice, roads, power and health clinics that prove there is a better alternative to the Taliban.

Over time, the biggest tests remain the economy, further improving schools, hospitals and policing, cleaning up politics and forging a stronger, fairer and more prosperous society.

Our plan for Building Britain's Future is a radical vision to overcome these challenges by fighting hard for the ordinary, hard working majority of this country.

It is about helping people keep their jobs and stay in their homes as we push for a digital, low carbon, high technology recovery.

Families and businesses are getting Real Help Now, which has saved half a million jobs, kept repossessions to a minimum and improved cashflow and order books.

At the same time, we are giving people enforceable entitlements to the highest standards of healthcare, while parents will be guaranteed an education individually tailored to their child.

We will support construction workers by building more decent affordable homes for families to rent and buy.

Fighting hard for Britain means Backing Young Britain.

Next week we will a launch a campaign with business, trades unions and charities to stop a generation of young people lost to work, as in previous recessions.

Meanwhile, swift action on the MPs' expenses scandal has ensured that there can be no repeat of the abuses that stained Parliament and rightly left people angry.

Internationally, we remain focused on global economic recovery as we prepare for the G20 in September and continue our efforts for a global deal on climate change at the Copenhagen summit at the end of the year.

This is a challenging period. We are taking tough choices but always putting the hard working majority at the heart of our decisions. And as the next few months unfold, people will see that our actions are bringing the results that they demand.

Gordon Brown

Amended - SWIM4LIFE - Search for new swimming stroke

Are your kids bored of breaststroke? Fed-up of front crawl? Think they can do better than backstroke and butterfly?

Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham is calling on kids up and down the country to help Swim4Life create a brand new swimming stroke.

The national competition to kick off Swim4Life, part of Change4Life, asks youngsters to send their ideas, including a description of how they came up with their new stroke, a picture that inspired it and a suggested name.

The competition is all about getting kids moving in the water where their bodies have to work harder than on dry land - be it the dolphin, the penguin or the wriggly worm stroke.

Secretary of State, Andy Burnham said:

“Taking the kids swimming is a great way of making sure they’re moving around and having fun.

“We know that a huge number of people have taken the opportunity to swim for free since we introduced our free swimming scheme in April.

“I hope this Swim4Life competition will see even more families take the plunge and head to their local pool to think up an inventive new stroke.”

The swimming stroke competition marks the start of Swim4Life, a new part of Change4Life. Over the next few weeks selected local papers will carry a free Swim4Life poster crammed full of fun facts and swimming games, and parents will be able to download free swimming tips and advice for families on getting more active through swimming from http://www.nhs.uk/change4life

Swimming is a great way to the get the 60 active minutes kids need everyday. It’s also a great way for families to be active together over the summer months.

The Swim4Life competition will be judged by a panel of experts including coaching expert Ian Armiger. The winner will be announced by Andy Burnham in September, when he completes The Great North Swim 2009 in Lake Windermere.

Swimming expert Ian Armiger said:

“Asking children to invent a new stroke is a great idea, one that’ll get them more active in the water and using their imaginations.

“Swimming is a brilliant way for people of all ages to get moving, and thinking of a new stroke should be a perfect excuse to get to the pool this summer.”

The inventor of the winning stroke will win a trip to Alton Towers Water Park for a family of four (two adults and two children) including travel, overnight accommodation, entrance to the park and spending money.

PM praises “groundbreaking” swine flu service

A self-care service to help people with swine flu symptoms is “breaking new ground”, the Prime Minister has said.

The National Pandemic Flu Service, consisting of a new dedicated website and phone line, allows people to check their symptoms and, if necessary, get a unique number to allow them access to antivirals from a collection point.

* Visit the National Pandemic Flu Service website

Gordon Brown said the service was already working well to help people get advice as he met NHS staff in London today to hear how the capital is dealing with the outbreak.

He said:

“[The National Pandemic Flu Service] is the first in the world. We are breaking new ground here, but we have been preparing for this for more than two years and I think the evidence is that people are responding to the scheme… What I want to do is ensure that people get the best advice, get it as quickly as possible, are able to get the antivirals when they need them and are reassured.”

The Prime Minister added that he hoped the service would take some of the burden off GPs and hospitals, which have been seeing rising numbers of people reporting symptoms, and he praised NHS staff for their response to the outbreak.

He added:

“I don’t know if any health service in the world could do what we have been able to do so quickly as a result of efforts of all the staff.”

Read advice about swine flu from Directgov

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Tags: National Pandemic Flu Service, NHS, swine flu