Science & research

Inspiring the next generation: Business Secretary Vince Cable has launched National Science and Engineering Week at the 2011 Big Bang Fair in the ExCel Centre in Docklands.

Dr Cable has also announced the launch of "See Inside Manufacturing". The UK automotive industry will throw open its doors to improve the image of manufacturing and attract young people into STEM careers.

Major investment in science: Universities and Science Minister David Willetts has announced an £11 million investment which will test the safety of electronic systems found in aircraft and cars. ‘Chipir’, based at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory will be the first dedicated facility outside the US to examine how silicon microchips respond to cosmic radiation. 

Task Force: Mr Willetts commented on the first report of the Sandwich Economic Development Task Force which has been received by Government.

Low carbon vehicle R&D: The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is providing £10 million for three major projects to address fundamental research questions in developing low carbon vehicles, Business Minister Mark Prisk has announced. 

Business & growth

New Aerospace Growth Partnership: The group, which will be jointly chaired by Mr Prisk and Marcus Bryson, Chief Executive of GKN Aerospace, will see government and industry working together to address the issues that affect UK competitiveness in the sector.

TV entrepreneurs: Rising coverage of entrepreneurs in the media is helping to persuade more people to consider a career as their own boss, new research published by BIS shows.

Week in Small Business: Mr Prisk has spent the last ‘work experience’ day of his "Week in Small Business" at Michelmersh Brick and Tile Company, a brick manufacturer based in Hampshire. 

Higher education

New SLC director: Mr Willetts has announced the appointment of a new non-executive director of the Student Loans Company Limited - Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath.

Intellectual property

Sharing tools: The IP offices of Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom and World Intellectual Property Organisation have launched a pilot system to make it easier to access results of search and examination from other offices.

Get involved

The department currently has 5 consultations open. These include:

• Employed students and the accommodation offset
• A new approach to financial regulation: Consultation on reforming the consumer credit regime
• Resolving workplace disputes - public consultation