COMMUNICATIONS BRIEFING: 10 March to 16 March 2018

Institution in the News

Dr Helen Meese appeared on BBC Cambridgeshire to discuss the findings of the Institution’s Healthy Homes report which highlights that smarter homes for older people could save the NHS and social care system £2.5 billion a year, and Philippa Oldham’s reaction to Elon Musk’s hyperloop project was picked up by NBC News.

The Institution issued a response to the call to action from the four House of Commons committees on the “national health emergency” of poor quality air and reacted to the Spring Statement, which was picked up by the trade press. News that the Dowty internally sprung wheel, the undercarriage aircraft wheel designed and built by Sir George Dowty in the 1930s, was presented with an Engineering Heritage Award was also picked up by the trade press.

The Press Office also launched a new Twitter campaign to celebrate the Institution’s heritage. As part of the popular Throwback Thursday internet trend, the Institution will tweet an interesting historical image from its archives with an accompanying quote; the first one in the series was of a tandem tricycle.

• 13/03/2018 The Dotty McLeod Breakfast Show – BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

  Interview with Dr Helen Meese to discuss the findings of the Institution’s Healthy Homes report. Helen highlights that the Government urgently needs to plan its housing provision in order to meet older people’s needs.

• 11/03/2018 Elon Musk's hyperloop dream may come true — and soon – NBC news

  Article which explores Elon Musk’s idea for futuristic transport systems that sends passenger pods through tubes at speeds of hundreds of miles an hour and features a comment from Philippa Oldham highlighting the potential safety issues. Also featured in Euro News.

• 13/03/2018 Spring Statement 2018: what you need to know – Sector Response – Further Education News

  News that the Chancellor presented his first Spring Statement to Parliament. The article features comments from both Peter Finegold, who welcomes the Chancellor’s proposed release of £80m for small businesses so that they can fully participate in the Government’s target of 3 million apprenticeships, and Jenifer Baxter, who highlights that it is important to ensure that some plastics are recognised as vital materials and that these plastics must not be confused with those found in single-use items. Also featured in Process and Control Today and Eureka!

• 14/03/2018 Digital infrastructure ‘at risk’ from energy network shortfalls – Clean Energy News

  Article which explores the Institution’s Smart Cities report and calls for a more resilient and reliable energy network, which will be crucial to support the UK’s digital infrastructure as smart cities become more prevalent. Also featured in Channel Eye.

• 11/03/2018 UK must do more to attract best talent to engineering – Industrial Plant and Equipment

  Response from Peter Finegold to EngineeringUK’s research into the importance of the engineering sector to the Yorkshire and Humber economy. Peter highlights that there is in the education system an ambivalence about vocational routes into careers. Also featured in Telegraph & Argus and Craven Herald & Pioneer (print only).

• 14/03/2018 Tomorrow’s Technology on show at Rail Live, and The UK's first fuel cell train at work – Rail (print only)

  Two articles which highlight that Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE) took part in the Institution’s Railway Challenge, the Institution’s competition for university students, graduates and apprentices, where entrants have to design and manufacture a 10 ¼ in gauge locomotive compliant with detailed specifications.

• 15/03/2018 Engineering company wins top award for pioneering invention – Western Daily Express (print only)

News that the Dowty internally sprung wheel, the undercarriage aircraft wheel designed and built by Sir George Dowty in the 1930s, has been presented with an Engineering Heritage Award. Also featured in 4 traders and Process Engineering.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

• Prior to International Women’s Day, Dr Jenifer Baxter attended a Policy Exchange round table event to discuss the hydrogen economy with Claire Perry MP, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, and colleagues from Imperial College and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
• As a result of contacting Peter Finegold, Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, submitted a Parliamentary Question to ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps the Government is taking to raise awareness of engineering as a career among secondary school pupils. Peter also met the MP at the Big Bang Fair, the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK.