Performing the Stephen Sondheim classic “Merrily We Roll Along”, final year Musical Theatre students will bring the award-winning show to West Lothian audiences on the 16th and 17th of October.
Directed by world class theatre creatives Cressida Carré and Jon Beales, audiences will be taken on an evocative journey through the unravelling of friendship and ambition over 20 years.
Mark Langley, Principal of The Scottish Institute said: “Our partnership with Howden Park Centre marks an exciting new chapter for not only the school, but we’re also seeing the growth in culture across West Lothian.
“It’s a privilege to be able to provide our students with such a high-quality experience from the rehearsal room to the stage, with industry renowned directors and shows.”
As part of the partnership, The Scottish Institute has secured 100 days and nights of performance each year for the next decade at the centre, mutually benefitting the students and the local community.
With a 290 seat capacity, the theatre will provide students with the opportunity to bring their learning outside of the classroom, transitioning their work from basic rehearsals to performing on a real stage to a paying audience.
John Burlington, Production Manager at The Scottish Institute said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Merrily We Roll Along to Howden Park Centre this week. The creative team, including our director fresh from the UK tour of Titanic the Musical, has been exceptional.
“Their expertise has provided our students with a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders, making this production a standout in both artistic quality and educational value.”
“Merrily We Roll Along” follows the story of Franklin Shepard, a successful but disillusioned composer, and his two estranged friends, as it moves backwards through key moments in their personal and professional lives.
The show concludes with an ironic twist, as the three friends, full of optimism and ambition at the start of their careers, face a seemingly bright future. Notably, this is the same production for which Daniel Radcliffe recently won a Tony Award.
The Scottish Institute is Scotland’s only fully CDMT accredited performing arts institution, also holding accreditations from Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Council of Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) and Imperial Society for the Teachers of Dance (ISTD).
To purchase tickets to Merrily We Roll Along visit:
Hawaii could soon be welcoming a new distillery after a postgraduate student at Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University won a prestigious entrepreneurial award.
Canadian student Ethan Wang, 42, wants to open a new distillery on Hawaii’s scenic volcanic island of Maui and said he was in “total shock” after winning cash and support from an industry membership organisation to help make his idea happen.
The award, called the Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Entrepreneurship Award, is designed to help students apply their science in the real world and is run jointly by Heriot-Watt’s respected International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) and The Worshipful Company of Distillers, a historic trade association in the City of London.
“Maui is an ocean paradise and is one of the finest places in the world to get botanical ingredients and clean flavours,” said Ethan, who is currently studying online with ICBD to complete a Master of Science degree in Brewing and Distilling.
“Winning this award was such great news to wake up to in Hawaii. It will help me buy additional expensive tools for flavour extraction – and having an experienced industry body to guide me with my planning will be a huge help.”
Ethan is originally from Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, where he studied a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Victoria. He first visited Hawaii during his early career in accountancy and finance and got married there in 2011. Since then, he has visited Maui, the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, every year.
Ethan says the £5,000 prize money from the award is an important addition to the personal savings he is investing to open the distillery, which will produce spirits including gin, vodka, blended whisky, Japanese shochu – a spirit typically distilled from ingredients including rice, barley and sweet potatoes – and Korean soju, also traditionally made from rice.
Called the Kamehameha Distillery, Ethan’s distillery will be based in Kula, a scenic rural area of Maui on the slopes of a dormant volcano called Haleakalā.
“The site offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the lush, rolling hills of upcountry Maui,” Ethan says. “Hawaii’s tropical climate is warm and humid, but up in Kula, the air is cooler and crisper, especially in the evenings.
“This variation in temperature, along with the volcanic soil and the sea air, has a profound influence on the ingredients we use, from the hibiscus flowers to the sea grapes. The clean, fresh environment helps preserve the natural flavours, giving our products a unique and authentic taste that truly reflects the land they come from.”
Kamehameha’s products are designed to appeal particularly to American and Japanese markets. But Ethan’s longer-term vision is to expand globally and to create opportunities locally in Hawaii.
“Supporting the island’s economy is vital – and I want to create meaningful opportunities for the local community, including creating jobs and fostering partnerships with local farmers and suppliers,” he says.
“In the long term, I see Kamehameha Distillery expanding beyond Hawaii and introducing the world to unique, authentic Hawaiian flavours. International expansion is a goal, as I want our spirits to be enjoyed globally, not just as beverages but as an experience of Hawaiian culture.”
Heriot-Watt University has been researching brewing and distilling since 1903 and formed the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling in 1990 to meet the needs of the brewing, distilling and malting industries worldwide.
Its degrees prepare students to enter the malting, brewing or distilling industries and cover a broad range of subjects including brewing and distilling science, chemical engineering, business studies and production management.
The centre’s on-campus facilities in Edinburgh include a 200-litre capacity brewery, a mobile mashing unit and cereal cooker, a mash filter, fermentation vessels, stills and a laboratory.
Dr David Jenkins, Assistant Professor in Brewing and Distilling at ICBD and also an MSc programme leader, said: “Ethan’s plans for his Hawaiian distillery are incredibly exciting and it’s fantastic to help fund his vision.
“Jumping from a science degree to the real world can be challenging – so our focus is on helping students apply what they learn to their own entrepreneurial ideas. There are always new opportunities in the drinks industry – and we look forward to seeing Ethan’s business grow.”
Lorne MacKillop of the Worshipful Company of Distillers – the company’s ‘Master’ this year and figurehead – has spent 47 years in the wines and spirits sector. He said: “Education is an important part of our role and we support a number of awards and scholarships in the science of distilling.
“These are designed to help students achieve excellence in their craft and apply their knowledge to real-world businesses and innovations. We were hugely impressed with Ethan’s submission for our Heriot-Watt University award and are delighted to support him in his new venture.”
The Worshipful Company of Distillers (the WCD) was formed in 1638 when King Charles I granted the company a Royal Charter. The organisation is a City Livery Company – a trade guild that once acted as a modern day trade association, but whose powers to regulate alcoholic spirits were discontinued in the 19th Century. Today its function revolves around industry philanthropy, education, networking and fellowship.
The company’s industry mentoring capacity will involve providing a hand-picked mentor from amongst those members freely giving their time to help support mentees like Ethan.
The WCD has run its mentoring scheme for three years and has about 45 mentees presently in the programme, chosen from those students who are sponsored with bursaries at the training providers used.
Ethan hopes to have the Kamehameha Distillery open by the end of 2024.
Childline delivered more than 8,000 counselling sessions with children in Scotland last year
This included 4,485 counselling sessions with children about their mental and emotional health and wellbeing concerns
This World Mental Health Day, the NSPCC is encouraging children to reach out to Childline for support on any issues
Over half (55%) of all counselling sessions delivered to young people in Scotland by the NSPCC’s Childline service last year were about mental health and wellbeing.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, Childline delivered 4,485 counselling sessions to young people in Scotland about mental and emotional health and wellbeing, equating to approximately 12 sessions a day.
When discussing their mental health, some of the top concerns that were raised were anxiety, stress, low mood, depression and loneliness.
To mark World Mental Health Day (Thursday, October 10th), the NSPCC is highlighting these figures to show the scale of children struggling with their mental health and to remind them that Childline is a safe place where they can seek help and support.
An 11-year-old girl from Scotland who contacted Childline, said: “I feel so lonely at school, I only really have one friend. What’s harder though is I feel I can’t talk about how much it upsets me.
“My parents seem annoyed or judgemental when I try to talk about my feelings. Speaking to Childline feels like a weight has been lifted.”
It is important for children and young people get help with their mental health at an early stage – through schools or in the local community – rather than waiting until they reach crisis point.
That is why the charity is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure communities have the resources they need to be able to support children’s mental health wherever and whenever they need it. This will require investment in specialist care, counselling in schools and support in community settings.
Any child or young person who is struggling can also contact Childline up to the age of 19 and have a confidential conversation with a counsellor over the phone or online, at any time of the day.
Adeniyi Alade, service head of Childline, who is based at Aberdeen Childline, said: “Growing up can be tough at times and our counsellors talk to children and young people every day to support them with their mental health and wellbeing.
“This Mental Health Day we’d like to remind young people that our friendly counsellors are here for them all day, every day, to talk about whatever is worrying them.
“They don’t need to struggle alone. We can help, whether they are feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed.
“At the NSPCC and Childline we also believe that mental health support should be available in all communities across Scotland and are calling on the Scottish government to implement this to reach every pupil who needs help.”
The Childline website also provides support to young people on the advice pages or resources, such as Art Box, which is a space for children to write or draw about their feelings. Children can also use the service’s Calm Zone, an area of the website with lots of tools and mechanisms to help young people cope.
Drawing or writing can be a helpful way for children to process their emotions, as it can enable them to express themselves and make sense of their situation.
One primary school aged girl from Scotland who contacted Childline, said: “I’m so self-conscious of how I look, my personality, what people think about me.
“It makes me feel anxious. I know everyone is different, but I feel different in a bad way. Reading and drawing are my ways to escape.”
With this in mind, Lidl GB in partnership with Crayola is supporting the NSPCC in their mission to be there for every child needing support with their mental health by launching the Crayola Cosmic Creations and Fantastic Fantasy Activity Tube.
The activity tubes – of which £1 per item sold will be donated to Childline – are designed to give children a creative outlet for their emotions using colouring pencils, colouring rolls, foil art posters and stickers, all with vibrant designs.
Charlie Day, CSR Team Manager at Lidl GB, said: “Supporting young people’s mental health matters hugely to our colleagues and customers.
“That’s why at Lidl GB we’re committed to building on the over £9 million we’ve donated to the NSPCC since 2017, however we can.
“We’re delighted to sell activity tubes in Lidl GB stores that provide children with a calming activity and help them to express their feelings.
“Co-created by Crayola and Hunter Price International, the product will raise vital funds for Childline, and with the contact details on-pack, will help ensure young people have somewhere to turn when they’re ready to open up.”
Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on:
CONSTRUCTION has begun on the second phase of affordable homes in South Queensferry which will provide a much-needed boost to housing supply.
Cala Homes (East), in partnership with Manor Estates Housing Association (MEHA), has broken ground on 25 social rent homes at its Queensferry Heights development near the Firth of Forth.
The £4.3 million project, supported by the City of Edinburgh Council with grant funding from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Investment Programme, includes 15 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 10 three-bedroom terraced houses.
It builds on the 19 homes that have already been built and handed over to MEHA as part of the first phase, taking the total number of affordable homes delivered across the development to 44.
The second phase of homes are scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026, providing new opportunities for families and individuals seeking affordable living in the area.
Derek Lawson, Strategic Land Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “Given all the challenges around building new affordable homes in Scotland we are delighted to have agreed all the terms required to start work on this second, larger phase.
“Manor Estates Housing Association is based locally and has already proven to be an excellent partner to work with at this location. Together we’re able to ensure that those moving in can benefit from warm, efficient and contemporary homes, within a flourishing community.”
The development, located in a prime position near the Forth Bridges, offers excellent transport links and access to local amenities, making it a desirable location for new residents. As with the first phase of 19 MEHA homes, the second phase blends seamlessly with the wider private development.
In addition to its attractive location, the development has been designed with sustainability and community in mind, featuring energy-efficient homes and integrated green spaces.
Cala have signed a contract with housing association, Manor Estates, to provide 19affordable homes at Cala’s Queensferry Heights development.
Pictured: site manager Gavin McCann and Manor Estates’s CEO, Claire Ironside and Chair of the Board, Rachel Hutton (Glasses)
Amanda Hay, Property Services Director with Manor Estates Housing Association said: “Our goal is to create safe, sustainable communities, and this project is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration with Cala Homes and support from the Scottish Government and the City of Edinburgh Council.
“We are delighted to have appointed C~urb Property Development to provide a full development consultancy service for this phase of new homes.”
C~urb Property Development, part of the Link group of companies, provides expert affordable housing development services to a range of customers including Registered Social Landlords cross Scotland.
Keith Giblett, Chair with Queensferry and District Community Council (QDCC), said: “QDCC is pleased that Cala has found a way forward to deliver the much needed affordable homes working with Manor Estates, an existing provider of homes in Queensferry.
“The added benefit is the Community Council has good working relationships with Manor built up over many years which is good for the community of Queensferry.”
As we approach World AIDS Day, anyone is welcome to come to one of our drop-in quilting workshops to add a friend or family member’s name to the HIV quilt, housed in the Cathedral.
Free. All are welcome on a drop-in basis, no need to book.
KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES HAPPY THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM
Looking to keep your kids happy this half-term? Burger King® UK is here to help with a scarily good deal in the run up to Halloween, with the return of Kids Eat FREE!
From 11th-20th October, families across Scotland can enjoy a King Jrmeal, featuring a Kids Hamburger or Chicken Nuggets, fries or apple slices and a drink of your choice, totally free when purchasing an adult meal*!
All you need to do is download the Burger King® UK app via Google Play here or the App Store here to claim the offer.
This October, Dynamic Earth invites families to swap fright for fascination and embark on a thrilling journey into the world of misunderstood creatures, eerie adventures, and science-led discovery.
With a spectacular programme of Halloween-themed activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy — from spine-tingling trails to spooky planetarium shows and hands-on exploration.
Running from Wednesday, 2nd October to Sunday, 3rd November, this unmissable line-up promises weeks of fun and learning for children and adults alike.
Highlights of the October Programme Include:
Trick or Treat Trail (2nd Oct – 3rd Nov)
Admission ticket + £4
Get ready for an adventure with Blaize the Bat as you explore our exhibition and uncover hidden wonders of the natural world. From slithering serpents to creatures from the deep, you’ll be guided through Dynamic Earth by clues and puzzles, leading to a special prize — your very own Blaize the Bat beanie!
Eerie Encounters (4th Oct – 3rd Nov)
FREE drop-in activities
Our Science Communication team invites you to dive into a world of “eerie encounters” with misunderstood creatures and fascinating plants. From crafting your very own Venus flytrap puppet to uncovering prehistoric creatures in our dino-dig, these family-friendly activities will have everyone getting hands-on with nature’s creepiest and most captivating lifeforms.
New Planetarium Shows (2nd Oct – 31st Oct)
Daily screenings
Embark on an out-of-this-world journey with two captivating shows in our 6K resolution Planetarium:
Fungi: Web of Life (narrated by Björk) unveils the mysterious and interconnected world of fungi. With expert insights from acclaimed British biologist Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, this film explores the hidden network that sustains all life on Earth. Dr. Sheldrake’s groundbreaking research in mycology adds a deeper layer of intrigue, making this a must-see for science enthusiasts.
What’s Up: The Fright Sky takes you on an exclusive live journey presented by Dynamic Earth’s in-house astronomers. These shows, created by our expert team, reveal real imagery from space and stunning visuals captured by satellites. You’ll hear personalised content and seasonal insights directly from our science experts, offering an immersive and unique look into the darker tales and legends of the night sky.
Planetarium Lates (18th, 19th, 21st, 25th Oct)
16 special evening shows (18+)
For adults, Dynamic Earth offers Planetarium Lates — an immersive experience with Halloween classics like The Shining and The Thing, plus Dark Side of the Moon shows. Sip on a themed cocktail such as Beetlejuice or Vampire Kiss, and settle in for a spooky, star-studded night out.
October Outdoor Club (Mon – Tue, or Thur – Fri)
Ages 7-12
For younger adventurers, Dynamic Earth’s October Outdoor Club offers a two-day journey into Earth and environmental sciences. From exploring sustainability to learning about the fascinating creatures that inhabit our planet, this club promises endless excitement and discovery for curious young minds.
October Membership Offer:
This October, there’s more than just Halloween fun in store at Dynamic Earth! From Wednesday, 2nd October to Tuesday, 31st October, visitors can upgrade their Adult, Child, or Concession day ticket for just £5 and receive a 12-month membership at Dynamic Earth.
A Dynamic Earth Annual Membership Includes:
Unlimited visits to Dynamic Earth’s exhibition, galleries, and 6K resolution Planetarium for 12 months.
Exclusive previews to seasonal activities and events.
Free admission for under-4s.
As a special bonus, those who take up this membership offer will be invited to an exclusive preview of our Winter What’s Up show and a screening of the festive favourite, The Muppet Christmas Carol.*
Visit Dynamic Earth and Transform Your Halloween!
With a blend of science, adventure, and spooky fun, Dynamic Earth’s October programme is the perfect way for families to celebrate Halloween. Whether you’re tracing the Trick or Treat Trail, marvelling at the mysteries of fungi, or spending an evening at Planetarium Lates, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
5,340 people tuned in to the Restart a Heart Live YouTube livestream on Thursday 10th October, smashing the previous GUINNESS WORLD RECORD – 1,500 – for the most views of a CPR Lesson on YouTube in 24 hours.
Restart a Heart Live aimed to train as many people as possible in lifesaving CPR and was pioneered by Lee Myers, a Paramedic Clinical Team Leader at the Scottish Ambulance Service and co-produced with Save a Life for Scotland and Save a Life Cymru. Lee has undertaken in-person CPR training for schools across the Borders and wanted to find a way to make this training accessible to everyone.
Lee said: “I am incredibly proud of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD achievement, of the entire team behind this concept, but most importantly all the people that we managed to train yesterday.
“Restart a Heart Live has been a tremendous success, and we are grateful for all the support we’ve received. We hope that through this event it’s given people confidence to perform CPR if they witness an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Even if one person survives from someone attending the event, then it has been successful.”
Lee was joined on the day by his twin brother, Liam Myers, Police Scotland Constable, who helped deliver the CPR training.
Liam said: “I am overwhelmed to have been part of a team that has achieved a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD. I believe it is really important to learn CPR as there is no doubt it saves lives.
“The response from the public has been amazing in term of the numbers taking part in the training sessions. I want to thank everyone who tuned in to learn CPR, every little helps when it comes to saving a life.”
Susan Gardner, National Program Manager of the Save a Life for Scotland campaign said: “Restart a Heart has been an amazing event! Working with our local and national partners from across the UK allowed us to highlight the importance of CPR to people right into their homes, workplaces, and schools.
“We need each other to be ready to do CPR if we should ever have to do it. By starting CPR people in Scotland can double or even triple the chances of someone surviving and play an essential part in bringing someone back home to their loved ones.”
Julie Starling, Save a Life Cymru Clinical Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Programme Manager, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this GUINNESS WORLD RECORD and the Restart a Heart Live event. If one life can be saved through this collaboration – that is a mark of success for us.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside our Scottish colleges and other organisations in Wales on this event. CPR is a life skill, and no one should be frightened to give it a go.”
Letters for new eye clinic appointments will begin “landing on doorsteps” in Lothian in two weeks’ time
NHS Lothian said it was making progress with plans for the continued delivery of services normally housed at the Princes Alexandra Eye Pavilion, while the facility is closed for urgent repair work.
It comes after the health board announced two weeks ago that the specialist eye hospital would have to be temporarily vacated for around six months to allow for extensive work.
All appointments scheduled to take place from October 28 are being moved in the interim to other NHS Lothian facilities while the work on the plumbing system is carried out.
Services will be distributed across five locations in NHS Lothian – St John’s Hospital, Livingston, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, East Lothian Community Hospital and the Lauriston Building which is adjacent to the Eye Pavilion.
Inpatient services and day surgery appointments will be located at St John’s, while referrals for emergency ophthalmology cases will be treated at the Lauriston Building, a major outpatient centre which will also serve as temporary home to many of the Eye Pavilion’s clinics.
Jim Crombie, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Lothian, said great care was being taken to keep disruption to a minimum, but said there is likely to be some knock-on impact of such a busy facility being relocated.
He added: “We are devising a plan that allows us to vacate the PAEP building during this essential work, while ensuring that patients can continue to be seen and treated throughout.
“So far, we have identified five locations with the necessary clinically appropriate facilities where we can relocate outpatient clinics, however we are still working through the complex logistics this will involve.
“Patient and staff safety are always our chief consideration, and our teams are working hard to minimise disruption. Please be assured, patients will be given the details of their new appointment with updated times and locations as soon as we can, and we expect that to be within the next fortnight. They can expect to receive physical letters or electronic letters on the e-comms portal.
“However, the PAEP was our busiest location for outpatient appointments, with up to 1,600 slots every week, as well as more than 130 inpatient appointments. There is likely to be an impact on waiting times in ophthalmology, but also in other specialties where the new clinics are being relocated.
“Our migration plan has tried to spread the numbers evenly across our facilities and our clinical teams are working to prioritise patients with the most urgent need for treatment soonest.
“I would like to thank our patients for their understanding and patience and our teams at the Eye Pavilion and in other services which will also be affected for their hard work and co-operation. Moving a hospital is a massive logistical exercise and I want to acknowledge that this is a whole system effort that reaches far beyond ophthalmology.”
The extensive work will begin at the end of October and will involve the removal of two waste pipes as well as asbestos material from a sealed cavity where the pipework is located.
Contractors have advised that the work can be carried out more quickly and safely if the building is vacant for the duration.
The vast majority of patients due to be seen at the PAEP between now and Friday October 26are unaffected.
A small number of appointments due to take place before then will also need to be rescheduled in order to begin preparations for the temporary closure of the Eye Pavilion. These patients will be contacted individually by their clinical teams at least two weeks in advance, and do not need to do anything.
Those who already have appointments booked for dates from Monday October 28 will be contacted by letter, text or both in good time to arrange their new appointments, starting with patients who have appointments in the week beginning October 28.
Major investment deals set to be announced at inaugural International Investment Summit
Billions worth of investments in emerging growth sectors including AI and life sciences, and infrastructure are set to be unveiled by businesses and ministers at the government’s inaugural International Investment Summit today.
Ministers set to unveil billions worth of major investment deals in AI, life sciences and infrastructure
Follows investment of £24 billion in clean energy from business leaders hailing the UK’s “clear policy direction”
Comes as leading investors, CEOs, and politicians convene for inaugural International Investment Summit
PM vows to “do everything in my power to galvanise growth” as he pledges to “get rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment”
World leading CEO’s and investors from across the globe will meet with ministers, First Ministers, and local leaders at the Guildhall – a historic landmark which has served as the ceremonial heart of the City of London for centuries.
Securing investment is central to the government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off.
The government has already secured tens of billions worth of investments within 100 days of being in office. The International Investment Summit will provide an opportunity to build on this progress and showcase the UK’s economic strengths.
The event will demonstrate that through serious, stable governance, the UK can establish enduring partnerships with businesses to boost investment and give investors the confidence they need to choose Britain.
In a sign of intent to deliver on its central promise, this government has immediately made a series of major interventions to restore economic stability and create the right conditions for growth and investment. Business leaders this week hailed the UK’s “clear policy direction” as they announced over £24 billion worth of investment in clean energy projects.
The government’s policy platform – including bolstering the Office for Investment, a robust Industrial Strategy, major planning reforms to unlock infrastructure and housing, and founding a National Wealth Fund to catalyse private money – will attract investment, kickstart growth, and unlock Britain’s potential.
In his keynote speech opening the summit, the Prime Minister will outline how the government will build on this work, with a vow to “do everything in my power to galvanise growth including getting rid of regulation that needlessly holds back investment.”
He is expected to say not enough has been done to make sure the UK is keeping pace with emerging industries. He will pledge to “upgrade the regulatory regime to make it fit for the modern age, making Britain fit to harness all opportunities.”
In his keynote speech, the Prime Minister will make his ‘pitch for Britain’. On the value of stability, the Prime Minister is expected to say: “It’s not just that stability leads to growth – though we all recognise that.
“It’s also that growth leads to stability. Growth leads to a country that is better equipped to come together and get its future back. That’s why it’s always been so critical to my project.
“We have a golden opportunity to use our mandate, to end chop and change, policy churn and sticking plasters that make it so hard for investors to assess the value of any proposition.
“We have the determination, the focus on clear long-term ends, a mission-led mindset that thinks in years, not the days or hours of the news grid, needed to unlock that potential. Do not doubt that.
“We are focusing on investment because the mission of growth, in this country especially, demands it. Private sector investment is the way we rebuild our country and pay our way in the world. This is a great moment to back Britain. This is great moment to back England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.”
On regulation, he is expected to say: “We’ve got to look at regulation where it is needlessly holding back the investment, to take our country forward.
“Where it is stopping us building the homes, the data centres, warehouses, grid connectors, roads, trainlines, you name it then mark my words – we will get rid of it.
“We will rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment and we will make sure that every regulator in this country take growth as seriously as this room does.”
The government will ask the CMA to prioritise growth, investment, and innovation through their work as a priority and it will also be reviewing the focus of other major regulators.
The regulatory review is just one part of the government’s work ensuring Britain is at the front of the queue for emerging opportunities. It builds on the recent creation of the Regulatory Innovation Office, which will curb red tape for cutting-edge emerging technologies, speed up approvals, and allow them to be rolled out to the public safely and quickly.
These changes come at the same time as the government delivers on a key manifesto promise to establish a modern Industrial Strategy. Long called for by business, the strategy hardwires long-term stability for investors and plays to the UK’s strengths by focusing on eight growth-driving sectors.
The summit will involve sessions with ministers and business leaders to discuss how together we can ensure the UK capitalises on emerging growth sectors including health tech and AI, clean energy and creative industries, for the good of working people.
Confirmed speakers including Ruth Porat President & Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet, David A. Ricks Chair and CEO of Eli Lilly, Alex Kendall CEO of Wayve and Pushmeet Kohli Vice President of Research at Google DeepMind.
The Prime Minister will take part in an “in conversation” event with former CEO and chairman of Google Eric Schmidt, moderated by CEO of GSK Dame Emma Walmsley to discuss how the UK can seize the opportunities of AI to drive growth and productivity, and it’s potential to improve public services such as health and education.
The Chancellor will close the summit and take part in a panel event discussing investment opportunities in the UK with Group Chief Executive of USS Carol Young, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock Larry Fink and CEO of Brookfield Asset Management Bruce Flatt.
Attendees will then be invited to an exclusive reception at St Paul’s Cathedral attended by His Majesty The King.
Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson OBE said: “It’s never been a better time to invest in Britain.
“This summit is a hugely significant moment to showcase the UK’s economic strengths on the world stage and I’m delighted to be part of the government’s important work to drive growth and investment across the UK.”
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted to be attending the International Investment Summit. With a new government, we are reclaiming Britain’s reputation as a magnet for global investment – bringing with it new technology, new ways of thinking and, crucially, new jobs across our country, meaning higher living standards.
“London and the UK are open for business, trade and investment. I will continue working with the Government to forge new partnerships, reset relationships and seize the opportunity to secure long-term investment so that we can build a better London for everyone and deliver the change Britain needs.”
Alex Kendall, Co-Founder and CEO of Wayve, said: “I’m delighted to join the inaugural International Investment Summit. The UK has a strong opportunity to lead in Embodied AI, especially in automated vehicles.
“We appreciate the Government’s proactive collaboration with industry on intelligent legislation like the AV Act 2024. Their sector-specific approach to AI regulation is the right way to encourage both investment and innovation.
“As we advance our Embodied AI technology into safe, reliable, production-ready software for global automakers, we look forward to continuing to work with the Government to harmonise global regulations and scale UK innovation internationally.”
Ruth Porat, Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet Inc, said: “Google is proud of our long history of meaningful investments in local talent, infrastructure and digital skilling in the UK which help everyone participate in the benefits of the digital economy.
“With the UK’s rich academic heritage, particularly in the sciences, it is well-positioned to capture the many opportunities that AI can deliver.
“The Investment Summit is an important moment to reflect on the progress to date, and how to best position the UK as a global leader in AI, with the economic and societal benefits this transformative technology can deliver today, and in the years ahead.”
Has a loved one died from HIV-related causes?
As we approach 
Free. All are welcome on a drop-in basis, no need to book.
