UK unveils £20m funding to help launch drone and flying taxi services
London (PA Media/dpa) More than £20 million ($25.8 million) of new funding will help make the use of commercial drones and even flying taxi services a reality, the British government has said. Ministers said the money will be used to help launch new flight technologies by boosting new technology and streamlining regulatory processes to allow for the commercialization of the industry.Earlier this year, Amazon confirmed Darlington, Co Durham, as its proposed site for launching drone deliveries in the UK, although there is currently no timeframe for when that scheme could launch.The UK government said the wider rollout of drones could also see them used by the emergency services to help with deliveries of blood samples, as well as with search and rescue missions and the monitoring of critical infrastructure.Aviation minister Mike Kane said: "I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world. "That means creating a nimble regulatory environment and a culture of innovation, so everyone can benefit from cutting-edge transport while tackling emissions, traffic and potentially saving lives. "Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight Industry Group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen."The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape by helping to shape smarter regulation to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner.Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the UK was "leading the way in unlocking the potential of drones" but a "regulatory system that keeps pace" was needed in order for innovation to "thrive." As part of this process, the RIO will consult on the mandatory use of new "electronic conspicuity" standards and technologies, which enable aircraft to share their location electronically and help drones fly safely alongside crewed aircraft."The Regulatory Innovation Office is cutting red tape to ensure businesses can deploy drones easily and efficiently, while maintaining the highest safety standards," Kyle told the PA news agency."Requiring aircraft, including drones, to transmit their location electronically will reduce the risk of collisions and make it easier for regulators to approve complex drone operations, such as delivering blood samples for the NHS, monitoring critical national infrastructure, or supporting search and rescue missions."Quite simply, this is regulation that will unlock a raft of new commercial and public service opportunities for the use of drones, supporting just some of the innovation we need that will drive growth and deliver on our plan for change."These steps will ensure the drone sector can grow while delivering real benefits to the public. "We'll consult on how best to implement this, working with industry to get the balance right.
"But our direction is clear: we are making the UK the best place in the world to develop and deploy cutting-edge technologies, backed by the work of our Regulatory Innovation Office."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
4 hours ago
- Tahawul Tech
Belkin announces record-low prices on tech essentials for Amazon Prime Day 2025
With Amazon Prime Day now live, Belkin is offering some amazing deals, including a selection of our most popular products, all at their lowest price ever on Amazon. Not only are these great deals, but these products are also tech essentials. BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 15W This best-selling stand not only looks great, but it also offers a secure, aligned magnetic connection for iPhone with 2x faster charging speed. Charge iPhone, Apple Watch, and wireless earbuds in one place. RRP: SAR 390.4/ Deal Price SAR 298.99 BoostCharge 2m USB-C to USB-C Cable 100W Power and connect to a MacBook, Chromebook, Windows laptop, iPad, or other USB-C device with an extra-long, double-braided cable. Compatible with USB-C PD, it supports up to 100W charging, delivering safe and optimal charging speeds for a variety of devices. RRP: SAR 68.70 / Deal Price: SAR 39.99 BoostCharge Power Bank 10K Get 40 extra hours of battery life for your iPhone 14, 13, or 12, or charge up to 3 devices at once with up to 15W combined power from 2 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C port. A USB-A to USB-C cable is included so you can start charging right out of the box. RRP: SAR 49 / Deal Price: SAR 43.99 BoostCharge Power Bank 20K Get over 78 additional hours of battery life for your MagSafe-compatible iPhone, iPad or Samsung Galaxy, so you can stay connected longer. It provides power through its USB-C port and dual USB-A ports and comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable for immediate, out-of-the-box use. RRP: SAR102.08 / Deal price: SAR 74.98 SoundForm Mini Wired On-Ear Headphones for Kids Premium quality SoundForm headphones, reimagined for kids with distance learning, travel, and streaming online content in mind. These Mini Wired On-Ear Headphones are kid-friendly in every way, from their volume cap of 85 dB, to their easy-to-use controls and durable oops-proof design. RRP: SAR 79 / Deal Price SAR 39
Dubai Eye
4 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
India-UK trade deal signals Modi's priorities as New Delhi eyes EU, US pacts
India's trade deal with Britain is a sign of New Delhi's new gradual shift to opening up its markets while shielding crucial sectors from competition and could be its template for future agreements, government officials and analysts said on Friday. Signed on Thursday and hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "a blueprint for our shared prosperity", the deal with the UK represents India's biggest ever strategic partnership with an advanced economy. It comes at a time rising global trade tensions and at a pivotal moment for India's historically protectionist trade strategy, as the Asian giant looks to strike similar deals with partners including the EU, US and New Zealand. Under the pact, India notably agreed to cut tariffs on imported British vehicles, opening up competition for a domestic industry that makes up nearly 7 per cent of the Indian economy. "This is a policy shift, especially as India has long used high tariffs to protect domestic manufacturers," Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative and a former Indian trade negotiator, told Reuters. The easing of its protectionist stance also applies to government procurement and pharmaceuticals and will likely be replicated in deals with Brussels and Washington, he added. But it remains a cautious shift. Under the UK deal, auto imports will be capped under a quota system to shield local manufacturers, and tariff reductions will be gradual. India has committed to reducing auto tariffs from over 100 per cent to 10 per cent over 15 years, within an annual import quota starting at 10,000 units and rising to 19,000 in year five. Tariff reductions on whisky and other goods will also be phased over several years to allow domestic industries to adjust. RED LINES India has stuck to its red lines in the deal, making no concessions on agricultural items such as apples and walnuts or dairy products including cheese and whey. "There is no question of opening up the agriculture or dairy sector in any trade negotiation - be it with the EU, Australia, or even the US," a senior Indian official said. The calibrated strategy aims to leverage trade for economic growth, the official said, but the government will continue to shield millions of Indians dependent upon subsistence farming and low-margin work. Indian farmers are eyeing broadened access to the UK's $37.5 billion agriculture market under the deal. And Indian exporters will benefit from zero tariffs on goods including textiles, footwear, gems, furniture, auto parts, machinery, and chemicals. "With zero tariffs, India's garment exports to the UK could double in three years," said N. Thirukkumaran, general secretary of the Tiruppur Exporters Association. "This also paves the way for the EU agreement, which could bring even bigger gains," he added. But the strategy could face a major test in negotiations with US President Donald Trump's administration, which has used the threat of steep tariffs to pressure trading partners into making concessions. Trade Minister Piyush Goyal told Reuters on Thursday that India is also hopeful of reaching a trade agreement with Washington that includes "special and preferred treatment". But the US is pushing for greater access to India's agricultural and dairy markets.
Al Etihad
9 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UK equities slip as investors assess mixed earnings, economic data
25 July 2025 14:48 (REUTERS) London's main stock indexes slipped on Friday as investors assessed a mixed bag of corporate earnings and awaited updates on EU-US trade internationally oriented FTSE 100 fell 0.3% as of 0939 GMT, pulling back from its all-time peak reached on Thursday, but was on track to register its fifth straight weekly gain. The midcap FTSE 250 index also lost 0.3%.Data showed British retail sales rose by 0.9% in June, a partial rebound from May's 2.8% plunge, which was the biggest fall since December 2023.A survey showed consumer confidence dipped this month ahead of possible tax increases later this year, and households added to their and materials stocks led the sectoral decline, falling 1.8%, dragged down by Marshalls, which tumbled 21.6%, on downbeat full-year adjusted pre-tax profit metal miners lost 1.7%, tracking a fall in gold Mining fell 2.8%, Endeavour Mining lost 1.3%, and Fresnillo down 2.2%. Automobiles rose 0.7%.In corporate updates, NatWest rose 1.9% after the lender said its profit increased by 18% in the first half and the company announced a new share buyback worth 750 million pounds ($1.01 billion).Close Brothers surged 8.6% after announcing the sale of its execution services and securities business, Winterflood, to Marex for 103.9 million the flip side, Rightmove fell 1.2% after warning it expects sales growth in the second half of 2025 to be lower than the first half's 10%.Jupiter Fund Management fell 5.1% after the wealth manager reported lower half-yearly pre-tax await to see whether the European Union can reach a trade deal with the US before US President Donald Trump's August 1 deadline. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will lobby Trump to accelerate a final deal to cut tariffs on British steel, the Financial Times reported.
