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Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI Global: The path to conserving protected areas in the Amazon lies in uniting public policy with traditional local knowledge

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Everton Silva, Doutorando no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA)

    Despite serving as crucial guardians of biodiversity, traditional communities continue to be systematically excluded from developing and managing protected areas. This often subtle, silent exclusion has fueled persistent, complex socio-environmental conflicts, harming both conservation and the welfare of Indigenous peoples, riverside populations, Afro-Brazilian quilombola communities, and smallholder farmers.

    A recent study, “Socio-environmental Conflicts and Traditional Communities in Protected Areas: A Scientometric Analysis,” published in the Journal for Nature Conservation, mapped how scientific literature has examined these conflicts over time.

    Researchers from the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA), the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (UNILAB), and the Vale Institute of Technology (ITV) collaborated on the study as part of the National Institute of Science and Technology in Synthesis of Amazonian Biodiversity (INCT-SynBiAm) and the Eastern Amazon Biodiversity Research Program (PPBio-AmOr).

    The team reviewed 263 scientific articles published worldwide between 1990 and August 2024, sourced from Scopus and Web of Science. Their analysis revealed significant gaps in research on this topic and offered recommendations for more just, inclusive, and effective management of protected territories.

    What does science reveal about these conflicts?

    The research shows not only a rise in conflicts involving traditional communities and protected zones, but also their diversity. The main sources of tension are:

    1. Access to subsistence resources: Local prohibitions—often unilaterally enacted—restrict fishing, hunting, gathering, and subsistence agriculture, all vital for food and income. These constraints sever longstanding traditions of sustainable resource use, leading to food insecurity and marginalization.

    For example, in Ethiopia’s Nech Sar National Park, new conservation policies have curtailed local residents’ access to nature, sparking community tension and resistance.

    2. Exclusionary management of protected areas: Community voices are rarely included in decisions about protected area creation or management. The absence of prior consultation and disregard for traditional knowledge often yield policies disconnected from local realities. Such centralized management breeds resentment and undermines conservation; participatory governance is essential to socio-environmental justice.

    A study in Chile involving Aymaras, Atacameñas, and Mapuche-Huilliches communities found that while participatory practices and technical support from the CONAF forest agency improved perceptions, dissatisfaction persists due to initial exclusion. Many continue to assert ancestral land rights and demand meaningful input, highlighting the urgent need to build trust and align conservation with social justice.

    3. Conflicts involving wildlife: Local communities contend with damaged crops, attacks on domestic animals, and even threats to personal safety. Large mammals such as elephants, lions, jaguars, and buffalo are the main culprits. Habitat loss and depleted food sources exacerbate these incidents. Peaceful coexistence requires inclusive, context-specific solutions.

    A study from Ethiopia highlighted rising human-wildlife conflict in Chebera Churchura National Park: crop invasion, livestock predation and disease, and increased risks to human life were all reported.

    4. Territorial disputes and land rights: Many protected areas overlap with territories long used by traditional peoples. Disavowed land rights provoke legal battles, forced displacement, and greater insecurity, compounding social challenges. Formal recognition of collective land title is key to reducing conflict and ensuring autonomy; these disputes exemplify the global fight for territorial justice.

    In Mexico, a recent study documents the impact of land privatization, livestock expansion, plantations, and urbanization in the protected areas of Veracruz, Chiapas, and Morelos. It generated a land market that is disrupting Indigenous and peasant communities and threatening both their territories and forest conservation.

    5. Cultural and socioeconomic disruption: Establishing protected areas can upend ways of life rooted in symbolic, generational relationships with nature. Prohibiting customary practices disrupts rituals, beliefs, and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge, silently eroding local cultures.

    In the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, studies have noted frequent friction between Indigenous groups, recreational visitors, and managing agencies. Issues include access to sacred sites and resources on traditional lands, visitor infrastructure, permitted activities, and even place names.

    6. Lack of recognition and real participation: When communities are denied a voice in decisions, historical inequities deepen, fueling conflict. Despite legal progress, many traditional groups remain excluded from governance. Without meaningful participation, environmental policy fails to address local needs—highlighting the urgent need for community leadership and real power-sharing in conservation.

    Italy’s Monti Sibillini National Park in the Central Apennines offers an instructive case: rural depopulation has coincided with rising friction between environmental managers and locals. Imposed bureaucratic guidelines, unresponsiveness to community aspirations, and challenging collaboration between the park and municipalities have generated mutual frustration and hostility. This underscores the need for “knowledge democracy” and truly participatory stewardship that respects diverse ways of living on the land.

    Within Brazil, the same types of socio-environmental strife observed worldwide are especially acute in national protected areas. Research shows that even in sustainably managed zones like Extractive Reserves, communities regularly face resource restrictions and limited decision-making power—a recipe for lingering resentment and compromised conservation. Centralized authority and denial of customary land rights often lead to drawn-out disputes, mirroring patterns across the Global South.

    These findings highlight Brazil’s urgent need for strong co-management models—mechanisms that value local knowledge and foster territorial justice.

    Such tensions cluster in nature reserves and national parks, where regulatory regimes often disregard local lifeways and worldviews. Although the law guarantees consultation and participation mechanisms like free, prior, and informed consultation, they are often ignored or implemented ineffectively.

    Another key finding: 66.54% of studies focused on non-Indigenous populations, while only 16.73% examined Indigenous peoples exclusively. This imbalance exposes the under-representation of research attentive to the full range of traditional communities.

    Such gaps hinder efforts to understand these peoples’ rich cultural and ecological realities—and in turn, weakens recognition of their expertise and the value of their knowledge for global biodiversity conservation. Scientific consensus now affirms the vital role these communities play in preservation, yet too often they are treated as problems to be managed, not as collaborative partners.

    Why does conservation demand inclusion?

    Ensuring traditional communities participate in planning and stewarding protected lands is not only a matter of justice, but fundamental to effective conservation. Sustainable outcomes depend on their involvement. This study underscores the urgent need for public policies that are both inclusive and tailored to local conditions, embedding traditional knowledge as an indispensable part of conservation solutions, not as an obstacle.

    Worldwide, co-management experiments show that community involvement fosters compliance with conservation rules, improves governance, and delivers stronger socio-environmental benefits.

    Shifting the focus to Amazonian science

    While most studies reviewed focus on countries in the Global South—like Brazil and India—research production is dominated by institutions in the Global North. This reflects persistent “parachute science”: fieldwork by foreign scientists in rich biodiversity zones, often excluding local scientists and communities from the research process. Such projects often leave little local benefit, treating Amazonian residents as data collectors or study subjects.

    To address this, efforts must shift toward empowering Amazonian scientific institutions and researchers, strengthening their role in shaping conservation and research agendas, and realizing epistemic justice. Investments are especially needed in institutions serving remote, often overlooked regions of the Amazon.

    With robust support, these institutions can fill crucial gaps—producing research attuned to local realities, expanding our understanding of Amazonian ecosystems, and inspiring new generations of scientists.

    Researchers living and working in the Amazon possess deep, context-sensitive knowledge of the territory, enabling them to pose more relevant questions and craft solutions suited to regional challenges and opportunities. Their scholarship, in ongoing dialogue with both environment and community, enriches global science and yields practical advances that matter for daily life in the forest.

    Proximity to Indigenous, riverside, and urban populations also enables more authentic community participation in research. When research projects originate from local priorities and perspectives, they strengthen communities, help protect biodiversity, and affirm the possibility of uniting science, social justice, and climate action.

    Leandro Juen has a productivity grant from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), research projects funded by CNPq, the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the Amazon Foundation for Studies and Research (FAPESPA) and the BRC Biodiversity Consortium.

    Everton Silva, Fernando Abreu Oliveira, Fernando Geraldo de Carvalho, James Ferreira Moura Junior, José Max B. Oliveira-Junior, Karina Dias-Silva e Mayerly Alexandra Guerrero Moreno não presta consultoria, trabalha, possui ações ou recebe financiamento de qualquer empresa ou organização que poderia se beneficiar com a publicação deste artigo e não revelou nenhum vínculo relevante além de seu cargo acadêmico.

    – ref. The path to conserving protected areas in the Amazon lies in uniting public policy with traditional local knowledge – https://theconversation.com/the-path-to-conserving-protected-areas-in-the-amazon-lies-in-uniting-public-policy-with-traditional-local-knowledge-258348

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chikungunya vaccine (IXCHIQ) temporarily paused in people aged 65 and over as precautionary measure

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Chikungunya vaccine (IXCHIQ) temporarily paused in people aged 65 and over as precautionary measure

    This is a precautionary measure while the MHRA conducts the safety review.

    Following global reports of serious adverse events in older people, the government’s independent expert advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), has temporarily restricted use of a chikungunya vaccine called IXCHIQ in people aged 65 and over until a further safety review has been concluded.

    This is a precautionary measure while the MHRA conducts the safety review.

    The MHRA is working with the manufacturer of the IXCHIQ  vaccine, Valneva. This vaccine was approved by the MHRA in February 2025. There will be no impact on operational issues as this vaccine is not yet available in the UK and therefore there is no immediate safety concern.

    The decision to restrict the licence until further review is based on global data which has highlighted 23 cases of serious adverse reactions, including two cases reporting a fatal outcome, in people aged from 62 to 89 years of age who received the vaccine. There are no changes in the recommendations for vaccination with IXCHIQ for people of 18 to 64 years of age.

    The vaccine is currently contraindicated in individuals with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression as a result of disease or medical therapy. 

    Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is found in the subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, Southeast Asia, India, and the Pacific Region, and is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus). It cannot be passed from human to human. A recent outbreak in La Reunion, an overseas department and region of France, saw over 47,500 people contract the virus, with 12 fatalities.

    The majority of people infected with chikungunya develop a sudden fever and severe pain in multiple joints (arthralgia). Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. These symptoms typically resolve within 7 to 10 days, and most patients make a full recovery. However, in some cases joint pain and arthritis may persist for several months or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. A small number of people may develop severe acute disease, which can lead to multiorgan failure and death.

    Notes to editors    

    • The Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) advises ministers on the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal products. The CHM is an advisory non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.
    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Lafayette helped Americans turn the tide in their fight for independence – and 50 years later, he helped forge the growing nation’s sense of identity

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Matthew Smith, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, Miami University

    Jean Marie Joseph Bove’s depiction of Lafayette returning to the U.S. The caption says, ‘A great man belongs to the whole universe.’ Blancheteau Collection/Cornell University Library via Wikimedia Commons

    America is nearing the 250th anniversary of its revolutionary birth, the Declaration of Independence. July 4, 2026, will mark a milestone – and a time for reflection.

    Yet as fascination with America’s founding endures, controversy colors how the revolution is taught across the United States. From contested efforts by The New York Times “1619 Project” to put slavery at the center of America’s story, to attempts to limit teaching about race and racism, partisanship surrounds the teaching of American history. Anniversaries can inspire public passion, but they can also open old wounds.

    As an American historian and a naturalized citizen of the United States, I regard the American Revolution with both personal and professional interest. The fact that I grew up in the United Kingdom amuses my students to no end whenever we discuss the Revolutionary War. Sometimes, in my British-accented English, I remind them I did not personally grow up with King George. Teaching history is encouraging students to think critically about the past without dictating what emotions they should feel – patriotic or otherwise.

    Sadly, in the U.S., the sort of objective historical knowledge once taken for granted now appears to be waning. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, just 13% of eighth graders in 2023 ranked “proficient” in American history. A 2010 survey found that 26% of adults could not identify from whom America declared its independence, with China, Mexico and France among the responses.

    America divorcing France would have been news to Gilbert du Motier, better known as the Marquis de Lafayette. His commitment to the new country not only helped secure its independence, but it also helped solidify American identity decades later.

    Key alliance

    A privileged aristocrat who served in both the American and French revolutions, Lafayette went to war at age 19. Commissioning and equipping his own expedition across the Atlantic in 1777, he fought in many battles against the British, including decisive action at Yorktown. Earning George Washington’s confidence, Lafayette attained the rank of major general in the Continental Army.

    ‘The reception of Lafayette at Mount Vernon, home of Washington,’ painted by Herman Bencke around 1875.
    Bencke & Scott/Library of Congress

    Lafayette’s enrollment in the U.S. military predated the 1778 alliance between his home country and the United States. Eventually, France’s alliance turned the tide against Great Britain on land and at sea. By the war’s end, the French had supplied some 12,000 soldiers, 22,000 sailors and dozens of warships to the American cause, plus huge financial resources. When Lafayette volunteered, however, he was one of just a few foreign volunteers – and the most acclaimed.

    “Nowadays,” as historian Sarah Vowell conceded, Americans think of Lafayette as “a place, not a person.” But an abundance of cities, counties and thoroughfares named after the revolutionary hero attest to his former celebrity. During World War I, U.S. troops sailed to France under the slogan “Lafayette here we come,” promising to repay America’s debt of gratitude to France.

    A growing country

    Older Americans may recall the U.S. bicentennial of 1976, marked with much pageantry and even a state visit by Queen Elizabeth II. America’s semicentennial, however – the 50th anniversary of independence – played a far greater role shaping the idea of America in the minds of its citizens.

    Lafayette starred in the buildup to this 1826 commemoration, the first of its kind at the national level. President James Monroe, a fellow veteran of the War of Independence, invited Lafayette to be “the guest of America,” honored as the last living major general of the Continental Army. Beginning in July 1824, at the age of 66, Lafayette embarked on a triumphal tour of all 24 states then comprising the union – nearly double the original 13.

    Lafayette greeting members of the National Guard upon his arrival in New York in 1825, painted by Ken Riley.
    The National Guard/Flickr via Wikimedia Commons

    As Lafayette headed west, borne by horse-drawn carriage, steamboat and canal barge, he journeyed across a changing America. Nowhere was America’s economic and demographic growth more evident than Cincinnati, where a crowd of 50,000 welcomed Lafayette in May 1825. Once a small frontier town, Cincinnati was growing faster than any comparably sized city in the nation: Its population increased from around 15,000 to roughly 115,000 in the quarter century following Lafayette’s visit.

    He addressed his audience with emotion: “The highest reward that can be bestowed on a revolutionary veteran is to welcome him with a sight of the blessings which have issued from our struggle for independence, freedom and equal rights.”

    Lafayette gave human face to America’s national commemoration. He granted citizens of frontier states like Ohio – hitherto excluded from the revolutionary narrative – license to celebrate themselves. High turnouts in western stops such as Cincinnati reflected enthusiasm for grand spectacles. They also reflected the growth of America’s print media, which had advertised his visit, and improved transportation in formerly remote regions of the country.

    Lafayette’s tour culminated with a September 1825 state banquet in Washington, D.C., hosted by the new president, John Quincy Adams. Adams – the son of America’s second president, John Adams – praised “that tie of love, stronger than death,” connecting Lafayette “for the endless ages of time, with the name of Washington.”

    Rose-colored glasses

    The enthusiasm that welcomed Lafayette 200 years ago was authentic. But like all good history lessons, Lafayette’s legacy is open to interpretation.

    ‘Portrait of Lafayette as an Old Man,’ painted by Louise-Adéone Drölling around 1830.
    Musée de l’Armée via Wikimedia Commons

    His grand tour cemented the myth of “the Era of Good Feelings”: a golden age of American political harmony. In reality, the seeds of America’s civil war were already evident. Missouri’s 1820 admission to the union threatened the country’s precarious balance between states that opposed slavery and states that allowed it – a crisis Thomas Jefferson warned was “a fire bell in the night.”

    Likewise, Lafayette’s lionization in the western United States coincided with the ongoing forced removal of Indigenous people. Ohio, for example, forcibly removed its last Native American tribe in 1843.

    Despite the uses and abuses of historical memory and the aversion of modern historians toward hero-worship, Lafayette remains a charismatic figure – a “citizen of two worlds” who championed both abolitionism and women’s rights. I believe his fading public memory indicates a troubling amnesia. America’s anniversary offers the opportunity to reconsider his legacy, alongside revolutionary stories of Americans from all walks of life.

    As Lafayette wrote home following the British army’s surrender in 1781: “Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.”

    Matthew Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Lafayette helped Americans turn the tide in their fight for independence – and 50 years later, he helped forge the growing nation’s sense of identity – https://theconversation.com/lafayette-helped-americans-turn-the-tide-in-their-fight-for-independence-and-50-years-later-he-helped-forge-the-growing-nations-sense-of-identity-249455

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public Health Warning: Dangerous Blue Pills in Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Public health officials in Plymouth are warning people about blue tablets being sold illegally as Valium. These tablets may come in blister packs with Arabic writing.  

    This follows the news that three people died after taking what is believed to be these tablets.  

    Professor Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health for Plymouth City Council, said:  

    “Any loss of a life is a tragedy, and we want to prevent it happening to anyone else.  We’re very concerned about these tablets. We cannot currently speculate about the content of these drugs whilst they are being tested, but we do want people to be aware. They might look like Valium, but they could be contaminated with another substance and therefore more toxic. If you or someone you know has these tablets, do not take them.” 

    What to do if someone becomes unwell 

    If someone has taken drugs and becomes unwell, call 999 straight away or take them to Derriford Hospital’s Emergency Department. Don’t wait—doctors and nurses are there to help, not to judge. 

    If the person is unconscious but breathing, put them in the recovery position. This helps keep their airway clear. You can find more advice on the FRANK website. 

    Reducing the risk 

    The safest option is not to take these pills at all. But if you do choose to use drugs: 

    • Don’t use alone. Being with someone else could save your life. 
    • Take a small amount first and wait to see how it affects you. 
    • Don’t all take drugs at the same time—stagger your use so someone is always alert. 
    • If you’re using alone, tell someone your plans or use the BuddyUp app by Cranstoun so someone can check on you. 
    • Carry naloxone if you can. It’s a medicine that can reverse opioid overdoses, and it won’t harm someone even if they haven’t taken opioids. Having naloxone nearby could save a life. In some cases, more than one dose is needed, so carrying extra is a good idea. You can get naloxone for free in Plymouth from:  
    • Harbour, Hyde Park House, Mutley 
    • Hamoaze House, Mount Wise 
    • North Road West Medical Centre 
    • Adelaide Street GP Surgery 
    • St Levan GP Surgery 

    Detective Inspector Michelle Dunn from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are currently investigating the unexplained deaths of three men in Plymouth which occurred over the weekend.  

    “At this time, the deaths are believed to be drug related and we are working closely with our partner agencies to establish the full circumstances. 

    “Anyone with information which may assist police is asked to call 101 or report via our website quoting reference 50250144278.”  

    Want to learn more or get support? 

    NAP Plymouth runs free monthly training on drugs and naloxone for anyone supporting people who use drugs. Find them on Facebook at NAP Plymouth 66 or email [email protected] 

    If you’re looking for help with your own drug use, contact Harbour on 01752 434343 or visit harbour.org.uk. 

    Hamoaze House offers support for anyone affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use. Their Affected Others group meets every Friday from 1–3pm. Call 01752 566100 to get in touch. 

    Anyone with information about these pills are asked to contact police through their website, or call 101. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Multi-national naval exercise to take place off the coast of Nova Scotia

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    June 9, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    Exercise CUTLASS FURY 2025 (Ex CF25) will take place from June 9 to 18, 2025 off the coast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. This strategic initiative will bring together a diverse array of military forces from across Canada and around the world to enhance collective defence capabilities, strengthen maritime security, and foster international cooperation.

    Ex CF25, led by Canada, will feature the Canadian Atlantic Fleet alongside joint elements of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and Allied Forces from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. The focus will be on anti-submarine warfare and air-maritime integration, aiming to refine warfighting skills and improving interoperability among participating forces.

    This exercise underscores Canada’s commitment to global security and its role as a reliable defence partner on the international stage. By participating in Ex CF25, Canada and its allies will demonstrate their readiness to address complex security challenges collaboratively, promoting stability and peace worldwide.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foster Portsmouth takes ‘Pride’ of place at nationwide event

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Foster Portsmouth braved the thunderstorms alongside Fostering South East cluster partners Fostering Southampton and Hampshire County Council at UK Pride on Saturday 7 June.

    Of the 260+ community-run Pride organisations across the UK, Portsmouth Pride won the bid to host UK Pride in 2025.

    Taking ‘Pride’ of place at the event is part of a campaign being run throughout June by Foster Portsmouth, Portsmouth City Council‘s fostering service. Their team were also part of UK Pride and The Family Network’s LGBTQ+ Routes to Parenting event on 3 June, and they will be celebrating their foster carers from the LGBTQ+ community and taking action to bust myths around who can foster throughout Pride Month.

    Foster Portsmouth, Fostering Southampton and Hampshire County Council’s fostering service joined forces at UK Pride with the aim to raise awareness of the national crisis in foster care and the need for more foster carers in the area.

    They also engaged with event goers to tackle any perceptions that may prevent some from the LGBTQ+ community from exploring fostering to build a family life.

    Anyone aged over 21 with a spare bedroom could foster – regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, faith, ethnicity, marital or work status, or whether they rent or own their own home.

    Councillor Nick Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at Portsmouth City Council, said:

    “Foster Portsmouth celebrates the diversity of our committed team of foster carers, and we are all proud to work with many individuals and couples from the LGBTQ+ community.”

    Foster Portsmouth’s presentation at the Parenting Network and UK Pride’s ‘LGBTQ+ Routes to Parenthood’ event helped identify pathways to parenthood within the LGBTQ+ community. Attendees were also offered expert insights, lived experiences and an opportunity to connect with community members and support networks.

    This Pride Month, Foster Portsmouth also aims to shine a light on the incredible efforts of our existing LGBTQ+ foster carers and thank them for their contribution to the care of vulnerable children and young people in the city and the immediate surrounding areas. Foster carers like sole carer Michael.

    Michael, a full-time IT project manager, fosters teens with Foster Portsmouth. He shared:

    “Because I was fostered myself, I chose to become a foster carer rather than adopt. I had the same wonderful long-term carers who gave me amazing opportunities. I want to give something back to children who need care and stability in their lives.”

    Michael has fostered a number of teenagers, including providing respite care for a sibling pair and an emergency placement, and three longer-term arrangements for teenage boys, one of whom was a child seeking safety and asylum.

    “There have been many touching moments which makes it all worthwhile and lets me know that I’ve been a positive chapter in their story.”

    Foster Portsmouth are in need of additional foster carers with the skills and experience to help children develop a positive sense of their own identity, so they are asking individuals and couples in the LGBTQ+ community to consider the impact they could have on a child or young person’s life through fostering.

    There are many types of fostering and everyone will be able to find one that will work for them and their family or commitments. This could be a short or long-term arrangement for a child or siblings until they’re ready to live independently or be reunited with family, support for children with a disability or children seeking safety and asylum, supported lodgings to develop their independent living skills, a parent and baby placement, or respite care.

    Our Foster carers receive local round the clock support and ongoing quality training such as therapeutic care, including through our mentoring scheme and our innovative award-winning Mockingbird programme which provides a support network of other foster carers similar to that of an extended family. They also receive competitive fees, discounts, benefits and allowances, social activities, and free membership to The Fostering Network.

    Our foster carers come from Portsmouth or the immediate surrounding areas, from Emsworth and Rowlands Castle to Gosport and Fareham, and the Isle of Wight and Hayling Island to Petersfield and Havant.

    They would welcome the opportunity to explore if their close-knit fostering community at Foster Portsmouth would be the right fit for them.

    To enquire or to arrange a 1:1 with Foster Portsmouth’s experienced team or existing foster carers, visit: www.foster.portsmouth.gov.uk, call 0300 1312797 or email info@lafosteringse.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s continued attacks on lawyers risks undermining the US legal system. Is that the point?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephen Clear, Lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law, and Public Procurement, Bangor University

    Since returning to office, Donald Trump has often called the US legal system into question. He has criticised judges as activists, challenged the role of the courts and insisted some firms do free legal work in support of his administration’s causes to make up for working for some of his political opponents.

    Meanwhile, Vice-President J.D. Vance has advised US Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts that he ought to be “checking the excesses” of the lower courts.

    And Stephen Miller, deputy White House chief of staff, said: “We are living under a judicial tyranny,” after the US Court of International Trade ruled the president didn’t have the power to impose international trade tariffs. Meanwhile, judges are asking for more security to protect them from threats.

    Trump’s federal investigations and volley of executive orders (presidential directives that don’t require legislative approval by Congress) have also put enormous pressure on law firms. And a recent report shows that both trust in law firms’ independence, and even the rule of law itself, is perceived as under threat in the US. But what does this mean, and why is it important?

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The president has taken action against law firms in two prominent ways:

    First, by federal investigation. Specifically, letters to a group of 20 law firms from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These demanded information about their diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) policies, based on the proposition that any sort of treatment of underrepresented groups that appeared preferential to them in policy, or practice, was unequal treatment for other groups, and, consequently, discriminatory.

    Second, the president has passed numerous executive orders introducing punitive measures on specific law firms that previously represented clients opposing his administration, or employed attorneys involved in past investigations against him. His administration has also revoked government contracts and suspended security clearance from buildings. In practice, the orders would prevent attorneys from accessing from where they work, such as courthouses and federal agencies.

    In response, some prominent law firms have sought to mitigate the fallout with the Trump administration by entering into agreements with it. These have included pledging US$1 billion (£730,000,000) in pro bono (free) legal services supporting causes aligned with Trump’s agenda.

    For example, support for veterans, representing police officers, and antisemitism prevention. Noteworthy is that law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison have now agreed to discontinue certain DEI policies, in addition to committing US$40 million (£29.4 million) in pro bono work for the president’s causes. In response the Trump administration has now lifted restrictions against them.

    Judges say they are under threat.

    More broadly, it has been reported that 70% of the US Justice Department civil rights division’s attorneys are leaving their posts. The mass exodus is believed to be part of attempts to reshape the division into one focused on enforcing executive orders.

    The consequences of these developments are that the president’s actions have led to a significant realignment in the legal professions. Some US attorneys have reported that law firms are now more hesitant to engage in pro bono work that could be viewed as opposing the administration’s policies.

    By contrast, some lawyers are now trying to establish independent firms aimed at defending civil servants and challenging federal overreach, ensuring at least some, albeit less resourced, support for underrepresented groups.

    Trump criticizes judges and legal activists.

    Other lawyers have sought legal action against the orders as unconstitutional interference. Some of these have led to success. For example, Perkins Coie challenged theirs and got it struck down. The concern here centred around their representation of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. In arriving at the decision, the district judge ruled the president’s actions to be an “overt attempt to suppress and punish certain viewpoints”.

    Why this matters

    These developments call into question the balance between governmental influence and the independence of lawyers in upholding the rule of law. Lawyers must be impartial in representing their clients in order to effectively represent their interests, and allow the judiciary to fulfil their duty of checks and balances on the government’s decisions.

    When unfettered power is wielded by the government, and the law is undermined, scope for monitoring the constitutionality of decision making is compromised.

    The rule of law is a foundational principle of western democracies. It means that everyone is subject to the law, including governments. Laws must be applied equally, fairly and consistently, and no one is above them.

    In essence, laws govern the nation, not arbitrary decisions by individuals in power. In that sense, following the rule of law helps prevent tyranny, protect people’s rights and liberties, and ensures a stable and predictable society.

    In order to deliver these objectives, an independent legal sector is needed. Trump’s actions are a threat to achieving this cornerstone US constitutional principle. Some have gone as far as to suggest that by entering into agreements with Trump, law firms have become subsidiaries of his administration.

    A recent study on trust in the rule of law found that Americans’ trust in lawyers was already undermined, even before the second Trump administration.

    The results, based on public attitudes in 2024, compared public perceptions in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Norway, the UK and the US. Norway and the UK ranked highest in respect of trust in the rule of law (81% and 74% respectively), and Spain and Italy were least trusted (49% and 43%).

    The results for the US are interesting. Around 71% of American respondents stated that they had a high level of trust in the rule of law. Yet the country came third from the bottom under the metric “you feel like you are in good hands in US courts”.

    The reasons for this are implied in the responses to the other questions in the survey. The US performed second worst (just behind Spain) in respect of belief that judges could be biased. The US also performed worst of all in the category where the public were asked if lawyers were impartial (just 41% agreed).

    In interpreting these results it is important to note that the survey was conducted in 2024, prior to Trump’s second term. But anti-elite and anti-judge rhetoric pointing to arguments for more presidential power and less judicial oversight had already been prominent in the first Trump term, and the 2024 campaign.

    The results expose the already fragile nature of trust in the legal sector in the US, and underline how this could be ramped up further after the announcements in recent weeks.

    Stephen Clear does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump’s continued attacks on lawyers risks undermining the US legal system. Is that the point? – https://theconversation.com/trumps-continued-attacks-on-lawyers-risks-undermining-the-us-legal-system-is-that-the-point-256960

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major investment brings new life to local play parks across Perth and Kinross

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    These projects are a part of the Council’s and Scottish Government’s ongoing play area upgrade programme.

    Four play parks, Langlands Park in Luncarty, The Well Green in Scotlandwell, Westfield Common in Rattray, and Greenloaning, have all undergone full upgrades as part of the council’s commitment to enhancing outdoor spaces for communities. On Friday 6 June, Langlands Park, The Well Green and Westfield Common were officially opened, with community celebrations at each location.

    The upgrades include a wide range of new play equipment and surfacing, designed to make each park more fun, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.

    These improvements were shaped in partnership with community councils, local schools, and residents, ensuring the new spaces reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who use them most.

    A unique feature of the project is the installation of commemorative boards at each site, combining printed acknowledgements with handwritten signatures from those involved creating a lasting tribute to the community spirit behind the transformation.

    Local children also played a key role, contributing creative ideas, designing logos for park signage, and sharing their hopes for the future of their play spaces through a detailed consultation process.

    Councillor Richard Watters, Convenor of Climate Change and Sustainability Committee said: “We are delighted to see these play parks transformed into vibrant, welcoming spaces for children and families.

    “This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to improving local amenities and supporting healthy, active lifestyles. We hope these parks will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come.”

    Park Highlights

    Westfield Common, Rattray

    Combining a free draining circular pathway, the play areas contain soft fall areas of wood chip. A large climbing net and basket swing provides fun for the older children whilst a multi-unit, roundabout and springies keep the younger children engaged. A zip line also provides family fun on the other side of the greenspace. Coupled with the community run BMX track and MANTALK Blairgowrie garden this greenspace provides facilities for all.

    The Well Green, Scotlandwell

    Includes a thrilling new zip line, monkey bars, swings, and other modern play equipment. Located on the site of a freshwater well, the history of the site is noted in the entrance sign and was once used as an area to dry clothing lines manufactured from locally grown flax.

    Langlands Park, Luncarty

    Features a hybrid grass surfacing that combines artificial and natural grass for a durable, safe play area. Aimed at the younger children, the play area was developed and relocated following consultation with the Community Council and local school. Combining the adjacent route to school with a line-marked cycleway helps provide the opportunity for young children to learn road safety skills at roundabouts and junctions. There is also a ‘hopscotch’ marked on the footway, which we are sure must be used by all age groups, sometimes ‘secretly!’

    Greenloaning

    Located within the greenspace area of a housing estate this facility provides for all the family with picnic benches for family feasts and a range of play equipment for all ages. A rubber surfacing keeps the site useable in all weathers with the play equipment combining a range of vibrant natural colours. The equipment is manufactured from many recycled materials including ‘used fishing nets’ melted down and used in the production for the recycled plastic posts, guaranteed for life. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Insolvency Service appoints first dedicated crypto specialist to help recover online assets such as Bitcoin

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Insolvency Service appoints first dedicated crypto specialist to help recover online assets such as Bitcoin

    New crypto specialist will help the agency trace rising number of digital assets held by individuals in bankruptcy and criminal cases

    • Number of insolvencies where crypto is identified as an asset has increased 420% in five years 

    • More than £500,000 in cryptoassets identified in insolvency cases last year – 364 times higher than in 2019/20 

    • New role will help the agency recover more money owed to creditors in insolvency cases 

    The Insolvency Service has appointed its first dedicated crypto intelligence specialist to help recover more money for the UK economy from bankruptcy cases.  

    Former police investigator Andrew Small will help track digital assets in criminal cases and provide the agency with detailed knowledge of the crypto market. 

    The Insolvency Service is responsible for tracing and recovering money and assets belonging to bankrupt individuals or liquidated companies in insolvency proceedings.  

    In the past five years, the number of insolvency cases involving crypto as a recoverable asset has risen by 420%, with 59 cases in 2024/25 compared to 14 in 2019/20.  

    At the same time, the estimated value of cryptoassets identified in insolvency cases has risen by 364 times – from just over £1,400 in 2019/20 to more than £520,000 in 2024/25.  

    Andrew said:

    There has been a rapid rise in crypto ownership in the UK, and alongside that, we’ve seen a similar rise in cryptoasset ownership in bankruptcy cases. 

    The Insolvency Service has a duty to trace and recover money and assets from individuals or companies in insolvency cases, and we work to return as much money owed to creditors as possible. 

    Crypto is very much a recoverable asset, and my role will help the agency by providing specialist knowledge about the types of cryptoassets available and the associated technology used to buy, sell and store them.

    Cryptoassets have soared in popularity in recent years, with 2024 research by the Financial Conduct Authority finding seven million adults in the UK – 12% of the population – held some form of crypto, up from 3.2m adults (4.4% of the population) in 2021. 

    This includes ‘cryptocurrency’ coins such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, DOGE and Ethereum, as well as online tokens and NFTs – non-fungible tokens – which offer digital ownership of online artworks.  

    The Official Receiver Service, a key part of the Insolvency Service, identified £523,580 of cryptoassets across 59 insolvency cases in 2024/25, compared to just £1,436 of crypto across 14 cases in 2019/20. 

    The new cryptoasset intelligence role is based within the Insolvency Service’s Investigation and Enforcement Services team, meaning Andrew will primarily focus on cryptoasset ownership in criminal cases.  

    Neil Freebury, head of intelligence at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Crypto is growing in popularity, and we’ve seen the number of insolvency cases involving cryptoasset ownership rise four-fold in the past five years.  

    Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, along with his previous experience as an economic crime investigator within the police, and his appointment will help our investigators dealing with cases where cryptoasset ownership is a factor.

    Further information 

    • The latest Insolvency Service statistics are published on GOV.UK: Insolvency Service Official Statistics – GOV.UK 

    • Official Receivers are appointed by the court following bankruptcy or liquidation proceedings. They have a legal duty to trace and recover assets involved in such cases to return as much money as possible to creditors.  

    • The latest FCA research on cryptoassets in the UK can be found on the FCA website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: Nimanode Presale Explodes Past 11% of Softcap as Major Whale’s move in to Buy NMA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEEDS, United Kingdom, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The XRP Ledger is experiencing a surge of renewed momentum as Nimanode the first AI agent platform with a no-code builder on XRPL advances through its high-demand $NMA Token Presale raising over 11% of its soft cap target and the excitement just intensified.

    Join $NMA Presale

    All Eyes on Nimanode – Dont Miss Out

    FOMO is already building up as the Nimanode Presale momentum indicates strong confidence from early investors citing a belief in the project.

    Demand for the NMA token has also surged as tokens are set to be listed at an upward 25% price from presale prices at top XRPL exchanges like Magnetic, instant returns for early investors.

    How to Join in the Nimanode Presale

    Joining in the NimaNode Presale is quite straightforward

    Purchase XRP: Acquire XRP from reputable exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, or Bybit.

    Setup an XRP-Compatible Wallet: Send your XRP to an XRP compatible Wallet (e.g. Xaman).

    Participate in the Presale: Visit the NimaNode presale page (https://nimanode.com/presale), send your XRP to the provided presale address, and secure your $NMA tokens.

    There is a Limited Time Period of 30 Days for the Presale and it’s pricing is going at 1 XRP = 450 $NMA

    As Nimanode Presale gains momentum, now is a perfect opportunity to position at the next wave of Blockchain innovation poised for massive gains through the integration of Web3 and AI.

    Why Investors are Scooping Up $NMA

    From the desk of the development team at Nimanode, they are set to deliver an Agentic workforce handling various tasks autonomously. Features of these Ecosystem include but not limited to

    Zero-Code Agent Builder: Create and launch AI agents through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface
    Autonomous On-Chain Agents: Agents can interact with dApps, execute logic, and respond to events
    Decentralized Agent Marketplace: Allows the community to deploy and monetize AI Agents
    Cross-Chain & Off-Chain Integration: Enable automation across multiple networks and external APIs

    $NMA – Fueling the Nimanode Ecosystem

    With 90 million $NMA tokens representing 45% of the total supply allocated for the presale, early birds have a rare opportunity to seize the advantage and invest in $NMA before its DEX Listing at 25% higher value mainly because of it various utilities in their ecosystem which include:

    Agent Deployment – Launching agents when holding a minimum $NMA balance

    Agent Upgrades – Skilled developers can hold $NMA to build custom agents and upgrades to them

    Agent Marketplace – Use $NMA to access premium agents or receive exclusive discounts

    Staking Benefits – Stake $NMA to earn passive income through the platform’s reward pool

    Governance Access – Participate in protocol decisions and vote on proposals that shape Nimanode’s future

    Join $NMA Presale

    Nimanode is a decentralized AI agent platform built on the XRP Ledger, offering no-code and developer tools to deploy on-chain AI agents that automate blockchain activity, optimize protocol interaction, and monetize intelligent services. By bridging AI with decentralized infrastructure, Nimanode is building the next evolution of digital work and Web3 automation.

    Connect with Nimanode

    Website: https://nimanode.com

    Twitter/X: https://x.com/nimanodeai

    Telegram: https://t.me/nimanodeAI

    Documentation: https://docs.nimanode.com

    Contact:
    Nick Lambert
    contact@nimanode.com

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Nimanode. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f4d8a2c4-5eb2-4c9b-a124-568ba7ae7f8c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Presale Heats Up in Phase 7 as Token Launch Nears with 233% ROI Forecast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), a next-generation blockchain project, has officially entered Phase 7 of its presale, offering early participants a strategic entry point ahead of its upcoming exchange launch. With tokens currently priced at $7 and a forecasted listing price of $20, BTC-S presents a 233% ROI potential for early supporters — based on current market benchmarks and demand from its live mining ecosystem.

    A Structural Replay of Bitcoin’s Earliest Advantages

    Bitcoin Solaris isn’t riding a wave of speculative hype. Its model is engineered around fundamentals that made Bitcoin successful in the first place — a fixed 21 million token supply, scarcity-based mechanics, and a functioning distribution model tied to user contribution rather than capital lockups.

    At its core, the protocol combines a Proof-of-Stake and Proof-of-Capacity base layer with a high-performance Solaris Layer that processes over 10,000 transactions per second. Finality occurs in under two seconds, and energy consumption is reduced by over 99.95% compared to traditional mining systems.

    Price Forecasts Rooted in Function

    Phase 7 of the presale is now live, with BTC-S priced at $7 per token. Exchange launch benchmarks target $20, translating to an immediate 233% ROI for early backers — assuming no speculative appreciation beyond the forecasted listing value.

    This figure isn’t abstract. It’s grounded in market benchmarking, liquidity provisioning frameworks, and rising demand from the Bitcoin Solaris mining ecosystem, which has already completed closed beta testing with strong reported returns.

    Analyst Attention and Audit-Backed Trust

    As President Trump’s crypto-positive policies fuel renewed attention toward blockchain technologies, Bitcoin Solaris is emerging as a key beneficiary — not because of political noise, but because its structure and transparency offer actual utility.

    The project has passed a full Cyberscope audit of its smart contract systems, as well as a mobile infrastructure audit by Freshcoins. KYC verification has also been completed by a third party , giving retail participants added assurance in a space often lacking transparency.

    Analyst Ben Crypto recently released a market breakdown on YouTube, calling Bitcoin Solaris the closest thing we’ve seen to early Bitcoin conditions since 2012. His thesis centers not on nostalgia, but on clear tokenomics: a capped supply, no emissions curve, and a network ready for mainstream use.

    Final Thoughts

    Crypto markets follow narratives, but they reward mechanics. Bitcoin Solaris isn’t promising future breakthroughs — it’s rolling them out. The tech is live, the presale is active, and the fundamentals are visible to anyone willing to look beyond the headlines.

    With President Trump signaling favorable conditions for crypto adoption, and BTC-S offering a direct path to early-stage ownership with built-in mining incentives, this moment marks a real chance at structural participation.

    Website: https://bitcoinsolaris.com/
    X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris
    Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris

    Media Contact
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/448d5e66-b854-438f-981c-9d3dfe2bb858

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/53f38c5c-94c8-4418-88f6-3dbef15d0eeb

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cab2bbac-1f7f-4e98-bb20-21d3b53d6ab8

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/40f9de05-4c90-4e1e-b6eb-861f588527b2

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Top talent backed with master’s funding as Britain’s tech experts called into government

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Top talent backed with master’s funding as Britain’s tech experts called into government

    The Spärck AI scholarships will provide full funding for master’s degrees at nine leading UK universities specialising in AI and STEM subjects

    • Exceptional students to receive fully funded AI master’s degrees at Britain’s top 9 universities, with industry partnerships offering direct routes into UK’s tech sector.
    • New fellowship programme launched for exceptional talent to cement Britain’s reputation a global AI leader.
    • Programmes form key part of the Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth through innovation and deliver highly skilled jobs across the country.

    Young people with exceptional talent in AI will receive unprecedented support to study at Britain’s top universities through a new prestigious scholarship programme announced by the Technology Secretary today (Monday 9 June).

    The Spärck AI scholarships, named after pioneering British computer scientist Karen Spärck Jones, will provide full funding for master’s degrees at nine leading UK universities specialising in artificial intelligence and STEM subjects – from Edinburgh to Manchester, and Newcastle to Bristol.

    Set to rival the likes of globally recognised Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships, at least 100 talented undergraduates level students from the UK and abroad will see unparalleled access to industry partnerships, work placements and mentorship opportunities, including in the UK’s AI Security Institute as well as leading tech firms like Darktrace, Faculty and Quantexa.

    This will not only drive forward AI innovation that grows the UK economy but also gives young people a direct route into highly skilled jobs in the UK’s tech sector – furthering our Plan for Change.

    By covering both tuition and living expenses, the scholarship could also be of interest to talent students from low-income backgrounds who might otherwise be unable to afford university – spreading opportunity across the UK.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    “We are providing unique opportunities for talented young people to take up master’s degrees in AI, with fully funded tuition and unparalleled access to industry.

    “Students will be able to go on to highly skilled jobs, building a workforce fit for the future and boosting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    “We are also expanding our fellowship programme to bring top talent into our leading AI sector and drive forward transformational benefits to the public like new drug discoveries.”

    The government has also announced an expansion of its Turing AI Fellowships with new Pioneer fellowships, providing established professionals from any part of academia, humanities, research, or industry with resources to develop AI skills and knowledge to tackle a specific challenge in their fields. Fellows will receive funding, priority access to the AI Research Resource for compute power, and be connected with AI mentors, experts, and industry leaders.

    This comes as millions of people are set to be upskilled with digital and AI skills in a bold national skills drive announced by the Prime Minister at London Tech Week.

    The new Spärck AI scholarships and expanded Turing Pioneer Fellowship delivers on recommendations of the AI Opportunities Action Plan and helps grow our leading AI sector – a priority industry for our upcoming Digital and Tech Sector Plan under the Industrial Strategy.

    Notes to editors:

    • Spärck AI scholarships: Applications will open in Spring 2026, with the first cohort beginning their studies in October 2026. This is backed by £17.2 million in government funding and delivers on a recommendation of the AI Opportunities Action Plan.
    • Universities participating in the Spärck AI scholarship programme include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Southampton, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester and Bristol, who will co-design and co-fund the initiative.
    • Companies signed up to participate in the scholarship programme include PolyAI, Quantexa, CausaLens, Flok, Beamery, Darktrace and Faculty. 
    • Turing Pioneer Fellowships: Applications will open in mid-July this year, with fellows due to be in-post by Autumn 2026. This is backed by £25.2 million in government funding and delivers on a recommendation of AI Opportunities Action Plan.

    Quotes in support of Spärck AI scholarships:

    Jack Stockdale OBE, Chief Technology Officer at Darktrace:

    “Building AI-powered cybersecurity solutions to defend against next generation threats depends on world-class R&D talent, and we are thrilled to partner with DSIT on this transformative programme. The Spärck AI scholarship will be an important gateway for exceptional global minds to join the frontlines of British innovation, and we’re excited to help develop the next generation of Britain’s world-class AI ecosystem.”

    Co-founder and CEO of Flok Health Finn Stevenson:

    “AI is already generating economic value at unprecedented pace. To put the UK at the forefront of this transformation, its vital that we can attract world’s best talent – not just to study here, but to stay and build future-defining companies of global importance. We’re delighted to be partnering with DSIT on this initiative to do exactly that.”

    PolyAI CEO Nikola Mrkšić:

    “PolyAI was founded in the dialog systems group at the University of Cambridge. Since then, we’ve drawn on our academic backgrounds to bring cutting-edge technology out of the lab and into the real world. I am delighted to join the Spärck AI scholarship programme and work with the next generation of AI pioneers who will help create AI applications that drive real value for real people.”

    Faculty CEO Mark Warner:

    “AI is an epoch-defining technology – yet the UK won’t reap its benefits without having the skills to build and deploy it. 

    “Technical training, education and work placements open the door to highly skilled, well-paid jobs. 

    “Faculty has a decade of experience developing exceptional AI practitioners, and we are delighted to partner with DSIT to further strengthen the UK’s AI talent pipeline.”

    Darko Matovski, Co-founder & CEO of causaLens

    “causaLens is thrilled to collaborate with DSIT on the Spärck AI Scholarships program. We’re proud to champion this vital initiative, which empowers the UK’s brightest AI talent with world-class opportunities at leading AI companies like causaLens, ensuring our nation remains a global leader in the AI race.”

    Beamery CEO Sultan Saidov, CEO

    “Beamery is very proud to support this AI scholarship initiative. The Spärck AI programme is deeply aligned with our mission of creating equal access to work, and to our belief that connecting talent to opportunity — especially in such a pivotal field — is how we build a more innovative, inclusive future. By supporting emerging AI talent, we’re investing in the skills that will shape tomorrow’s breakthroughs.”

    Edinburgh University Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Peter Mathieson:

    “As one of the UK’s original and consistently leading AI universities, we are pleased to be part of the proposed Spärck Scholarships Scheme.  We look forward to working with the UK Government on the precise details and we fully support the potential of the UK to become an AI superpower.”

    Southampton University Vice-President (Research & Enterprise) Mark Spearing:

    “The University of Southampton is excited to be a founding partner in the Spärck AI Scholarship programme.  We view this as a nationally significant opportunity to attract talented students to the UK to take advantage of our world leading expertise and education in artificial intelligence”.

    Bristol University Vice Chancellor Evelyn Welch:

    “As AI University of the Year and the proud host of the UK’s most powerful supercomputer, Isambard-AI, the University of Bristol is thrilled to support this prestigious new scholarship as an anchor partner. 

    “We relish the opportunity to shape the next generation of global AI pioneers – collaborating with our partners to explore bold new ideas, nurture exceptional talent, and advance the future of this transformative technology together.”

    Professor Deborah Prentice, University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor:

    “Cambridge combines academic excellence with a dynamic, interdisciplinary AI community, from foundational research to real-world impact. We are delighted to be a founding partner in this ambitious initiative, which reflects a shared commitment to attracting exceptional talent and reinforcing the UK’s position as a home for world-class AI. We are especially proud that these scholarships are named after Karen Spärck Jones, a brilliant Cambridge computer scientist.”

    Imperial College London Vice Provost for Research and Enterprise Mary Ryan:

    As one of the world’s most international universities, where diverse minds and disciplines are leveraging AI for science and innovation, Imperial is delighted to be an anchor partner in the prestigious new Spärck AI Scholarships. Our global science and technology hubs in Bengaluru, San Francisco, Accra, and Singapore will be well-placed to support outreach efforts to help attract the best and brightest students to the UK, irrespective of their background. Together, we are building a network of future AI leaders who will shape the world through responsible innovation and convergence science.

    Professor Duncan Ivison, Manchester University President and Vice-Chancellor:

    “The University of Manchester welcomes this important scheme to attract and retain leading talent to the UK and AI sector. We look forward to providing Spärck Scholars with the opportunity to excel within our internationally leading environment for AI related learning, research and innovation, and supporting them to flourish as future leaders in this critical technology area”

    Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost:

    “London Tech Week 2025 is a vital forum for shaping the trajectory of global technology, which depends on highly talented people as much as the technology itself. It is critically important that the UK can continue to attract the brightest and best future academics, entrepreneurs and business leaders in AI to study and work here. UCL is proud to be working with DSIT and other leading universities to make this a reality through a bold new AI Scholarships programme.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Changes made to higher education grants for distance learning09 June 2025 Changes have been made to higher education grants for distance learning students. The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, has signed an Amendment order allowing students studying… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    09 June 2025

    Changes have been made to higher education grants for distance learning students. 

    The Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, has signed an Amendment order allowing students studying through distance learning to be eligible for maintenance grants and a higher tuition grant from September 2025, equal to what campus-based students receive. 

    This follows the Ministerial Decisions signed in October 2024 and April 2025 to increase distance learning grant thresholds and remove long-term care and hypothec benefits from students’ income assessment. These changes have now taken effect following the signing of the Amendment order. 

    The key changes are: 

    • Distance learning students can get up to £9,138 to help with living costs 
    • The maximum tuition grant will increase from £7,400 to £9,535 
    • Grants remain means-tested and depend on household income – the same income thresholds apply to both distance and campus students 
    • For distance learners, grants will be adjusted based on how many credits they study (study intensity) 
    • Grants for distance learning are only available for degree courses that are regulated in the British Islands. 

    Deputy Ward said: “These changes will ensure young people studying for their degrees off-campus are entitled to the same maintenance and tuition grants as their campus-based peers. 

    “This will level the playing field and further open higher education as a viable path for more young people in Jersey to pursue. This further contributes towards our strategic priority to increase the provision of lifelong learning and skills development.” 

    For more information on the changes, please see gov.je/studentfin​ance​.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Strength and Balance Classes for Older Adults 9 June 2025 Strength and Balance Classes developed by experts to support older adults in staying strong, mobile, and independent

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    The Isle of Wight Council Public Health team is excited to announce the launch of new Strength and Balance Classes, developed by experts to support older adults in staying strong, mobile, and independent. These classes are delivered by a network of independent and leisure centre-based instructors across the Isle of Wight, as part of the Live Longer Better Isle of Wight initiative.

    Staying active is vital for maintaining independence, preventing falls, and improving overall wellbeing. These specially designed classes form an evidence-based programme that has been shown in scientific studies to help prevent falls. The tailored exercises are for older adults who may be feeling unsteady, worried about falling, or less mobile than they’d like to be. It’s all about supporting our residents to stay stronger for longer to keep doing the things they love.

    How the Classes Can Help You: Strength and Balance Classes provide a safe and supportive environment to:

    • Stay independent and keep doing the activities you enjoy.
    • Improve confidence and reduce the risk of falling.
    • Boost mobility and overall health.
    • Keep active and have fun in a social setting.

    What the Classes Involve: Led by trained instructors, these one-hour classes feature exercises that can be adapted to suit individual needs. Whether seated or standing, everyone can exercise safely and with expert guidance. At the end of each class, participants will receive information about simple exercises to continue at home.

    How to Join: The new Strength and Balance Classes will begin from 4th July 2025 at West Wight Sports Centre and 1Leisure The Heights,  from £7.90 per session. You can try your first class for FREE!

    More info and booking details:  Health advice for older people

    Take the first step toward staying stronger for longer and living life to the full.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International medical technology company praises council support

    Source: City of York

    An international medical technology company which has made York its UK base has praised the business support available in the city.

    Icentia, which was founded in Quebec City, Canada, in 2012, provides wearable ECG (electrocardiogram) devices which monitor the wearer’s heartbeat and can help diagnose irregular cardiac rhythms, in turn helping medical professionals detect and treat cardiac disease early and effectively.

    After being worn for between 24 hours and 14 days, patients return the monitor by post to the Icentia’s offices, in Monks Cross, where a team of Cardiac Physiologists analyse the readings and provide summary reports directly to clinicians.

    Through providing easy to use, discreet devices, the company aims to improve patient experience by reducing the number of hospital appointments required, facilitating faster clinical decisions and reducing waiting times for treatment.

    According to the firm’s UK Managing Director, Darren Macfarlane, the decision over the whereabouts of Icentia’s British HQ was an easy one:

    “In many ways the question for us wasn’t so much ‘Why York?’ as ‘Why not York?’

    “Why wouldn’t we want to situate our business in a city with a fantastic quality of life, a highly skilled workforce and great transport links to the rest of the country?”

    The city’s highly skilled workforce has been of particular benefit to the company, as Darren explained:

    “It’s been wonderful to be able to tap into the talent pool offered by the University of York and York St John University. We’ve had several members of staff come to work for us after graduating, and others who have worked part-time with us while studying in relevant fields, who then progressed to working with us full-time on graduation.”

    Darren and his team have been supported by the council’s Economic Growth Team from the very start of the company’s UK venture, being helped to get established in York and then supported to grow from then on.

    Christine Hogan, an Inward Investment Manager, helped connect Darren to essential regional and local business networks and helping them to identify potential office premises, with the business finally settling in, first at York Science Park in Heslington, then more recently making the move to Monk’s Cross as the business grew.

    Once established in York, Darren worked with Louise Saw, one of the council’s Business Growth Managers, who has provided ongoing advice and guidance, including making introductions to key contacts, signposting to funding sources and programmes like Green Economy, which has helped Icentia develop a bespoke Carbon Reduction Plan to reduce their emissions and make cost savings.

    Darren said:

    “The really great thing about the business support offered by City of York Council is that it’s totally flexible and tailor-made for your specific needs as a business.

    “We’ve received different support at different times across our seven years’ operating so far from York and that’s been really valuable to us as we’ve faced evolving business challenges, from finding office space, navigating the complexities of Brexit, to expanding the business and starting to export our products to Europe.”

    Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture at City of York Council, said:

    “The work Icentia are doing is vital and making a real difference to thousands of patients across the world every year, including here in the UK, and it’s fantastic that this life-changing work is taking place right here in York.

    “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to support Icentia at every step along the way, from ensuring that they could set up their York HQ with ease, to connecting them to the funding, talent and networks that they need to thrive and expand.

    “Because no two businesses are the same, the support we offer is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of your business, and changes as your business grows.”

    The council’s Economic Growth team have a wealth of local knowledge, and can help you identify premises and advise on funding, workforce development and much more.

    For free, impartial business support, get in touch at economicgrowth@york.gov.uk to start a conversation with our team.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extra boost for affordable housing as Council eyes Dreghorn homes

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    The City of Edinburgh Council has negotiated the purchase of 78 homes in Colinton in an ongoing drive to urgently tackle the capital’s housing emergency

    Councillors have today (Monday 9 June) agreed to progress the purchase of a further 38 homes from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for £6.65 million, as part of the council’s phased purchase of homes on the Dreghorn Estate.

    The proposal has been warmly welcomed by the families, who had previously been told by the MOD that they might have to vacate their homes after the summer.

    Finance and Resources Convener Mandy Watt said: 

    We’re doing everything we can to make sure these residents will remain in their homes and to increase the amount of affordable and social housing we have in the city – and I know the residents are very grateful that this proposal has had so much support from councillors.

    Purchasing these homes is a sensible way to boost the housing we have, and Dreghorn is a community that provides a great place for council tenants to have a suitable, safe and affordable place to call home.

    Council colleagues have worked over many months to negotiate this purchase from the Ministry of Defence, listening to the concerns of Dreghorn residents at every turn and ensuring good value for the council. This is a huge step towards a positive outcome – a fantastic example of doing things differently to make sure we address our housing emergency.

    It is proposed that the purchase of these homes will be made using £3.289 million from the Scottish Government’s National Acquisition Fund, delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, with the remaining balance funded through rental income and prudential borrowing over 30 years. A final decision on financing will be made at a future full council meeting.

    Published: June 9th 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Volunteers’ Week Round Up  

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    To mark Volunteer’s Week 2025 last week (2-8 June) the council has been celebrating and highlighting some of the work our volunteers do throughout the city. 

    You can find all the information shared last week to find out about our incredible volunteers and the great work that they do.  

    After joining weekly health walks offered by the Dundee City Council’s Community Health Team and the MAXwell Centre Jackie because a volunteer walk leader. Here about what she gets out of volunteering – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV652SurPYs 

    Youth Volunteers at Rowantree 

    Our evening drop-ins at Rowantree attract many young people with young volunteers helping to run these sessions. Each young volunteer has their own unique journey and in this case study three of them tell us about their experience. https://prezi.com/i/view/H7jn4xMcwKczMcF61HDi/ 

    Margaret 

    Margaret Hogg has been an integral part of Douglas Community Centre for many years. This short film is about her experience volunteering in her community. https://youtu.be/lpCs5H5UFGY 

    DISC Target Project 

    Find out what our young volunteers get from helping at the DISC Target project, a well-attended evening youth group that runs on Thursday and Friday evenings and offers young people a safe place to meet and socialise in the evenings. https://youtu.be/rgYcb4tvOjo 

    Angela  

    Angela volunteers in several groups and activities in the North East of Dundee. She is a community activist in its true sense and her passion is clear to see, read her volunteer profile https://prezi.com/i/view/1CxeklTRPnmPIZcmtsvQ/ 

    Council Leader Visit  

    Council Leader Mark Flynn joined volunteers at Hilltown Community Centre to celebrate and recognise their contribution to community. Read on our website. https://bit.ly/43Sx6Jj 

    As Volunteers’ Week comes to an end, a huge thanks to all our volunteers for getting involved and making a difference in their communities.  

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation on new measures to protect sensitive habitats and species in 30,000 km² of our seas

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Consultation on new measures to protect sensitive habitats and species in 30,000 km² of our seas

    The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is consulting on proposed fisheries management measures to protect some of England’s most sensitive marine ecosystems, habitats and species.

    On 9 June 2025, the government announced plans to extend bans on the use of bottom towed gear and other damaging fishing activities in more Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  

    As England’s marine manager, MMO is responsible for managing fishing in offshore MPAs. It is now asking marine stakeholders to view its draft management measures for 42 English MPAs, complete an online survey and have their say.   

    Proposals would be implemented through the creation of four region byelaws. They include: 

    • prohibitions of fishing using bottom towed gear in specified areas in 31 MPAs; 

    • prohibition of fishing using bottom towed gears and prohibitions on fishing using static gears (traps and/or bottom set nets and lines) in specified areas in four MPAs; 

    • prohibition of fishing using traps in a specified area of one MPA; 

    • prohibition of fishing using bottom towed gear and prohibition of the removal of spiny lobster, also known as crawfish (Palinurus elephas) in a specified area of one MPA; 

    • minor changes to existing bottom towed gear prohibitions in five MPAs to reflect the most up to date approach, habitat location and depth information. 

    The total area of seabed that would be protected by MMOs proposed measures is approximately 30,000 km².  

    The measures are based on detailed assessments into the impacts of fishing on sensitive seabed habitats and species within these sites. This includes circalittoral rock (animal dominated rocky reef habitats), fan mussels, ocean quahogs, as well as sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities.  

    These habitats and species are at risk from damaging fishing activity. Their protection and recovery will contribute to healthier marine ecosystems and support the long-term sustainability of commercial fish stocks. 

    Michelle Willis, MMOs Acting CEO, said: 

    Marine protected areas play a critical role in the future health and vitality of our seas and sustainability of our fisheries. Our latest proposals are based on draft fisheries assessments which have concluded that management measures are necessary to ensure, beyond reasonable scientific doubt, that the conservation objectives of the MPAs included in the stage can be achieved.

    This consultation runs for 12 weeks and will close on 1 September 2025. Stakeholders are encouraged to view proposals by region and comment on areas relevant to them. 

    The consultation follows a call for evidence which ran from 17 January to 28 March 2023.  

    To take part and view the draft byelaws, impact assessments, de minimis assessment, maps and coordinates of the areas included in this consultation, please visit: www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-protected-areas-stage-3-consultation  

    To find out more about MPAs, please visit: www.gov.uk/marine-protected-areas

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Focus on industry and innovation during Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General’s Sheffield factory visit

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Focus on industry and innovation during Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General’s Sheffield factory visit

    Government delivering on Strategic Defence Review to turbocharge UK defence industry and drive ‘NATO-first’ approach

    Innovation and growth through the UK’s world-leading defence industry was the focus of a visit to a Sheffield factory today by the Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General. 

    Defence Secretary, John Healey and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte toured Sheffield Forgemasters, which manufactures specialist steel parts used in critical defence programmes, including nuclear-grade steel components for the Royal Navy’s attack submarines. 

    The factory, which employs 725 skilled staff, is symbolic of the government’s plan to harness defence as an engine for growth and deliver on the Plan for Change, and how investment in the UK’s defence industry not only boosts British jobs but strengthens the defence and deterrence of the NATO alliance.  

    Sheffield Forgemasters has been manufacturing components for nuclear powered, conventionally armed submarines with more than £200m worth of contracts in place under the AUKUS programme. The Government confirmed plans last week to deliver up to 12 SSN-AUKUS attack submarines, which will further strengthen the UK’s contribution to NATO in addition to creating thousands of jobs across the UK.

    It comes the week after the publication of the Government’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which saw the government commit billions of pounds in investment for British defence companies, driving innovation and supporting thousands of jobs around the country – delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.  

    The NATO Secretary General has welcomed the industry focus of the SDR and highlighted how it will be key to supporting the deterrent effect of the alliance while boosting collective security. 

    Defence Secretary, John Healey said: 

    Sheffield Forgemasters sits in one of Britain’s proudest industrial heartlands, and it is at the heart of our drive to shift our sovereign defence industry to warfighting readiness, supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in the process. The work is ensuring this government’s commitment to the defence dividend is met, delivering on the Plan for Change.

    It was a pleasure to tour its factory with the NATO Secretary General, where we discussed this government’s plan to put NATO first as we deliver on our landmark Strategic Defence Review.

    NATO is critical to UK security and global security, which is why we are stepping up to lead in Europe, investing in powerful new technologies to support growth and boost our national security.

    NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte: 

    The renewal of the UK’s defence industry will not only enhance Allied security but boost national prosperity as well. It is a vital component in ensuring warfighting readiness.

    The United Kingdom has a rich heritage in manufacturing and innovation, and Sheffield Forgemasters is an excellent example of this. Harnessing this legacy will be critical to enabling NATO to effectively deter and defend against future threats.

    Sheffield Forgemasters will be crucial to delivering the plans set out in the SDR, as they restart manufacturing for artillery gun barrels, the first time they have been produced by the UK in decades underlining the defence dividend delivered by this government’s spending uplift. This follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and ambition for 3% in the next Parliament.

    Their work also supports vital equipment supplied to Ukraine, such as L119 Light Guns and the AS90 self-propelled gun. 

    It comes after major announcements following the SDR, including: the building of up to a dozen new attack submarines for the Royal Navy; £5bn of confirmed investment in drone and laser weapon technology, up to 7,000 new UK-built long-range weapons to be procured; at least six new munitions and energetics factories in the UK; more than £1.5 billion to improve the state of military housing; and more than £1 billion for pioneering technology to spearhead battlefield engagements. 

    Sheffield Forgemasters plays a vital role in this National Endeavour as part of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise – the partnership of organisations that operate, maintain, renew, and sustain the UK’s nuclear deterrent.  

    The nuclear deterrent is the bedrock of the UK’s national security, helping to guarantee the safety of the UK and our NATO allies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter

    Everyone over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.

    • This increased threshold means no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out, with the vast majority – over three quarters – of pensioners in England and Wales receiving the payment.

    • Support will continue to be targeted, with pensioners above this threshold having the payment automatically recovered or able to opt out.

    Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter as all pensioners in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment. This extends eligibility to the vast majority of pensioners, with around 9 million, or over three quarters, benefitting. This threshold is well above the income level of pensioners in poverty and is broadly in line with average earnings, balancing support for lower income pensioners with fairness to the taxpayer

    This change will cost around £1.25 billion in England and Wales and see means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment save around £450 million, subject to certification by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) compared to the system of universal Winter Fuel Payments. The costs will be accounted for at the Budget and incorporated into the next OBR forecast. The Chancellor will take decisions on funding in the round at that forecast to ensure the government’s non-negotiable fiscal rules are met. This will not lead to permanent additional borrowing.

    No pensioner will need to take any action as they will automatically receive the payment this winter, and for those with incomes above the threshold it will be automatically recovered via HMRC. The payment of £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, will be made automatically this winter. Over 12 million pensioners across the United Kingdom will also benefit from the Triple Lock, with their State Pension set to increase by up to £1,900 this parliament.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest. 

    But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.

    Pensioners above the £35,000 threshold will have the full amount of the Winter Fuel Payment they received automatically collected via PAYE, or via their Self-Assessment return. No one will need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action.  Pensioners who want to opt out and not receive the payment at all, will be able to do so, with details to be confirmed.

    Making these changes now gives people certainty and ensures that payments can be made in time for this winter. Payments will be better targeted than before 2024-25 when they were previously paid to all pensioners regardless of their income, meaning those on lower and middle incomes will still receive the help they need, ensuring fairness for both pensioners and taxpayers.

    Approximately 2 million individuals in England and Wales over State Pension age have taxable incomes above £35,000.

    More information

    • Eligibility is based on a person’s age and place of residence during the qualifying week (the third full week of September). For winter 2025/26, the qualifying week will be 15 to 21 September 2025.
    • A person needs to have reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week to be eligible.
    • Winter Fuel Payments are worth £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80. Shared payments are made to pensioners not on an income-related benefit.
    • The payment will be recovered from individuals via HMRC based on their individual taxable incomes. There will be no need for household incomes to be aggregated.
    • It will be recovered via PAYE for the vast majority, or in their Self-Assessment tax return for the minority who file and pay their taxes in this way. HMRC will work closely with representative bodies to ensure the process is as simple as possible with clear guidance for taxpayers.
    • For those who would like to opt out from receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, DWP will develop a simple system to enable individuals to do so, removing the need for HMRC to recover the payment. Further information will be on GOV.UK in due course. 
    • The government will be publishing an equalities analysis alongside the legislation and a Tax Information and Impact Note at Budget.

    Further background

    • As of winter 2024/25, Winter Fuel Payments were restricted in England and Wales to pensioner households receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits.  
    • It is worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. It is a non-contributory, household payment to support pensioners during the colder months.
    • From 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payments will be payable in England and Wales at £200 for households including someone between State Pension age and 79, and £300 for households including someone aged 80 or over. Where the household is not getting an income related benefit, such as Pension Credit, a shared payment will be made – e.g. a couple, each under 80, not on Pension Credit will receive a payment of £100 each.
    • Winter Fuel Payments are transferred in Northern Ireland. The policy area is devolved to Scotland. The Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive will both receive a mechanical uplift in their funding as a result of this change in England and Wales.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister’s remarks at London Tech Week 2025: Monday 9 June

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Prime Minister’s remarks at London Tech Week 2025: Monday 9 June

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s remarks at London Tech Week 2025.

    Thank you so much. It’s really fantastic to stand here and look out and see so many people in this room—to get a real sense of the energy, the commitment, and the professionalism, the entrepreneurial spirit that we have here.

    Let me start by thanking you all for being here. We’re going to have a really good Tech Week. We already kicked off yesterday. We’ve got some major announcements to make, some real partnerships to build together, and I’m just so pleased to have this opportunity—this privilege—of opening this morning. It’s a real pleasure for me.

    My constituency, the area I represent, is London. I’m a London MP, and that means I understand first hand just how important our sector is as we go forward—whether it’s entrepreneurs or the spirit in London, this is hugely, hugely important.

    We have to recognise that for many people, they see AI and tech as transformative—something that’s going to do so much. And every time we say “over five years or ten years,” everybody says to me “it’s going to be more like five years or three years.” We’re going to bring about great change in so many aspects of our lives. Whether that’s in health—where I’ve seen for myself the incredible contribution that tech and AI can make. I was in a hospital up in the Midlands, talking to consultants who deal with strokes. They showed me the equipment and techniques that they are using – using AI to isolate where the clot is in the brain in a micro-second of the time it would have taken otherwise. Brilliantly saving people’s lives. Shortly after that, I had an incident where I was being shown AI and stethoscopes working together to predict any problems someone might have. So whether it’s health or other sectors, it’s hugely transformative what can be done here.

    Last Monday, I was in Scotland launching the Strategic Defence Review of the government. This was a review I commissioned soon after we came into power to tell me what are the risks we face as a country in this new era? What are the challenges? What are our capabilities? And how do we make sure that, as we go forward, our capabilities match the risks and challenges we face as a country.

    In that, tech and AI were absolutely central. Over the last three years or more, during this awful conflict in Ukraine—I’ve been back to Ukraine on a number of occasions in that period to have in-depth conversations with President Zelensky to make sure our support is in the right place. But I was really struck, on the trip before last—probably about six or seven weeks ago—by the extent to which technology and AI are now having a direct impact in that conflict. In three years of conflict, the way that war is being fought has changed profoundly.

    So I wanted that hardwired into our Defence Review—a sense of how AI could be driving change. There are so many examples across government. I’ve set the challenge to all of my teams: show me how they can use AI—not just in the output of government, not just in partnership with yourselves and others in the delivery of services—but also in the very way we do government. How can we transform what we do?

    There are certainly examples of that. I spoke to a social worker in Downing Street at one of our receptions. She explained to me, with a smile on her face, just how AI is slashing her paperwork and her caseload. She talked me through how she’s now doing her work. What she said was that this was helping her transform her work—because she could concentrate on the human element of it. She could use AI and tech to help with the parts that could be done more quickly. And from that, I’ve always said: AI and tech make us more human. It may sound like an odd thing to say, but it’s true—and we need to say it. Because, some people out there are sceptical. They worry about AI taking their jobs. But I know from audiences like this, this debate has been had many times. We need to push past it. But people worry: will it make their lives more comfortable? Even for businesses, the pace of change can feel relentless. I know you all get that. But when it comes to harnessing the power of this technology, I believe the way we work through this together is critical. And that means partnership and partnership is at the heart of everything we do in government—working with you. You are the entrepreneurs who will drive this country forward. Our job as partners is to create the best possible conditions for you to succeed. That’s why events like this—and the conversations we have in the margins—are so important. Because we can only create the right conditions if we’re having that conversation. You’re able to put your fingerprints on what we’re doing.

    Just look at the raw facts. This industry supports over 2 million jobs. That’s incredible. Or take this statistic: in 2023, our AI sector grew 30 times faster than the rest of the economy. That is incredible. So this is about what we’ve achieved. It’s about who we are as a nation. What signal do we want to send to the rest of the world? The signal I want to send is this: a Britain that, after years of chaos, is a stable partner for investment. A Britain that believes the future should be shaped by our values. And that in this volatile world, is proud, unashamed, open for business.

    I think—and hope—you can see that in our approach to trade, in the new deals we’ve done just in the last few months. We’re determined to create new markets—whether that’s in India, the US, or Europe. You can see it in our openness to investment as well. On that front, I’m really pleased to welcome what I see as yet another vote of confidence in Britain today: the announcement that Liquidity will base their European headquarters right here in London. That’s a £1.5 billion investment into our economy. It means better access to finance for entrepreneurs right across the country. It’s a vote of confidence in our AI Opportunities Action Plan as well. We put that plan out at the beginning of the year. We’re really proud of it—50 recommendations, all of them accepted by the government. At the heart of it is partnership in action. It shows our ambition to be the best state partner for tech entrepreneurs anywhere in the world. That’s the bar. That’s the ambition I’ve set.

    So I can also announce today that we’re committing an extra £1 billion of funding to scale up our compute power by a factor of 20. You know how important that is— a huge increase in the size of Britain’s AI engine. It means we can be an AI maker, not just an AI taker. More importantly, it means we have the digital infrastructure we need to make sure AI improves our public services. Because we do have a defining mission in that plan—a responsibility, if you like—to harness this unprecedented opportunity and use it to improve the lives of working people. This is a shared mission. We’re a mission-driven government. But this is a shared mission. Because social fear I was talking about a moment ago—trust me, I think that is the challenge for adoption. It’s a far greater challenge than the regulatory barrier, although that can be a challenge too. But it’s an area where government can help—where we can do our bit in this partnership.

    Take planning, for example, which is a huge priority for this government. We are going to build more labs, more data centres—and we’re going to do it much, much more quickly. Our Planning and Infrastructure Bill going through Parliament right now is a real game-changer. Each of you in this room knows how important it is to change our rules on planning, infrastructure, and the regulatory environment—and how that can drive growth in building homes – what a difference that could make. Again, the human that sits there with the tech and the AI—because the security of having an affordable home is hugely important. I come from a working-class background, and at times we struggled as a family to make ends meet. But we owned our home, and that gave me a sense of security—a base camp, if you like—on which I could build my life, my opportunities, and my aspirations. I want that to be there for everyone in the country—that base camp. And AI can help on this.

    This is how we explain and lead people down this transformative path. And in that way, in pushing forward, we’ve developed a powerful new tool. We’ve done this in-house, and I’m really proud of that—that as a government, we’ve taken on the challenge and developed something in-house, just to prove that governments can innovate. We use that word all the time, and some people don’t associate it with government—but we have. We’ve developed what we call Extract. It’s being trialled in councils in Exeter, Westminster, Nuneaton and Bedworth. It takes old, handwritten planning documents and put them into digital form in seconds. Jobs that would otherwise have taken hours and hours—done in seconds. A hundred planning records per day, and the usual average up till now is five. So, you can see—it’s a huge productivity boost and we want to roll that out. It doesn’t just show that the government can innovate, it also means faster planning decisions, which I think comes as a relief to many people in this room and beyond—both in AI and in British business more broadly. And of course, it’s money-saved for councils, so they can spend their money on other things. It turns into more growth and more opportunity.

    But most of all, it speeds up the future that we need. AI innovation making a difference for working people. The same, of course, is true across the public realm. We’re looking at how AI can speed up discharges from hospitals—hugely important. I’ve looked into this in our hospitals. Getting people out the back door more quickly—AI can help with that. Same with the asylum backlog, how can AI and tech help us deal with that? Or teachers—helping them personalise lessons for their pupils. Again, using their time better, making them more human. Giving them that interaction so that every child gets the best possible chance in life. What a difference personalising what they do can make to so many children.

    In every case, you can show AI innovation making a difference for working people. But to truly succeed in this mission then one of the biggest parts, and you’ll all have heard this many, many times in the conversation about AI, tech, growth and investment and business. It always comes back to this point: skills. It is one of the key concerns in any business in technology—actually, in any business pretty much across the board—one of the great worries for working people, and the same for any parent, is always: What does this mean for my children? What does it mean for their future? So today, I am really delighted to announce what is a step change in how we train homegrown talent in AI. A partnership with 11 major companies to train 7.5 million workers in AI by 2030.

    I would also like to thank NVIDIA for partnering on a new pipeline. Jensen is here with us for the “in conversation” we’re so grateful for that partnership. That allows us to expand their lab in Bristol, and that will make a huge difference to opportunity and jobs in the South West. We’re also going to bring the full powers of government with a new tech-first training programme. That’s up to 1 million young people trained in tech skills—that will be so crucial for their future. That’s a £185 million investment, embedding AI right through our education system, starting in our secondary schools with subjects like computer science. At universities, a new scholarship programme for high-flying students—supporting the best and brightest personally, so they can focus on their research on the next frontier.

    So from school all the way through—and on top of that, extra support for small businesses, along with their student leavers, so they can recruit the technology skills they need. And this—trust me—is a package that should make a massive difference to the aspirations of working people.

    At the end of the day, that is what this must be about. I want young people in the poorer parts of my constituency—and I’m thinking in particular of a place like Somers Town, between Euston and King’s Cross, where there’s so much of that tech and entrepreneurial AI belief—I want the children in Somers Town to look out of their classroom windows and feel “yes, I can be part of that success. This could belong to me.”

    That’s why the work we’re doing in schools, universities and colleges is so important—to make them feel they’ve got a role, they’ve got aspiration, they’ve got a future. They can’t aspire to do something unless they can see it, feel it, and understand what it is. In this country, the technology needs to be built in our brain. Just to give a short example of that—praising tech companies for investing in Somers Town. I’ve thrown this challenge out many, many times: how do we make the children in the poorest part of my constituency aspire to work in your centre? And Google AI opened a campus in Somers Town. They’ve taken up that challenge. It is tremendous. I went there for the opening—it’s right next to the school where I envisage those students who wouldn’t necessarily have seen their future in tech. And now that campus is right next to their school they can see it every day and they can feel it.

    That’s a really good example. Thank you to the tech sector for stepping up to that challenge. But now we need to go further. By the end of this Parliament, we should be able to look every parent the eye, in every region in Britain and say – look what technology can deliver for you. We can put money in your pocket; we can create wealth in your community; we can create good jobs and vastly improve our public services and build a better future for your children. That is the opportunity we must seize, that is what my Plan for Change will deliver. And today, I think we’re taking another big step towards it.

    So thank you very much for being here and thank you for letting me have the privilege of opening today. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Piyush Goyal begins official visit to Switzerland and Sweden to strengthen trade ties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, commenced his official visit to Switzerland today as part of a five-day tour of Switzerland and Sweden from June 9 to 13. The visit aims to deepen India’s strategic and economic engagements with key European partners, with a focus on promoting trade, investment, and sustainable growth.
     
    The Minister’s visit to Switzerland includes high-level meetings with global CEOs, senior government officials, and prominent Swiss industry leaders. Sector-specific engagements are scheduled in key areas such as pharmaceuticals, life sciences, precision engineering, machine tools, and high-tech manufacturing. Goyal is also set to meet Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to further bolster bilateral trade and diplomatic ties.
     
    During his stay in Switzerland, Goyal will hold one-on-one discussions with representatives of major Swiss companies. Indian industry leaders will also be part of these meetings, facilitating direct interaction and exploring collaboration opportunities. The Minister will participate in the Swissmem Industry Day and a Business Round Table with the Swiss Mechanical and Electrical (MEM) Industry, where deliberations will focus on the potential of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). In addition, he will interact with the ICAI Zurich Chapter and engage with members of the Indian media.
     
    Following his engagements in Switzerland, Shri Goyal will travel to Sweden to co-chair the 21st session of the Indo-Swedish Joint Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific Cooperation (JCEISC) alongside Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa.
     
    The visit to Sweden includes bilateral meetings with Dousa and Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. 
     
    In Sweden, Goyal will also participate in the India-Sweden Business Leaders’ Round Table and engage in one-on-one meetings with top Swedish companies across sectors such as innovation, green technologies, sustainable solutions, and advanced manufacturing. Companies with a strong presence in India or ongoing interest, including Ericsson, Volvo Group, IKEA, Sandvik, Alfa Laval, and SAAB, are expected to take part in these interactions.
     
     

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Our Living Soils’ by Emma Rosen and Rhiannon Thomas out now

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    ‘Our Living Soils’ by Emma Rosen and Rhiannon Thomas out now

    Natural England has commissioned a children’s illustrated book to teach young children about soil.

    ‘Our Living Soils’ written by Emma Rosen and illustrated by Rhiannon Thomas was commissioned by Natural England to teach children about soil.

    Young children love to jump in muddy puddles and roll on grass, but are unlikely to think about what is going on in the earth underneath them. Now a new illustrated book aims to dig into just what is happening in the soil beneath their feet.

    ‘Our Living Soils’ was commissioned by Natural England to explore soil health in a way that appeals to four to seven-year-old children. It highlights just how much is going on in our soil and focuses on the creatures that make it their home.  It was written by author and schoolteacher Emma Rosen, and illustrated by fine artist and illustrator, Rhiannon Thomas.

    The team behind ‘Our Living Soils’. From left: Jonny Griffiths, Matthew Shepherd and Eleanor Reed of Natural England, author Emma Rosen and illustrator Rhiannon Thomas.

    The book was launched during the weekend at the sold out Open Farm Sunday event at Springwater Farm in Exeter, with both Emma and Rhiannon in attendance, along with Natural England’s soils team. The team hosted a series of activities including round the campfire storytelling; soil minibeast drawing and writing activities; and the very popular exploration of soil dwelling organisms through the microscope.

    Eleanor Reed, Natural England principal soil specialist, said:

    From soil formation to soil function, this visually engaging book aims to raise the awareness of soils to young children and their parents alike.

    We hope it engages young children and develops their curiosity about the fascinating, but hidden, world beneath their feet.

    ‘Our Living Soils’ was launched at Open Farm Sunday in Exeter where children could look at soil-based organisms under the microscope.

    Neal Layton, author and illustrator of some of the Eco Explorer series of children’s books, endorsed ‘Our Living Soils’, saying it is ‘a brilliant book for muddy boot wearers big and small’.

    Alongside the paperback, which is available to buy at Our Living Soils – Emma Rosen, or from Waterstones and Amazon, there will be a PDF edition which can be distributed by Natural England. A Kindle version will also be produced and put on the Kindle Unlimited subscription service so subscribers can read it for free.

    A narrated video of ‘Our Living Soils’ is available on YouTube.

    Our Living Soils, written by Emma Rosen and illustrated by Rhiannon Thomas

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Updated guide to raising concerns about a charity

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Updated guide to raising concerns about a charity

    The Charity Commission for England and Wales has today published refreshed guidance and an updated online form to help anyone who wants to raise a concern about a charity.

    The guidance ‘Raising a concern with the Charity Commission’ (CC47) sets out when to raise concerns about a charity with the Commission as well as what it can do or cannot do within its remit of helping charities in England and Wales be accountable, well-run and meet their legal obligations.  

    The guidance also covers where and how it can and will act and how it prioritises the most serious concerns that present risk of significant harm to, or abuse of, charities, their beneficiaries or assets or to trust and confidence in the sector. 

    Eight percent of 3679 concerns submitted by members of the public to the Commission during the last financial year could not be taken further as these were either beyond the Commission’s regulatory remit set by Parliament or had insufficient information.  

    The Commission’s updated guidance and forms aim to help people find the most appropriate route for raising any concerns, while being clear when it is unlikely to be able to act. 

    An improved online ‘raising a concern’ form on gov.uk for members of the public, which still allows evidence to be attached, now provides new signposting to make it easier for a charity’s trustees, employees and volunteers to raise concerns in the right way via alternative routes for whistleblowing, reports of serious incidents or matters of material significance. 

    Charity Commission Head of Intelligence & Risk, Kate Waring, said:  

    While things can go wrong – either intentionally or unintentionally – the vast majority of the 170,000 charities on the register are doing great work to make a positive difference. Trustees overwhelmingly act in their charity’s best interests, and we step in when they do not.  

    It is important people can tell us when things are not right at a charity, and our refreshed guidance explains the sorts of concerns they can, and should, confidently bring to our attention. Both the improved guidance and online form also remind people about concerns that are for other regulators, so they can raise those with the right organisation. 

    We have to prioritise our work to help us make the best use of the resources we’ve been given as a public body and to ensure proportionate regulation of a volunteer led sector. 

    The ‘Raising a concern with the Charity Commission’ guidance is available on gov.uk. 

    ENDS 

    Notes to editors: 

    1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Find out more  

    2. The Commission’s suite of guidance for charities in England and Wales is on gov.uk  

    3. Concerns about a charity can be raised with the appropriate authority on gov.uk  

    4. The refreshed guidance can be found on gov.uk  

    5. The updated form for raising concerns with the Charity Commission can be found here

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth’s largest anchor institutions unite in a pioneering collaboration to tackle inequality

    Source: City of Plymouth

    A Civic Engagement Agreement is being signed today by Plymouth’s four largest employers – Plymouth City Council, Babcock International Group (Babcock), University of Plymouth and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust – in a pioneering, voluntary commitment to address the root causes of inequality and drive inclusive, city-wide transformation.

    This landmark step collaboratively brings together major institutions in a coordinated approach to deliver social value, reduce deprivation and improve long-term outcomes for Plymouth households.

    A Shared Vision for Inclusive Growth

    At the heart of the Agreement is a shared belief: that the complex challenges facing Plymouth, such as job accessibility, health inequality, economic inactivity and skills, can best be addressed through collective action.

    The Civic Engagement Agreement sets out an intention for collaboration, guiding partners to align their expertise and resources across shared priorities including workforce development, community well-being, placemaking, and supply chain engagement.

    The Civic Engagement Agreement is working alongside and in collaboration with Growth Alliance Plymouth (GAP). GAP is the partnership between Plymouth City Council, Babcock International Group and The Royal Navy to ensure vital defence outputs are delivered into the future while driving sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.

    What This Means for the People of Plymouth

    Local residents and businesses will see new, joined-up approaches through the Civic Engagement Agreement’s focus on:

    • Being inclusive in employment practices
    • Strengthening local supply chains
    • Supporting staff, students and volunteers to work with communities to improve health, education and social infrastructure
    • Reducing the environmental impact of operations internally and in supply chains.

    Ultimately, the Civic Engagement Agreement aims to ensure that public services and institutions work better together to improve life outcomes for Plymouth residents.

    Strategic Commitments from the Partners

    Plymouth City Council

    “This Agreement gives us clarity of four focus areas for collective action where we can make the biggest difference through our social value action” said Tudor Evans Leader of Plymouth City Council “It allows us to better coordinate services and investments that influence community wellbeing, ensuring we act with purpose—and with our partners, act with strength.”

    Babcock International

    John Gane, Managing Director for Babcock’s Devonport site, said “As one of Plymouth’s largest employers supporting over 11% of the city’s workforce—we understand the vital role we play in shaping a thriving, inclusive future for our community. At Babcock, we are proud to lead the way in regional skills development, expanding vocational opportunities and opening new career pathways that empower local talent to succeed. Our commitment to sustainability and social value is deeply rooted in our support for local communities, charities, and civic initiatives. As a key anchor institution in Plymouth, we are already making a meaningful impact, but through this Civic Engagement Agreement, backed by Growth Alliance Plymouth, we have the opportunity to achieve even greater things together. This partnership is not just about progress, it’s about creating lasting, transformative change.”

    University of Plymouth

    The University of Plymouth’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Davies says:

    “Knowledge and skills are vital to unlocking growth, encouraging investment, and helping our city fulfil its enormous potential.

    “We believe that universities should serve their communities, and this agreement sets a new standard for civic responsibility in higher education.

    “Our University is proud to be helping lead that journey here in Plymouth.”

    University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

    Sarah Brampton, Deputy Chief Executive: “We know that the health of our population is shaped by social determinants such as income, housing, environment, transport, education and work. To really improve people’s health, there needs to be a greater focus on preventing ill health and supporting our communities to be and stay well. We know we can achieve more by working together to tackle upstream causes of ill health, rather than just symptoms and coming together in this way, through this agreement, shows our commitment to doing that.”

    Key Objectives of the Agreement

    • Strengthen Community Well-being: Improve quality of life by tackling social determinants of health and supporting personal and community development.
    • Promote Sustainable and Inclusive Growth: Drive economic growth that benefits all residents through job creation, skills development, and local investment.
    • Champion Environmental and Social Responsibility: Embed sustainable practices and maximise social value through shared procurement, planning, and policy.

    A Call to Action

    This Civic Engagement Agreement marks a new chapter in civic partnership in Plymouth. The founding partners will now reach out to businesses, community organisations and residents to help shape the next phase of this work by contributing to the design and delivery of the detailed agreement to follow in autumn 2025.

    To learn more or get involved, visit: www.plymouthcharter.co.uk/post/civic-agreement

    For more information contact Ellie Tighe at Plymouth Charter, [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mapping Change and Investment in St Helier06 June 2025 ​An interactive plan has been published and displayed on digital touch screens in St Helier, showcasing how our town is evolving through coordinated investment and regeneration. The document:… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    06 June 2025

    ​An interactive plan has been published and displayed on digital touch screens in St Helier, showcasing how our town is evolving through coordinated investment and regeneration.

    The document: Mapping Change and Investment in St Helier brings together public and private projects – recently completed, in progress, and planned – to help Islanders understand what is happening, where it’s happening, and why it matters. 

    This interactive tool is part of a long-term effort to make information about St Helier’s future more accessible, engaging, and inclusive for all Islanders. 

    It encourages people to explore how Town is changing and to feel part of that transformation. 

    The plan is available online and can also be explored in person on digital touch screens installed at the Town Hall, Jersey Library, and the Government Office on Union Street – gov.je/planfortown. 

    Users can navigate the map to discover major developments, public realm enhancements, and the key policies driving the regeneration of St Helier. 

    The initiative centres on the three themes set out in the Bridging Island Plan’s vision for the Town: 

    • A Growing Town – Introduce and Integrate: Supporting the delivery of new homes, improved infrastructure, and better integration of spaces, services, and community. 
    • A Sustainable Town – Restore, Protect and Prepare: Revitalising heritage assets, delivering environmental improvements, and preparing for climate resilience and long-term sustainability. 
    • A Vibrant Town – Connect, Enliven and Enhance: Enhancing public spaces, promoting active travel, and investing in culture, retail, and community life to bring energy and life to Town. 

    The Minister for Infrastructure, Connétable Andy Jehan, said: “I am pleased with the recent progress and publication of this interactive plan. It will help Islanders, investors, and decision-makers understand the strategic context in St Helier and the positive changes that are underway. 

    “Some parts of Town clearly need investment, new infrastructure, and improvements to our public realm. This is key to our objective to revitalise St Helier. 

    “I recognise that people want to see further detail on key projects like Fort Regent, and I will ensure the Plan for Town stays updated as new announcements are made.”​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Volunteers invited to take part in a community dig at Kilmocholmóg

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    An exciting community dig is happening at the prehistoric and medieval site of Kilmocholmóg, just off Kilmore Road in Lurgan, from Monday 16 June to Friday 4 July 2025.

    Members of the local community are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get involved in unearthing Lurgan’s medieval past.

    Previous excavations at the site known as Kilmocholmóg (meaning ‘church of my little Colman’) has uncovered a greater insight into life at this location over thousands of years.

    Working alongside archaeologists, volunteers have helped unearth artefacts, structures, and evidence of ancient craftsmanship at this high-status historical site.

    Since 2022 over 1,000 artefacts including stone age tools, pottery, an ingot mould and glass beads have been recovered as well as the remains of an iron age enclosure and surrounding stone structures.

    The upcoming community dig aims to expand on these discoveries and uncover more details about the settlement’s significance and prove or disprove the local memory that an early medieval church was once located here.

    The dig runs Mondays to Fridays, giving volunteers the chance to take part in morning sessions (9.30am-12pm) or afternoon sessions (1pm-3.30pm).

    It is open to everyone, making it a perfect opportunity for families, history enthusiasts, and curious minds of all ages. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult to ensure a safe and educational experience.

    No experience is necessary as a team of experts from leading archaeology firm, Northern Archaeological Consultancy, will be on hand to guide volunteers every step of the way.

    Organised by the Craigavon Historical Society in partnership with the Council’s Lurgan Townscape Heritage scheme, this dig has been funded by National Lottery players through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

    If you are interested in learning about archaeology and uncovering the secrets of Kilmocholmóg, book your place at www.eventbrite.com/e/1376030156239 or email David Weir of Craigavon Historical Society at

    *protected email*

    .

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lurgan Show serves up a celebration of local food and farming

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Thousands of visitors packed into the picturesque Lurgan Park on Saturday 7th June for this year’s Lurgan Show – a vibrant celebration of food, farming, and agriculture that firmly underscores the ABC Borough’s status as Northern Ireland’s Food Heartland.

    Now a flagship event in the agricultural calendar, the show proudly showcased the very best of the borough’s award-winning food and drink producers, agri-businesses, and farming excellence.

    This year’s Food Heartland stand, supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, attracted crowds keen to sample the finest produce from local favourites including Peggy’s Family Farm, Ballydown Milk, Rosemount Cottage Farm Meats, Glorious Bakes, Long Meadow Cider, Apple Tree Farm, the Hemp and Honey Farm Co Op, and Moo Valley gelato.

    From artisan jams and farm-fresh milkshakes to sizzling meats and handcrafted bakes, the local offering was second to none.

    Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Alderman Stephen Moutray, said:

    “Lurgan Show is a shining example of what makes our borough so special – a deep-rooted connection to our agricultural heritage and an unwavering passion for food excellence. I was delighted to see so many producers and visitors enjoying the day. This event is a true celebration of our Food Heartland, and I commend all those who work hard year-round to make our borough a place of taste, talent, and tradition.”

    Organised by the Lurgan & District Horse and Cattle Society, the Show also featured equestrian and livestock championships, vintage farm machinery, family activities, and more – offering something for everyone.

    The summer show season continues with the Armagh County Agricultural Show and Country Festival taking place this Saturday 14th June at Gosford Forest Park. For details, visit www.armaghshow.com

    To learn more about the Food Heartland and its producers, contact:

    *protected email*

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM unveils AI breakthrough to slash planning delays and help build 1.5 million homes: 9 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    PM unveils AI breakthrough to slash planning delays and help build 1.5 million homes: 9 June 2025

    Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.

    • PM unveils revolutionary AI tool to transform planning system and speed up housebuilding at London Tech Week

    • ‘Extract’ set to digitise planning documents and bring England’s outdated planning system into the 21st century

    • Breakthrough AI tool to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026, using Google DeepMind’s Gemini model

    • Digital planning transformation to help deliver Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes

    Planning permissions will be sped up as the Government rolls out a new AI tool which can scan hundreds of files in seconds – making it easier to make home improvements, while turbocharging the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.

    Speaking at London Tech Week, the Prime Minister announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed by government with support from Google.

    For the first time, this cutting-edge technology will help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes – and will power new types of planning software to slash the 250,000 estimated hours spent by planning officers each year manually checking these documents. This will dramatically reduce delays that have long plagued the system.

    Around 350,000 planning applications are submitted a year in England, yet the system remains heavily reliant on paper documents – some hundreds of pages long. Once submitted, each of these documents needs to be manually validated and approved by a planning officer.  

    In test trials across Hillingdon, Nuneaton & Bedworth, and Exeter councils, Extract digitised planning records, including maps, in just three minutes each – compared to the 1–2 hours it typically takes manually. This means Extract could process around 100 planning records a day – significantly speeding up the process.

    This represents a step-change in productivity, freeing up thousands of hours for planning officers to focus on decision-making to speed up housebuilding. It will also accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing, improve reliability in the planning process and reduce costs and save time for councils and developers. 

    Extract is expected to be made available to all councils by Spring 2026. The government’s ambition is to fully digitise the planning system – making it faster, more transparent, and easier to navigate for working people, councils, businesses and developers. 

    The rollout will help deliver the government’s Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes over the next Parliament and is part of the government’s efforts to harness tech and AI to deliver change and renewal for working people.

    It also comes alongside the government’s wider efforts to digitise the planning system, building on an estimated £59.4m per year spent by councils on digital planning and housing software, delivering an estimated time and cost saving of £527m for the public sector each year.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:  

    For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country— slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built. 

    This government is working hand in hand with business to change that. With Extract, we’re harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change. 

    It’s a bold step forward in our mission to build 1.5 million more homes and deliver a planning system that’s fit for the 21st century.” 

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

    From day one we made an unwavering promise to use every tool at our disposal to build the 1.5 million homes and vital infrastructure through our Plan for Change that our local communities desperately need.  

    By using cutting-edge technology like Extract we can fix the broken planning system, cut delays, save money, and also reduce burdens on councils to help pave the way for the biggest building boom in a generation.” 

    Co-Founder & CEO of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis said:

    We build our AI models to understand all types of information – from text to handwritten notes and technical drawings – so it’s really exciting to see the UK government choose Gemini to help speed up the planning process and support planners and people across the country.

    Hillingdon Council’s Chief Operating Officer Matthew Wallbridge said:  

    ‘The UK Planning System relies on paper-based processes, and AI can help to read and then extract the key information from it, to help both residents and planning officers. The productivity benefits will allow for a faster and cheaper service’. 

    Tom Shardlow, CEO Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council said:  

    Just like many local authorities, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council has many plans and documents in storage from historic planning applications over the years. Working with the Extract team, we have seen the outputs from Extract, and how these could improve our service, providing high quality, digital, GeoSpatial data and how this could speed up the process for our Planning Team.” 

    The government is now working with Google to develop and expand Extract to all local authorities in England using its Gemini model. The government will expand Extract to handle all planning document types with the aim of supporting local authorities to digitise all planning documents by the end of 2026.

    The planning data, unlocked through Extract, will be uploaded to a publicly accessible gov.uk service page. Open, public data will ensure the planning system is more transparent, accessible and understandable to the public. The government will also explore the best and most efficient ways to deploy Extract into local authorities – this might also include developing an app to scan documents instantly.

    This government is turning the page on the decline of the past and choosing growth with a significant number of planning decisions already made by Ministers since July. 

    This includes 18 planning decisions taken by Ministers over 85% of which within the target timeframe, and 18 nationally significant infrastructure projects approved, collectively spanning airports, data centres, solar farms and major housing developments such as the Expansion of London City Airport, a data centre in Buckinghamshire and a new M&S store in Oxford Street, London.  

    The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will also provide the powers to accelerate the infrastructure and homes needed to deliver on the government’s ambitions – and fast track critical infrastructure such as wind farms, power plants, and major road and rail projects.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: YVO’s plan for responding to future geological hazards in Yellowstone National Park

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.

    Cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory response plan for geological hazards in the Yellowstone region.  The report can be accessed at https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1351/.  Cover features a photograph by Mike Poland and frame captures from a video by Juliet Su.

    As Benjamin Franklin supposedly said, “failing to plan is planning to fail.”  This is why the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) has a plan to guide the observatory’s actions during a response to earthquakes, hydrothermal explosions, or any geological activity that could lead to a volcanic eruption.

    The first YVO response plan was published in 2010 and explained how observatory scientists would collect data, communicate with one another and the public, and interact with emergency managers as part of any incident command system that was organized to deal with a crisis—for example, a major earthquake or volcanic eruption.

    A second version of the YVO response plan was published in 2014 and incorporated changes in the YVO consortium, which expanded in 2013 to include more institutions, as well as lessons learned from a readiness, or “table-top,” exercise that was held in 2011.  Table-top exercises are discussions that simulate a crisis and that are used by emergency responders to practice and evaluate procedures.

    The newest version of the YVO response plan was just published (https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1351/).  This update contains several significant modifications compared to the previous versions.

    First and foremost, the YVO response plan now aligns with a procedures established by the USGS Volcano Science Center—particularly the “OVERT,” or Observatory Volcano Event Response Team, concept. OVERT defines critical functions, like data management, communications, monitoring, science, and logistical support, that can be staffed up during a crisis.  The OVERT team can be implemented in stages to follow the nature of whatever volcanic unrest or eruption may be unfolding and is intended to be flexible and modular.  The concept also establishes clear lines of communication and reporting so that no one person has too many responsibilities, and information is shared quickly and openly.

    As an example, if a major seismic swarm were to begin in Yellowstone National Park, YVO might establish an OVERT organizational structure that has staffing for the monitoring and communications teams.  If that seismicity intensified and led to hydrothermal explosions, those teams would be expanded to take on additional responsibilities, and other branches would also be staffed—like those dealing with data documentation and logistics to support field operations. 

    Organization chart giving the structure of a response by the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory to a significant episode of unrest or eruption at the Yellowstone volcanic system. The strategy is scalable (elements are activated as they are needed and deactivated when they are no longer needed) and can be adapted to meet the needs of the event response. Chart follows the Observatory Volcanic Event Response Team structure in the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Science Center Response Plan for Significant Volcanic Events (Moran and others, 2024—https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/cir1518). EOC=Emergency Operations Center; UAS=Unoccupied Aircraft Systems; YVO=Yellowstone Volcano Observatory; YVOCOMS=YVO communications group.

    YVO’s updated response plan also defines two different cases: “events” and “activity with potential.” An “event” is a single and sudden hazardous occurrence, like the 1959 M7.3 Hebgen Lake earthquake or the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin, that would prompt YVO to immediately initiate additional monitoring and to communicate hazards information to emergency managers and the public.  Because some geologic hazards evolve slowly, however, YVO’s response plan also defines “activity with potential” that could eventually build towards a hazard that requires intense monitoring.  The 2003 thermal event at Norris Geyser Basin, when ground heated to boiling temperatures in places and caused some boardwalks to be closed and eventually rerouted, is a good example.

    Also included in the response plan are communications protocols and call-down lists that establish robust methods for ensuring that information is passed along to emergency managers at various institutions, like the area land managers and, in the event of an explosive volcanic eruption, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Weather Service.  Additional guidelines describe how YVO consortium members would collaborate to ensure that the public—especially local residents—are informed of hazards that may develop, and steps that can be taken to lessen the impacts of those hazards.

    By developing this response plan, and also putting it into practice—for instance, as part of a table-top exercise that was held for YVO consortium members in 2022—YVO scientists will be better prepared to deal with any future geologic hazards in the Yellowstone region.  Hopefully there will never need to be put the YVO response protocols into practice in response to a serious geologic hazard.  But we must not fail to plan.

    Scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory meet in Mammoth Hot Springs in May 2022 to discuss the protocols for responding to a geological event in Yellowstone National Park.

    MIL OSI USA News –