NewzIntel.com

Category: European Union

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charity Commission welcomes appointment of Mark Simms as interim Chair

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    News story

    Charity Commission welcomes appointment of Mark Simms as interim Chair

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has appointed the serving Board member of the Commission as the organisation’s interim Chair.

    Mark Simms OBE

    Mark Simms, OBE, will lead the Commission from 25 April 2025 on an interim basis while DCMS continues its search for a permanent Chair. Mark joined the Charity Commission as a Board Member in March 2023 and was awarded an OBE in 2024 for services to social enterprise.

    In response, Orlando Fraser KC, said:

    I very much welcome the news of Mark Simms’s appointment as interim Chair to succeed me. I have known Mark personally a long time, both at the Rugby Portobello Trust and most recently from his role here as a Member of the Commission, and I could not think of a better person for the job.

    Mark Simms, OBE said:

    It will be an honour to step into this role at such a crucial time for the sector. Charities are at the heart of our communities, and I am committed to ensuring the Commission remains fair, balanced, and effective in its work.

    As a charity leader myself, I understand the challenges charities face and the importance of regulation that strengthens, rather than stifles, their impact and continues to uphold the trust that charities need to thrive.

    Charity Commission chair Orlando Fraser announced he would “hand on the baton” after almost seven and a half years at its APM in November.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy thanked him for his service to the Charity Commission as Chair and board member, and for “his work towards a fairer, balanced and independent Charity Commission.”

    Interim Chair appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales – GOV.UK

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    1. All appointments to the Commission’s board are made by DCMS on a fixed term basis, in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    2. 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.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: TransUnion Study Finds U.S. Data Breach Severity Reaches New High

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Despite the volume of U.S. data breaches declining in 2024 from highs reached a year prior, data breach severity reached levels never seen since TransUnion’s measurement began in 2020. These findings were revealed as part of the newly-released TransUnion® (NYSE: TRU)  H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report.

    In 2024, the number of primary data breaches dipped to 2,577 from 2,842 the year prior, while third-party data breaches fell precipitously to 515 from 2,731 in 2023. However, the severity of those data breaches increased by 34% from one year earlier, with the primary US Breach Risk Score (BRS)1 rising from 4.1 to 5.6 and third party rising from 4.2 to 5.2. Breach Risk Score is measured on a 1–10 scale, where 1 represents the least severe and 10 most.

    A primary data breach represents a direct attack on an organization. A third-party data breach, also known as a supply-chain attack, value-chain attack, or backdoor breach, is when an attacker accesses an entity’s network via third-party vendors or suppliers — payroll processing or medical billing, for instance.

    The study found that the 2024 U.S. data breaches targeted more high-quality credentials, and consumers reported being targeted by data harvesting scams in every channel, including email, text, phone and online. Exposed identity data enables cybercriminals to power automated, identity-based attacks on organizations and individuals more readily.

    “The reversal of the multi-year U.S. data breach growth is certainly a step in the right direction. However, the significant jump in data breach severity is a cause for concern,” said Steve Yin, global head of fraud at TransUnion. “Breach severity is a leading indicator of future fraud. This year’s growth in severity means organizations must be even more diligent moving forward and work even harder to defend against the oncoming identity fraud attacks such as those in account creations, social engineering scams, and account takeovers.”

    _______________
    1 The BRS is based on the quantity and severity of the particular identity credentials the affected entity determined to have been exposed.

    While U.S. Data Breach Volume Ticked Down in 2024, Data Breach Severity Reached Record Levels
     
      2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
    Volume
    Primary data Breaches 1,248 1,841 1,834 2,842 2,577
    Third-party data breaches 689 567 1,757 2,731 515
    Average Breach Risk Score
    Primary data Breaches 3.9 4.0 4.0 4.1 5.6
    Third-party data breaches 2.8 3.1 3.4 4.2 5.2
    Source: TransUnion TruEmpower™
     

    These data breaches played a key role in significant financial losses faced by consumers due to fraud. Among consumers TransUnion surveyed in 18 countries and regions in November and December 2024, 29% said they lost money due to online, email, phone or text message fraud in the last year. The newly-released TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report found that the median amount those consumers said they lost due to fraud in the past year was $1,747.

    Communities and Video Gaming Among Top Industries Targeted by Suspected Digital Fraud Globally
    Communities, which include venues such as online dating and forums, had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud2 attempts globally in 2024. Nearly 12% of all attempted communities transactions were suspected to be digital fraud last year. This is closely followed by video gaming (11%), with gaming (including online betting, poker, etc.) at 8% and retail (8%) rounding out the top four.

    The logistics industry, which has seen growth in shipping fraud (often perpetrated by organized crime rings), saw the greatest suspected digital fraud volume growth globally in 2024, up more than 100% over 2023. That being said, the fraud rate remains at a relatively modest 3%. Gaming also saw a significant year-over-year (YoY) volume change, up 20%. Telecommunications (-79%), insurance (-29%) and video gaming (-23%) saw the greatest decreases in suspected digital fraud volume YoY.

    “Digital fraud on community platforms is by no means a new phenomenon. However, in 2024, it appears that fraudsters targeted these areas with a renewed vigor,” said Richard Tsai, senior director of global fraud solutions at TransUnion. “Cybercriminals, taking advantage of the trust inherent on community-based platforms, targeted members with a wide range of scammer solicitations, the most reported type of digital fraud in communities.”

    For transactions where the consumer or fraudster was located in the U.S., gaming continues to see the highest suspected digital fraud rate. About 14% of attempted transactions were suspected to be digital fraud, roughly the same as 2023. This marks the fifth consecutive year since TransUnion began research on this metric five years ago, where 13% or more of attempted gaming transactions in the U.S. were suspected to be digital fraud.

    _______________
    2 The rate or percentage of suspected digital fraud attempts reflects those which TransUnion customers determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon customer investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation — compared to all transactions assessed. The country and regional analyses examined transactions in which the consumer or suspected fraudster was located in a select country or region when conducting a transaction. Global statistics represents every country worldwide and not just the select countries and regions.

    Communities Saw the Highest Suspected Digital Fraud Rates in 2024 Globally, While Logistics Saw the Greatest Volume Increase
         
    Industry Suspected digital fraud attempt rate 2024 Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from 2023 to 2024
    Communities (online dating, forums, etc.) 11.6% +9%
    Video gaming 10.8% -23%
    Gaming (online sports betting, poker, etc.) 7.8% +20%
    Retail 7.6% -45%
    Financial services 4.9% +3%
    Telecommunications 3.0% -79%
    Logistics 2.6% +101%
    Insurance 2.0% -29%
    Government 1.7% +6%
    Travel & leisure 0.9% -38%
    Source: TransUnion TruValidate™
         

    As part of the same aforementioned consumer survey, 11% of U.S. respondents indicated that they were targeted by online, email, phone call or text messaging fraud from August to December 2024 and fell victim to it. Four in 10 respondents (41%) indicated that they were aware of being targeted, but did not fall victim. Among those able to identify being targeted, the most commonly reported fraud scheme in the U.S. was smishing. Smishing is a type of phishing that uses text messages to mislead people into giving away personal information. The term combines “SMS” and “phishing”.

    “While cybercriminals will attack at any time using any channel, they appear to focus on channels most popular in the regions they are targeting,” said Yin. “Text messaging remains incredibly popular in the U.S. and, among many demographic groups, is a far more ubiquitous way to communicate with mobile devices than phone calls. As such, it would stand to reason that smishing would be such a common fraud tactic among fraudsters targeting this region.”

    In contrast, nearly half of respondents (48%) indicated that they were not targeted by these types of fraud at all. This raises questions as to whether these respondents were in fact targeted, yet simply unaware.

    India and South Africa Saw the Greatest Percentage of Respondents Falling Victim to Digital Fraud in H2 2024
             
    Country Targeted and fell victim Targeted but didn’t fall victim Not targeted Most reported fraud scheme
    India 13% 41% 46% Identity theft
    South Africa 13% 55% 31% Phishing
    Dominican Republic 12% 24% 64% Vishing
    Kenya 11% 71% 19% Smishing
    Mexico 11% 31% 58% Stolen credit card
    Namibia 11% 52% 37% Vishing
    Philippines 11% 63% 26% Phishing
    Puerto Rico 11% 25% 63% Stolen credit card
    United States 11% 41% 48% Smishing
    Brazil 10% 30% 60% Vishing
    Rwanda 10% 57% 33% Money mule
    Spain 10% 25% 65% Phishing
    Canada 9% 47% 44% Phishing
    Chile 9% 30% 61% Vishing
    Colombia 9% 33% 58% Vishing
    Zambia 9% 70% 21% Smishing
    Hong Kong 6% 45% 48% Phishing
    United Kingdom 6% 44% 50% Phishing
    Source: TransUnion consumer survey
             

    TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud and data breaches based on intelligence from TransUnion TruValidate and TruEmpower respectively.

    Specific country and regional data in the report include the United States, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2025 Update to the State of Omnichannel Fraud Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)

    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

    http://www.transunion.com/business

    Contact       Dave Blumberg
    TransUnion
         
    E-mail   david.blumberg@transunion.com
         
    Telephone   312-972-6646
         

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Element and Arval Celebrate 30 Year Alliance with Release of New Insights Focused on the Future of Fleet and Mobility 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Fleet and mobility stakeholders continue their fleet electrification strategies, with 85 per cent of them now shifting their focus to charging solutions and strategies.
    • 91 per cent of companies anticipate their fleet will either remain stable or grow in the next three years. 
    • Nearly half of the companies recognize that mobility policies and solutions are important levers for talent acquisition and employee retention.

    TORONTO, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX:EFN) (“Element” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, together with global alliance partner, Arval, a major player in vehicle leasing and specialist in mobility solutions, are marking the 30th anniversary of the Element-Arval Global Alliance (“EAGA” or the “Alliance”) with new insights published in the 2025 Fleet and Mobility Barometer.

    “Our global alliance uniquely offers our fleet and mobility customers the expertise and relationship management needed to deploy strategies across 55 different countries, ensuring solutions meet local needs and maintain very high quality standards,” says Bart Beckers, Chief Commercial Officer of Arval. “The Element-Arval Global Alliance purpose is to support and assist our international clients to successfully build and run their global fleet strategy.“

    For 30 years the EAGA has been a global leader within fleet and mobility management. To expand its presence in additional geographies, notably in Asia, the Alliance welcomed Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service (SMAS) in 2023 and now counts eight members. With presence in 55 countries and the Alliance Members managing 4.5 million vehicles, the Alliance delivers comprehensive expertise and resources to empower their international clients across the globe, helping them to manage their fleets at a strategic, tactical, and operational level.

    “We greatly value the extensive relationship we’ve built with Arval and are proud that our global Alliance remains the longest standing across fleet and mobility,” says David Madrigal, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The insights captured within the annual Fleet and Mobility Barometer we’ve produced together represent one of the many ways we leverage our partnership, shared expertise, and extensive global presence to deliver comprehensive, scalable, and tailored solutions to meet our clients’ needs across the globe.”

    The Fleet and Mobility Barometer (the “Barometer”) is an industry-leading annual publication of the Arval Mobility Observatory and Element-Arval Global Alliance, offering a robust and detailed look into evolving industry trends, and providing country-specific insights, deep-dive policy considerations, as well as industry-leading benchmarking. This year’s report addresses three main areas of fleet and mobility transformation: environmental sustainability, cost efficiency, and employee satisfaction.

    Key insights from the Barometer include:

    1. Companies are overwhelmingly prioritizing environmental sustainability through fleet electrification, with 85 per cent of the companies interviewed having a charging policy or planning to have one in the future. The report also highlights the varying rates of electrification between passenger cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), with Europe leading the trend.
    2. Cost efficiency is being observed through innovative methods such as full-service leasing. Despite persistent economic and geopolitical challenges, 91 per cent of companies anticipate their fleet will either remain stable or grow in the next three years.
    3. Employee satisfaction is now at the centre of mobility and fleet transformation, with 45 per cent of companies mentioning human resource needs as the main reason for developing employee mobility policies and solutions. The report emphasizes the key role of telematics and connected vehicle technologies for promoting responsible driving, improving driver behavior, and reducing accidents.

    Initiated by the Arval Mobility Observatory nearly 20 years ago, Element joined the global Barometer in 2023 to expand benchmarking capabilities to include trends across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. This year’s benchmarking survey involves more than 8,000 interviews with corporate fleet decision-makers across 28 countries and provides a forward-looking perspective on the next three years. 

    To read more about the Element-Arval Global Alliance and the 2025 Fleet and Mobility Barometer, visit Global Fleet Management Solutions | Element-Arval Global Alliance – Element Arval.

    About Element Fleet Management
    Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world. As a Purpose-driven company, we provide a full range of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions to optimize and enhance fleet performance for our clients across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Our services address every aspect of our clients’ fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, route optimization, risk management, and remarketing, to advising on decarbonization efforts, integration of electric vehicles and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Element’s expertise as one of the largest fleet solutions providers in its markets, offering economies of scale and insight used to reduce operating costs and enhance efficiency and performance. At Element, we maximize our clients’ fleet so they can focus on growing their business. For more information, please visit: www.elementfleet.com

    About Arval:
    Arval is a major actor in full-service vehicle leasing and a specialist in mobility solutions founded in 1989. Arval is fully owned by BNP Paribas and positioned within the Group’s Commercial, Personal Banking & Services division. Arval was leasing nearly 1.8 million vehicles as of the end of 2024. Every day, nearly 8,600 Arval employees in 29 countries offer flexible solutions to make journeys seamless and sustainable for its customers, ranging from large international corporate groups to smaller companies and private customers.

    Arval is a founding member of the Element-Arval Global Alliance. The fleets of all the Alliance members represent more than 4.5 million vehicles in 55 countries.

    Arval has been rewarded with the highest level of the EcoVadis medal, the platinum level, placing its CSR strategy in the Top 1% of the companies assessed.
    www.arval.com

    About BNP Paribas:
    Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.
    https://group.bnpparibas/en/

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information regarding Element, its business and the fleet industry, which are based upon Element’s current expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. In some cases, words such as “plan”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “could”, “predict”, “project”, “model”, “forecast”, “will”, “potential”, “target, “by”, “proposed” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information in this news release may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to, among other things, the Company’s expectations regarding new product offerings, including the benefits of the products, client demand and profitability, the Company’s ability to execute on its product plans, and the Company’s expectations regarding the risk and insurance industries. By their nature, these statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific, which give rise to the possibility that our predictions, forecasts, projections, expectations or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct. External factors outside of Element’s reasonable control may impact our ability to achieve our goals and expectations, including industry dynamics, legislation and regulatory actions, the failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to us and our affiliates or associates, client decisions and preferences. These and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements and may require Element to adjust its initiatives and activities. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof and are presented for the purpose of assisting our stakeholders and others in understanding our objectives and strategic priorities and may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law. In addition, a discussion of some of the material risks affecting Element and its business appears under the heading “Risk Management & Risk Factors” in Element’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2023 and the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, and under the heading “Risk Factors” in Element’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as Element’s other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, which have been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed on Element’s profile on www.sedarplus.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa484c54-9cb4-4c81-835c-d59ab8841d95

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Planning Authority casework portal expands to include Section 78 casework

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Local Planning Authority casework portal expands to include Section 78 casework

    Five Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) now piloting expanded service with nationwide rollout planned from June 2025

    We have expanded our casework portal trial to include Section 78 cases, marking a significant milestone in our organisation’s digital transformation programme. 

    Successful pilot expansion 

    Following the successful implementation of the Householder Appeals Service (HAS) with five pilot LPAs, the casework portal is now being used to handle Section 78 appeals. This expansion represents the next phase in modernising and future-proofing our online appeal services. 

    Tom Warth, Head of Planning and Environmental Appeals Service at the Planning Inspectorate, said: 

    “The feedback and collaboration from our pilot LPAs has been invaluable in developing a system that truly meets user needs. This expansion to include Section 78 appeals demonstrates our commitment to creating a more efficient, accessible and user-friendly appeals process for all stakeholders.” 

    The five LPAs participating in the pilot are: 

    • London Borough of Barnet 
    • Royal Borough of Greenwich 
    • London Borough of Havering 
    • London Borough of Richmond upon Thames 
    • London Borough of Bromley 

    National rollout from June 2025 

    We are pleased to announce that following the pilot phase, the LPA casework portal will begin rolling out to all authorities across England from June 2025. The rollout will be conducted in tranches to ensure a smooth transition and appropriate support for each authority. 

    Benefits of the new appeals portal 

    The expanded digital service offers numerous benefits including: 

    • Streamlined submission and management of appeals 
    • Improved tracking and monitoring capabilities 
    • Enhanced communication between all parties 
    • Reduced paper-based processes 
    • More efficient handling of casework 

    Preparing for the transition 

    We encourage LPAs to begin considering how this transition might affect their internal processes. Comprehensive training materials, guidance and support will be provided throughout the implementation period. 

    Further information 

    LPAs can find preview videos of the dashboard functionality via our YouTube playlist, including: 

    • An overview of features and functionality 
    • Guidance on dashboard access and user management 
    • Step-by-step instructions for completing appeal questionnaires 

    To stay updated on developments, follow the Planning Inspectorate on LinkedIn or sign up for email alerts via our subscription form.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Interim Chair appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments

    News story

    Interim Chair appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales

    The Secretary of State has appointed Mark Simms OBE as Interim Chair of the Charity Commission. This interim appointment has been made while the process for finding the next Chair is completed.

    Mark Simms OBE

    Appointed for a six month term from 25 April 2025 or until a new Chair is appointed, whichever is sooner. 

    Mark Simms is the Chief Executive Officer of P3 Charity, a national organisation that supports some of the most vulnerable people across the UK. Under his leadership, P3 has grown significantly in its reach and impact, delivering innovative services in homelessness, mental health, criminal justice, and social inclusion.

    Mark has more than 25 years’ experience in the voluntary and public sectors, with a deep understanding of how to lead purpose-driven organisations through complex and changing environments. He is widely recognised for championing person-led approaches and for building high-performing teams that deliver real social impact. He has contributed to several national advisory boards focused on systems change, public service reform, and tackling inequality.

    Mark joined the Charity Commission as a Board Member in March 2023 and was awarded an OBE in 2024 for services to social enterprise.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    The Chair of the Charity Commission is remunerated £62,500 per annum. This interim appointment was made by the Secretary of State as an exceptional appointment without competition, following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Mark Simms has not declared any significant political activity. 

    DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies, we encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Applications for the next substantive Chair of the Charity Commission for England and Wales will open soon, to receive a notification when applications open please create an account on the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crime and policing Bill: Government amendments for Committee

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Crime and policing Bill: Government amendments for Committee

    Correspondence relating to the Crime and Policing Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025.

    Documents

    Letter from Minister Johnson to Public Bill Committee detailing government amendments for committee stage: 26 March 2025

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    Letter from Minister Johnson to Public Bill Committee detailing government amendments for committee stage: 26 March 2025

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    Details

    Ministerial correspondence relating to the Crime and Policing Bill.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Child poverty in Scotland falls

    Source: Scottish Government

    UK Government decisions ‘hold back further progress’.

    New statistics show that child poverty in Scotland has fallen, in contrast to the rest of the UK.

    Annual statistics published today show that compared with the previous year’s statistics, relative child poverty in 2023-24 reduced from 26% to 22% in Scotland while absolute child poverty fell from 23% to 17%. UK Poverty statistics published today show levels of relative child poverty at 31% and absolute child poverty at 26%.

    Modelling published today suggests that UK Government policies are “holding back” Scotland’s progress. It estimates the UK Government could reduce relative child poverty by an additional 100,000 children in 2025-26 if it heeded Scottish Government calls to end the two child limit, replicate the Scottish Child Payment in Universal Credit, remove the benefit cap and introduce an essentials guarantee.

    This model does not take into account the UK Government’s own impact assessment of its welfare cuts announced yesterday , which states that they will leave an additional 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, in poverty.

    Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

    “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and we are committed to meeting the 2030 targets unanimously agreed by the Scottish Parliament.

    “Our policies are having to work harder than ever to make a difference, against a backdrop of a continuing cost of living crisis, rising energy costs and UK Government decision making. However, we know these policies are working.

    “Statistics published today show that, although we have not met the interim child poverty targets, the proportion of children living in relative poverty has reduced and year-on-year rates are now lower than they have been since 2014-15, while the proportion in absolute poverty has also fallen with the annual figure the lowest in 30 years.

    “While JRF predict child poverty will rise in other parts of the UK by 2029, they highlight that policies such as our Scottish Child Payment, and our commitment to mitigate the two-child limit, ‘are behind Scotland bucking the trend’.

    “But decisions taken by the UK Government are holding us back, and yesterday’s Spring statement will only make things worse. The DWP’s own figures show that proposed welfare cuts will drive 50,000 more children into poverty, which must call into question their commitment to tackling child poverty. I have already written to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to seek reassurance about the purpose and direction of the UK Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce. The Taskforce’s credibility has been drastically undermined by the policies announced by the UKG in the past few days.”

    Background:

    Poverty levels broadly stable over last decade

    Child poverty modelling: update

     Covering the period until March 2024, child poverty after housing costs (AHC) has been consistently lower in Scotland compared to the UK overall over the last two decades.

    • Three-year averages

    The latest statistics show that relative child poverty levels in Scotland are six percentage points lower than the UK average – 23% compared to 30% in 2021-24 (31% England, 31% Wales and 24% NI). 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth City Council and Homes England launch new City Centre Vision

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Vision outlines shared ambition to provide 10,000 new homes in the city centre 

    Plymouth’s city centre could see up to 10,000 new homes built over the next decade as part of a new working relationship with Homes England.

    The Council and Homes England have produced a new ‘Plymouth City Centre Vision’ which sets out a shared ambition to provide 10,000 new homes in the city centre and surrounding area.

    The vision recognises that there will be around £4.4 billion of Government investment in HM Naval Base Devonport over the next 10 years and that this will stimulate the demand for new homes, with Babcock requiring 5,500 new employees and a further 2,000 construction jobs being created in the Dockyard.

    It also recognises that Plymouth’s city centre currently has a very low level of housing with only 1,000 homes, compared to 8,000 homes for typical cities of Plymouth’s size.

    Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “This is huge and very, very exciting. We have talked about creating more homes in the city centre for a few years now, but this will help catapult words and plans into bricks, mortar and homes.

    “The regeneration of the city centre has a major role to play in supporting the Growth Alliance Plymouth programme to deliver new housing, new skills provision and, through regeneration, to transform perceptions of the city centre.

    “We have been working with Homes England to establish Plymouth as a priority place for investment and to bring forward plans to deliver 10,000 new homes as part of a “new town in the city”. We have a memorandum of understanding that describes the strategic objectives of our partnership, including the exploration of a potential joint venture.”

    The aim is to establish a new residential core in the city centre to stimulate market activity and maximise public and private investment to deliver transformational change, which will address the current housing shortage as well as deliver new homes for new workers.

    Eamonn Boylan, Homes England Chief Executive, said: “The partnership between Plymouth City Council and Homes England is a brilliant example of how the public sector can unite to promote and accelerate housing delivery. The Agency will work with the council and other key stakeholders in the Growth Alliance Plymouth programme to bring forward ambitious development plans, including a shared a vision for up to 12,000 new homes across a prioritised pipeline of sites.”

    Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “This is great news and yet another sign of growing confidence in our city centre which is definitely on the up.”

    The announcement has also been welcomed by members of the Growth Alliance Plymouth (GAP), the partnership established last year between Babcock, The Royal Navy and City Council to work across the city with Government to put in place the infrastructure, workforce and support for the wider business ecosystem to drive inclusive growth and address housing shortages and entice relocation of skilled workforces to the area.

    John Gane, Managing Director for Babcock’s Devonport site, said: “As a core partner of Growth Alliance Plymouth (GAP), Babcock, working alongside the Royal Navy and Plymouth City Council, is helping to optimise the city’s growth potential and drive regeneration, ensuring Plymouth is an attractive and prosperous city for people to live and work in. We are serious about the future of Plymouth and securing bids such as the Homes England investment, it is already clear the extent of influence this GAP partnership can have.”

    The Council has a successful track record of working with Homes England on projects including major estate regeneration schemes such as North Prospect and Barne Barton, as well as forward funding of land assembly for projects like Bath Street and the West End. This partnership will bring together the land, funding and expertise of both organisations, as well as seeking private sector partner(s) to deliver residential and commercial projects that build on the many successful projects that the Council has completed, such as the Box, the Barcode and the ongoing investment in Armada Way.

    Homes England has identified Plymouth as one of a number of priority places where it will work particularly closely with partners to transform struggling town centres into vibrant neighbourhoods with homes, jobs, leisure facilities and new public realm.

    Homes England’s Board and Executive visited Plymouth in November 2024 to see first-hand the scale of investment being made in the Dockyard and the opportunities for housing delivery in the city centre.

    Further work will now be carried out by the Council and Homes England on the detail of how and where these homes could be and what infrastructure would be required to support their delivery.

    The Council and Homes England have strengthened their partnership in the last 18 months, setting up a strategic regeneration and infrastructure board, and combining resources to produce a delivery plan that aims to deliver up to 12,000 new homes across the city and other parts of the city over a 15-year period. This includes exploring new models of partnership and co-investment that will unlock and accelerate housing delivery.

    Homes England and Plymouth City Council are also collaborating on the Civic Centre. The project will see the creation of the new City College Plymouth’s Blue Green Skills Hub within the basement, ground and first floor of the Civic Centre. This will deliver 60 new courses to 2,000 students.

    Councillor Tudor Evans said: “The Civic Centre is an iconic building and its transformation will signal confidence to the wider market that Plymouth is serious about regeneration.

    “This is a large and complex project – perhaps the biggest we have delivered and is only possible due to the commitment of some of our key City partners. We are enormously grateful to all who believe in us, believe in this scheme and believe in Plymouth.”

    Part of Homes England’s role is to introduce potential development partners who have a track record of delivering high quality residential projects. The Council has already had discussions with a number of these partners about the role that they might play in the delivery of new homes across Plymouth city centre.

    Last March, Cabinet agreed to enter into an agreement to lease with City College Plymouth, allocate £8.5m Levelling Up Fund grant and the purchase of the building from Urban Splash for £1.

    The project to refurbish the Civic Centre has also benefitted from grant funding from the Future High Streets Fund. Now, subject to approvals, additional grant funding is under consideration by Homes England to help complete the transformation.

    The Council and College are progressing design proposals, including workshop space in the basement, teaching space on the ground and first floors of the north and south block and public-facing spaces.

    The Civic Centre has planning consent for 144 apartments in the tower and a range of commercial space in the podium, with parking and plant in the basement. The consent includes demolishing some of the 1970s extensions on the west side of the building. City College is looking to take all of the commercial space and the changes to the existing consent means a new planning application will need to be submitted.

    Jackie Grubb, Chief Executive of City College Plymouth said: “This new campus provides a fantastic opportunity to ensure Plymouth’s residents are equipped with the skills needed to support the growth of the defence, marine and other sectors of the economy.

    “Almost half of the courses will be linked to the ‘blue and green’ economy – marine, nuclear and net zero, equipping students with the skills to work in sectors such as offshore wind, sustainable construction and environmental science.”

    Luke Pollard MP, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “I’ve been proud to work with the City Council and Government Ministers in securing funding. By working together we are creating a beacon to attract investors to our city, with more demand for shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment.

    “It’s a team effort to deliver for Plymouth and convert an eyesore into new homes. 

    “We promised thousands of new homes will be built in the city centre and this is the start of us delivering on that promise.” 

    Within the building itself, contactors Gwella continue the strip out work that began under Urban Splash. Various concrete repair and strengthening works still need to be carried out, but the extent of this is not yet known. An extensive structural survey will take place to get a clear picture of concrete repairs needed.

    The Council will employ a principal contractor for the main refurbishment works, which are expected to start next Spring and will involve removing existing cladding. Re-cladding the building and other refurbishment work would start at the end of 2026 and be completed by May 2028.

    Once the ‘shell and core’ of the space to be occupied by City College Plymouth is complete, it will be handed over to the college to fit out. This is programmed to take up to 15 months. The Council has appointed a team of designers, professional advisers and consultants already working on the project, including structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers and planning consultants.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Contract extensions for day services supporting adults in Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    The future of day services that support hundreds of adults with a wide range of social care needs, including those with disabilities and dementia, has been confirmed.   

    Day services help people to remain as independent as possible by offering a range of activities and support. This can prevent or delay the need for more intensive support packages while ensuring adults are safe and supported to live within their local community.  

    Plymouth City Council has extended its contract with 10 local providers of day services until October 2026, so that residents continue to receive the support they need while allowing time for a review of how these services are delivered.   

    Each provider has a different offer and supports people with different needs, but they all work to reduce social isolation, improve health and wellbeing and encourage involvement in the community.  

    Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We’re committed to making sure that adults with social care needs in Plymouth receive the right support for them and that they are empowered to live as independently as possible.  

    “The range of day services on offer really helps by giving people the opportunity to socialise and make friends, learn new skills and try new activities. I’m really pleased that we’ve extended these contracts to ensure that the services continue while we explore plans for how these services may be look and be delivered in the future.”  

    The 10 providers of day services in Plymouth are: Age UK, Headway Plymouth, I-Grow Care and Support, Improving Lives Plymouth, Plymouth Highbury Trust, Plymouth Independent Living, Salutem Care & Education, Selborne Care, PLUSS and Yourway.  

    They work with adults with learning and physical disabilities, dementia, sensory impairments and those with mental health needs, as well as older people who experience social isolation and loneliness. Headway also works specifically with adults who have an acquired brain injury.  

    The service delivered by PLUSS focuses more on employability and helping people to develop their independence and skills, with clients having gone on to take on volunteering roles, paid employment and supported internships.  

    Collectively, the 10 providers deliver nearly 500 sessions per week and support more than 190 adults in Plymouth. 

    The total budget to provide these services in Plymouth is £1.5 million per year. Over the next 20 months, the Council will be seeking views from service users, their families and carers, professionals and service providers to help determine what the future of day services in the city looks like.  

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free 24/7 support app for Island parents and parents-to-be 27 March 2025 Launch of free 24/7 support app for newborn care, baby feeding and growing families on the Isle of Wight

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Parents and parents-to-be on the Isle of Wight can now access expert parenting support anytime, anywhere with the launch of free premium access to the Anya App.

    Isle Of Wight Council’s Family Hubs and Start for Life Infant Feeding Programme have partnered with Anya to support parents with newborn care, baby feeding and early parenting – all from their mobile phones.

    Anya App provides a wealth of resources including: videos, articles, 3D Breastfeeding Animations and expert one-to-one support all on your phone:

    • Explore extensive library resources including videos, articles, personalised programmes and more. 
    • Join a supportive community of parents and connect 1:1 with parenting and infant feeding specialists who truly understand your journey.
    • Ask Anya anything 24/7. Your virtual companion. Get instant answers anytime of the day – perfect for any middle-of-the-night worries.

    Research highlights that the first 1,001 days – from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday – are a crucial period for development, shaping a child’s health, wellbeing, and future outcomes. The Anya App is dedicated to supporting families through the first 1,001 days of parenthood with confidence.

    Island parents and carers from pregnancy until their child’s second birthday can claim free access to the Anya App and benefit from this virtual parenting companion. The premium version provides unlimited access to 24/7 evidence-based information and support through its carefully designed features such as specialist chat, live infant feeding web drop-ins, interactive breastfeeding animations and a rich content library of on-demand resources to support parents on the Isle of Wight on their early parenting journey.

    The Family Hubs, Start for Life Programme, and Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces, all form part of the extensive support for all families that is available across the Island – the Anya App is another way expecting and new parents can access support to give their baby the best start in life by now providing them with access to support anytime, anywhere.

    Anya App CEO, Dr. Chen Mao Davies, who is a fellow of the NHS innovation accelerator program, which helped develop Anya Health App, said: “I am proud to welcome the Isle of Wight Council as a partner in our mission to provide round-the-clock support for parents in their early parenting journey. Anya’s AI virtual companion is here to empower families with 24/7 support on pregnancy, parenting, and infant feeding for children aged 0-2 years. Together, we will enhance the parenting experience and ensure that every family has access to the resources they need for the best start to life.”

    Isle of Wight residents can download Anya at www.anya.health/isleofwight or by searching ‘Anya Health’ in their preferred app store. Once you have downloaded the Anya App, simply enter your Island postcode to get free premium access for 1,001 days (up until baby’s second birthday).

    Download the Anya app

    Infant feeding advice for the Isle of Wight

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FestivALL stages major celebration of inclusion at Foyle Arena

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    FestivALL stages major celebration of inclusion at Foyle Arena

    27 March 2025

    The Foyle Arena in Derry was buzzing with activity this week as hundreds of people came together to promote diversity and inclusion during the two-day FestivALL programme.

    The events were delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council, in partnership with the Public Health Agency, with a series of activities including multi-sports, music and dance, aimed at reducing the barriers faced by people with disabilities, carers and older people.

    Throughout the months of February and March, disability lead organisations and performers from Ardnashee Tribe Dance Troupe, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, The Hub, Knockavoe School and Destined, have all been putting in the hours to prepare some show-stopping performances for the festival showcase event. 
    Foyle Arena came alive with Arndashee Choir opening the event and included performances from local artists Renegade Zoo and High-End Dead.
    The second day of FestivALL offered multi sports activities to participants including taster sessions on the climbing wall and accessible bikes.

    Chair of Council’s Health and Community Committee, Councillor Caitlin Deeney, attended the opening event, which drew participants from a wide range of local organisations.

    “FestivALL is a wonderful and joyous celebration that helps to improve wellbeing by breaking down the physical, communicational, social, and economic restrictions faced by people with disability,” she explained.

    “It also provides a positive platform for performers with disability to show off their talents and creativity.
    “I had an amazing time meeting everyone and I want to congratulate all involved for bringing so many people together to share in such an uplifting and empowering experience.

    “FestivALL sends a positive message about working together to create a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone and highlights Council’s commitment to promoting access to and inclusion across Derry and Strabane.”
    For more information on Derry and Strabane Council’s Access and Inclusion Projects visit www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/inclusion

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council shortlisted for prominent national local government awards including Local Authority of the Year Lancaster City Council is proud to have been shortlisted in four different categories at this year’s MJ Awards, including the prestigious Local Authority of the Year category.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    Lancaster City Council is proud to have been shortlisted in four different categories at this year’s MJ Awards, including the prestigious Local Authority of the Year category.

    Lancaster City Council has been shortlisted for Local Authority of the Year at the MJ Awards

    The recognition follows the council’s positive Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge in 2024, which praised the ‘Let’s do it’ culture and clear vision for the district.

    The MJ awards are held annually and recognise success in local government and outstanding work and commitment to local communities.

    The categories the city council has been shortlisted for in are:

    • Local Authority of the Year

    This category highlights success not just in one local authority department or project but right across the organisation. Successes celebrated in the entry include delivery of new recycling initiatives, support for Council Housing tenants, digital transformation initiatives, and leading the fight to tackle climate change.

    • Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency

    This recognises the city council’s work in delivering the Climate Emergency Local Plan Review, which focused on how new developments can be made better for nature while also making sure that homes and residents are better protected from flooding, lower fuel bills, and better access to sustainable travel. 

    Described as being “at the forefront of integrating net zero into local planning policy” the review has received national attention and featured on Channel 4’s The Great Climate Fight with Grand Design’s presenter Kevin McCloud.

    • Rising Star

    Susanna Dart (Principal Climate Policy Officer) has been instrumental in shaping the council’s response to the climate crisis, contributing significantly to policy development and community engagement. She has been shortlisted in the Rising Star category for her pivotal role in influencing climate resilience across the district and advocating the co-benefits that can ensue from taking a proactive approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change.

    • Digital Transformation

    The entry for this category featured a number of components that the council has focused on over the last 12 months to improve its digital services. It includes the installation of new digital screens across the district to provide visitor information, introduction of a new online portal to manage relationships with customers, and development of the 3D Mill Race App in conjunction with Lancaster University, underpinned by a new Digital Strategy which was co-created with key partners.

    Mark Davies, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, said: “Lancaster City Council is committed to delivering high quality services to its communities and being at the forefront of taking action to tackle our changing climate. All this has been achieved during particularly difficult financial times and by the council making the most of its resources while gaining outside funding to supplement its own investment.

    “Being shortlisted for these prestigious awards is testament to the hard work, innovative thinking and ingenuity that takes place every single day.

    “It’s particularly pleasing to be shortlisted for Council of the Year as this is recognises the work that takes place right across the authority and is something in which every single Elected Member and member of staff can take pride. Congratulations to all the teams representing the council and good luck in the final judging.”

    Judging in each of the categories will take place this spring with the results being announced in June.

    Last updated: 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ninja swords banned by summer as manifesto commitment delivered

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Ninja swords banned by summer as manifesto commitment delivered

    Final part of Ronan’s Law introduced in Parliament thanks to campaigning of Kanda family.

    Image: Getty Images

    In a further move to break the cycle of young people carrying knives and to better protect the public from knife-related crime, from 1 August, ninja swords will be banned. This will make it illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell these deadly weapons.  

    The majority of ninja swords have a blade between 14 inches and 24 inches with one straight cutting edge with a tanto style point. From 1 August, anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in private could face 6 months in prison, and this will later increase to 2 years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill. There is already a penalty of up to 4 years in prison for carrying any weapon in public.  

    Ahead of the ban coming into place, the government, in partnership with law enforcement and members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, will run its most ambitious surrender scheme yet. The scheme will run across the country, targeting young people most vulnerable to knife crime.  

    The surrender scheme will run from 1 to 31 July to allow any member of the public to hand in these weapons safely.  

    There will also be new safeguards to prevent exploitation of the scheme. For the first time, there will be a cut-off date and no weapons bought after today (27 March) will be eligible for compensation and we will have stronger value checks. There will also be further guidance released advising where a sword can be surrendered if the owner does not wish to visit a local police station or claim compensation. This will offer the greater use of knife surrender bins and their locations.

    The government is exploring every avenue to protect young people and break the behaviour of carrying knives as part of its Plan for Change. The mission to halve knife crime is a cross-Whitehall mission to:

    • restrict the availability of knives online
    • hold those responsible for selling knives irresponsibly to account
    • better support young people at an early stage who are vulnerable to a life of crime

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    Knife crime is destroying young lives as too many teenagers are being drawn into violence and it is far too easy for them to get hold of dangerous weapons.

    Ronan Kanda was just 16 when he was ruthlessly killed by 2 boys only a year older than him. Today we are introducing the final part of Ronan’s law in his memory – banning the ninja swords that his killers should never have been able to use.

    We are acting with urgency to bring forward measures to prevent deadly weapons from getting into the wrong hands and will continue to do whatever is needed to prevent young people being killed on our streets as part of our mission to halve knife crime over the next decade. 

    Pooja Kanda said:

    Today marks a very important day for us as a family and our campaign. Since losing our beautiful boy Ronan, we have relentlessly campaigned for a ban on ninja swords – the lethal weapon which took his life. We believe ninja swords have no place in our society other than to seriously harm and kill.

    We are so grateful to our government for hearing us and for recognising how important and urgent it is to get these dangerous weapons off our streets. Each step towards tackling knife crime is a step towards getting justice for our boy Ronan.

    Patrick Green, CEO, Ben Kinsella Trust said:

    The Ben Kinsella Trust welcomes the government’s decision to ban ninja swords and implement Ronan’s Law. These weapons, with no practical purpose beyond violence, are simply instruments of war and have absolutely no place in our society or on our streets. The ease with which such dangerous items have been available has contributed to far too many tragedies. 

    The additional measures under Ronan’s Law, designed to hold those who sell these weapons to account, are critical in breaking the supply chain that fuels this violence. We commend the government for listening to victims’ families, and for taking decisive action.

    Sandra Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Word 4 Weapons said:

    Word 4 Weapons stands firmly behind the introduction of Ronan’s Law. Ronan’s tragic death at the hands of a ninja sword highlights the urgent need to tighten legislation around dangerous weapons, online and otherwise. This law is a crucial step toward reducing violence and protecting lives in our communities.

    The ninja ban forms part of Ronan’s Law, which aims to tackle the online sale of knives. Last month, the government announced a series of measures to tackle online sales, including a 2-step verification process for the sale of knives online and significant fines for executives who fail to remove knife crime content for their platform. It also announced tougher penalties for being caught with a knife in public and for selling a weapon to any person under 18.  

    Ronan’s Law will also require online retailers to report any bulk or suspicious-looking purchases of knives to the police. This will apply to all online sales of knives, including those who operate through online marketplaces. In the spring, the government will also consult on the introduction of a licensing scheme for retailers who wish to sell knives. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public land unlocked for the next generation of home owners

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Public land unlocked for the next generation of home owners

    New taskforce to unlock thousands of homes across England as government takes on the blockers to release surplus public land for housing.

    • New taskforce to unlock thousands of homes across England as government takes on the blockers to release surplus public land for housing, with defence land becoming a ‘trailblazer’ for a new approach for development.

    • Network Rail property company set to unlock up to 40,000 new homes over the next decade with first homes set for development in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham.  

    • Initiatives support the Plan for Change missions to deliver 1.5 million homes by the next parliament, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth.

    Thousands of new homes will be unlocked on surplus public defence land to speed up the delivery of housing for hard-working people and families, thanks to a new taskforce to remove the blockers, build homes and turbocharge economic growth. Alongside a pioneering new Network Rail property company, which will see a further 40,000 homes built, supporting delivery of building 1.5 million homes, as set out in the Plan for Change.

    This goes hand in hand with the government’s planning reforms, which are forecasted to add around £6.2 billion the UK’s economy, according to yesterday’s OBR forecast. This will bring jobs, opportunity and growth to regions across the country – enabling people to see the Plan for Change in action.

    Unused land will be identified, developed and released by a cross-government collaboration, which will focus on getting it back into productive use as quickly as possible by removing barriers that have prevented houses coming forward at pace on vacant public land for too long. 

    This ambitious new partnership approach will explore new delivery models, establish collaborative agreements between the Ministry of Defence, Homes England, Network Rail and other government bodies, bring in the private sector – ultimately getting spades in the ground sooner to deliver homes faster, making the dream of homeownership a reality for many.

    It will also see a new property company created between Network Rail property and London & Continental Railways, which will attract public and private investment to develop brownfield sites. It will become operational later this year and will have the potential to deliver 40,000 new homes over the next ten years. Today the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is confirming the first four sites that will be developed in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham.

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

    For too long, surplus government-owned sites have gone underused, but they are a huge untapped resource that could create opportunities for the next generation of homeowners. 

    In contrast to the failed approach of the past, we are making the best use of public land to build the homes that families and our Armed Forces need, improving opportunities for homeownership and creating jobs across the country.

    The OBR has confirmed our planning reforms will result in housebuilding being at its highest in over 40 years – that won’t just bring jobs and economic growth – but also will give families the homes that they deserve, delivering on our Plan for Change.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:

    So many working people and families are locked out of the dream of a secure home and this is a direct consequence of the housing crisis we’ve inherited.

    That’s why we’re unlocking public land today for much-needed new housing to help end the housing crisis, deliver 1.5 million homes, and unleash growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    Defence land 

    Today (27 March) the Chancellor is confirming the first of these sites to be unblocked through this ambitious new approach and begin delivering homes in this Parliament. This includes a site in Ripon, which will be transferred from MoD to Homes England to allow construction at Deverell Barracks to start within 12 months to expedite the delivery of 1,300 homes.

    A new partnership between the MoD and Homes England will also aim to unlock a further 1,300 homes by partially releasing land at Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell and deliver thousands of new homes at Wyton airfield in Cambridgeshire in the coming years.

    This move is just the start, the Defence Secretary has identified the long-term opportunity to build over 100,000 homes on surplus defence land, improving opportunities for homeownership and creating jobs across the country. 

    Part of this effort includes a commitment to building and modernising family homes for the Armed Forces and Veterans. The disastrous 1996 privatisation of Armed Forces family housing was reversed in January this year, an established expert and independent Review Team will drive a once in a generation plan to modernise homes for 50,000 Armed Forces families, with a new Defence Housing Strategy to be launched later this Summer.

    The innovative partnership between the MoD and Homes England will be the blueprint for a new “trailblazer” approach to accelerate the release of public land.

    Defence Secretary John Healey said:

    This work will unlock thousands of new homes on surplus defence land, including in North Yorkshire, Nottingham and Cambridgeshire – developments promised for years by the last government, but never delivered.

    This heralds a new, trailblazer approach to the use of public land which will not be a fire sale of public assets, but a truly cross-government effort to remove blockers, deliver homes and boost growth in support of our Plan for Change.

    This taskforce is a bold first step, as we make the most of an historic opportunity to build over 100,000 homes on surplus defence land in the coming years, delivering on our commitments to British families and our Armed Forces.

    Rail estate land 

    As part of the new property company, significant sites that are in the pipeline for development, include: 

    • Newcastle Forth Yards: a 100-acre regeneration opportunity which could deliver 5,000 new homes 

    • Manchester Mayfield: opportunity for 1,500 new homes 

    • Cambridge: a mixed-use development with 425 homes  

    • Nottingham: 200 new homes following 348 successfully delivered homes at The Barnum, Nottingham 

    Today’s announcements follow the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to Parliament which will see significant measures introduced to speed up planning decisions to boost housebuilding and builds on work the government has already carried out to get Britain building including overhauling the National Planning Policy Framework.

    More information

    • The government is committed to honouring the sacrifices made by veterans and ensuring homes will be there for heroes. In November, the government announced plans to give veterans greater access to social housing by removing a local connection requirement. More information within the Easier access to social housing for veterans confirmed press release.

    • The government will publish a Long-Term Housing Strategy and has committed to set out details of further new government investment in social and affordable housing to at the Spending Review this year, following on from the £2 billion down payment announced yesterday, as well as confirming the government’s plans to provide certainty for the transformative programme of building the new generation of new towns.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Pet supplies’ company run by serial disqualified director is shut down

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    ‘Pet supplies’ company run by serial disqualified director is shut down

    Company director has previously been banned three separate times

    • Furrry Pet Group UK Ltd has been shut down after it was revealed its sole director was Darren Anderson 

    • Anderson, who has used several different aliases, has been disqualified as a company director for the maximum 15-year period on three separate occasions 

    • The 41-year-old failed to comply with the Insolvency Service’s latest investigation and accounts claiming the company had assets of more than £3 million were unable to be verified 

    A company which claimed to sell pet supplies but was run by a disqualified director serving a maximum-length ban has been shut down. 

    Furrry Pet Group UK Ltd, previously known until August 2024 as The Holiday Travel Group Ltd, was wound-up at the High Court in Manchester on Wednesday 26 March. 

    Insolvency Service investigations found that the sole director, Dr Darren Anderson, is currently serving a 15-year disqualification after being convicted under the name of Dr Timothy Ahlbeck in April 2021. 

    David Usher, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Our investigations into Furrry Pet Group revealed serious concerns that Darren Anderson appeared to have used various pseudonyms in a deliberate attempt to disguise his director disqualification. 

    Acting as a director while disqualified is a serious criminal offence and that alone would give us reason to take the action we have to stop the company from trading in the future. 

    The fact that unverified accounts exist showing net assets of more than £3 million only made us more determined to take the important first step in not allowing this behaviour to go unchecked.

    Furrry Pet Group was established in December 2022 with Anderson as its director. The company’s most recent registered office address was on New North Road in Islington, London, having previously been based in Manchester and Chester. 

    Anderson was serving a 15-year director ban at the time Furrry Pet Group was incorporated. The disqualification remains in force until April 2036.  

    The order prevents Anderson from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. Failing to follow the restrictions can result in criminal prosecution. 

    Anderson also received 15-year director disqualifications in 2011 and 2014 under the pseudonym Miles Prestland-Windsor for misconduct relating to other companies. 

    Intelligence gathered by the Insolvency Service revealed other aliases Anderson has used which include: 

    • Jonathan Briggis 

    • Timothy Richard Skelding 

    • Myles Prestland-Windsor 

    • Simon Prestland-Windsor 

    • Martin Jones 

    • Michael John Poole 

    • Jason Elwell 

    • Lord Timothy Ahlbeck 

    • The 18th Duke of Ahlbeck 

    • Timothy Ahlbeck 

    • Dr Timothy Albeck 

    • Dr Timothy Halbeck 

    • Darren Jones 

    There is also no evidence that Anderson is a doctor as he claims. 

    Anderson failed to co-operate with the Insolvency Service’s investigation into Furrry Pet Group and did not provide accounting records on request. 

    The absence of any banking records meant that investigators were unable to identify any legitimate trading, customers or company expenditure. 

    Accounts filed at Companies House which claimed total net assets of £3.15 million were similarly not verified, as was the claim that Furrry Pet Group employed 20 members of staff. 

    A previous company run by Anderson, Zulu Travel Services Ltd, was wound-up in the public interest in the summer of 2024. Zulu Travel left other businesses out of pocket after using their services and misled members of the public, who could have bought holidays that they believed had travel protection.  

    The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of Furrry Pet Group UK Ltd. 

    All enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to the Official Receiver of the Public Interest Unit: 16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ. piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk. 

    Insolvency Service investigations remain ongoing. 

    Further information 

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Imported dengue cases reach record high

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Imported dengue cases reach record high

    In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, up from 631 in 2023.

    New data from UK Health Security Agency show imported dengue cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) have reached their highest level since dengue surveillance began in 2009.  All cases are linked to travel abroad.

    In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across EWNI, up from 631 in 2023. Most cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia. UKHSA is developing enhanced surveillance of dengue cases to better understand where people are acquiring infections and what mosquito bite precautions they were using, in order to help inform public health interventions in future.

    Dengue cases have been increasing globally since 2010 with historic highs reported in 2019. In 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a post-pandemic global increase in both dengue cases and deaths, including in regions previously considered dengue-free, with significant increases particularly noted in Asia and the Americas. A range of factors, including climate change, changing distributions of the mosquito vector, and periodic weather events leading to rising temperatures, heavy rainfall and humidity are driving this increase globally.

    The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recently recommended dengue vaccination for some travellers.

    Imported cases of Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne infection, have also risen in EWNI. In 2024, 112 cases were reported, more than double the 45 cases in 2023, with most linked to travel in Southern Asia. These changing patterns may reflect several factors including differences in testing practices, disease burden, global epidemiology, clinician awareness and travel trends.

    Zika virus disease cases increased to 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2024, compared to 8 cases in 2023, with most travellers returning from South-Eastern Asia. Although Zika virus cases are rarely reported and don’t often cause serious illness, the infection poses a significant risk to pregnant women, as it can be passed to the foetus. There is no drug or vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection, and the most effective way of preventing infection is minimising mosquito bites.

    Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, chikungunya and Zika can cause symptoms including fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. These are not always present, and some people will experience no symptoms.

    Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency, said:  

    It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as dengue while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections. Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination, including any recommended vaccinations. Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk.

    The Travel Health Pro website, supported by the UK Health Security Agency, has information on health risks in countries across the world and is a one-stop-shop for information to help people plan their trip abroad. Ideally travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination.

    In countries with insects that spread diseases like dengue, malaria or Zika, travellers can protect themselves  by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under a treated bed net where air conditioning is not available.   

    It is also important for travellers to:   

    • ensure your routine childhood vaccines are up to date
    • have any recommended travel related vaccines
    • Follow the ABCD of malaria prevention- ‘Awareness of risk, Bite prevention, Chemoprophylaxis and Diagnose promptly and treat without delay’
    • Carry sufficient medications to cover the whole trip
    • get valid travel insurance to cover your entire trip and planned activities

    As well as mosquito borne infections, UKHSA is reminding travellers that there is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in some countries in Africa. Currently, the risk to most travellers is low and vaccination against mpox infection is not recommended for the majority of people.

    Those travelling to areas affected by the ongoing outbreak should take sensible precautions to protect themselves from the risk of infection by reducing touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals with a rash.

    You can see a list of countries where cases of mpox clade I have been reported on the Travel Health Pro website. We recommend that anyone planning to travel to affected countries check the latest guidance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to the wildfires in South Korea

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on wildfires in South Korea. 

    Dr Kimberley Simpson, Fellow in nature-based climate solutions at the University of Sheffield’s School of Biosciences, said:

    “Wildfires in California this past January and the ongoing fires in South Korea share several similarities. Both were preceded by unusually warm, dry conditions that left vegetation highly flammable, and both were intensified by strong winds that spread the flames and hampered firefighting efforts.

    “Only three months into 2025, we’ve already witnessed record-breaking wildfire activity in multiple regions. As climate change drives rising temperatures and alters rainfall patterns, the conditions that give rise to these devastating fires are becoming more frequent.”

    Declared interests:

    Dr Kimberley Simpson None

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: UK small business market the new battleground for B2B telecoms, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    UK small business market the new battleground for B2B telecoms, says GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    Telcos around the world have pivoted to target smaller businesses for the opportunity to grow their enterprise revenues, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Robert Pritchard, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Technology & Services at GlobalData, says: “Deglobalization and hypercompetition in the multi-national corporation (MNC), large corporate, and public sector segments of the telecoms market have seen service providers re-examine their priorities, with most now realizing that the small business market potentially offers the best opportunity to grow revenues and margins. This is particularly the case in the UK.”

    With 5.5 million small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UK, the country is distinguished by the proportion of smaller businesses compared to peer countries such as Germany – the UK has exponentially more enterprises that are small (5.45 million with up to 49 employees), rather than medium-sized (37,800) according to the UK Office of National Statistics.

    Pritchard comments: “In spite of economic and tax headwinds, the UK’s small businesses will continue to drive economic growth. Some may not last for more than a few years, but all large companies started small.”

    Despite a flat or even slightly shrinking base of SMBs, their increasing reliance on technology to drive their growth and profitability offers service providers the opportunity to move “beyond connectivity” to value-added offerings such as cybersecurity, hosted and unified applications, and AI-enabled services – although this is still in its early days as a market.

    Pritchard explains: “Essentially, SMBs are emulating their larger corporate counterparts as business solutions enabled by technology become the watchword – and this pace of change is accelerating, driving growth in the overall market opportunity.”

    Pritchard continues: “Needless to say, a market with 5.5 million target customers is complex, confusing and disparate, so to get it right service providers need to understand who their target customers are and what they want. Segmenting the market by number of employees is the usual way, but it is dumb and not fully fit for purpose. Far greater insight is needed to differentiate and succeed in a crowded and increasingly competitive market. In addition, a structured go-to-market strategy that embraces direct, indirect, and digital channels needs to be designed around the specific needs of target customer clusters.”

    Pritchard concludes: “GlobalData also expects that UK service providers will identify the Small Office Home Office (SOHO) market as the next big opportunity as it follows the same evolutionary path as its larger counterparts. This will pose new challenges as it overlaps the consumer market and telcos are generally not structured to cope with such challenges. This journey will not be easy, but it offers the best opportunities for the B2B revenue growth that telcos so desperately need.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor to invest more than £10m to boost creative industries and add more than £2.5bn to London’s economy

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Sadiq commits more than £10m funding into London’s creative economy over the next four years
    • The funding for the British Fashion Council, Film London, Games London and the London Design Festival, is expected to add more than £2.5bn to the economy
    • The creative industries play a key part in the capital’s economy and supporting them is at the heart of the Mayor’s London Growth Plan to increase prosperity

     

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today announced plans to invest more than £10m into the capital’s creative and cultural industries over the next four years, helping to generate more than £2.5bn for the capital’s economy.

    The British Fashion Council, Film London, Games London and the London Design Festival will receive the funding as part of the Mayor’s plans to boost growth, this follows the announcement of his London Growth Plan last month.

    The funding will help the organisations to support creative businesses and boost jobs, deliver annual trade shows, festival and events including the London Games Festival, London Fashion Week, London Film Festival and London Design Festival. This hugely successful work helps to maintain London’s global reputation as a world leader in the creative industries, generate business and provide new opportunities for young people across film, television, animation, visual effects, games, fashion and design.

    It is expected to leverage more than £2.5bn in film investment in the capital, up to £60m in fashion sales, up to £17m in games investment, and up to £15m in sales and exports for up to 800 design businesses. It will support more people into work, improve access for Londoners to skills and training, and attract world-class talent to the capital by creating up to 42,000 film and TV crew employment opportunities, 150 games jobs and 300 training and employment opportunities. Previous funding for the British Fashion Council, Film London and the London Design Festival has helped to secure over £7.5.bn in sales, trade and investment since 2016.  

    London’s creative industries bring £51.7bn to the economy each year and account for one in five jobs. The industries grew faster than the UK economy between 2010-2023, but face a number of challenges following the impact of Brexit and the pandemic. The Mayor is committed to supporting the capital’s creative industries and is a key part of his London Growth Plan, which will kickstart the capital’s productivity and make London’s economy £107bn larger by 2035.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:  “I want London to grow and thrive over the next decade and our creative industries have a central role to play. They help make London the greatest city in the world and are vital to London’s success and future as well as the whole of the country. That’s why, as part of the London Growth plan, I’m investing in fashion, design, film and gaming to keep our capital at the forefront of these industries and drive growth, as we build a better London for everyone.”

    Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “Culture and creativity are our DNA in London and key to our success as a global city. It’s vital for industry and Government to work together to help us keep our position on the world stage, and this investment shows our ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and innovation within the capital. London’s flagship cultural events not only draw considerable global interest, they also play a crucial role in generating employment, nurturing creatives’ careers and boosting tourism.”

    Caroline Rush CBE, Chief Executive, British Fashion Council, said: “Investing in London’s creative industries is essential and enables us to bolster London Fashion Week, which delivers in commercial and cultural impact. This continued funding from the Mayor of London is critical in providing emerging designers with showcasing opportunities and access to market, enabling them to grow their businesses in an increasingly challenging environment. Investment like this not only bolsters individual careers but also reinforces the UK’s position as a global leader for fashion and creativity.”

    Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London, said: “London is a global centre for film, TV, animation and games, generating billions of pounds and thousands of jobs. With its stage space, award-winning talent, infrastructure and new tax credits, London is on course for real, game-changing economic opportunities. This investment in Film London and Games London will help us to seize those opportunities, driving growth in the capital’s screen industries through innovation, nurturing talent and championing new generations of story-tellers and audiences in London. Our thanks go to the Mayor of London for this continued support and investment in the industry.”

    Michael French, Head of Games London & Festival Director, London Games Festival, said: “London’s potent and vibrant creative energy has built world-leading creative industries of which games and interactive are an important element. Funding from the Mayor of London has so far enabled Games London and the London Games Festival to support the city to become the games capital of Europe, and it is still growing. This renewed investment will support programmes that continue to drive investment back into businesses across London, create well-paid skilled full time jobs, uplift the games sector and create growth opportunities for the capital and beyond.”

    Ben Evans CBE, Director of London Design Festival, and Executive Director of London Design Biennale: “To sustain and grow London’s position as a global design city we must invest in showcasing. It is why the ongoing support of the London Design Festival by the Mayor is so critical. Now over 200 international cities have design promotion activities increasing competitiveness for London and the UK. Our now mature design and creative sector needs to fuel growth through international investment as well as stimulating domestic demand. Awareness of the breadth of opportunity and the depth of talent based in London must be strong for the design industry to thrive.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Future International Development Spending set out in Spring Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Future International Development Spending set out in Spring Statement

    Extra detail on the UK’s international development budget up to March 2030 has been set out in yesterday’s Spring Statement.

    • Modernised approach to development to help provide best value for money for UK taxpayers and deliver mutual benefits at home and overseas.

    • Aid budgets across Spending Review period to be based on Spring Statement 2025 Gross National Income forecasts with gradual reduction to 0.3% by 2027 – and will no longer automatically fluctuate in line with economic conditions, providing predictability.   
    • Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office budgets will no longer be automatically adjusted for unforeseen changes to the ODA budget, such as if asylum forecasts change, improving stability.  

    Extra detail on the UK’s international development budget up to March 2030 has been set out in yesterday’s Spring Statement, alongside new plans to ensure it is focussed on UK objectives and provides the best value for money.  

    This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last month that the UK government will increase spending on defence to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from April 2027, funded from reductions in the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. 

    Figures set out in the Spring Statement show how the UK will go from spending around 0.5% of the UK’s Gross National Income (GNI) on international development this financial year (2024/25) to 0.3% of GNI by April 2027, with the budget gradually reduced over three years to help smooth the transition.  

    The government is to accelerate plans to modernise the UK’s approach to development, putting partnerships first, and mobilising private capital for international development and climate projects by strengthening links with the financial sector and international partners.

    The Statement also confirmed the UK will now set annual aid budgets from 2027 onwards in cash terms and based on GNI forecasts at the Spending Review, and these budgets will not be adjusted for GNI fluctuations in future years. 

    Minister for Development Baroness Chapman confirmed as a result of this change, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will no longer hold the ODA ‘spender and saver of last resort’ role. This will bring more stability and certainty.  

    It will also increase the predictability of international development budgets, which will no longer be automatically exposed to the volatility of GNI fluctuations or spending by other government departments, including demand-driven refugee and asylum costs in the UK. 

    Minister for International Development, Baroness Chapman, said:

    Our work on development is critical for the UK’s interests, making the world safer, more secure and better off. We have to work harder than ever to make sure it delivers for the British public and our Plan for Change.

    We are committed to modernising our approach with less money: working with our partners in new ways to maximise our impact. These latest changes to the ODA budget will give greater certainty and stability, helping us provide the best value for money for taxpayers.

    She has set out the changes in a letter to the International Development Committee (IDC).  For 2025/26, the letter confirms FCDO’s plans to allow for critical development work to continue, to honour live contractual agreements with partners, and to deliver on the Prime Minister’s commitment for the UK to continue to play a key humanitarian role. 

    Our development investment is part of our hard power, building a stable international environment that strengthens UK safety, security and prosperity, necessary for the delivery of all the UK government’s Missions. 

    In her letter to the IDC, Baroness Chapman also confirmed a new review of cross-government development programming to ensure it delivers on UK objectives and provides best value for money.   

    Notes to editors 

    • Link to Spring Statement 2025

    • We plan to publish final 2025/26 ODA programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts this summer. 

    • To allow for critical new development work to continue, an exemptions process is being run, in which some programming may continue if they meet the following criteria: planned humanitarian spend; protects value for money; mitigates significant reputational risks; mitigates risk of harm while responsibly exiting a programme; and enables delivery against Ministerial priorities.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Watch live: Lords debates Employment Rights Bill

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Find out more and see who’s taking part https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2025/march/employment-rights-bill-debated-by-lords/

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX4u9iX2OOw

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Statement: WTO Trade Policy Review of Cambodia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK Statement: WTO Trade Policy Review of Cambodia

    UK Statement for the 3rd Trade Policy Review of Cambodia. Delivered on 26th & 28th March 2025.

    Chair, let me warmly welcome the delegation, led by Minister of Commerce Mrs Cham Nimul, to their 3rd Trade Policy Review. Let me also express my gratitude to the government of Cambodia and to the WTO Secretariat for their Reports, to you Chair and to Ambassador James Baxter as discussant, for facilitating this Review with your insightful comments.

    Bilateral Relationship

    1. The UK and Cambodia enjoy long-standing and positive relations, with our diplomatic relationship dating back to 1953. In recent decades, the UK has been a considerable investor into Cambodia’s real estate and manufacturing industries, while supporting new approaches to developing Cambodia’s infrastructure to increase confidence in its investment potential is at the heart of our recent engagement. The UK’s development finance institution, British International Investment, has also focussed on renewable energy and climate financing in Cambodia.

    2. 2024 was a particularly positive year for the UK-Cambodia trade and investment partnership. In June we welcomed the first official Cambodian trade and investment mission to the UK, including Senior Minister for Trade and Investment Sok Siphana meeting the UK-ASEAN Business Council. In November, the Cambodia-UK business roundtable was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chantol, and the second annual UK-Cambodia Joint Trade and Investment Forum took place.

    3. The Joint Forum’s theme was the ‘Road to 2030’ and pathways to mutual growth, drawing on both parties’ experience and expertise. We agreed focus areas, including tax predictability, double taxation, and developing domestic capital markets. We look forward to the third meeting of the Forum later this year.

    4. I mentioned infrastructure investment. On this we hope a UK Export Finance Memorandum of Understanding to promote infrastructure development will help unlock up to £2bn in finance. We are also pleased the UK’s Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), which coordinates investments for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction, has several projects in Cambodia, and a strategic partnership with the Cambodian Credit Guarantee Corporation.

    UK-Cambodia Development Relationship

    1. The UK has also aimed to be a reliable partner to Cambodia through wider development programmes, including UK bilateral  ODA  funding, to support Cambodia’s economic development, enhance trade and investment, and cooperate in areas offering longer-term resilience and growth, including encouraging green and inclusive growth.

    2. Our trade for development tools include ensuring Cambodian exporters can take advantage of comprehensive preferences under the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). The UK also partners the Cambodian Ministry of Economy on the development of a Green Special Economic Zone and supports for agricultural SMEs.

    3. With all these initiatives in mind, we were also pleased to see confirmation last year of the UN recommendation for Cambodia to graduate from LDC status in 2029.

    Report Analysis

    The Trade Policy Review illustrates Cambodia’s significant economic policy progress during the reporting period, including the role of trade in Cambodia achieving GDP growth as high as 6% in 2024, and annual increases in the value of merchandise exports. This is impressive progress, and among other achievements is testament to Cambodia’s ability to respond to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    WTO and Regional Engagement

    1. As well as national achievements, we welcome Cambodia’s active international engagement. This includes regional trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and wider ASEAN economic initiatives. Here at the WTO we welcome Cambodia’s constructive and thoughtful approaches in a wide range of WTO business. We pay tribute to the Cambodia Permanent Representative, Ambassador Suon Prasith, and his team for their efforts in this regard.

    2. Recent examples of this include Cambodia’s active voice as a LDC focal point on dispute settlement reform. As co-convenor of work on accessibility the UK particularly welcomed Cambodia’s role in this regard. We have also appreciated Cambodia’s informed participation as Member of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Board, including drawing insights from its own national use of EIF funding in sectors such as rice and silk.

    3. On WTO agreements, we welcomed Cambodia’s acceptance of the 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in 2024, and are especially grateful for Cambodia’s active role in discussions to achieve incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement soon.

    4. In other areas, we encourage Cambodia to consider joining the Agreement on E-commerce and the Services Domestic Regulation initiative, both of which aim to break down barriers to cross-border trade in services and facilitate digital trade, which we believe would have significant benefits for Cambodia’s economic development.

    5. We are very interested to hear Cambodian views and any remaining concerns on these agreements, and look forward to continuing to work together in these and other areas. This also includes ongoing work on the additional fisheries subsidies agreement relating to overcapacity and overfishing where Cambodia’s continued insights and support would be welcome.

    6. Taking account of feedback from UK business, we also encourage Cambodia to increase momentum to achieving greater transparency in their customs valuation processes and regulations, including clearer processes for foreign business licensing, taxation, and land ownership.

    7. We also encourage Cambodia to accelerate efforts to establish stronger intellectual property protections, including enforcement of trademarks, copyrights and patent protections; and to pursue clear policies to strengthen regulatory frameworks in areas such as sustainable waste management, green investments, and emissions standards for automotive and construction industries.

    8. We also hope that Cambodia will continue to upskill their domestic workforce and implement stronger labour protections to meet increased economic demands, including after LDC graduation.

    9. Finally, Cambodia has made important efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment and strengthen gender equality, notably through its credit guarantee schemes and national strategy. On behalf of Ambassador Simon Manley, as co-chair of the Working Group on Trade and Gender, who due to other commitments could not be here in person today, we would also welcome Cambodia sharing its experiences at a forthcoming session of the Group.

    In closing, Chair, let me thank Cambodia for their report, for our wide cooperation bilaterally and here at the WTO. I again thank the delegation for its hard work and look forward to a productive Trade Policy Review.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Hanson unveils ambitious new approach to tackling fraud

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Lord Hanson unveils ambitious new approach to tackling fraud

    Fraud Minister announces new, expanded fraud strategy will be published later this year, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The public and businesses will receive fresh protections from the UK’s most commonly experienced crime, the Fraud Minister Lord Hanson will announce today as he sets out plans to publish a new, expanded fraud strategy as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The minister will detail the work underway on the new strategy, which includes proposals on working with private industry and further international co-operation, in his keynote address to the Global Anti-Scams Alliance (GASA) summit. The summit takes place today and tomorrow (Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 March) at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.

    The minister will say that, with the latest ONS figures finding that fraud reports increased last year by 19%, a ‘robust response’ is required to every aspect of the fraud threat. And with estimates finding that 70% of fraud now includes an international element, global co-operation will be key to tackling this growing issue.

    A key focus of the strategy will be combatting tech-enabled fraud, including emerging tech such as AI. The minister will state that getting a grip on these threats will be central to the new strategy.

    But Lord Hanson will also re-emphasise the government’s commitment to harnessing the power of developing technologies, including AI, to help tackle crime and reduce the amount of time that the police and prosecutors need to spend completing paperwork rather than delivering justice. This is a key objective of the recently published Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences.

    As part of his keynote address, Lord Hanson will also announce plans for a Global Fraud Summit supported by the UK. The summit will be hosted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL in Vienna in early 2026 and will bring together dozens of governments from across the world to transform the global response to fraud.

    With fraud and cyber crime making up 50% of all online crime in the UK, the Fraud Minister will reveal that he has instructed officials to accelerate the development of data-sharing measures to protect the public and businesses. This work, Lord Hanson will say, will take place in collaboration with law enforcement and industry to “stop, block and disrupt” online harms both domestically and internationally.

    The announcements also follow the second meeting of the Joint Fraud Taskforce since the new government took office and the first since the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Mansion House speech. Together with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, the chancellor urged tech and telco companies to go further and faster to tackle fraud.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

    Fraud is an increasingly international enterprise run by some of the most appalling criminal gangs operating in the world today.

    That’s why we are determined to work with global partners to build a united front to tackle these criminal networks head-on, wherever they are based.

    It’s also why I’m pleased to announce a new Global Fraud Summit to be held in early 2026 and that work is ongoing to develop a new, expanded fraud strategy with international co-operation at its heart, as part of this government’s Plan for Change.

    Fraud has changed and so too must our response.

    UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said:

    Organised fraud is growing increasingly sophisticated and transnational, requiring stronger collaboration across borders and agencies.

    I welcome the UK’s leadership in driving efforts to combat organised fraud and I’m proud that the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime is partnering with INTERPOL to co-organise the Global Fraud Summit 2026 in Vienna.

    This is an important opportunity to sharpen our collective response and develop innovative solutions to protect communities from this pervasive crime.

    INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said:

    Advances in technology, such as AI, have seen online fraud and scams grow in complexity and scale, posing a threat to individuals and organisations alike.

    A unified response is essential, and these summits are an opportunity to bring the various sectors together.

    We look forward to working with the UK, the UNODC and other partners to build a more effective global response.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration: Baroness Chapman’s speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration: Baroness Chapman’s speech

    Baroness Chapman gave a speech at the launch of a new Global Compact on Nutrition Integration on the eve of the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris.

    Welcome everyone. Thank you to our co-hosts – the Government of Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Bank, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and thank you to the Government of France for bringing us together.

    It is great to see such a diverse group of people gathered here – from Gavi and the Green Climate Fund, to private sector investors, philanthropy, and civil society networks, to countries deeply affected by malnutrition, including members of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.

    I know that for some of you this is your life’s work. And as the UK’s Minister for International Development, and for Latin America and Caribbean, it is a pleasure to welcome you all on the eve of the fourth Nutrition for Growth Summit, and to share a few reflections before we hear from you.

    Thanks in no small part to many of you – the work we have done together over many decades has shown that we can make a difference. Lives changed and lives saved.

    This agenda can serve as an example of how coming together, being more than the sum of our parts, can help us maximise our impact.

    Now, before going into more detail about our collective work on nutrition, I want to address something head on. I know many of you will have seen our announcement about our ODA budget in recent weeks –  as the UK responds to the world as it is now – less stable, more insecure.

    It was a decision we neither relish, nor take lightly. But I hope my presence here, the work of our dedicated experts, and our continued efforts on this important agenda, demonstrates the UK will never turn its back on the world – or on international development. Far from it.

    How we work has to change, but I promise, what we all care about is not. The task for all of us now is to make sure we secure the reforms we need to meet the challenges and opportunities of our times.

    That includes making the case for development anew. And thinking afresh about the kind of genuine, respectful, modern partnerships we pursue, and the commitment, energy and expertise we bring to forums like this – not just how much public money we have to spend.

    And as we work through the difficult choices before us now, my focus is on making sure this new reality gives even greater impetus to modernising the UK’s approach to international development. That is already underway. And it is how we maximise the impact of every pound of public money we are able to put in – and our collective impact.

    So let me talk about our impact.

    Over a decade after the world came together in the UK for the first of these important summits, the UK has helped to improve the nutrition of over 50 million women and children – from Nigeria, to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and beyond.

    That spans everything from getting micronutrient supplements, specialist support, and therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition in women and children, to helping farmers grow more nutritious foods like vegetables and legumes, to improve the diets of their families and communities.

    I talked a moment ago about the importance of working in partnership – we need to learn from our successes. Partnerships like the Child Nutrition Fund. Alongside UNICEF, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, we are aiming to prevent, detect, and treat malnutrition for 70 million women and 230 million children in 23 countries, from Afghanistan, to DRC, Malawi, Madagascar, Somalia, and South Sudan.

    At the end of last year, a new partnership with the World Food Programme, World Health Organisation, and UNICEF got underway – focused on preventing the most horrible and deadliest form of malnutrition, child wasting.

    It’s a dreadful and shameful phrase to even say – and we must keep our minds on that, as we stand here together in these wonderful surroundings, to reaffirm all our commitments and initiatives.

    Commitments like those we made at the last summit in Tokyo 4 years ago, on integrating nutrition across everything we do, from climate to health – such as developing nutritious crops that help us address a lack of key nutrients. So that the 2 billion people who don’t get the nutrition they need can have a healthier life.

    It means working with Gavi, the Government of Ethiopia, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to reach vulnerable mothers and children with life-saving immunisation and nutrition.

    And, when it comes to nutrition, we all know what is at stake in every country in the world. Combating malnutrition is vital for a healthy population and healthy economies – malnutrition translates into a loss of 10% of GDP for countries most affected. It’s a good investment – every pound, euro or dollar we invest pays for itself 23 times over.

    We know how to make our work even more effective. Invest in science. Go for solutions supported by the evidence. Put nutrition at the heart of everything we do – from health, to water, hygiene, and sanitation, food systems, social protection, and our wider resilience.

    So, this evening, it’s fantastic we have all come together to launch the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration.

    Tomorrow, we convene a new coalition of signatories. And I am looking forward to hearing from some of you this evening, about your commitment to this vital cause.

    As we learn from each other, challenge each other, push each other to do more, and keep going – not just at summits like this where we all get together. That is how we maximise the impact we can achieve.

    So, thank you all once again for being here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The role of internal audit identifying early warning signs across the public sector

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    The role of internal audit identifying early warning signs across the public sector

    The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) has published a report highlighting how public sector bodies fail to grasp the significance of emerging red flags and fail to act on these early warning signals.

    Harriet Aldridge, Government Internal Audit Agency CEO

    Their report, ‘Early Warning Signs in Public Sector Bodies’ calls for public sector bodies to put in place the processes needed to recognise these early warning signs and to facilitate a culture where speaking up about concerns and learning from mistakes are seen as a personal duty and valued by everyone in the organisation.

    The report includes insights from the Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) Chief Executive, Harriet Aldridge, who noted that it is part of the role of internal audit to support government departments and ALBs to identify potential problems earlier, spotting issues sooner, and working with organisations to develop a course of action to mitigate and resolve these issues faster.

    Responding to the report findings, Harriet said,

    “A robust internal audit approach should help to identify issues upstream. Earlier resolution ensures better outcomes for the public, saving taxpayers’ money and leading to the more effective delivery of public services,”

    The Government Internal Audit Agency (GIAA) provides independent and objective internal audit and assurance services for government departments and ALBs.

    The Committee on Standards in Public Life’s report recognised GIAA’s proactive approach to risk management, particularly with the development of artificial intelligence (AI) to support the real-time checking of data against risk criteria.

    The Committee also recognised GIAA’s leading role in sharing learning through our wider cross-government Insight Programme.

    For further information on the report ‘Early Warning Signs in Public Sector Bodies’ by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, please visit the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

    Notes:

    The Committee on Standards in Public Life is an independent advisory body that advises the Prime Minister on ethical standards across the whole of public life in England.

    The report ‘Early Warning Signs’ is published on Gov.UK.

    Find out more about GIAA’s work with AI at the forefront of internal audit.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: WisdomTree Issuer ICAV – Q1 2025 Distributions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    For Immediate Release:                                                        27-Mar-25

    WisdomTree Issuer ICAV
    Re: Dividend Payment

    The Directors of WisdomTree Issuer ICAV (the “Fund”) wish to announce the following dividend(s)
    paid by the Fund for the quarter to March 2025.

    Announcement Date:       27-Mar-25
    Ex-Date: 03-Apr-25
    Record Date: 04-Apr-25
    Payment Date: 17-Apr-25

    Sub-Fund/Share Class ISIN Currency Amount per Share
    WisdomTree Emerging Markets Equity Income UCITS ETF IE00BQQ3Q067 USD 0.1488
    WisdomTree Emerging Markets Small Cap Dividend UCITS ETF IE00BQZJBM26 USD 0.0864
    WisdomTree US Equity Income UCITS ETF IE00BQZJBQ63 USD 0.2172
    WisdomTree Europe Equity Income UCITS ETF IE00BQZJBX31 EUR 0.1146
    WisdomTree Europe Small Cap Dividend UCITS ETF IE00BQZJC527 EUR 0.1507
    WisdomTree US Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF – USD IE00BZ56RD98 USD 0.1183
    WisdomTree US Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF – GBP Hedged IE000IGMB3E1 GBP 0.049*
    WisdomTree Global Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF – USD IE00BZ56RN96 USD 0.0831
    WisdomTree Global Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF – GBP Hedged IE000LRRPK60 GBP 0.0429*
    WisdomTree Global Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF – USD (Inst) IE00030Y2P41 USD 26.0571
    WisdomTree AT1 CoCo Bond UCITS ETF – USD IE00BZ0XVF52 USD 0.4364
    WisdomTree AT1 CoCo Bond UCITS ETF – USD Hedged IE00BFNNN012 USD 0.4985
    WisdomTree AT1 CoCo Bond UCITS ETF – EUR Hedged IE00BFNNN236 EUR 0.437*
    WisdomTree AT1 CoCo Bond UCITS ETF – GBP Hedged IE00BFNNN459 GBP 0.4672*
    WisdomTree USD Floating Rate Treasury Bond UCITS ETF – USD IE00BJFN5P63 USD 0.5595
    WisdomTree UK Quality Dividend Growth UCITS ETF – GBP IE0003UH9270 GBP 0.1411
    * * Amount has been converted to share class currency using the WMR 4pm rate on 26 March.    

    Enquiries to:

    State Street Fund Services (Ireland) Limited        Karen Campion                         +353 1 776 0406

    IQ EQ Fund Management (Ireland) Limited        Paul Boland                        +353 1 697 1684

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ​A ‘Google maps for the sea’, sails ​and alternative fuels: ​the technologies steering shipping towards ​lower emissions – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    petrugusa94/Shutterstock

     Ships transport around 80% of the world’s cargo. From your food, to your car to your phone, chances are it got to you by sea. The vast majority of the world’s container ships burn fossil fuels, which is why 3% of global emissions come from shipping – slightly more than the 2.5% of emissions from aviation.

    The race is on to reduce these emissions, and quickly, to meet the Paris agreement targets. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we find out what technologies are available to shipping companies to reduce their carbon emissions – from sails, to alternative fuels or simply taking a better route.

    “ We live in a world of information. The biggest challenge is knowing how to use it,” says Daniel Precioso, a data scientist at IE University in Madrid, Spain. He’s part of a team of researchers that developed a platform called Green Navigation, what he calls a “Google maps for the sea”. Pulling together publicly available data on wind, waves and ocean currents, it can suggest new routes to ship captains to optimise their journey from A to B and reduce carbon emissions.

    Precioso presented the project in November 2024 in Dubai at the Prototypes for Humanity exhibition organised by Dubai Future Solutions as a showcase for young researchers designing solutions for global challenges.

    Pressure mounting

    Route optimisation software like Green Navigation is seen as a transition between the status quo and a future where ships will move to using alternative, greener fuels.

     The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a target for zero emissions from shipping by 2050 and a strive target of 30% reductions by 2030 relative to 2008 levels.

    In early April, IMO member states will meet to discuss a proposal to introduce a flat rate tax on carbon emitted by commercial shipping. If adopted, shipping companies would have to pay a levy, the price of which is still being worked out, for every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit. The money would sit in a fund run by the IMO, which would be used to help developing countries reduce maritime emissions.

    The proposal is supported by 47 countries, and it’s being pushed particularly by island nations most at risk from climate change, and flag states, those countries such as the Bahamas, Liberia and the Marshall Islands, where a lot of international ships are registered.

    What’s the alternative?

    If the flat tax is adopted it would add an extra financial incentive for ships to reduce their emissions and potentially move to greener alternative fuels. But Alice Larkin, professor of climate science and energy policy at the University of Manchester in the UK, says unfortunately it’s not currently cost efficient to switch away from fossil fuels.

     The challenge is that when you’re moving away from something which was naturally the cheapest, easiest fuel to come by and to burn, then inevitably if all you’re doing is literally swapping the fuel for a different fuel that is much cleaner, then that is going to be more expensive, at least in the short term.

    A number of alternative fuels are being explored, such as green hydrogen, biodiesel, biomethane and green ammonia. But Larkin says no alternative fuel is currently emerging as a frontrunner, making it difficult for shipping companies to know what to invest in and creating inertia in the transition to greener fuels.

    She stresses the need to reduce emissions in the shorter term to help keep the world below 1.5 degrees of warming. Options include strategies like route optimisation, sail, or wind-assist technologies, or for ships to travel at a slower speed. Larkin and her colleagues modelled the potential impact from these technologies and found combinations of these technologies could reduce a ship’s emissions by up to a third.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear conversations with Daniel Precisio and Alice Larkin.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware and Mend Mariwany. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Daniel Precioso Garcelán own shares of Canonical Green, the company who develops Green Navigation. The company received funding from the city of Valencia, Spain for development and marketing. Alice Larkin has received research funding from EPSRC, INNOVATE UK funding, International Chamber of Shipping Funding and University of Manchester Alumni Funding. She is a fellow of the Institute of Physics and of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

    – ref. ​A ‘Google maps for the sea’, sails ​and alternative fuels: ​the technologies steering shipping towards ​lower emissions – podcast – https://theconversation.com/a-google-maps-for-the-sea-sails-and-alternative-fuels-the-technologies-steering-shipping-towards-lower-emissions-podcast-253088

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UK Does working from home impact productivity?

    Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)

    Members discussed the impact of remote working on public sector productivity and the need for comprehensive assessments of this impact.

    Read a transcript of this question https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-03-20/debates/84CA6F62-036D-4E4F-BEE9-CB48EF1194E6/Debate

    Catch-up on House of Lords business:

    Watch live events: https://parliamentlive.tv/Lords
    Read the latest news: https://www.parliament.uk/lords/

    Stay up to date with the House of Lords on social media:

    • X: https://twitter.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/houseoflords.parliament.uk
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/UKHouseofLords/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UKHouseofLords
    • Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/ukhouseoflords/albums
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-house-of-lords
    • Threads: https://www.threads.net/@UKHouseOfLords

    #HouseOfLords #UKParliament

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21VVDzh1Oi8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: It is time for Russia to agree the US proposal of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    It is time for Russia to agree the US proposal of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland commends Ukraine’s agreement to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urges Russia to show that it is serious about peace by agreeing to one without further delay.

    Thank you, Mister Chair.  We all want to see an end to the fighting and an enduring peace in Ukraine.  We thank the United States for their efforts to deliver this, including during talks this week in Riyadh.

    Under President Zelenskyy’s leadership, Ukraine has shown that it is the party of peace.  They have proposed a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.  The only condition that Ukraine attached to this was that Russia should agree to it too.  To date, Russia has not done so.  We hope that President Putin will agree to this without further delay.

    The ball remains in Russia’s court to demonstrate that the words we have heard about Russia wanting peace are sincere.

    It can do so by removing conditions designed to hamper and delay US-led efforts to end the fighting.  It can do so by ceasing the attacks which continue to kill and injure innocent civilians at a pace which has not changed despite the altered context.  And it can do so by showing that it is able to honour, in good faith, past agreements it has signed, starting with the Geneva Conventions, which include rules on the targeting of healthcare and minimising civilian casualties.  The Russian State has shown little regard for these laws since it launched its full-scale invasion, an attitude that continues to this day.

    We will not lose sight of the fact that this remains an illegal and unprovoked war against an independent, sovereign nation. It is a violation of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.  And the longer it takes President Putin to agree to end the fighting, the more innocent lives will be lost.

    Mister Chair, I would also like to say a few words about the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine.  As you know, the SMM was in place between 2014 and 2022.  The men and women of the SMM performed their functions with integrity and professionalism.  They did so despite a risk to their safety, a risk underlined by the tragic deaths of two of its members and the arbitrary arrest and continued detention by Russia of three of its staff: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov.

    The SMM’s task – to provide independent and objective reporting on the security situation in Ukraine – was made impossible by Russia and its proxies restricting its movements and mandate. Blaming the OSCE for these flaws is disinformation and distraction. This organisation and its staff deserve better.  Thank you, Mister Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND

    New SEND places to create more inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, delivering on Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity.

    More children and young people will be supported to achieve and thrive in their local school, as the government today announces that 10,000 new school places will be funded for children with SEND, delivering on Plan for Change.  

    £740 million is being invested by the government to deliver adaptations, expand specialist units in mainstream as well as create new places in special schools – enabling more children to succeed at a school close to their homes and families.  

    Fewer than one in 10 mainstream schools have SEN units or resourced provision – specialist facilities which provide more intensive support for pupils with SEND.  

    Between 2010 to 2024, the number of children with EHCPs or their previous equivalent being educated in independent special schools increased from 7,000 to 26,000 – while the latest data released today shows an escalating gap of 8,000 places in state special schools. 

    The funding can be used to ensure an inclusive environment in which all pupils can be supported, for example by creating breakout spaces where children can go to self-regulate or investing in assistive technology.  

    This comes alongside a significant £1 billion investment to fund 44,500 places in mainstream schools needed by 2028, helping meet current and future demand across the country. 

    Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said:

    As part of our Plan for Change, we want every family to have access to a good local school for their child, breaking the link between children’s background and their opportunities in life. 

    This investment is a big step towards delivering not only enough school places, but the right school places, supporting all children and particularly those with SEND, and plugging the significant gaps in provision we inherited. 

    This investment will give children with SEND the support they need to thrive, marking the start of a turning point for families who have been fighting to improve their children’s outcomes.

    Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council had a shortage of specialist classrooms in local mainstream schools for pupils with SEND, forcing them to attend schools far from home for the right support. 

    After a 10-year expansion strategy, almost half of all schools in the area have resourced provision which has improved outcomes for young people and kept them educated locally with their peers and in their communities.  

    Recent analysis suggests that at least 15,000 more children and young people could have their needs met in such specialist provision in mainstream schools in an improved SEND system. 

    Marie Ziane, Headteacher at Becontree Primary School, Dagenham, said:

    At Becontree Primary School, all of our work stems from a shared belief and understanding that all children have learning, well-being and safeguarding needs.

    Capital funding, alongside support from the Local Authority, has been an essential part of realising our school’s vision for truly inclusive practice.

    The modification and creative use of existing spaces has had a significant impact on the learning, engagement and integration of children with Autism who attend our Additional Resource Provision, as well as having a huge impact on the learning and understanding of all members of our school community.

    The announcement comes as new data shows the urgent need to reform the SEND system, to save families from a gap in support potentially stretching to tens of thousands of places.  

    Sarah Clarke and Jo Harrison, Directors and Co-Chairs for the National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C, said:

    The NNPCF welcomes the government’s commitment of £740 million in capital funding for the 2025–26 financial year to support the creation of school places for children and young people with SEND.

    For too long, families have faced limited options and long waits for appropriate support. Creating more inclusive environments—where children and young people with special educational needs can thrive alongside their peers—is a positive step forward.

    We look forward to continued collaboration with the Department for Education to ensure that parent carers’ voices remain central to the development and implementation of these plans. We also hope that local authorities will work closely with their local Parent Carer Forums to ensure the lived experience and voices of parent carers are at the heart of local delivery.

    The reform to the SEND system will look to ensure that children’s needs are identified and met earlier; and that early years and staff in mainstream settings across the country are equipped and supported to be inclusive of all children.

    School-based early education – which the government is championing through its commitment to create thousands of new school-based nurseries – tends to have a higher proportion of children with special educational needs than other settings.

    And in line with new guidance published today, over the coming years local authorities can use their capital funding for children with SEND to create places in local, mainstream schools – putting an end to the desperate battle to find a place that meets families’ needs. 

    Iveson Primary School in Leeds, Yorkshire, has integrated a resourced provision, which helps pupils with SEND to build skills in a supportive and flexible environment – developing their confidence and fostering inclusion with the wider school, so all children can flourish.  

    Hayley Marshall, Headteacher at Iveson Primary School, said: 

    Opening The Aviary, a resourced provision, at Iveson Primary has had a significant positive impact for the whole school community, enabling us to provide specialist facilities with a high-quality, adapted curriculum for pupils with SEND, alongside our mainstream provision. This fosters integration and inclusion and supports children to thrive and feel confident in school alongside their peers. 

    Adapted to suit individual pupils’ needs and interests, provision in The Aviary includes life skills and social skills and enables children to access mainstream classes while also receiving specialist support. Parents welcome the flexibility of the provision and the positive impact this has had on their children’s social, emotional and academic progress.

    Raising school standards is at the heart of the government’s mission to improve children’s life chances, and making sure pupils and staff have access to high-quality and sustainable buildings are a key part of that.  

    The 54,500 new places will help deliver on the government’s Plan for Change commitment to make sure every family has access to a good local school place for their child no matter their ability, background or where they live. 

    The department has also announced today the details of a £2.1 billion investment for the 2025-26 financial year to improve the condition of the school and sixth-form college estate in England – almost £300 million more than 2024-25.  The funding will ensure schools can continue to invest in essential maintenance projects such as replacing roofs, windows and heating systems. 

    Amanda Allard, Director at the Council for Disabled Children, National Children’s Bureau, said:

    We welcome the announcement on how this investment can be used and the focus on Local Authorities supporting schools to ensure that disabled children and young people, and those with special educational needs, can have their needs met in inclusive local schools.

    We know from our work with local areas, and through the What Works in SEND programme, that there is some very effective practice across the country, and we encourage local areas to share and learn from this as they develop inclusive provision which enables children and young people to learn, develop friendships and be part of their community.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –