Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Press release
Government and Nuffield Health support NHS staff to get back to work
Thousands of frontline NHS staff to benefit from a free rehabilitation programme with Nuffield Health to get them back to work.
The partnership will support thousands of NHS workers suffering from chronic joint conditions like arthritis or back pain
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are second leading cause of absence among NHS staff and this initiative will help them regain quality of life
Programme will help deliver Plan for Change’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future and shift healthcare from hospitals to community
Four thousand frontline NHS staff will benefit from a free rehabilitation programme Nuffield Health are rolling out in partnership with the government to get them back to work, the Health and Social Care Secretary announced today.
Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme will support NHS workers with chronic and long-term joint conditions like arthritis, helping them regain their quality of life and focus on bringing down waiting lists.
It will work with NHS teams to identity staff suitable for the programme and initially offer it at 10 trusts in London, Birmingham and the North West before a national rollout later this year.
MSK conditions are the second leading cause of absence among NHS staff and this groundbreaking partnership will help them recover and focus on supporting patients.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said:
NHS staff cannot treat patients if they’re in debilitating pain themselves.
This partnership with Nuffield Health will help get thousands of NHS staff back to work, improve their quality of life and allow them to continue to cut waiting lists.
We’ll care for them so they can care for us and deliver our Plan for Change’s goal to build an NHS fit for the future.
Alex Perry, CEO, Nuffield Health said:
Nuffield Health’s mission is to build a healthier nation and our free-to-access Joint Pain Programme is a key part of that. This unique programme has helped over 35,000 people to date improve their health and quality of life.
By offering this free programme directly to NHS staff – including nurses, porters and paramedics – we are providing them with support to recover, return to work and continue delivering essential care.
This not only improves their health but also reduces pressure on the NHS by lowering sickness absence and keeping skilled staff where they are needed most.
In August 2024, more than 2 million days were lost due to NHS staff sickness.
Back and MSK problems led to over 314,000 lost days and over 10,000 members of staff off work.
Nuffield Health’s programme has already benefitted 35,000 people and participants experienced 35% improvement in joint pain and 37% improvement in joint function after taking part in 2024.
On top of this, it prevented 86,226 sick days and resulted in a 29% reduction in GP appointments in 2024.
The programme will deliver the Plan for Change’s ambition to build an NHS fit for the future as part of a decade of national renewal.
It provides 12 weeks of exercise and support led by a personal trainer who has been upskilled to deliver rehabilitation programmes, followed by 12 weeks of access to Nuffield Health fitness facilities – all at no cost.
It will help keep NHS staff healthy and fulfil one of the 10 Year Health Plan’s key ambitions of shifting care from hospital into the community.
Keeping more NHS staff at work will boost productivity – ensuring they can focus on delivering the highest-quality care for patients and continue to cut waiting lists.
Between July and November last year, the NHS carried out almost 2.2 million more elective care appointments compared to the same period the previous year – delivering on the government’s mission to fix the NHS.
The government reached the target 7 months earlier than promised – with 100,000 more treatments, tests and scans for patients each week, and more than half a million extra diagnostic tests delivered.
It follows figures published this month which showed the waiting list has been cut by almost 160,000 since the government took office, compared to a rise of almost 33,000 over the same period the previous year.
The Health and Social Care Secretary announced the partnership at an event attended by 100 NHS staff in Peterborough earlier this week to gather their views on how to fix the health service.
The public engagement event will help shape the government’s 10 Year Health Plan and forms part of a nationwide series of debates about how to make the NHS fit for the future.
Ministers and NHS clinicians have carried out engagement events with NHS workers throughout this month – while thousands of NHS staff and the wider public have already submitted a range of ideas on Change NHS. These ideas will inform the government’s Plan for Change, which will drive a decade of national renewal and transform the health service.
A new survey was recently launched on Change NHS, focusing on patient choice, how to support staff to care for patients and using technology to improve people’s experiences of the NHS.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Construction boss jailed after moving £700,000 from failing companies into his own casino account
Fraudster used company money to fund casino gambling over several years
Wesley Grainger-Smith fraudulently removed more than £700,000 from four struggling construction companies between 2014 and 2017
Grainger-Smith was not the official director of any of the companies but acted in the capacity of a director and had significant influence over their affairs
All the company funds Grainger-Smith withdrew were transferred into his casino gaming account
The 66-year-old claimed to have later repaid most or all of the amount with his winnings but was never entitled to gamble with company money in the first place
A Nottinghamshire construction boss who fraudulently removed more than £700,000 from four failing companies and transferred the money to his casino account has been jailed.
Wesley Grainger-Smith, 66, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 28 February.
Grainger-Smith, of Gainsborough Road, Winthorpe, had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of fraudulently removing company property at an earlier hearing.
The Insolvency Service also discovered around £570,000 in cash deposits paid back to the companies, which investigators believe may correlate with Grainger-Smith’s claim that he paid most of the money back through his gambling winnings.
Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Wesley Grainger-Smith removed vast sums of money from failing companies to fund his gambling at casinos.
He cannot have thought he was entitled to recklessly gamble with company money, or that he was acting in the best interests of the four companies where he said he acted as a consultant.
Directors, or those acting as directors such as Grainger-Smith, will continue to be prosecuted by the Insolvency Service if they deliberately and fraudulently put money out of the reach of creditors.
Grainger-Smith’s offending took place between 2014 and 2017 when he acted in the role of director for the below four companies:
Eagleport Ltd
Smiths Constructions Ltd
Smiths Construction Services Ltd
Smiths Construction Specialists Ltd
Grainger-Smith said that while he was not the director of any of the companies, he was able to exert influence over the official directors and withdraw the money with their knowledge.
Between April 2014 and May 2015, Grainger-Smith removed £230,810 from Eagleport’s account.
A winding-up order was made against the company one month later in June 2015.
Grainger-Smith then removed £110,250 from Smiths Constructions between April and November 2015, with the company entering liquidation in December of that year.
In the five months from February to July 2016, Grainger-Smith fraudulently transferred £84,600 from the bank account of Smiths Construction Services.
A liquidator was appointed for Smiths Construction Services in September of that year.
Grainger-Smith’s final fraudulent removal of company funds came between August 2016 and February 2017, when he withdrew £276,390 from the account of Smiths Construction Specialists.
Smiths Construction Specialists, as with the other three companies, soon stopped trading after the removal of the funds, with winding-up proceedings beginning in June 2017.
In total, Grainger-Smith fraudulently removed £702,050 from the four companies, with the funds going into his casino gaming account.
Grainger-Smith was declared bankrupt in March 2017 and was banned as a company director for five years in July of that year as a result of his misconduct at Eagleport.
He was disqualified for a further 10 years in June 2019 for his misconduct at Smiths Construction Specialists.
Further information
Wesley Grainger-Smith is of Gainsborough Road, Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire. His date of birth is 11 June 1958
Sentenced for: fraudulently removing property in anticipation of and after the commencement of the winding-up of a company, contrary to section 206 of the Insolvency Act 1986
More than 1,000 children across the Island have been offered places at secondary schools this week.
Today (Friday) is National Offer Day when youngsters up and down the country learn which secondary school they will attend for the 2024/25 academic year.
On the Island, 96 per cent of parents have been offered a place for their child at one of their preferred schools. This compares to 94 per cent in 2023.
In total, the Isle of Wight Council received 1,211 applications on time. Of those, 1,030 (85 per cent) received their first choice for September 2024, 114 (9 per cent) their second choice and 22 (3 per cent) their third choice.
This compares to 80 per cent, 11 per cent and three per cent, respectively, in 2023.
Every on-time applicant was offered a place at a school. There are some families who applied late and are not included in the figures.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills, said: “I am delighted to see that nearly all of the applicants got a place at one of their preferred schools, with most getting their first choice and everyone being offered a place.
“We strive to make the application process as easy as possible in cooperation with our Island schools, while accommodating families’ choices in the majority of cases.
“I appreciate how tough the transition can be from primary to secondary and how crucial pupil choice is in both preserving existing friendships and local, community links.”
Parents who have applied for a primary school place for their child will be notified on 16 April 2024.
Stoke-on-Trent has welcomed a brand-new, state-of-the-art, soft play facility in Hanley Market – thanks to £50,000 of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The play area is part of the Family Matters programme, which helps families access the support, advice, and opportunities they need to thrive.
It features a range of equipment including a slide, climbing frames, puzzles and a seating area and will be supported by a programme of activities and access to advice and drop in support on a range of topics such as finance, nursery funding and school readiness.
The soft play area is just the beginning of a wider scheme that will see the creation of Stoke-on-Trent’s newest Family Hub at the market, which will offer services like financial MOTs and other support to help families with their health and wellbeing.
Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’re excited to open this new soft play facility at Hanley Market. It will be a great space for children to enjoy, and it’s part of our work to support families and bring more visitors to the city centre.
“The new soft play area will provide a vital resource for local families, offering both a fun space for children and practical support. This is also part of wider plans to revitalise Hanley Market, supporting our local traders.”
Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “This soft play area will be a valuable resource for families, offering children a place to have fun and develop important skills. We’re proud to offer this new facility as part of our wider support for families in the city.”
The facility is now open to the public, with an official celebration to follow as part of Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year celebrations.
Ground-breaking research has found that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 delivered a £54million economic boost to the Liverpool City Region.
In a first for any Eurovision Song Contest host city, a Multi-Agency Evaluation Steering Group led by Liverpool City Council, has commissioned five in-depth, independent evaluations – the interim results of which will be announced today (Thursday 26 October) by Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson and Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram.
The reports looked at the economic and social impact of staging the event on behalf of Ukraine, as well as the influence on cultural relations; the impact on wellbeing in the city and the wider city region; the visitor experience and the effectiveness of the strategic collaboration between delivery agencies.
Key data highlights include:
The Big Numbers
Eurovision boosted the Liverpool City Region economy by £54.8million (net) with restaurants, accommodation providers, shops, bars and transport networks all benefitting.
In total 473,000 people attended Eurovision events in the city, with 306,000 additional visitors heading to Liverpool to be part of the celebrations.
In May, 175,000 city centre hotel rooms were sold – the best month on record since 2018. (STEAM data)
Culture Counts
The education and community programmes, EuroStreet and EuroLearn, engaged with 367organisations and directly with 50,000 people, young and old. The overall programme is estimated to have reached 2 million people.
EuroFestival – the Culture Liverpool curated two-week culture festival – presented 24 brand new commissions, 19 of which were in collaboration with Ukrainian artists. A huge 328,346people engaged with this programme – 557 artists, 1,750 participants involved in a commission and an audience number of 326,039.
The official Eurovision Village, located at the Pier Head attracted 250,000 visitors across the ten days it was open, with the ticketed final selling out within hours.
Visitor’s Views
Visitors to Liverpool reported an overwhelmingly positive experience. In a survey, 89 per cent of those questioned, felt it was a safe event and 88 per cent praised its inclusivity. A whopping 96 per cent of those surveyed would recommend Liverpool as a destination to visit and 42 per cent of overseas visitors said the city’s staging of the event had a positive impact on how they viewed the UK.
The official Eurovision Fan Club – the OGAEs – carried out a survey and found that 99 per cent of their members felt welcomed in the city and 98 per cent loved the undeniable festival atmosphere.
Resident’s Reaction
There was a huge amount of pride around Liverpool being the host city, with 80 per cent of residents noting how important it was for Liverpool and a further 93 per cent saying they were pleased with how the city delivered the event.
Of those questioned, 74 per cent were enthusiastic about Liverpool hosting on behalf of Ukraine and 71 per cent felt that the city’s leading role promoted positive feelings across all of the participating nations.
People Power
An impressive 475people provided 12,000 hours of volunteering, covering 350shifts. The majority (90 per cent) were from the North West of England, and 30 were Ukrainian.
A Eurovision job recruitment fair saw 394 jobs offered in one day.
A partnership between the BBC and Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts saw 145students become part of the Eurovision production – in roles such as on stage dancers in the live shows, costume makers or in the TV production team.
Read all about it
Between the period of October 2022, when Liverpool was announced as host city, until end of May 2023, more than 280,000 pieces of global news coverage were generated.
The three live BBC shows were watched by 162 million people.
Keep Liverpool Tidy
More than 50,000 tonnes of waste was collected throughout the Eurovision period, 80 per cent of which could be recycled.
The independent reports were:
Economic Impact – Commissioned by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council. The research was compiled by AMION Consulting.
Community and Wellbeing – Commissioned by Liverpool City Council and funded by Spirit of 2012 and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The research was carried out by University of Liverpool.
Cultural Diplomacy – Commissioned by Liverpool City Council and funded by British Council and DCMS. The British Council led on the research along with the University of Hull, and consultants from Universities of Brighton, Southampton and Royal Holloway (University of London).
Nightlife – Funded and compiled by Liverpool John Moores University.
Multi–Agency Working – Led by Edge Hill University.
Along with these reports, the BBC has commissioned its own Eurovision Highlights Report.
To bring together the findings of the reports, Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team commissioned The Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place to compile the headline findings. This comprehensive overview can be found at the Heseltine Institute website.
The interim findings of these reports will be discussed at a special one-day Eurovision event taking place at ACC Liverpool today (Thursday 26 October).
Head to the official Liverpool Calling website for full details of the day which will include panels with the Liverpool Host City team who will give an insight into the complexities of staging an event of this scale. This is a Liverpool City Council event supported by the Liverpool BID Company and The ACC Liverpool Group.
Follow @CultureLpool on Twitter, @CultureLiverpool on Facebook and @culture_liverpool on Instagram for the latest updates as well as using #LiverpoolCalling on social media.
Reaction
Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said:
“The whirlwind that was Eurovision, gave this city an unparalleled stage where it could showcase not just its organisational prowess, but also its heart and soul.
“From the outset, we put plans in place to evaluate everything we programmed in order to have a thorough understanding of the impact of major events.
“The visitor and economic figures speak for themselves – jobs were created, local businesses were on the receiving end of a much-needed boost and hundreds of thousands of people came to the city, had a great time and are more than likely to return again.
“My mantra is proud but never satisfied. These comprehensive reports give us the opportunity to reflect on what was achieved over an incredibly short period of time, but more importantly we can look at lessons learnt for the next time we host a major event. And this is Liverpool, so there will definitely be a next time.
“Knowing the financials and the visitor numbers is always a great indicator of success, but with Eurovision we wanted to do more. As the first host city ever to introduce a school and community programme dedicated to Eurovision, we needed to drill into what that really meant for people – did it make a positive difference to their lives and as a result to our city? Never before has any other location commissioned such a detailed analysis, and it goes without saying that our methodology can be adopted by locations across the world which is a real badge of honour for Liverpool.
“This collective research proves that events like Eurovision can transcend boundaries, leaving a legacy of inspiration and goodwill. It was a milestone moment in our city’s history, and now we’re more than ready for the next one.”
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “There was never a doubt in my mind as to whether our region was up to the challenge of hosting a global spectacle like Eurovision on behalf of our friends in Ukraine – because nowhere does culture bigger or better than the Liverpool City Region. From the hundreds of thousands of visitors who flocked to our region for a fortnight of fun and frivolity, to the tens of millions around the world who tuned in, we gave millions of people a Eurovision they will never forget.
“While that’s an incredible result in itself, the contest was also a vital shot in the arm for our local economy, bringing in more than £54m, creating thousands of jobs and opportunities for local people and showcasing our brand to an international audience. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of everyone who truly embraced the Eurovision spirit and made our visitors feel so welcome. I said all along that nowhere can throw a party quite like us – and now we have the results to prove it!”
Liverpool’s Director of Culture, Claire McColgan CBE, said:
“We experienced this Eurovision-high as a result of cultural back catalogue.
“We have spent years working towards what we all experienced in May – we cut our teeth during our European Capital of Culture year and from that point we have grown exponentially in confidence and ability as year-on-year we continue to deliver events that rival any other on the world stage.
“The pandemic was a real line in the sand for us, and undoubtedly Liverpool’s role in leading the charge on the reopening of venues nationwide made us stand out from the crowd – we are recognised as a city that can deliver unforgettable moments, safely, quickly and with a scouse panache that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else.
“Quite simply, it was an honour to deliver Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine and the UK. I’ve never known time move so fast as it did across those seven months and it has been a real pleasure to digest these impact reports and relive the experience once again and reassure myself it wasn’t just a crazy dream! They underline the fact Liverpool has the skill, agency-wide teamwork and the creativity to deliver time and time again.
“So I’d like to say to everyone – whether you worked on the event, donned those iconic yellow hoodies and volunteered, performed on stage or on our streets, danced at the Village, sang along at the arena or perhaps you discovered more about Ukraine in the classroom or even helped evaluate the event – thank you. You made Eurovision. Liverpool made Eurovision. We were all united by music.”
Eurovision Minister Stuart Andrew said:
“It is fantastic to see the impact that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest has had on Liverpool. The city put on a fantastic display of culture and creativity, showing solidarity with our friends in Ukraine and highlighting what unites us all.
“This research demonstrates the positive impact of hosting major events and I hope that we can continue to build on this success.”
Tim Jones, the University of Liverpool’s Vice-Chancellor said:
“Today’s announcement gives us much to be proud of. It was the University’s Heseltine Institute that compiled the data that this success is judged on and it was our academics who played an important role in carrying out a key strand of research. But as a civic institution, we are immensely proud of the city of Liverpool. Our city put on a show like no other and I am delighted to see these positive results that I’m sure will have a lasting legacy for those who live, work, study and do business here.”
Rhiannon Corcoran, Professor of Psychology and Public Mental Health University of Liverpool said:
“Our survey was designed to understand Eurovision’s impact on the wellbeing and sense of community of local residents. The data we collected shows overwhelmingly positive feelings of pride in the city. I’m sure many people will recognise and understand how this is hugely beneficial to wellbeing.”
Sue Jarvis, Co-Director at the Heseltine Institute said:
“At the Heseltine Institute we were delighted to work with partners across the city to publish this summary of the comprehensive evaluation of what Eurovision achieved for our city.
“Liverpool has a long history of hosting and learning from major events, and these evaluations will help developing understanding of the key lessons from Eurovision 2023.
“While the full legacy will emerge over time, it was fantastic to see that the positive impacts of Eurovision exceeded expectations. Eurovision not only brought immense financial and cultural benefits to the city but also enhanced the view of Liverpool across the UK, Europe and the world.”
Phil Harrold, BBC Chief of Staff and Chair of 2023 City Selection Group, said: “When the BBC selected Liverpool to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 we knew that the city would deliver with a passion and enthusiasm that was second to none. The incredible numbers proven in this research, coupled with our own record-breaking audience figures, demonstrate that 2023 was indeed the most successful Eurovision ever and is testament to all who played a part in bringing this year’s Song Contest to life.”
Amy Finch – Head of Policy & Influencing, Spirit of 2012, said:
“We are proud to see the headline statistics from the Eurovision evaluations show tremendous benefits for Liverpool. Particularly, we are delighted to see the amazing reach of EuroLearn and the effects of cultural engagement inspiring civic pride in Liverpool residents. Liverpool has once again proven itself to be a world class host city and we must ensure that the impact of Eurovision in communities will endure for years to come.”
Dr Rebecca Phythian, Reader in Policing at Edge Hill University, said:
“Having behind the scenes access to see first-hand the partnership working that goes into staging multi-agency operations like Eurovision was incredible. Since then, we’ve been working with practitioners from Merseyside Police, Culture Liverpool, BBC and many of the other organisations involved to identify what worked well and what could be done differently, all to inform future large-scale operations.”
Mike Smith, Edge Hill University’s Senior Lecturer in Policing, said:
“We found that trust and co-location were key to effective information sharing and multi-agency working. This was supported by building new, and strengthening existing, relationships, and ensured a joint understanding of risk and situational awareness.”
Merseyside Police has already begun extensive planning for another busy calendar of events across the region, with community partners continuing to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of those attending.
The force’s planning teams are well-versed in delivering policing operations for major events, from the internationally renowned Aintree Races to Liverpool Pride. In the coming months, police and partners will draw up security plans for familiar favourites such as music concerts at the city’s waterfront and Anfield stadium and this year’s exciting addition to the calendar: Radio 1’s Big Weekend at Sefton Park in May.
Chief Inspector Iain Wyke of Protective Security Operations at Merseyside Police said: “We’re fortunate to host a diverse range of events that bring visitors from far and wide to experience what Merseyside offers.
“Our operational planning for this year’s events began many months ago. This includes working with partners to minimise disruption to local communities and delivering training for event organisers, venue staff and local businesses on how to spot suspicious activity and what action to take. Working with, and supporting partners, ensures the smooth running of these events, disrupting any potential criminal activity and keeping people safe.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said: “Our collaboration with Merseyside Police is incredibly valuable and as a top, global city for major events, this Team Liverpool approach is crucial. Supporting Project Servator allows us to disrupt criminal activity and ensure public safety is paramount before and during the events we host here.”
The force will use a variety of tactics as part of its operational plans including Project Servator deployments, which have been used in Merseyside since 2018. The deployments are deliberately unpredictable and use specially trained uniform and plain-clothes officers to spot tell-tale signs that someone may be gathering information to help them plan or prepare to commit a crime. These officers will also encourage the public, including people working in local businesses, to be extra eyes and ears, and report suspicious activity.
Chief Inspector Wyke added: “These highly visible Project Servator deployments are supported by colleagues in other specialist roles such as firearms officers and dog handlers. The officers are also in contact with City Watch for round-the-clock monitoring of the CCTV network used across the force area.
“If you see a Project Servator deployment, there’s nothing to worry about. Feel free to talk to officers, they will be happy to explain what they are doing and how you can help keep people safe.”
Everyone can play a part in ensuring a successful and safe programme of events. If you are out and about, report anything you see that doesn’t feel right immediately to a member of staff or a police officer. Or call the police on 101. If it is an emergency, always call 999.
Guidance on how to help, including what suspicious activity to look out for, and confidential reporting is available at www.gov.uk/act.
Green space in a Leeds community has been given a new and attractive lease of life thanks to a local council housing development.
The Leeds City Council development, currently nearing completion at Brooklands Avenue in Seacroft, will provide a total of 33 high-quality homes for affordable rent.
But the scheme – part of Leeds’s Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP) – will not just have a positive impact on the lives of the people who move into the finished homes.
Funding made available through the development has also been used to carry out improvements to existing green space close to Brooklands Avenue. Key elements of this work include:
The tidying of a woodland area that sits between Brooklands Avenue and Seacroft Village Green;
The planting of trees, shrubs and bulbs on two pieces of land next to The Green, a road which leads off Brooklands Avenue;
Enhancements to a footpath that runs between The Green and Redmire Drive.
The improvements were carried out in partnership between the council and environmental charity Groundwork Yorkshire following consultation with residents and other regular users of the green space.
And the difference that has been made to the area left two senior councillors hugely impressed when they paid a recent visit to Brooklands Avenue.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, and Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, helped out with the planting of a tree during their visit.
Funds generated by the Brooklands Avenue scheme and another council housing development in the Ambertons area of Gipton are also being used to improve the biodiversity of 1.14 hectares of amenity grassland near the Denbigh Heights and Denbigh Croft flats, off Wykebeck Valley Road. Work here has included the planting of native scrub, providing a variety of food sources and shelter for wildlife.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said:
“The Brooklands Avenue development illustrates how our successful Council Housing Growth Programme is continuing to deliver the kind of high-quality, affordable homes that can change lives for the better.
“Homes are more than just bricks and mortar, they can add social value and vibrancy to existing communities. I was really pleased, therefore, to see the positive difference that this particular scheme has made to green space in the surrounding area.”
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said:
“The work that has taken place at Brooklands Avenue and Wykebeck Valley Road is a great example of how the council, with support from residents and partners, can provide and enhance local green space.
“Making our parks, fields, woods and footpaths as attractive and accessible as possible will encourage more and more people to use them and enjoy the benefits for health and wellbeing that come with spending time outdoors.”
The Brooklands Avenue development will comprise 25 one-bedroom apartments – in a five-storey building named after Doris Storey, a Leeds swimming champion of the 1930s – and eight two and three-bedroom houses.
The council is meeting most of the cost of the development, with additional support coming from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.
Around 700 homes have been built or acquired via Leeds’s CHGP since 2018, supporting ongoing efforts to ease local affordable housing pressures.
By increasing the number of appropriate properties available to tenants looking to downsize, the programme has also helped free up some homes that are best suited to larger families.
Places where new housing has recently been delivered by the CHGP include Barncroft Close in Seacroft and Scott Hall Drive in Chapel Allerton as well as a site in Middleton formerly occupied by Throstle Recreation Ground and Middleton Skills Centre.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government to take over redress for convicted postmasters from Post Office
All postmasters who have had their convictions overturned will now have their conviction claims administered by the government
Government to manage redress for postmasters who have had convictions overturned by the Courts to ensure it is delivered promptly and sensitively
The Post Office will cease to be involved in the redress for postmasters with overturned convictions following calls from campaigners and postmasters
Redress for victims of Horizon scandal has more than doubled under this government, delivering on a key manifesto commitment
All postmasters who have had their convictions overturned, whether by a court or legislation last year, will now have their conviction claims administered by the government, completely taking them out of the hands of the Post Office – fulfilling a key request from those impacted by the scandal.
After a three-month transitional period, the Department for Business and Trade’s Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) will broaden its scope to take on responsibility for redress for postmasters who have had their convictions overturned by the Courts. These are currently dealt with by the Post Office through their Overturned Convictions scheme. This is something that postmasters, campaigners, and Parliamentarians, including the Business and Trade Select Committee, have all called for.
Postmasters have suffered a huge amount. While the government can’t fully put right what they have been through, it can make sure the compensation process works better for them by listening to their grievances and acting upon them where possible to ensure postmasters are treated with dignity and respect. Today, this means ending the difficulty of dealing with the organisation which upended so many of their lives.
The delivery of redress for victims of the Post office Horizon scandal is a key government manifesto commitment, with a commitment of £1.8 billion to ensure all postmasters receive the justice and financial redress they deserve.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said:
My priority upon coming into office was to speed up the delivery of compensation to the victims of the Horizon scandal. We have made significant progress, and we are now moving to ensure there is a quick transfer of schemes from the Post Office to the Department.
In the meantime, I encourage all those eligible to apply for redress under the Overturned Convictions scheme and continue to progress their claims with the Post Office until the transfer date.
The Department for Business and Trade will formally take over on 3 June 2025. The three-month transitional period between now and then will allow for the smooth transfer of active claims from one scheme to the other, ensuring there is no gap in service for postmasters who have claims in the system.
As of 31 January, approximately £663 million has been paid to over 4,300 claimants, which has more than doubled since the end of June 2024.
Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of government actions to address the Post Office Horizon Scandal, including:
launching the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) for postmasters whose horizon-related convictions were quashed by Parliament. This scheme has made 364 interim payments to eligible claimants and has fully settled 208 claims, paying out a total of £156 million;
on the HCRS, committing to provide first offers on receipt of detailed claims within 40 working days in 90% of cases;
beginning payments of a £75,000 fixed offer for those postmasters in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) who want to accept it: approximately £171 million has been paid in award top-ups and £75,000 awards;
publishing our response to the consultant’s report into the Post Office Capture software (predecessor to Horizon) and have committed to offering redress to all non-convicted postmasters who fell victim to flaws in Capture software;
announcing an independent appeals process for the HSS to provide individuals with a chance to have their claims reassessed through a DBT-run process. We expect the first cases will be ready for submission in the Spring;
confirmed the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board in place.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
SLC announces new Glasgow apprenticeships during Scottish Apprenticeship Week
SLC announces 12 new Glasgow apprenticeships during Scottish Apprenticeship Week
To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3-7 March), the Student Loans Company (SLC) has announced it is recruiting 12 new apprentices in Glasgow.
Applications for the Student Finance Officer (SFO) Apprenticeships are now open, and successful candidates will be based in the Hillington office within the Customer Operations team.
The 12–18-month programme will start on 30th June and is being delivered in conjunction with education provider, Babbington. Apprentices will work towards will work towards a SCQF level 6 in Business and Administration.
SLC supports students across the UK to invest in their futures and unlock their potential by administering loans and grants to students in universities and colleges across the UK. The new SFO apprentices will be at the heart of this operation, supporting customers through their student finance journeys and helping to process around 1.5million applications each year.
Jackie Currie, Executive Director of Customer Operations at SLC said: “It’s fantastic to be launching our latest apprentice search during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. The theme for the week is ‘Made for Business’ and I’m proud of the role that SLC plays in developing the talent of the future, through our apprenticeship programmes.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming our new apprentices to the Customer Operations Team this summer and would urge people across Glasgow and the surrounding area to apply. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work and gain experience within a large public sector organisation and achieve a recognised qualification at the same time.”
SLC currently has 29 apprentices working across all areas of the organisation, with many former apprentices continuing to progress their careers with SLC after completing their qualification.
Oswald Clarke, aged 61 and of no fixed abode, and Emma Price, 39, also of no fixed abode, targeted vulnerable people, and coerced or threatened them to get into and take control of their properties, where they would then supply and use of class A controlled drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.
The Court heard that Clarke in particular would threaten and intimidate the residents, often supplying them with drugs to persuade them to comply and hold them in debt to him.
This exploitation, commonly known as cuckooing, attracted many people to properties the pair had taken over to use controlled drugs, in turn causing increased levels of anti social behaviour in the local area.
Twelve people were identified as being victims of Clarke and Price over a period of 14 months, many of whom lived in Wolverhampton Homes properties in the Heath Town area.
The injunctions last for 2 years and prohibit Clarke and Price from approaching or communicating with named victims, entering or remaining in the Heath Town area, entering any residential dwelling owned by the council or Wolverhampton Homes other than their homes, entering any other residential dwelling in Wolverhampton without the owner’s consent, and using abusive, offensive, threatening or intimidating language or behaviour to any council or Wolverhampton Homes resident.
If either breach the injunctions, they could be fined or jailed for up to 2 years for contempt of court.
Wolverhampton Anti Social Behaviour Team led on securing the injunctions, working closely with Wolverhampton Homes, West Midlands Police, and the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Exploitation Team and Legal Services.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “Clarke and Price preyed on vulnerable residents, causing them serious harm and causing anti social behaviour to the wider community.
“We hope the injunctions that have been granted against them by the County Court will send out a strong message that such exploitation will not be tolerated across our city.”
Wolverhampton Partnerships Sergeant Nicola Sephton added: “Officers in our exploitation hub work to safeguard and support those who are often vulnerable individuals.
“We work closely with partners including the council and Wolverhampton Homes to protect those who are exploited, through the courts and by offering them the opportunities to move forward with their lives.”
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bridge Specialty Group (“BSG”) today announced the completion of the previously announced acquisition of the insurance operations of NBS Insurance Agency, Inc. (operating as “Nationwide Brokerage Solutions” or “NBS”). The acquisition only includes NBS Insurance Agency, Inc. and no other Nationwide affiliated companies.
In conjunction with the close of this transaction, Bridge Specialty Group is pleased to announce that NBS is beginning a new chapter by introducing its new brand name, LocalEdge, ushering in a new chapter in excellence and custom solutions.
Ted Stuckey, president of LocalEdge, shared, “This change represents more than just a rebranding; it underscores our commitment to delivering unmatched service and customized solutions that our agents have come to expect. Under the LocalEdge banner, agents will continue to benefit from the same great team, specialization and resources they rely on, now enhanced as we join the Bridge Specialty Group team.”
“It is a very exciting time for our collective Bridge Specialty Group and LocalEdge team. This is only the start of our journey together, and we look forward to further introducing our new teammates to our culture and leveraging the added and enhanced specializations of LocalEdge alongside our existing capabilities,” stated Anurag Batta, chief operating officer for BSG.
The LocalEdge name will be implemented across communications, tools and resources in the coming weeks and months. Despite these changes, the team’s dedication to serving customers and helping them grow their businesses seamlessly remains steadfast.
About Bridge Specialty Group, LLC
Bridge Specialty Group is a leading global insurance wholesaler with access to over 230 admitted, excess and surplus lines and Lloyd’s markets that support our nearly $7 billion premium book. With more than 50 locations and 2,000+ teammates throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia, Bridge Specialty Group holds market recognition that enables us to connect retail partners with tailored insurance solutions through our specific practice groups including property, casualty, environmental, executive risk, farm & ranch, personal lines, public entity, transportation and workers’ compensation.
This press release may contain certain statements relating to future results, which are forward-looking statements, including those associated with this acquisition. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only Brown & Brown’s current belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Brown & Brown’s control. It is possible that Brown & Brown’s actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Further information concerning Brown & Brown and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect Brown & Brown’s financial results and condition, as well as its other achievements, is contained in Brown & Brown’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such factors include those factors relevant to Brown & Brown’s consummation and integration of the announced acquisition, including any matters analyzed in the due diligence process and material adverse changes in the business and financial condition of the seller, the buyer, or both, and their respective customers. All forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this release, and Brown & Brown does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which Brown & Brown hereafter becomes aware.
For more information:
Steve Boyd President, Bridge Specialty Group (760) 710-6865
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
Police are working with Crimewatch Live to help identify those suspected of taking part in last year’s summer disorder.
Two episodes of the famous BBC produced programme will feature videos and images of suspects committing the most serious offences, with the first airing today (Monday 3 March).
Members of the public can also visit a new website to look through the images themselves, and submit information that they may have to the relevant police force: https://www.police.uk/disorder-appeal
Police forces across the country remain committed to delivering swift justice to those involved in the summer disorder, and as of 22 January 2025, 1,804 arrests have been made, and with the Crown Prosecution Service, 1,072 charges brought so far, with the highest volume occurring in the north and centre of England, primarily for serious public order offences.
This work has seen criminal justice outcomes delivered across all types of criminality, including arson, riot and assault, with prison sentences for some of the most serious cases, some as long as nine years.
Suspects who have not yet been identified have not escaped justice; we are not stopping in our pursuit of them, and forces are consistently finding new ways to ascertain who they are, and to bring them in for questioning.
If you were at any of these incidents and recognise yourself in any of the images, it is in your interest to do the right thing and contact the police.
ACC Ian Drummond-Smith of Operation Navette, the national policing response to the summer disorder, said:
“I’m grateful for the support shown by everyone at BBC Crimewatch Live in seeing this appeal come to fruition. We have selected the most violent and serious offences to feature in the program, alongside a larger gallery of wanted people published today on our website. Partnership work like this is a great example of how the public can help us to progress investigations and ensure that offenders face justice.
“I would urge everyone to watch these episodes of Crimewatch Live, and to carefully explore our website to see if you recognise any of the suspects. We know some people travelled great distances to take part in the disorder, so I’d urge you to review the images even if there was no disorder in your area.
“Working with the CPS, and others in the criminal justice system, we are committed to bringing these offenders to justice keep our communities kept safe”.
The sessions are designed to encourage women to believe they are entitled to defend themselves, to help women feel safer by having strategies which make them more able to deal with threatening and intimidating situations, and to build women’s confidence in their own skills and resources.
There are 2 sessions taking place on Tuesday 25 March, 2025 – one at the Bob Jones Community Hub in Blakenhall from 10am to 12pm, and a second at Pendeford Community Hub from 2pm to 4pm. They are open to all women and places are free, but booking is essential – please email charlotte.woodcock2@wolverhampton.gov.uk or call 01902 552025.
Amanda, who was formerly a tutor with Adult Education Wolverhampton, has over 20 years’ experience as a Women’s Self Defence Trainer and was a member of the National Women’s Self Defence Association. She has supported Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum by delivering training and has also been a key worker for Women’s Aid. Most recently, she has been working as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Therapeutic Practitioner for the NHS.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amanda to deliver these important sessions to mark International Women’s Day. She is passionate about bringing skills and strategies for personal safety to women of all backgrounds, and I would encourage women to book their places today.”
International Women’s Day takes place this Saturday (8 March) and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. For more information, please visit International Women’s Day.
A total of 23 years in prison for a former Brookside actor and his associates has been awarded this afternoon.
Former Brookside actor Philip Foster and 8 associates have today (28 February 2025) been sentenced for their part in a £13.6 million fraud that ran for over 8 years.
The sentences handed down at Sheffield Crown Court today are the result of an over 6-year investigation by National Trading Standards, whose work uncovered an extensive network of sham modelling agencies that cruelly exploited the dreams of aspiring young models and their parents.
Foster was the ringleader of the operation. He orchestrated the fraud from Spain, using a network of associates based in England who operated a string of sham modelling agencies and photography studios in cities across the country, including London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Coventry, and Nottingham.
More than 6,000 victims were deceived by the group – mainly young people and mothers – who ended up parting with substantial amounts of money under the false promise of securing paid modelling work.
The fraud worked by setting up a photographic studio in the area and running a social media advertising campaign. People who responded were given the false impression that a model agency was interested in them, with emails telling them they had potential. Victims were then invited to a ‘free’ test shoot at the photographic studio, which turned out to be a ruse to try to extort money out of them.
At the test shoot, victims were given a studio experience, handed glossy brochures and told how successful other people had been. They would then be told that they passed their studio test and that modelling agencies were interested, but they needed to purchase their portfolio photographs from the studio in order to join an agency and become an agency model.
Victims were duped by the group who, between them, gave a good impression of running successful model businesses and lied to them about their potential. Millions of pounds were taken from aspiring models, with some coerced into financing the upfront payment through credit deals arranged by the fraudsters or taking out expensive payday loans.
Instead, victims received poor quality digital photographs that stood no real chance of landing them professional jobs. Virtually none of the victims received any paid modelling work.
The sham agencies were often dissolved after short periods, rebranded repeatedly to avoid detection, and paid no tax. Money from the scam was laundered through UK bank accounts before being transferred to Spain or carried in cash on commercial flights by co-conspirators.
The investigation traced substantial sums to Foster, who lived in luxury abroad and purchased high-end watches and cars with the proceeds of the fraud. The investigation heard how many victims, left financially and emotionally devastated, described feeling humiliated and betrayed. Some experienced lasting distress that affected their confidence, wellbeing and their ability to trust others.
The sentences, which were handed down today in the absence of Philip Foster, who is currently living in Spain, are as follows:
Philip Foster, aged 49, Edificio Marina Mariola, Marbella, Spain, sentenced to 8.5 years for conspiracies to defraud
Michael Foster, aged 27, Snowdon Lane, Liverpool, sentenced to 3.5 years for conspiracy to defraud
Paul Evans, aged 39, no known address, sentenced to 3.5 years for offences related to money laundering
Jamie Peters, aged 52, Pentland Place, Warrington, sentenced to 24 months, suspended for 2 years, for conspiracy to defraud
Lisa Foster, aged 42, Manchester Road, Astley, sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 12 months, for conspiracy to defraud
Emily Newall, aged 29, Bolton Road, Kearsley, Greater Manchester, sentenced to 10 months, suspended for 12 months, for conspiracy to defraud
Atif Qadar, aged 44, Larkswood Drive, Crowthorne, sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 12 months, for conspiracy to defraud
Paul Fleury, aged 57, Manchester Road, Swinton, Manchester, sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 12 months, for conspiracy to defraud
Aslihan Foster aged 39, Tredington Road, Coventry, sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 12 months, for an offence related to money laundering
Today’s sentencing follows over 6 years of investigative work by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, hosted by North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council, including forensic analysis of financial transactions, thousands of consumer complaints, and witness testimony from victims. The team was supported by the National Trading Standards South West Regional Investigations Team, hosted by Bristol City Council.
Judge Dixon, said:
The business worked on the basis of greed taking what they could where they could. Some people were so convinced by the level of deception that they took out payday loans, which gives a clear indication as to how manipulative and cynical the fraud was. It was horrible, despicable, dishonest behaviour and every single one of you deserves to go to prison.
“The officers have carried out an exceptional job to bring these defendants to justice. It was not straightforward or easy. This investigation was conducted with particular skill. A commendation should be made on the basis of the skill deployed.”
Lord Bichard, Chair of the National Trading Standards, said:
Foster’s cruel exploits left thousands of victims in serious debt, causing lasting emotional distress and significant financial pressures.
“Today’s sentences are an important reminder to would-be criminals that Trading Standards officers across the country are determined to clamp down on fraud, protecting victims and bringing criminals to justice.
“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of similar scams to report it to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.”
Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at City of York Council, said:
Today’s sentencing follows years of highly effective trading standards investigative work. Mr Foster and his associates made millions by exploiting the hopes of young people, leaving a trail of broken dreams and financial hardship. I urge everyone to question any modelling contract which demands money up front, and hope that the young people and families affected can now move on to a brighter future, whichever path they choose.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member Councillor Greg White, whose responsibilities include Trading Standards, said:
Foster and his fellow scammers cruelly exploited young hopefuls trying to break into one of the most competitive industries. In some cases, parents borrowed money or sacrificed savings, believing they were investing in their children’s futures.
“I urge anyone searching online for modelling opportunities to remember that legitimate agencies don’t ask for money upfront, it’s often only scam agencies who push expensive photoshoots as a pre-requisite to getting work.”
Ten new potentially lifesaving bleed kits have been installed across Copt Hill, Hetton, Houghton and Shiney Row
Sunderland City Council’s Coalfield Area Committee has funded the bleed kits in partnership with the Connor Brown Trust set up by the parents of 18-year-old Connor Brown following his tragic death in 2019.
Tanya and Simon Brown are actively supporting the community to prevent knife crime and raising awareness of its impact. The kits were installed six years on from the fatal knife attack on Connor Brown in the city.
The Coalfield Area Committee allocated £5,400 from its neighbourhood fund budget towards the kits.
Bleed kits could be used to give vital care and attention to a patient in those first few minutes before the emergency services arrive, potentially saving their life. These kits are part of the wider fight against knife crime across the city with over 50 installed so far by the Connor Brown Trust.
Councillor Mel Speding, Chair of Sunderland City Council’s Coalfield Area Committee, said: “As a group, the Coalfield Committee aims to support and improve our communities in Houghton, Hetton, Shiney Row and Copt Hill. We were keen to provide funding for these kits which could make a big difference in an emergency.
“We appreciated the opportunity to partner with the Connor Brown Trust which does such fantastic work across Sunderland. While we hope these kits are never needed, it is reassuring to know that they are there for our residents. We are taking the necessary steps to keep our communities safe.”
The Coalfield Area Committee is one of five area committees across Sunderland. Made up of local councillors, area committees provide residents with a greater say by working closely with their communities and drawing on local knowledge to identify priorities for their area. They also create Area Plans to support the City Plan, focusing on local needs. These plans help fund and deliver projects in partnership with local voluntary and community sector organisations.
This is one of 11 grants awarded by the Coalfield Area Committee since April 2024 to support community groups and voluntary organisations with various projects. These include social inclusion and wellbeing activities, Clean It, Green It, and holiday activities for children and young people.
Tanya Brown from The Connor Brown Trust said: “If there is an incident, doing nothing means a patient has less chance of survival, but using the kit gives anyone a better chance, before paramedics get to the scene. It’s important to have these bleed kits in as many places as possible simply because they could save lives.
“The kits have been designed so that little to no training is needed and they can be used by the public or a first responder to any accident where there is a catastrophic bleed. The cabinets contain easy to read instructions and illustrations for each part of equipment showing where and how to use it.”
In the event of the bleed kits being needed, the 999 operators will direct the caller to the nearest mobile kit or fixed unit and give them the combination code to unlock the unit. The kits are designed for catastrophic bleeding and the caller will be guided on how to use the equipment.
The kits are now registered and ready to use if needed at:
Colliery Inn, Hetton, DH5 9JQ
Easington Lane Workmens Club, DH5 0JR
Houghton Sports and Wellness Centre, DH4 5AF
New Herrington Bowling Club, DH4 4UG
Penshaw Community Centre, DH4 7HU
Queensway Pharmacy, Houghton, DH5 8EL
Shiney Resource and Advice Centre (ShARP), Shiney Row, DH4 4QW
Springboard Adventure, Hetton Lyons Country Park, DH5 0RH
St John’s Methodist Church, Fencehouses, DH4 6HN
St Matthews Youth and Community Centre, Newbottle, DH5 8EL
For more information about other kits across the city, visit: Connor Brown Trust
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Press release
Passengers to enjoy greener air travel as UK backs sustainable fuel production
Have your say on how the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) revenue certainty mechanism could be funded.
air travel to become greener as government introduces industry-led price guarantee to boost sustainable aviation fuel supply while keeping ticket fares down
investment in low carbon fuels could support up to 15,000 new jobs and £5 billion for the UK economy by 2050 – delivering economic growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change
plans will turbocharge investment in UK SAF, bolster expansion plans and cut carbon emissions while minimising the impact on industry and passengers
Passengers will enjoy greener plane journeys thanks to new support for the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry helping to tackle emissions, establish Britain as a clean energy superpower and allow the UK to go further and faster with expansion plans.
The SAF industry is crucial for the future of aviation, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional jet fuels. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70% compared to fossil fuels, SAF will play a vital role in delivering our clean energy mission as part of our Plan for Change and allow the UK to back airport expansion in line with climate commitments.
Backing investment in the low carbon sector also has huge potential for driving economic growth, as it’s expected to support up to 15,000 new jobs and deliver £5 billion to the UK economy by 2050.
As this is still a new and emerging industry, today’s proposals will tackle the current uncertainty in the sector by introducing an industry funded price guarantee – known as the revenue certainty mechanism (RCM) – to ensure a steady income flow for producers, even if the price of SAF fluctuates, helping to keep down costs for airlines and holidaymakers.
The proposals will help to reduce risk, give investors the confidence they need to invest in UK SAF plants and help the sector secure the supply it needs to bolster the SAF industry in the UK. The mechanism is also designed to limit costs and protect holidaymakers and working people against significant cost increases, with any rises expected to be in line with the usual variation of ticket prices.
The revenue certainty comes alongside the introduction of the SAF Mandate in January 2025, which requires a growing percentage of aviation fuel to come from sustainable sources to support the industry by securing demand and driving production in the UK. The mandate was one of the first in the world to be put into law, once again putting the UK at the forefront of decarbonising air travel.
The revenue certainty mechanism combined with the mandate will contribute to our net zero goals, enabling the aviation sector to continue to grow, including through airport expansion. This is also expected to drive significant investment into the SAF sector, creating green jobs, fostering innovation and driving growth as part of our Plan for Change.
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:
We are committed to building the technology and fuel supply that will see greener flying become a reality in a way that protects consumers.
As part of our Plan for Change, these proposals will power up SAF production in the UK, support thousands of green jobs and bolster expansion plans.
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:
UK airlines support the RCM as a means of driving production in SAF and ensuring the industry can comply with the mandate.
We look forward to working with government on its design with a particular focus on encouraging a competitive market and supporting FOAK plants. The goal must be the production of as much SAF at the cheapest possible price for consumers, to help the industry get to net zero, support growth in UK aviation whilst minimising the impact on passengers.
Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:
SAF will play a key role in decarbonising aviation and a revenue certainty mechanism will not only ensure the UK can access enough supply but also that we can benefit from thousands of jobs and billions in investment.
Airports will work with government as part of the aviation sector to develop the right solution that will give the market the confidence it needs to bring investment forward, enabling a new UK industry producing homegrown SAF to emerge.
This, in turn, will allow the UK’s global air connectivity to expand sustainably within our net zero targets and play an increasing role in growing our economy, something the government is prioritising to drive up the prosperity of the whole country.
Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association, said:
The RCM is essential if SAF is to be manufactured here in the UK rather than imported. Home produced SAF leads to more jobs and improved fuel security, plus it’s a better way of dealing with household and commercial waste than burning it for electricity generation.
The consultation will run from 3 March to 31 March, with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Revenue Support Mechanism) Bill being laid in Parliament in the spring. This support will build on the £63 million recently announced by the Chancellor in her growth speech to boost production of alternative fuels in the UK.
Last month, the Chancellor also invited Heathrow Airport to bring forward expansion plans for consideration by the summer. The government will then review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) to ensure that any scheme is delivered in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations.
In September last year, the department announced a refreshed and rejuvenated Jet Zero taskforce, which is serving as the driving force to transform how people fly – aligning with the government’s missions to make the UK a clean energy superpower and kickstart the economy.
In a further boost for sustainable aviation, the UK led the charge for new carbon limits on aircrafts at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which will see all new aircraft types become 10% more efficient from 2031. This will help cut emissions and fuel costs, benefitting passengers as well as the planet. Regulations on aircraft noise will also be strengthened from 2029 to make planes quieter when taking off and landing.
The RCM will help deliver certainty in the green fuels market, supporting stable production of the SAF needed for aviation decarbonisation. The scheme is similar to that used in the UK’s world-leading renewables sector and could now boost domestic sustainable fuel production, driving investment in the UK SAF industry and boosting the economy through more green jobs.
This is a temporary measure, while SAF market prices are uncertain, to help scale early technologies while supporting a competitive market for SAF production. The government will monitor its impacts and can manage liabilities by capping the support to a pre-agreed volume of SAF, as well as agreeing the strike price within contracts.
French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls left New Caledonia at the weekend after a one-week stay which was marked by the resumption of inclusive political talks on the French territory’s future.
He has now submitted a “synthetical” working document to be discussed further and promised he would return later this month.
He has confirmed France’s main pillars for its assistance to New Caledonia, nine months after deadly and destructive riots broke out, leaving 14 dead, several hundred businesses destroyed, and thousands of job losses for a total estimated damage of 2.2 billion euros (NZ$4 billion).
The French aid confirmed so far mainly consisted of a loan of up to 1 billion euros (NZ$1.8 billion) as well as grants to rebuild all damaged schools and some public buildings.
Valls also announced French funding to pay unemployment benefits (which were to expire at the end of this month) were now to be extended until the end of June.
However, the main feature of his stay, widely regarded as the major achievement, was to manage to gather all political tendencies (both pro-independence and those in favour of New Caledonia remaining a part of France) around the same table.
The initial talks were first held at New Caledonia’s Congress on February 24.
Two days later, talks resumed at the French High Commission between Wednesday and Friday last week, in the form of “tripartite” discussions between pro-France, pro-independence local parties and the French State.
As some, especially the pro-independence umbrella FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front), insisted that those sessions were “discussions”, not “negotiations”, there was a general feeling that all participants now seemed to recognise the virtues of the exchanges and that they had at least managed to openly and frankly confront their respective views.
Valls, who shared a feeling of relative success in view of what he described as a sense of “historic responsibility” from political stakeholders, even extended his stay by 24 hours.
Speaking at the weekend, he said he had now left all parties with a document that was now supposed to synthesise all views expressed and the main items remaining to be further discussed.
New Caledonia’s parties begin talks at the French High Commission in Nouméa last Wednesday. Image: RNZ Pacific/RRB
‘A situation no longer sustainable’ “Political deadlocks, economic and social stagnation, violence, fear, and the lack of prospects for the territory’s inhabitants create a situation that is no longer sustainable. Everyone agrees on this observation,” the document states.
A cautiously hopeful Valls said views would continue to be exchanged, sometimes by video conference.
Taking part in the same visit last week was Eric Thiers, a special adviser to French Prime Minister François Bayrou.
Valls also stressed he would return to New Caledonia sometime later this month, maybe March 22-23, depending on how talks and remote exchanges were going to evolve.
In the meantime, the shared document would be subjected to many amendments and suggestions in order to take the shape of a fit-enough basis for a compromise acceptable by all.
The work-in-progress document details a wide range of subjects, such as self-determination, the relationship with France, the transfer of powers, who would be in charge of international relations, independence, a future system of governance (including the organisation of the three provinces), the electoral roll for local elections, the notion of citizenship (with a proposed system of “points-based” accession system), all these under the generic notion of “shared destiny”.
There was also a form of consensus on the fact that if a future text was to be submitted to popular approval by way of a referendum, it should not be based on a binary “yes” or “no” alternative, but on a comprehensive, wide-ranging “project”.
On each of those topics, the draft takes into account the different and sometimes opposing views expressed and enumerates a number of possible options and scenarios.
Based on this draft working document, the next round of talks would lead to a new agreement that is supposed to replace and offer a continuation to the ageing Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998 and install a new roadmap for New Caledonia’s future.
As part of discussions, another topic was the future of New Caledonia’s great council of chiefs, the Customary Senate, and possible changes from its until-now consultative status to a more executive role to turn New Caledonia’s legislative system from a Congress-only system to a bicameral one (Congress-Parliament and a chiefly Senate).
Struggling nickel mining industry The very sensitive question of New Caledonia’s nickel mining industry was also discussed, as the crucial industry, a very significant pillar of the economy, is undergoing its worst crisis.
Since August 2024, one of its three factories and smelters, Koniambo (KNS) in the north of the main island has been mothballed and is still up for sale after its majority stakeholder, Anglo-Swiss Glencore, decided to withdraw after more than a decade of losses (more than 13 billion euros — NZ$24 billion).
Another nickel-producing unit, in the South, Prony, is currently engaged in negotiations with potential investment companies, one South African, one from the United Arab Emirates and the other Indian.
New Caledonia’s historic nickel miner, Société le Nickel (SLN, a subsidiary of French giant Eramet), is still facing major hurdles to resume operations as it struggles to regain access to its mining sites.
The situation was compounded by a changing competition pattern on the world scale, New Caledonia’s production prices being too high and Indonesia now clearly emerging as a world leader, producing much cheaper first-class nickel and in greater quantities.
‘A new nickel strategy is needed’, Valls says While political parties involved in the talks (all parties represented at the Congress) remained tight-lipped and media-elusive throughout last week, they recognised a spirit of “constructive talks” with a shared goal of “listening to each other”.
However, the views remain radically opposed, even irreconcilable — pro-independence supporters’ most clear-cut position (notably that from the Union Calédonienne) consists of a demand for a quick, full independence, with a “Kanaky Accord” to be signed this year, to be followed by a five-year “transition” period.
On the pro-France side, one of the main bones of contention defended by the two main parties (Les Loyalistes and Rassemblement-LR) is to affirm that their determination to maintain New Caledonia as a part of France has been confirmed by three referenda (in 2018, 2020 and 2021) on self-determination.
Pro-independence parties argue, however, that the third and last referendum, in December 2021, was boycotted by the pro-independence movement and that it was not legitimate, even though it was ruled by the courts as valid.
They are also advocating for significant changes to be made in the way the three provinces are managed, a system described as “internal federalism” but decried by opponents as a form of separatism.
In the pro-France camp, the Calédonie Ensemble party holds relatively more open views.
In between are the more moderate pro-independence parties, PALIKA and UMP, which favour of a future status revolving around the notion of “independence in association with France”.
‘At least no one slammed the door’ “At least no one slammed the door and that, already, is a good thing,” said pro-France leader and French MP Nicolas Metzdorf.
“We’re still a long way away from a political compromise, but we have stopped moving further away from it,” he added, giving credit to Vall’s approach.
On his part, Valls stressed that he did not want to rush things in order to “maintain the thread” of talks, but that provincial elections were scheduled to take place no later than 30 October 2025.
“I don’t want to force things, I don’t want to break the thread . . . sometimes, we wanted to rush things, and that’s why it didn’t work,” he elaborated, in a direct reference to numerous and unsuccessful attempts by previous French governments, since 2022, to kick-start the comprehensive talks.
“Some work will be done by video conference. I will always take my responsibilities, because we have to move forward”, Valls told public broadcaster NC la 1ère.
He said France would then return with its proposals and offers.
“And we will take our responsibilities. The debate cannot last for months and months. We respect everyone, but we have to move forward. There is no deadline, but we all know that there are provincial elections.”
Those elections — initially scheduled in May 2024 and then in December 2024 — have already been postponed twice.
They are supposed to elect the members of New Caledonia’s three provinces (North, South and Loyalty Islands), which in turn makes up the territory’s Congress and the proportional makeup of the government and election of President.
All parties involved will now to consult with their respective supporters to get their go-ahead and a mandate to embark on full negotiations.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Beginning of the end for the ‘feudal’ leasehold system
The government has published the Commonhold White Paper today.
Commonhold, a radical improvement on leasehold ownership, will be reinvigorated under major reforms
New leasehold flats to be banned as the government takes steps to honour its manifesto commitment to ensure commonhold becomes the default tenure
Major change will give homeowners a stake in the ownership of their buildings and will hand them more power, control and security over their homes.
Change will ensure flat owners are not second-class homeowners and that the unfair feudal leasehold system is brought to an end, building on the Plan for Change ambition to drive up living standards
Homeowners will have a stake in the ownership of their buildings from day one, not have to pay ground rent, and will gain control over how their buildings are run under major plans to bring the feudal leasehold system to an end.
Plans to reinvigorate commonhold and make it the default tenure have been announced today. Unlike leasehold ownership where third-party landlords own buildings and make decisions on behalf of homeowners, these changes will empower hard working homeowners to have an ownership stake in their buildings from the outset and will give them greater control over how their home is managed and the bills they pay.
Supporting delivery of a manifesto commitment – these reforms mark the beginning of the end for the feudal leasehold system. The changes complement the Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes, combatting the acute and entrenched housing crisis by making homeownership fit for the future, by putting people in control of the money they spend on their home.
Commonhold-type models are used all over the world. The autonomy and control that it provides for are taken for granted in many other countries. It can and does work and the government is determined, through both new commonhold developments and by making conversion to commonhold easier, to see it take root – so millions of existing leaseholders can also benefit from this step change in rights and security.
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook said:
“This government promised not only to provide immediate relief to leaseholders suffering now but to do what is necessary to bring the feudal leasehold system to an end – and that is precisely what we are doing.
“By taking decisive steps to reinvigorate commonhold and make it the default tenure, we will ensure that it is homeowners, not third-party landlords, who will own the buildings they live in and have a greater say in how their home is managed and the bills they pay.
“These reforms mark the beginning of the end for a system that has seen millions of homeowners subject to unfair practices and unreasonable costs at the hands of their landlords and build on our Plan for Change commitments to drive up living standards and create a housing system fit for the twenty-first century.”
Following the introduction of a comprehensive new legal framework for commonhold, new leasehold flats will be banned, and in the meantime the government will continue to implement reforms to help millions of leaseholders who are currently suffering from unfair and unreasonable practices at the hands of unscrupulous freeholders and managing agents.
The government has already empowered leaseholders with more rights and security – enabling them to buy their freehold or extend their lease without having to wait two years from the point they purchased their property, and overhauling the right to manage – putting more leaseholders in the driving seat of the management of their property and service charges.
Progress will be made as quickly as possible to make it cheaper and easier for leaseholders to buy their freehold or extend their lease, and to make it easier for leaseholders to challenge unreasonable service charge increases.
Changes set out in the Commonhold White paper include:
New rules that will enable commonhold to work for all types of developments, including mixed-use buildings and allowing shared ownership homes within a commonhold.
Greater flexibility over development rights, helping developers build with confidence and maintaining safeguards for the consumer.
Giving mortgage lenders greater assurance with new measures to protect their stake in buildings and protect the solvency of commonholds – such as mandatory public liability insurance and reserve funds and greater oversight by commonhold unit owners to keep costs affordable.
Strengthening the management of commonholds, with new rules around appointing directors, clear standards for repairs, and mandating use of reserve funds; and
Providing an enhanced offer for homeowners – including requiring greater opportunities for democracy in agreeing the annual budget, clarifying how owners may change “local rules” over how a building is run and new protections for when things go wrong.
A new Code of Practice will set out how costs should be apportioned in commonhold, aimed at providing consumers with transparency and clarity, and the Government is committed to strengthening regulation of managing agents. The government will also launch a consultation to ban new leasehold flats later this year to explore the best way forward.
An ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will be published later this year setting out the legal framework for how reformed commonhold will work.
Further information
Under the current system, leasehold ownership hands the homeowner the right to occupy land or a property for a set period which reverts back to the freeholder once this expires. It means leaseholders don’t own their property outright, are forced to pay potentially escalating ground rent costs in some cases, and have a landlord who determines how the building is run and determines service charges the leaseholder must pay.
Commonhold ownership allows people to fully own their property outright, with no expiring term or need to save to extend a lease. They can have a say in managing their building, and have the benefit of not needing to pay ground rent or have a third party landlord. There are no leases, with the rights, responsibilities and rules for all property owners set out in the Commonhold Community Statement (CCS). This “rulebook” establishes how the shared areas and facilities will be managed, maintained and funded, as well as the obligations for each person. It establishes a democratic system of decision-making and helps prevent disputes.
Each property owner will become part of a commonhold association upon buying their home, which oversees both the governance and management of the building unless it decides to bring in a managing agent – which will be accountable to the commonholders, not to a landlord, including the power to hire and fire them.
Through the commonhold association, homeowners will have a vote on the annual budget, which is for upkeep and for maintenance of the building, and on the charges they have to pay – equivalent to what service charges are used for under the current leasehold system. Homeowners will also be able to effectively plan for longer-term repairs or maintenance under commonhold, and vote on issues that affect them including adopting ‘local rules’ – specific to how they and their neighbours in the same block of flats want to live.
The government is pushing forward the majority of the Law Commission’s recommendations due to the benefits of this tenure over leasehold. Initially introduced in England and Wales in 2002, commonhold has struggled to take off due to flaws in its legal framework, despite its success in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, the US and other parts of the world.
Key differences between commonhold and leasehold:
Commonhold offers full freehold ownership – real homeownership – unlike leasehold, whereby a property is leased out for a set amount of time before reverting back to the landlord and homeowners have a lack of control over their building.
Commonhold allows homeowners a say on the annual budget for their building – including how their charges for upkeep and maintenance are spent – unlike leasehold, where a bill is usually imposed on leaseholders by landlords often even after the money has been spent.
There is no ground rent in a commonhold property, compared to older leasehold properties. The ground rent requirement for newer properties was removed in 2022 (2023 for retirement properties) through the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022.
Forfeiture is not possible under commonhold, meaning a unit owner cannot be threatened with losing their home and equity as they can in leasehold. The government will also address the disproportionate and draconian threat of forfeiture as a means of compliance with a lease agreement.
Commonholders have the power to hire or fire a managing agent who works in their interests, unlike in leasehold where one is appointed by the landlord.
Headline: Trade and Gender Group launches new edition of equality prize, consultations on future work
The co-chairs of the Informal Working Group (IWG) — Ambassador Clara Delgado of Cabo Verde, Ambassador Patricia Benedetti of El Salvador and Ambassador Simon Manley of the United Kingdom — looked back at key achievements in 2024. They highlighted the specific wording on trade and gender in the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration WT/MIN(24)/DEC, the launch of a new trade policy tool in support of women entrepreneurs’ financial inclusion, and progress on “sharing experiences” on gender-responsive trade policy making.
Progress was also made in integrating gender issues into the work of various WTO bodies, such as the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), they added.
Members welcomed the co-chairs’ initiative to launch consultations on the IWG’s work plan for 2025-26, including on potential outcomes at the 14th Ministerial Conference, to be held in March 2026.
Members also agreed to launch the second edition of the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade to support members’ work on inclusive trade. The call for applications is now open via this form.
Presentations
The United Kingdom presented its work on the implementation of gender equality in free trade agreements (FTAs), including the UK-New Zealand FTA and the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The importance of mainstreaming gender across trade agreements was highlighted. In addition, cooperation provisions are key for collecting gender-disaggregated data and for monitoring the impact of trade agreements on women, the UK said. The United Kingdom also noted that it is crucial to secure an institutional mechanism for discussing and implementing cooperation activities with stakeholders such as trade associations and women entrepreneurs.
Australia introduced its recently launched “International Gender Equality Strategy for a Safer and More Prosperous Indo-Pacific and the World”. Developed following consultations with over 600 stakeholders, the strategy aims to support gender equality in trade commitments at the WTO and other international and regional organizations
Mexico reported on a recent capacity-building workshop on trade and gender organized by the countries of the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA) in coordination with the WTO Secretariat. Bringing together experts, government representatives, academics and women entrepreneurs, the event looked into the challenges and opportunities in mainstreaming gender into global trade.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) provided an update on the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, launched at MC13. This WTO-ITC initiative will provide grants and technical assistance regarding digital trade to support export growth in women-led businesses. Following a call for applications in September 2024, the Fund will work with a number of business support organizations to be announced in early March.
The WTO Secretariat provided an update on its activities, highlighting training programmes, collaborative research projects, and outreach initiatives. The Secretariat emphasized progress in capacity-building initiatives with the Latin American Integration Association, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and various universities. A thematic course on trade, gender and agriculture will be launched with the FAO in 2025 as a follow-up to the WTO-FAO Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024.
The Trade and Gender Office also underlined its collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on drafting a recommendation (General Recommendation number 40) on women’s access to decision-making positions and its ongoing work.
Key Stage 1 pupils from Dunstall Hill Primary, West Park Primary and SS Peter and Paul Primary came along to choose their books, hear a talk from author Nadia Shireen and take part in an illustration workshop run by Vivian Trogg, the illustrator for this year’s World Book Day campaign.
They also enjoyed a craft session and met Postman Bear from the Julia Donaldson book, all courtesy of the World Book Day charity. The children were joined by local MPs Sureena Backenridge and Warinder Juss and World Book Day CEO Cassie Chadderton, and the event was compered by Kenny Baraka.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: “Getting into reading at an early age instils a life long love of books, and we were pleased to be one of 6 library services across the country to be able to welcome representatives of the World Book Day charity to an exciting event ahead of World Book Day here in Wolverhampton.
“If you are inspired to read this World Book Day, why not become a member of Wolverhampton’s libraries? It’s free to join and will give you access to a huge range of books, including eBooks and eAudiobooks.”
Cassie added: “World Book Day is all about unlocking the fun of reading for all children. Through events like this brilliant one at Whitmore Reans Library, we’re encouraging children to see reading as an exciting and enjoyable hobby.
“Libraries provide children with a community to explore books, share recommendations, and experience reading as a joyful, judgment free activity beyond the classroom. Bhttps://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/librariesy letting go of pressure and embracing choice, we can help more children find the fun in reading and unlock the incredible benefits it brings.”
World Book Day, which this year will take place on Thursday (6 March), is celebrated annually by 100 countries around the world, with children being given tokens to exchange for free books from a selection chosen by the World Book Day charity. To find out more, please visit World Book Day.
For more information about Wolverhampton’s libraries, and to join, please visit Libraries.
In his election campaign ahead of the May 2024 elections, the Mayor’s manifesto committed to ‘Making London Greener’, including to:
Help schools in London reach net zero.
Introduce a new Green Roots Fund for community green spaces.
Develop a bold plan for swimmable rivers within 10 years.[1]
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Environment Committee will meet with the Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy for a question and answer session, exploring the progress made in achieving the Mayor’s manifesto priorities, as well as wider progress on areas in the London Environmental Strategy and London’s 2030 net zero target.
Other topics will include noise pollution, the expansion of Heathrow Airport, green roots fund, and swimmable rivers.
The guests are:
Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy
Megan Life, Assistant Director for Environment and Energy, Greater London Authority (GLA)
Pete Daw, Head of Climate Change, GLA
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 4 March 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“M” Mark status awarded to World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 “M” Mark status awarded to World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 ******************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Major Sports Events Committee: The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) has awarded “M” Mark status to the World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 (March 4 to 9). The Chairman of the MSEC, Mr Wilfred Ng, said today (March 3), “The World Snooker Grand Prix 2025 has moved out of the United Kingdom for the very first time. Being held in Hong Kong, its scale and its prize pool have reached new heights. It is the inaugural major event after the opening of Kai Tak Sports Park, which not only helps promote local snooker development but also underlines Hong Kong’s status as the centre for major international sports events.” The “M” Mark System aims to encourage and help local National Sports Associations and private or non-government organisations to organise more major international sports events and nurture them into sustainable undertakings. Sports events meeting the assessment criteria will be considered for “M” Mark status by the MSEC. Funding support will also be provided to some events. ???For details of “M” Mark events, please visit www.mevents.org.hk.
Source: United Kingdom UK House of Lords (video statements)
A new House of Lords Committee set up to explore the UK’s role and engagement with space will hear from world-renowned physicist and TV presenter Professor Brian Cox at its first public evidence session.
Find out more about the committee and this inquiry: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/773/uk-engagement-with-space-committee
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:
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
PARIS, France, March 3, 2025/APO Group/ —
South Africa’s newly established South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) will host an investor roadshow at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this May, highlighting its strategic vision and the more than R95 billion in untapped market and investment opportunities in South Africa’s oil and gas sector. Under the theme “South Africa’s Energy Future: A New Age State Entity,” the presentation will be led by SANPC CEO Godfrey Moagi, following the company’s official launch, scheduled for April 2025.
With a clear mandate to promote energy independence and diversification, SANPC is set to drive large-scale investments in the oil, gas and clean energy sectors. SANPC’s strategy includes ring-fencing all non-functioning assets, identifying assets that can be moved to the NOC and ensuring these assets can be traded and utilized effectively. At the IAE 2025, delegates will gain an exclusive look into SANPC’s far-reaching goals, including the creation of a state-backed energy company that will enhance the country’s energy security, facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources and create employment opportunities for the nation’s youth.
IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4h81CCe)is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visitwww.Invest-Africa-energy.com.To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contactsales@energycapitalpower.com.
SANPC’s strategic vision aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan, which outlines the country’s goals to expand access to affordable, reliable energy while navigating the energy transition. The creation of SANPC marks a bold step toward achieving these objectives, acting as a catalyst for new ventures, partnerships and large-scale infrastructure projects. As South Africa’s energy landscape undergoes reform, SANPC aims to drive the rapid deployment of new projects while adhering to the highest sustainability standards and fostering regional integration in oil and gas.
SANPC’s participation at IAE 2025 is part of the company’s series of investor roadshows, first launched at the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2024 conference in Cape Town. These roadshows support the company’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and offer stakeholders the opportunity to engage with SANPC leadership, while gaining insight into the company’s vision for an energy future that fosters both economic and environmental sustainability.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Foreign criminals to be deported quicker
Foreign national offenders (FNOs) will be deported quicker thanks to a new £5 million government investment in prisons across England and Wales.
Immigration crack squad deployed to prisons to speed up removal of foreign national offenders
Deportation drive will save taxpayers’ money and help ease jail capacity crisis
Part of government’s Plan for Change to create safer streets
Foreign national offenders (FNOs) will be deported quicker thanks to a new £5 million government investment in prisons across England and Wales.
The money will fund the deployment of specialist frontline staff to 80 jails with one clear mission – speeding up the removal of prisoners who have no right to be in this country.
The new crack squad will also support the Home Office to identify and manage those going through the immigration process, ensuring cases are progressed as quickly as possible.
FNOs make up around 12 percent of the total prison population and deporting them sooner will help save taxpayers’ millions while easing the capacity crisis inherited by the new government.
The move is expected to further bolster efforts which have seen 23 per cent more FNOs removed since July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, James Timpson, said:
It cannot be right for British taxpayers to foot the bill for jailing foreign criminals who have brought misery to our communities.
Under this Government removals are up by nearly a quarter. We’re now taking action to ensure this is done swifter, easing pressure on overcrowded prisons and on the public purse.
This is part of our Plan for Change – fixing the broken prison system we inherited and keeping our streets safe.
The investment will create 82 specialist roles to oversee removals from jails. They will be in post and fully operational by 1 April.
Further information
HM Prison and Probation Service work with the Home Office to remove thousands of FNOs via the Early Removal Scheme (where they can be deported up to 18 months before the end of their custodial sentence) and via transferring FNOs to serve their sentences in their home country
Since July 2024, we have removed 2,580 foreign criminals, a 23 per cent increase on the same period 12 months prior
UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on Myanmar
UK Statement at the 58 Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue on on the High Commissioner’s Report on Myanmar. Delivered by UK Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders.
Thank you High Commissioner for your update.
We are now in the fourth year since the coup and the crisis in Myanmar is only deepening. The military continues to intensify its violent and repressive onslaught. Schools and hospitals have been targeted. Indiscriminate airstrikes on civilians have increased. There is no justification for such abhorrent attacks on innocent civilians.
The UK is alarmed by the escalating violence, human rights violations and gender-based violence. All actors, especially the Myanmar Military, must prioritise the protection of civilians. We call on the Military to stop the violence – especially the airstrikes – and release all those arbitrarily detained.
The humanitarian situation is critical, with almost 20 million people in need of assistance. We call on all actors, especially the military, to allow safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. The UK is providing more than £66 million in assistance this year.
Accountability is vital. We must break the cycle of impunity. This is why the UK supports the work of the International Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. And this is why we announced our nineteenth round of sanctions in November last year targeting the military regime’s access to arms, aviation fuel and dual-use equipment.
An online ‘toolkit’ to support anyone to make positive changes in their community has been launched by Community Planning Aberdeen on Friday 28 February.
The Community Empowerment Toolkit provides tips and information for anyone looking to improve their community, and for anyone looking to undertake effective community engagement.
Councillor Christian Allard, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council and Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said: “We appreciate, understand and value the vital role that communities must play in improving outcomes for Aberdeen.
“This online toolkit gives individuals and groups access to information that can help to them to influence and action improvements that will benefit their local community, which in turn will be good for the city.
“We want all people living in Aberdeen, regardless of their background and circumstances, to be empowered and pro-active in their community. Our ambition is for all communities to become equal community planning partners.”
The online toolkit has been developed through engagement with community members and organisations across Aberdeen, and the Grampian Engagement Network. It is also being supported NHS Grampian’s Putting People First programme.
Anyone who lives in Aberdeen is a member of their local community and as a community member can find a wide range of information including how to contact their local Community Council, where to get help with funding a project, useful data to support projects, and how to connect with existing groups and organisations.
For organisations that are keen to undertake community engagement, the toolkit provides a step-by-step guide, with lots of useful resources to help support effective community engagement.
Community Planning Aberdeen is the name for the local partnership of public, private and third sector organisations and communities working together to improve people’s lives across Aberdeen through the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP). An easy-to-read version of the LOIP for children and young people is also available.
The Local Outcome Improvement Plan sets out Community Planning Aberdeen’s priorities for improving the city – there are 16 for how it proposes to do this, which cover four themes: Economy, People, Place and Community Empowerment.
Community Planning Aberdeen members are Aberdeen City Council, ACVO (Aberdeen Council for Voluntary Organisations), Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Grampian, North East Scotland College, Police Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, NESTRANS, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Aberdeen.
THOUSANDS of children across the city will be offered places at secondary schools today (Monday 3 March) – with an increase in the percentage being offered their first choice.
Today is National Offer Day, when children up and down the country learn which secondary school they will attend for the 2025/26 academic year.
In Leicester, 4,657 city residents applied for a secondary school place. Of those, 3,830 (82.3%) gained a place at their first-choice school. A further 505 (10.8%) got their second preference, 117 (2.5%) their third preference and 15 (0.3%) their fourth preference.
In total, 95.9% were offered a place at one of their top four preferred schools, with the remaining 4.1% offered alternative places. Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place at a school.
Cllr Elaine Pantling, assistant city mayor for education, said: “I’m really pleased to see that the vast majority of applicants – 95.9% – gained a place at one of their preferred schools, with an increase in the percentage getting their first choice.
“We know starting secondary school can be an anxious time for families, and we do all we can to make the applications process is as straightforward as possible. We have made sure that, once again, no-one who applies on time is without a place.”
Of all who applied, 94% made an online application, meaning they can view their results online on offer day, rather than having to wait for a letter to be posted out to them.
KABUL – A timely EUR 1 million contribution from the Government of France to WFP in Afghanistan in 2024 helped keep United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) operational in the country, maintaining a vital lifeline for aid workers and relief supplies.
The support allowed UNHAS to transport aid workers from UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and other partners as well as essential cargo like food, medical supplies and emergency shelter materials to remote locations across the country.
“France is proud to support UNHAS, a crucial lifeline delivering humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable populations in Afghanistan and all over the world,” said H.E. Ms Céline Jurgensen, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Rome.
UNHAS currently flies aid workers to 25 destinations across the country, many of them remote and inaccessible. Earlier in 2024, UNHAS also operated an international airbridge connecting Kabul with Doha, Qatar and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ensuring quick and reliable delivery of humanitarian assistance and safe transport for aid workers to sustain life-saving operations. After commercial airlines started serving these destinations reliably, these destinations were discontinued. UNHAS still flies to Islamabad, Pakistan and Dushanbe, Tajikistan, twice a week.
“UNHAS enables humanitarian aid workers to reach and support vulnerable populations in remote, hard-to-access areas while also providing them with peace of mind, knowing that medical evacuations and security relocations are available in critical situations,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP’s acting Country Director in Afghanistan. “We are grateful for the generous support from our partners who help WFP keep UNHAS in the air.”
The Government of France has been a dedicated supporter of WFP in Afghanistan, contributing nearly US$9 million in 2023 and over US$6.5 million in 2024. This unwavering commitment places France squarely among the top ten donors for WFP in Afghanistan.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.