NewzIntel.com

Category: Great Britain

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds welcomes the announcement that more Civil Service roles will be moved to the city

    Source: City of Leeds

    Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

    “We welcome the Government’s continued recognition of Leeds as a key hub for Civil Service roles. With over 14,000 civil servants already based in Leeds, this announcement builds on our role as a major centre for government outside London.

    “Relocating more roles will bring decision-making closer to the communities it serves, support the creation of good jobs, and provide long-term whole career opportunities including for our talented apprentices, graduates and professionals.

    “The Leeds Health and Social Care Hub, which brings together the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS, local government, universities and other partners exemplifies how central government can work hand-in-hand with local delivery organisations to improve outcomes for patients and residents.

    “This move adds to the momentum we’re already seeing in Leeds as a leading financial centre, with major organisations like the Financial Conduct Authority, the Bank of England and the National Wealth Fund choosing to locate roles here – reinforcing the city’s growing national importance as a centre for public service and economic opportunity.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Final Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry

    The government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report.

    • Government’s final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report highlights progress delivering Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.

    • Progress includes nearly £100 million so far in compensation to victims and over £1.2 billion in interim payments, committing £500,000 to advocacy charities, and greater support for patients with liver damage.

    • Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will also continue his role for another 18 months.

    Nearly £100 million in compensation has been paid to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal so far, alongside over £1.2 billion in interim payments, as the government publishes its final response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 report – highlighting progress delivering the Inquiry’s twelve recommendations.

    Recognising the unspeakable suffering of victims, the government accepts all twelve of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with some accepted in full, and others accepted in principle. There are no recommendations that the government has not accepted. 

    Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said:

    Today is an important milestone, nearly one year on from the publication of the Inquiry’s report.  

    The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably. We remain fully committed to cooperating with the Inquiry, are acting on its twelve recommendations, and are grateful for its work to date.

    We have paid nearly £100 million in compensation so far, and have set aside £11.8 billion to deliver what is one of the most comprehensive compensation schemes in modern history.

    The government is delivering Recommendation 1, to set up a compensation scheme. Compensation is paid through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an independent organisation that was set up on the Inquiry’s recommendation in its Second Interim Report. IBCA has paid out £96.6 million in compensation so far to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal, building on over £1.2 billion already paid out by the government in interim payments.

    Government is delivering Recommendation 10, to empower the voices of infected blood patients, by paying £500,000 to patient advocacy charities. These funds will be paid to specific charities that have been recommended by the Inquiry, and meetings are underway to agree on awards. 

    Government is also delivering Recommendation 6, to monitor patients with liver damage, by ensuring that all patients with liver damage will have their care overseen by a medical consultant. Patients with a Hepatitis C diagnosis will receive greater follow-up and monitoring, and NHS England will also be proactively identifying patients with bleeding disorders to ensure they receive appropriate testing, treatment and ongoing monitoring.

    Today, the Government is also announcing that Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, will remain in his role for another 18 months. The decision to extend his term was taken to provide continuity for the organisation and the infected blood community, and ensure compensation continues to be delivered without delay.

    The Inquiry has set out its intention to publish a further report on compensation, and the Government remains committed to cooperating with the Inquiry.

    Commenting on his extension, Sir Robert Francis KC said:

    I am honoured to continue serving as ​Interim ​Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

    My priority remains to ensure that we pay compensation to those impacted by the scandal as quickly as possible, while maintaining transparency and compassion throughout our work.​

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Assisted dying bill: religious MPs were more likely to oppose law change in first round of voting

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David Jeffery, Senior Lecturer in British Politics, University of Liverpool

    MPs are due to vote for a second time on the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill in parliament – a law that would legalise assisted suicide in England and Wales.

    The third reading stage will take place after a debate on Friday May 16 and would test MPs’ commitment to a change they initially supported at second reading in November 2024. In this first vote, the bill passed with 331 votes to 276 (with 35 abstentions), but in subsequent stages, the process has been more controversial. Emotions are running high and pressure groups have been vocal on both sides.

    As with many issues of morality, this is a free vote – MPs are not told what to do by their party. And after the second reading in November, MPs could, and did, give a range of reasons for how they voted, including their own experiences of loved ones’ final days, discussions with constituents, the experiences of other countries with assisted suicide – and also their religious views.

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    In that first vote, there were clear patterns in voting relating to religious affiliation. MPs with no religion were much more likely to support assisted dying.

    In this group, 76% voted for, while just 18% voted against. Christian MPs overall were more likely to oppose the bill, with 57% voting against with the most pronounced opposition coming from Catholics, who were 74% opposed.

    Muslim MPs were even more likely to vote against, with 84% of them on the no side. Jewish and Sikh MPs were both roughly twice as likely to support the bill as to oppose it, whereas Hindu MPs were more likely to oppose than support by the same margin. The one Buddhist MP – Suella Braverman – voted against.

    Beyond their own demographic, political or religious position, the views of their constituents are also expected to influence how MPs vote. To explore this, I conducted a regression analysis (a statistical method to find a relationship between factors) that included a range of constituency variables, such as the proportion of white residents and the percentage of each religious group (along with those identifying as non-religious).

    I also considered the percentage of constituents with no formal qualifications, graduates, and those reporting some form of disability. In the full model, which incorporated all these variables, none of the religious variables were found to be statistically significant, suggesting that localised religious lobbying did not have a measurable effect on MPs’ voting behaviour.

    However, an interesting finding is that MPs with a higher proportion of disabled people in their constituency were more likely to vote for assisted dying. It is not clear if this relationship is causal, suggesting they had been lobbied by their constituents to support the bill, or a correlation between disabled people being more likely to live in Labour constituencies.

    How MPs voted on assisted dying, November 2024

    Characteristic Overall Yes No Abstain
    Total 642 331 (52%) 276 (43%) 35 (5%)
    Female 261 143 (55%) 107 (41%) 11 (4.2%)
    Ethnic MP 90 30 (33%) 57 (63%) 3 (3.3%)
    LGBT 71 49 (69%) 18 (25%) 4 (5.6%)
    Elected As
    Labour 411 236 (57%) 155 (38%) 20 (4.9%)
    Conservative 121 23 (19%) 93 (77%) 5 (4.1%)
    Liberal Democrat 72 61 (85%) 11 (15%) 0 (0%)
    Scottish National Party 9 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 9 (100%)
    Independent 6 0 (0%) 6 (100%) 0 (0%)
    Democratic Unionist Party 5 0 (0%) 5 (100%) 0 (0%)
    Reform UK 5 3 (60%) 2 (40%) 0 (0%)
    Green Party 4 4 (100%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%)
    Plaid Cymru 4 3 (75%) 1 (25%) 0 (0%)
    Social Democratic & Labour Party 2 1 (50%) 0 (0%) 1 (50%)
    Alliance 1 0 (0%) 1 (100%) 0 (0%)
    Traditional Unionist Voice 1 0 (0%) 1 (100%) 0 (0%)
    Ulster Unionist Party 1 0 (0%) 1 (100%) 0 (0%)
    MP Religion
    None 234 179 (76%) 43 (18%) 12 (5.1%)
    Christian (all) 351 132 (38%) 199 (57%) 20 (5.7%)
    Catholic 35 7 (20%) 26 (74%) 2 (5.7%)
    Muslim 25 2 (8.0%) 21 (84%) 2 (8.0%)
    Jewish 13 8 (62%) 4 (31%) 1 (7.7%)
    Sikh 12 8 (67%) 4 (33%) 0 (0%)
    Hindu 6 2 (33%) 4 (67%) 0 (0%)
    Buddhist 1 0 (0%) 1 (100%) 0 (0%)

    Note: the vote tallies differ from that given by the parliament website because I have included tellers for both sides, and correctly assigned MPs who voted in both lobbies as abstentions.

    In the first vote, female MPs were slightly more likely to vote for assisted dying than against it. LGBT MPs leaned heavily towards support (with 69% voting in favour of the law change). And minority ethnic MPs leaned heavily in the opposite directions – with 63% voting against.

    Perhaps predictably, given the prime minister’s open support for assisted dying, Labour MPs supported the bill, with 57% voting in favour and 38% against.

    The Liberal Democrats were overwhelmingly supportive – 85% backed it – whereas 77% of Conservative MPs voted against. All Northern Irish unionist parties – as well as the independent unionist MP – voted against the bill, with no abstentions.

    Reform UK MPs were split, with two against and three in favour (albeit one of the three, the now-suspended Rupert Lowe, only after a survey of his own constituents).

    But there is an interesting story unfolding on the left of politics. The 2024 general election saw challenges to Labour from both the Green Party and so-called Gaza independents. In this free vote, we see the contrasting social views between these two groups play out.

    All Green MPs supported assisted dying, while all Gaza independents – and Jeremy Corbyn – opposed it. This divide echoes Maria Sobolewska and Robert Ford’s framework in Brexitland, which distinguishes between “conviction identity liberals” and “ethnic minority ‘necessity liberals’”.

    The latter group aligns with conviction liberals on issues of discrimination due to self-interest, but often diverges on broader socially liberal issues such as assisted dying. Issues like assisted dying lay bare the tensions within this coalition.

    Identifying religion in parliament

    Religion is a personal matter so there is no official database that records the religious affiliation of MPs. It is therefore often impossible to test how religious views interact with voting behaviour. To address this gap, I built a dataset using a three-step methodology to determine MPs’ religious affiliation.

    Among MPs (excluding the Speaker and Sinn Fein MPs, who don’t take their seats), 54.7% (351) are Christian, including 5.5% (35) who are Catholic; 36.4% (234) have no religion; 3.9% (25) are Muslim; 2% (13) are Jewish; 1.9% (12) are Sikh; 0.9% (6) are Hindu; and 0.2% (1) is Buddhist.

    To work this out, I look first to see if an MP is a member of a religiously based group, such as Christians in Parliament. They are classified as belonging to that religion. Second, if an MP has publicly stated their religious beliefs – say, in a speech or interview – they are also classified accordingly.

    Labour MP John Healey is sworn in with a bible.
    Flickr/UK Parliament, CC BY-NC-ND

    These first two steps, however, cover only a fraction of MPs. Fortunately, all MPs are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown when sworn in. This oath can be made on a religious text or as a non-religious affirmation, and crucially MPs can choose which text to swear on, making this decision a meaningful and publicly visible indication of belief.

    That brings us to step three: the religious text (or lack thereof) used in the swearing-in ceremony is taken as an additional source of evidence for classification.

    These three sources are used in order of priority. For example, Tim Farron is a member of Christians in Parliament and has spoken openly about his faith, yet he chose to affirm without using a religious text. Even so, he is classified as Christian based on the first two criteria.

    What has been particularly interesting in this case has been the different voting patterns between Christian groups. I was able to set these groups apart because when MPs swear in, Catholics usually request specific versions of the Bible – such as the New Jerusalem Bible – whereas others might simply ask for “the Bible” and are given the King James Version.

    Treating Catholics as a distinct category allows for greater nuance in the analysis of the religious composition of parliament. A full breakdown of the religion of MPs, and the data used for this project, can be found here.

    We’ll soon be able to see how these markers interact with voting in the third reading.

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

    – ref. Assisted dying bill: religious MPs were more likely to oppose law change in first round of voting – https://theconversation.com/assisted-dying-bill-religious-mps-were-more-likely-to-oppose-law-change-in-first-round-of-voting-256503

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Do people really want to know their risk of getting Alzheimer’s?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Claudia Cooper, Professor of Psychological Medicine, Queen Mary University of London

    Tricky Shark/Shutterstock.com

    A new study has highlighted the complex emotions and ethical dilemmas of learning your future risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Among 274 healthy research participants from the US aged 65 and over, 40% declined to receive their personal risk estimates – despite having initially expressed an interest in doing so.

    These risk estimates were based on demographic data, brain imaging and blood biomarkers, offering an 82 to 84% accuracy in predicting the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease within five years. By comparison, age alone can predict this risk with 79% accuracy.

    So the value of these tests is modest in people without any cognitive symptoms, and there are potential risks to disclosing them. People told they are at increased risk of dementia describe how this can feel like an illness in itself – or being in limbo between health and disease – and cause distress.

    Participants who did not want to be tested cited the uncertainty of the result, the burden of knowing, and their negative experiences of witnessing Alzheimer’s disease in others. Those with a family history of Alzheimer’s were less likely to want to know their results – perhaps because of greater exposure to these negative experiences.

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

    Black participants were less likely to want to know, too, which the researchers suggest could relate to greater experiences of stress, stigma and discrimination, making the prospect of a positive test result feel more threatening.

    Perhaps the question here is not why more people didn’t want to know the result, but whether researchers should routinely offer them at all, given the lack of certainty of the results and the potential for distress.

    Another issue is their limited usefulness for people without symptoms. Addressing lifestyle risk factors, such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, can reduce cognitive decline, a message the public is increasingly aware of. But knowing your risk doesn’t change the advice.

    In contrast to areas like breast cancer, where people at high risk of the disease can be offered preventative measures, such as drugs, surgery or enhanced screening, there are no comparable interventions to reduce dementia risk in people without symptoms.

    The authors of the new study explain that researchers used to be cautious about not sharing test results with participants in Alzheimer’s studies. But now there’s a growing expectation that people will be given their results. A proposed “bill of rights” for dementia research participants includes the right to get their results and have them clearly explained.

    It’s hard to explain how uncertain these results can be. People often worry about getting dementia in general, not just Alzheimer’s, which makes up about two-thirds of all cases. Some people who are told they have a low risk of Alzheimer’s may still develop another form of dementia, such as vascular dementia.

    The wider science that produced these future risk estimates has enabled the development of new diagnostic technologies unimaginable ten years ago. Similar blood tests can detect Alzheimer’s disease pathology in people with cognitive symptoms with over 90% accuracy, potentially enabling more accurate and timely dementia diagnoses.

    Blood tests

    Two major UK research programmes are piloting these blood tests in the NHS to support the more accurate diagnoses of some forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Improved and earlier detection is needed: a third of people with dementia in England and Northern Ireland are never diagnosed.

    The benefits of the first drugs to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease are modest. In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence hasn’t yet been convinced that these drugs are worth the cost for the NHS.

    The NHS is trialling blood tests to spot early signs of Alzheimer’s.
    AntonSAN/Shutterstock.com

    Some might question a focus on identifying future risks for dementia before we have good treatments. But developing better treatments depends on the new scientific discoveries that are helping us detect Alzheimer’s earlier. Finding a treatment for an illness requires a detailed understanding of how that illness develops.

    We are closer to delivering accurate detection of Alzheimer’s disease than curative treatment. This presents a dilemma of how much to know about personal risk. Rights-based approaches situate this dilemma with the participant, to decide whether to know rather than researchers to decide whether to tell.

    For researchers, disclosing results compassionately and clearly is difficult and for some, the knowledge will cause distress, however well it is conveyed. The option to receive results should come with warnings.

    Claudia Cooper receives funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Dementia and Neurodegeneration Policy Research Unit (NIHR206110) and is supported by an NIHR Senior Investigator award (NIHR205009). The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the NIHR, the NHS or the Department of Health and Social Care. She received funding from ESRC/NIHR for the APPLE-Tree secondary dementia prevention programme from 2019-24 (ES/S010408/1). She works as a Professor of Psychological Medicine at Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London.

    – ref. Do people really want to know their risk of getting Alzheimer’s? – https://theconversation.com/do-people-really-want-to-know-their-risk-of-getting-alzheimers-256340

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. electricity prices continue steady increase

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-depth analysis

    May 14, 2025

    Retail electricity prices have increased faster than the rate of inflation since 2022, and we expect them to continue increasing through 2026, based on forecasts in our Short-Term Energy Outlook. Parts of the country with relatively high electricity prices may experience greater price increases than those with relatively low electricity prices.

    Overall, U.S. energy prices rapidly increased from 2020 to 2022 as economic activity recovered after the worst of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine interrupted energy supply chains. Since 2022, nominal prices for many fuels have declined, particularly for those such as gasoline and heating oil that are tied more closely to crude oil prices, which are affected by international markets. Electricity prices, though, have continued a steady increase.

    Regions with already high electricity prices may see larger increases

    Although we expect the nominal U.S. average electricity price to increase by 13% from 2022 to 2025, our forecasts for retail electricity price increases differ across the country. Residential electricity prices in the Pacific, Middle Atlantic, and New England census divisions—regions where consumers already pay much more per kilowatthour for electricity—could increase more than the national average. By comparison, residential electricity prices in areas with relatively low electricity prices may not increase as much.

    Electricity prices include more than the cost of generating electricity

    Retail electricity prices include the cost of generating, transmitting, and delivering electricity to ultimate customers, as well as taxes and other fees. In recent years, electric utilities have increased capital investment to replace or upgrade aging generation and delivery infrastructure, among other factors. Between 2013 and 2023, electricity prices closely tracked inflation, but we expect increases in electricity prices to outpace inflation through 2026.

    Utility spending on electricity distribution has surpassed spending on electricity transmission and production, according to our analysis of utilities’ financial reports to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The generation-related portions of retail electricity typically lag changes in wholesale spot prices of electricity generation fuels such as natural gas and coal depending on the customer contract agreements.

    Electricity expenditures are second only to gasoline

    U.S. consumers spent an average of about $1,760 on electricity expenditures in 2023. Among fuel-related expenditures, electricity expenditures are surpassed only by gasoline, which averaged nearly $2,450 in 2023, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey. Annual fluctuations in electricity expenditures tend to be more moderate than gasoline prices, which tend to follow changes in global crude oil prices.

    Principal contributor: Owen Comstock

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Extra funding to help take pride in the Capital

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Over the coming year, dedicated teams of cleansing staff from the Council are making their way around the Capital with the aim of sprucing up each neighbourhood and ward.

    The funding being used is almost a million pounds of additional resource allocated in the February 2024 budget to be used this year as well as the same amount each year going forward.   

    The ‘Pride in our City’ project began in March when teams concentrated their efforts around the Leith Walk area (Ward 12) clearing 36 tonnes of dog fouling, litter, dumped items, graffiti, weeds and chewing gum.  

    The Council is using a dedicated website and email address www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cleanstreets and cleanstreets@edinburgh.gov.uk to keep residents up-to-date on when they will be in their area and asking residents to help them prioritise where they think the work most needs to be carried out. Community events are listed on the webpage and how to get involved.  

    Work is now moving to the Leith area (Ward 13) for the next few weeks where the team has its first community event tonight (Wednesday 14 May). This will help the cleansing teams prioritise which streets should be cleaned. They will also carry out inspections of each neighbourhood they work in and use complaint data to help prioritise the streets that most need to be spruced up. 

    Social media is also being used to keep residents up-to-date with progress and signage is being placed in areas where the cleansing teams are working to make local residents and businesses aware. 

    As the teams work in each area around the city, they will also report any other issues they spot, such as pot holes looked after by other Council teams, but which need addressed.  

    Cllr Stephen Jenkinson Environment Convener said:

    I’m really pleased to see this project progressing with the additional funding we allocated last year as it is so important that we all take pride in our city. We’re playing our part as a Council and we’re asking residents in every neighbourhood and ward across Edinburgh to do the same. We are a stunning Capital city popular not only with our residents but also with visitors from across the globe so it’s very important that we all make an effort to do all we can to keep the city looking its best.  

    I’d encourage you to check out our dedicated webpage for updates on when we are coming to your neighbourhood/ward and let us know if there are particular issues in streets in your area such as dog fouling, fly tipping, weeds, graffiti or general littering. If you live, work or study in the Leith area and are aware of streets causing issues which need to be cleaned, I’d also encourage you to go along tonight and tell the team or email them using the dedicated email address. 

    Also for residents and visitors to Edinburgh please make sure you play your part helping us to keep our beautiful Capital city clean by binning your litter responsibly when out and about. For our residents please recycle where possible and book a special uplift appointment for bulker items if you are unable to book a slot at one of our Household and Waste Recycling Centres for appropriate disposal.

    Further information 

    Videos being shared on social media of street cleansing and graffiti removal. 

    Community event – Wednesday 14 May 2025, 3pm to 6pm

    Ward 13 Leith community workshop
    Thomas Morton Hall, Leith Theatre
    28-30 Ferry Road
    Edinburgh, EH6 4AE

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury appointed

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury appointed

    Jim O’Neil has been appointed as a new Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury.

    Jim brings a wealth of experience from investment banking and corporate finance to the Treasury, after a long career at Bank of America. He also has experience in the public sector, spending three years at UK Financial Investments. As Chief Executive of UKFI, he managed the government’s holdings in Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds Banking Group, and UK Asset Resolution. 

    His appointment is part of the government’s plan to deliver its number one mission to kickstart economic growth as part of the Plan for Change, and follows the Chancellor’s commitment to lead the most pro-growth Treasury in the country’s history.

    Jim’s experience will help the government to secure private investment, boost the economy, and ultimately put more pounds in people’s pockets. His deep knowledge of the private sector will help the government to rip out the barriers to growth, provide support for the key industries at home, and work to secure open and fair trade abroad.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    I’m very pleased to welcome Jim as our new Second Permanent Secretary, his extensive knowledge of the private sector will be vital in helping us deliver our number one mission to grow the economy. It’s fantastic to have him join the Treasury’s top team.

    Jim O’Neil said:

    I am delighted to have been appointed Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury at this important time for our country and our economy. We are living through a time of great change globally, making the need for an economy of stability, resilience, and growth all the more important. I look forward to working with the Chancellor, her ministers, and officials across the department to deliver on these missions so the Treasury can bring positive change to the lives of people right across the country.

    Jim is expected to start in his new position in July and will work alongside the two other Second Permanent Secretaries in HM Treasury, Beth Russell who is based at the Darlington Economic Campus and Sam Beckett who is also Chief Economic Adviser. As well as overseeing tax and spending, Beth will continue to be responsible for devolution and regional growth including engagement with regional and local government and others in the north. 

    Jim was appointed through a fair and open competition and has completed all of the necessary declarations of interest.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Powerdyne International Inc. Announces A letter to the Shareholders update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    North Reading, MA, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Powerdyne International, Inc. (Ticker: PWDY) (“Powerdyne” and / or the “Company”) announces A Letter to the Shareholders Update.

    Dear Shareholders,

    We would like to thank all our shareholders for their patience and perseverance as Powerdyne International, Inc. (the “Company”, “Powerdyne”, “us”, “we”) continues to grow and evolve.

    In the coming year, Powerdyne will continue our focus on two key objectives: up-listing PDI to OTCQB and expanding the company through internal growth, acquisitions, or mergers.

    With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the initiative to repatriate manufacturing to the United States, CM Tech anticipates a heightened demand for its custom-designed motors. Although CM Tech does not currently supply the AI market directly, it provides motors for semiconductor equipment manufacturers who produce automated machinery for fabricating silicon wafers used in microprocessor chips. These chips are integral to AI, smart televisions, mobile phones, computers, and almost all smart devices. The AI chip market is projected to exceed $90 billion by the end of 2025 and to grow beyond $100 billion in 2026 and subsequent years.

    Regarding CM Technology, we have been engaged by a prominent international corporation headquartered in the United States to collaborate on the custom design of a motor for their new product line. We have reviewed the design specifications, submitted preliminary designs along with price quotes, and are currently awaiting their feedback. We will keep you informed as further developments occur.

    In January, we also engaged a highly experienced outside sales representative to enhance our business by expanding our current customer base and exploring new opportunities in other motor industries, such as medical devices, unmanned vehicles (UAVs), and other potential applications.

    As mentioned in the October shareholder update, our goal of acquiring motor companies was to expand CM Tech’s market exposure to new sectors. We are also focused on growing our business through increased sales, which can be more cost-effective and less risk adverse. We will add critical staff to support exponential growth and eliminate redundant staffing to enhance profitability and increase shareholder value.

    At the end of December, discussions resumed with a company regarding a potential acquisition. In late January, an NDA and a Letter of Intent to Purchase were signed. After reviewing their financials, it was determined that the company’s profits did not justify the asking price. As a result, the Letter of Intent to Purchase was rescinded. Another non-disclosure agreement has since been signed with a new motor company, which is currently preparing their financials to meet the auditor’s requirements. Powerdyne will conduct a thorough due diligence to ensure any acquisition makes financial sense. With pre-approved funding still available, other potential acquisitions will continue to be explored. 

    We plan to present continued updates to the overall strategic plans for Powerdyne as we advance through 2025 and beyond. Our success hinges on sustaining conservative growth, managing costs effectively, and identifying additional companies that align with Powerdyne’s business model.  Our objective remains the same to deliver maximum value and return on investment for our loyal shareholders through ongoing growth and profitability.

    Yours sincerely,

    Jim O’Rourke

    Chief Executive Officer

    Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

    The use of the word “Company” or “Powerdyne” refers to Powerdyne International, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Certain statements in this press release contain or may suggest “forward-looking” information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involves risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different from expectations. Statements contained herein that look forward in time that include everything other than historical information, involve risk and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s actual results, including statements relating to future investments, deployment of capital, growth, and creation of long-term stockholder value. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,’ “expects”, “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar statements. Powerdyne may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. Current Reports on Form 8-K, in its annual report to stockholders, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including but not limited to, plans and objectives of management for future operations or products, the market acceptance or future success of our products and our financial performance. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including but not limited to, those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (available at http://www.sec.gov). Powerdyne undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    About Powerdyne International, Inc.

    Powerdyne International, Inc. (www.Powerdyneinternational.com)  now consists of two wholly owned subsidiaries CM Technology LLC and Frame One LLC. CM Technology is a New England-based motor manufacturer which has been in business for over 19 years. CM Technology specializes in the design and custom building of industrial servomotors both brush and brushless motor designs. CM Tech’s current market focus is on the niche motor demands for low volume, high-quality cost-effective motors which are primarily used in industrial robotics for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. robots.

    Frame One LLC is a custom picture framing shop located in North Reading, MA. Frame One has been in business since 2006 and brings with it a strong client base consisting of local schools, colleges, artist guilds, artists, interior decorators/designers, museums, photographers, art galleries and theaters.

    For more information on Powerdyne go to:  www.Powerdyneinternational.com

    Contact:
    Powerdyne International, Inc.
    info@powerdyneinternational.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DfE Update: 14 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    DfE Update: 14 May 2025

    Latest information and actions from the Department for Education about funding, assurance and resource management, for academies, local authorities and further education providers.

    Applies to England

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    Latest information for academies

    Article Title
    Webinar Academy finance professionals May power hour – HMRC
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    Webinar DfE Energy for schools: simplified buying of gas and electricity
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    Reminder Submit your section 151 (S151) officer assurance return and schools financial value standard (SFVS) assurance statement for 2024 to 2025
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    Published 14 May 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Boralex reports net earnings of $41 million for the first quarter of 2025 and the start of production at the Limekiln wind farm, its first operational project in the United Kingdom

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTREAL, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boralex Inc. (“Boralex” or the “Corporation”) (TSX: BLX) is pleased to report its results for the first quarter of 2025.

    Highlights

    Financial results

    • Lower EBITDA(A)1, operating income and net earnings in Q1-2025
      • Production down 4% (1% on a Combined1 basis)2 from Q1-2024 and 10% (11%) below anticipated production1. Good weather conditions in Canada partially offset less favourable conditions in France.
      • EBITDA(A) of $176 million ($199 million) in Q1-2025, down $19 million ($19 million) from Q1-2024, mainly attributable to lower production and short-term power purchase agreements prices that were more favourable in Q1-2024, in France.
      • Operating income of $65 million ($99 million) in Q1-2025, down $41 million ($35 million) from Q1-2024.
      • Net earnings of $41 million in Q1-2025, down $32 million from Q1-2024.
    • Lower cash flow related to operating activities for the quarter but consistently strong balance sheet
      • Net cash flows related to operating activities of $172 million for Q1-2025 compared to $230 million for Q1-2024.
      • Discretionary cash flows1 of $74 million for Q1-2025, down $4 million from Q1-2024.
      • $388 million in cash and cash equivalents and $504 million in available cash resources and authorized financing1 as at March 31, 2025.
      • Extension of the term of the revolving credit facility to 2030 in April 2025, along with an increase in the letter-of-credit facility guaranteed by Export Development Canada from $350 million to $470 million in April.

    Update on development and construction activities

    • Start of production at the 106 MW Limekiln wind farm in Scotland
    • Progress in under-construction and ready-to-build projects in spite of supply chain and construction costs challenges
      • Ongoing construction at the Apuiat wind project in Québec (total 200 MW, Boralex’s share 100 MW), with commissioning scheduled for summer 2025.
      • Construction of the Hagersville (300 MW) and Tilbury (80 MW) storage projects in Ontario progressing on schedule, with commissioning planned for the fourth quarter of 2025.
      • Ongoing work on the Des Neiges Sud wind project in Québec (total 400 MW, Boralex’s share 133 MW), with phased commissioning scheduled for in late 2026/early 2027.
    • 129 MW added to early-stage project pipeline

    “Boralex has had a good start to 2025 with the commissioning of Limekiln, our first wind farm in Scotland, which is a major step toward achieving our growth objectives in the United Kingdom, a market with strong development potential. I am very grateful to our teams, whose dedication continue to ensure the company’s growth in our strategic markets. In a context of increasingly volatile resources, the geographic and technological diversification of our operations makes us more resilient,” said Patrick Decostre, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boralex.

    “During the quarter, our wind assets in Canada delivered a strong performance, partially offsetting lower contributions from wind farms in France, which were adversely affected by less favourable wind conditions and the impact of lower contribution from short term contracts. Our teams remain fully focused on improving the operating performance of our assets, pursuing with our cost optimization initiatives and strengthening our selling price optimization strategy. In the coming quarters, Boralex is planning to bid on multiple projects under the calls for tender to be issued this year in each of our target markets. We look forward to sharing news on our 2025-2030 strategic plan at our Investor Day, which will be held on June 17 in Toronto,” Mr. Decostre added.

    ______________________________________________
    1 EBITDA(A) is a total of segment measures. Anticipated production is an additional financial measure. “Combined,” “discretionary cash flows” and “available cash resources and authorized financing” are non-GAAP financial measures and do not have a standardized definition under IFRS. Consequently, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. For more details, see the Non-IFRS financial measures and other financial measures section of this press release.
    2 Figures in brackets indicate results on a Combined basis as opposed to a Consolidated basis.

    1st quarter highlights

    Three-month periods ended March 31

        Consolidated   Combined  
    (in millions of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified) (unaudited)   2025   2024   Change   2025   2024   Change  
                $   %           $   %  
    Power production (GWh)(1)   1,691   1,767   (76 ) (4 ) 2,334   2,355   (21 ) (1 )
    Revenues from energy sales and                                  
    feed-in premium   226   259   (33 ) (13 ) 267   291   (24 ) (8 )
    Operating income   65   106   (41 ) (39 ) 99   134   (35 ) (26 )
    EBITDA(A)   176   195   (19 ) (10 ) 199   218   (19 ) (9 )
    Net earnings   41   73   (32 ) (44 ) 41   73   (32 ) (44 )
    Net earnings attributable to                                  
    shareholders of Boralex   30   55   (25 ) (46 ) 30   55   (25 ) (46 )
    Per share – basic and diluted   $0.29   $0.53   ($0.24 ) (46 ) $0.29   $0.53   ($0.24 ) (46 )
    Net cash flows related to operating                                  
    activities   172   230   (58 ) (25 ) —   —   —   —  
    Cash flows from operations(2)   135   157   (22 ) (14 ) —   —   —   —  
    Discretionary cash flows   74   78   (4 ) (5 ) —   —   —   —  
    (1) Power production includes the production for which Boralex received financial compensation following power generation limitations as management uses this measure to evaluate the Corporation’s performance. This adjustment facilitates the correlation between power production and revenues from energy sales and feed- in premium.
    (2) The cash flows from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure and does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Accordingly, it may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. For more details, see the Non-IFRS and other financial measures section of this press release.

    In the first quarter of 2025, Boralex produced 1,691 GWh (2,334 GWh) of electricity, 4% (1%) less than the 1,767 GWh (2,355 GWh) produced in the same quarter of 2024. The decrease was attributable mainly to unfavourable wind conditions in France and to a lesser degree to hydropower in the United States. Boralex ended the quarter with production that was 10% (11%) below anticipated production.

    Revenues from energy sales and feed-in premiums for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025, amounted to $226 million ($267 million), 13% (8%) lower than in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease was mainly attributable to the lower production and price impact in France, where Boralex had benefited from higher prices in the previous year. EBITDA(A) amounted to
    $176 million ($199 million), down 10% (9%) from the first quarter of 2024. The lower prices in France were partly offset by a decrease in the inframarginal rent contribution, which no longer applies in 2025. Operating income totalled $65 million ($99 million), compared to $106 million ($134 million) for the same quarter of 2024. Boralex posted net earnings of $41 million, down $32 million from $73 million in the same quarter of 2024.

    Outlook

    Boralex’s 2025 Strategic Plan is built around the same four strategic directions as the plan launched in 2019 – growth, diversification, customers and optimization – and six corporate targets. The details of the plan, which also sets out Boralex’s corporate social responsibility strategy, are found in the Corporation’s annual report. Highlights of the main achievements of fiscal 2024 in relation to the 2025 Strategic Plan can be found in the 2024 Annual Report, which is available in the Investors section of the Boralex website.

    In the coming quarters, Boralex will continue to work on its various initiatives under the strategic plan, including project development, analysis of acquisition targets and optimization of power sales and operating costs.

    Finally, to fuel its organic growth, the Corporation has a pipeline of projects at various stages of development defined on the basis of clearly identified criteria, totalling 8 GW of wind, solar and energy storage projects.

    Dividend declaration

    The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.1650 per common share. This dividend will be paid on June 16, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 30, 2025. Boralex designates this dividend as an “eligible dividend” pursuant to paragraph 89 (14) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and all provincial legislation applicable to eligible dividends.

    About Boralex

    At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France’s largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has increased by more than 50% to over 3.2 GW. We are developing a portfolio of projects in development and construction of more than 8 GW in wind, solar and storage projects, guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, our discipline, our expertise and our diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX.

    For more information, visit www.boralex.com or www.sedarplus.ca. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

    Non-IFRS measures

    Performance measures

    In order to assess the performance of its assets and reporting segments, Boralex uses various performance measures. Management believes that these measures are widely accepted financial indicators used by investors to assess the operational performance of a company and its ability to generate cash through operations. The non-IFRS and other financial measures also provide investors with insight into the Corporation’s decision making as the Corporation uses these non-IFRS financial measures to make financial, strategic and operating decisions. It is important to note that the non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered as substitutes for IFRS measures. They are primarily derived from the audited consolidated financial statements, but do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS; accordingly, they may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-IFRS financial measures are not audited and have important limitations as analytical tools. Investors are therefore cautioned not to consider them in isolation or place undue reliance on ratios or percentages calculated using these non-IFRS financial measures.

    Non-IFRS financial measures
    Specific financial measure Use Composition Most directly comparable IFRS measure
    Financial data – Combined (all disclosed financial data) To assess the performance and the ability of a company to generate cash from its operations and investments in joint ventures and associates. Results from the combination of the financial information of Boralex Inc. under IFRS and the share of the financial information of the Interests.

    Interests in the Joint Ventures and associates, Share in earnings (losses) of the Joint Ventures and associates and Distributions received from the Joint Ventures and associates are then replaced with Boralex’s respective share in the financial statements of the Interests (revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, etc.)

    		 Respective financial data – Consolidated
    Discretionary cash flows To assess the cash generated from operations and the amount available for future development or to be paid as dividends to common shareholders while preserving the long-term value of the business.

    Corporate objectives for 2025 from the strategic plan.

    		 Net cash flows related to operating activities before “change in non-cash items related to operating activities,” less:

    (i) distributions paid to non-controlling shareholders;
    (ii) additions to property, plant and equipment (maintenance of operations);
    (iii) repayments on non-current debt (projects) and repayments to tax equity investors;(iv) principal payments related to lease liabilities;
    (v) adjustments for non-operational items; plus
    (vi) development costs (from the statement of earnings).

    		 Net cash flows related to operating activities
    Cash flows from operations To assess the cash generated by the Corporation’s operations and its ability to finance its expansion from these funds. Net cash flows related to operating activities before changes in non-cash items related to operating activities. Net cash flows related to operating activities
    Available cash and cash equivalents(1) To assess the cash and cash equivalents available, as at the balance sheet date, to fund the Corporation’s growth. Represents cash and cash equivalents, as stated on the balance sheet, from which known short-term cash requirements are excluded. Cash and cash equivalents
    Available cash resources and authorized financing(1) To assess the total cash resources available, as at the balance sheet date, to fund the Corporation’s growth. Results from the combination of credit facilities available to fund growth and the available cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents


    (1)     For more details on the reconciliation between the non-GAAP financial measure and the most directly comparable financial measure, see the Capital and liquidity – Available cash resources and authorized financing section in this report.

    Other financial measures – Total of segments measure
    Specific financial measure Most directly comparable IFRS measure
    EBITDA(A) Operating income
    Other financial measures – Supplementary Financial Measures
    Specific financial measure Composition
    Credit facilities available for growth The credit facilities available for growth include the unused tranche of the parent company’s credit facility, apart from the accordion clause, as well as the unused tranche credit facilities of subsidiaries which includes the unused tranche of the credit facility – France and the unused tranche of the construction facility.
    Anticipated production For older sites, anticipated production by the Corporation is based on adjusted historical averages, planned commissioning and shutdowns and, for all other sites, on the production studies carried out.


    Combined

    The following tables reconcile Consolidated financial data with data presented on a Combined basis:

          2025     2024
    (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Consolidated Reconciliation(1) Combined Consolidated  Reconciliation(1) Combined
    Three-month periods ended March 31:            
    Power production (GWh)(2) 1,691 643 2,334 1,767 588 2,355
    Revenues from energy sales and feed-in            
    premium 226 41 267 259 32 291
    Operating income 65 34 99 106 28 134
    EBITDA(A) 176 23 199 195 23 218
    Net earnings 41 — 41 73 — 73
      As at March 31, 2025 As at December 31, 2024
    Total assets 7,582 924 8,506 7,604 872 8,476
    Debt – Principal balance 4,095 554 4,649 4,032 556 4,588
    (1) Includes the respective contribution of joint ventures and associates as a percentage of Boralex’s interest less adjustments to reverse recognition of these interests under IFRS. This contribution is attributable to the North America segment’s wind farms and includes corporate expenses of $1 million under EBITDA(A) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2025 ($1 million as at March 31, 2024).
    (2) Includes compensation following electricity production limitations.


    EBITDA(A)

    EBITDA(A) is a total of segment financial measures and represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to exclude other items such as acquisition and restructuring costs, other losses (gains), net loss (gain) on financial instruments and foreign exchange loss (gain), with the last two items included under Other.

    EBITDA(A) is used to assess the performance of the Corporation’s reporting segments.

    EBITDA(A) is reconciled to the most comparable IFRS measure, namely, operating income, in the following table:

              2025           2024   Change
    2025 vs 2024
    (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) Consolidated   Reconciliation(1)   Combined   Consolidated   Reconciliation(1)   Combined   Consolidated   Combined
    Three-month periods ended March 31:                              
    EBITDA(A) 176   23   199   195   23   218   (19 ) (19)
    Amortization (74 ) (16 ) (90 ) (73 ) (15 ) (88 ) (1 ) (2)
    Impairment (6 ) —   (6 ) —   —   —   (6 ) (6)
    Other gains (losses) (4 ) —   (4 ) 4   —   4   (8 ) (8)
    Share in earnings of joint ventures                              
    and associates (28 ) 28   —   (19 ) 19   —   (9 ) —
    Change in fair value of a derivative                              
    included in the share in earnings of                              
    a joint venture 1   (1 ) —   (1 ) 1   —   2   —
    Operating income 65   34   99   106   28   134   (41 ) (35)
    (1) Includes the respective contribution of joint ventures and associates as a percentage of Boralex’s interest less adjustments to reverse recognition of these interests under IFRS.


    Cash flow from operations and discretionary cash flows

    The Corporation computes the cash flow from operations and discretionary cash flows as follows:

      Consolidated
      Three-month periods ended   Twelve-month periods ended  
      March 31   March 31   December 31  
    (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) 2025   2024   2025   2024  
    Net cash flows related to operating activities 172   230   157   215  
    Change in non-cash items relating to operating activities (37 ) (73 ) 236   200  
    Cash flows from operations 135   157   393   415  
    Repayments on non-current debt (projects)(1) (64 ) (65 ) (238 ) (240 )
    Adjustment for non-operating items(2) 5   —   11   7  
      76   92   166   182  
    Principal payments related to lease liabilities(3) (7 ) (6 ) (20 ) (19 )
    Distributions paid to non-controlling shareholders(4) (4 ) (18 ) (38 ) (52 )
    Additions to property, plant and equipment        
    (maintenance of operations) (2 ) (2 ) (10 ) (10 )
    Development costs (from statement of earnings) 11   12   56   57  
    Discretionary cash flows 74   78   154   158  
    (1) Includes repayments on non-current debt (projects) and repayments to tax equity investors, and excludes VAT bridge financing, early debt repayments and repayments under the construction facility – Boralex Energy Investments portfolio.
    (2) For the twelve-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, favourable adjustment consisting mainly of acquisition and restructuring costs.
    (3) Excludes the principal payments related to lease liabilities for projects under development and construction.
    (4) Includes distributions paid to non-controlling shareholders as well as the portion of discretionary cash flows attributable to the non-controlling shareholder of Boralex Europe Sàrl.


    Available cash resources and authorized financing

    The Corporation computes the cash flow from operations and discretionary cash flows, as well as available cash resources and authorized financing, as follows:

    (in millions of Canadian dollars) (unaudited) As at March 31,
    2025    		   As at December 31,
    2024    		  
    Available cash and cash equivalents(1)        
    Cash and cash equivalents 388   592  
    Cash and cash equivalents held by entities subject to project debt agreements and restrictions (318 ) (526 )
    Bank overdraft (13 ) (5 )
    Available cash and cash equivalents 57   61  
    Credit facilities of the parent company    
    Authorized credit facility(2) 550   550  
    Amounts drawn under the authorized credit facility(3) (178 ) (157 )
    Unused tranche of the parent company’s credit facility 372   393  
    Unused tranche of the subsidiary’s credit facilities 75   69  
    Credit facilities available for growth(4) 447   462  
    Available cash resources and authorized financing 504   523  
    (1) Available cash and cash equivalents is a non-GAAP measure and doesn’t have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Accordingly, it may not be comparable to similarly named measures used by other companies. For more details, see the Non-IFRS and other financial measures section in this report.
    (2) Excluding the accordion clause of $200 million ($150 million as at December 31, 2024).
    (3) As at March 31, 2025, this amount included $13 million in letters of credit ($33 million as at December 31, 2024).
    (4) Credit facilities available for growth is a supplementary financial measure. For more details, see the Non-IFRS and other financial measures section in this report.


    Disclaimer regarding forward-looking statements

    Certain statements contained in this release, including those related to results and performance for future periods, installed capacity targets, EBITDA(A) and discretionary cash flows, the Corporation’s strategic plan, business model and growth strategy, organic growth and growth through mergers and acquisitions, obtaining an investment grade credit rating, payment of a quarterly dividend, the Corporation’s financial targets, the projects commissioning dates, the portfolio of renewable energy projects, the Corporation’s Growth Path, the bids for new storage and solar projects and its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) objectives are forward-looking statements based on current forecasts, as defined by securities legislation. Positive or negative verbs such as “will,” “would,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “continue,” “intend,” “assess,” “estimate” or “believe,” or expressions such as “toward,” “about,” “approximately,” “to be of the opinion,” “potential” or similar words or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology, are used to identify such statements.

    Forward-looking statements are based on major assumptions, including those about the Corporation’s return on its projects, as projected by management with respect to wind and other factors, opportunities that may be available in the various sectors targeted for growth or diversification, assumptions made about EBITDA(A) margins, assumptions made about the sector realities and general economic conditions, competition, exchange rates as well as the availability of funding and partners. While the Corporation considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable, based on the information currently available to the Corporation, they may prove to be inaccurate.

    Boralex wishes to clarify that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and that its results, or the measures it adopts, could be significantly different from those indicated or underlying those statements, or could affect the degree to which a given forward-looking statement is achieved. The main factors that may result in any significant discrepancy between the Corporation’s actual results and the forward-looking financial information or expectations expressed in forward-looking statements include the general impact of economic conditions, fluctuations in various currencies, fluctuations in energy prices, the risk of not renewing PPAs or being unable to sign new corporate PPA, the risk of not being able to capture the US or Canadian investment tax credit, counterparty risk, the Corporation’s financing capacity, cybersecurity risks, competition, changes in general market conditions, industry regulations and amendments thereto, particularly the legislation, regulations and emergency measures that could be implemented for time to time to address high energy prices in Europe, litigation and other regulatory issues related to projects in operation or under development, as well as certain other factors considered in the sections dealing with risk factors and uncertainties appearing in Boralex’s MD&A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

    Unless otherwise specified by the Corporation, forward-looking statements do not take into account the effect that transactions, non-recurring items or other exceptional items announced or occurring after such statements have been made may have on the Corporation’s activities. There is no guarantee that the results, performance or accomplishments, as expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, will materialize. Readers are therefore urged not to rely unduly on these forward-looking statements.

    Unless required by applicable securities legislation, Boralex’s management assumes no obligation to update or revise forward- looking statements in light of new information, future events or other changes.

    For more information:

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Alexandra Jones, Sally McInnes, Sally Sheard, James Strachan, Aruna Verma and Simon Wessely appointed to the ACNRA Board.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Alexandra Jones, Sally McInnes, Sally Sheard, James Strachan, Aruna Verma and Simon Wessely appointed to the ACNRA Board.

    The Secretary of State has appointed 6 Board Members to the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives for four years from 10 March 2025 to 09 March 2029.

    Alexandra Jones

    Alexandra Jones, the Director of Anti-Money Laundering at the Solicitors Regulation Authority, brings a wealth of experience in governance, compliance, and leadership to her role. At the SRA, Alexandra leads the development and implementation of AML policies, ensuring regulatory compliance across the legal sector. Her career spans diverse sectors, including finance and regulation, providing her with a unique perspective on risk management and ethical considerations.

    Before joining the SRA, Alexandra served as CEO of the Registry Trust, where she gained deep insight into legal and ethical issues related to data access, copyright, and privacy. She also held senior roles at the Financial Ombudsman Service and HSBC Bank, where she managed teams while upholding confidentiality and compliance standards. Her leadership experience is complemented by her commitment to professional development, including studying data ethics at the London School of Economics.

    Alexandra’s career reflects a dedication to promoting transparency and integrity. She is motivated by the vision of safeguarding collective heritage and leveraging it as a resource for education and public engagement.

    Sally McInnes

    Sally McInnes was formerly Head of Unique and Contemporary Content at the National Library of Wales. A professionally trained archivist, she has extensive experience in promoting, preserving and providing access to unique content of national significance, as well as policy development within the Welsh cultural sector.

    Sally has a particular interest in managing digital content, as well as improving professional competence in digital preservation, for which she has earned international recognition. As a former Director of the Digital Preservation Coalition, she worked to raise public and institutional awareness of digital preservation issues in Wales and beyond.

    She has played a leading role in a number of national and international professional networks. In recognition of her contribution to recordkeeping, she was awarded an MBE in 2024 for Services to Documentary History. She is a Fellow of the Archives and Records Association.

    Sally Sheard

    Professor Sally Sheard is Executive Dean of the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, where she also holds the Andrew Geddes and John Rankin Chair of Modern History. She is a health policy analyst and historian, with a research focus on the interface between expert advisers and policymakers. 

    Sally has extensive experience of using history in public and policy engagement, including working with national and local government organisations and health authorities. She has written for and appeared in numerous television and radio programmes. In 2018 she wrote and presented the twenty-part BBC Radio 4 series National Health Stories, to mark the seventieth anniversary of the NHS. Her books include The Passionate Economist: how Brian Abel-Smith shaped global health and social welfare (Policy Press, 2013); Making Genetics and Genomics Policy in Britain: from Personal to Population Health (co-authored with Philip Begley; Routledge, 2022) and NICE: A Contemporary History of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (co-authored with Paul Atkinson; Routledge, 2025).

    James Strachan

    James is Chief Executive of Eastleigh Borough Council in south Hampshire, and has been a senior leader in Hampshire local government for 16 years.  In addition to overseeing local services such as waste collection, planning, homelessness support and elections, James is ultimately responsible for information governance at the Council.  Prior to moving to Hampshire, James was Director of Public Services and Marketing at The National Archives, and served as Secretary to the official review of the 30-year rule, which was commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. 

    James has also worked at the Cabinet Office, and had a career in publishing prior to joining the civil service.  He oversaw the online launch of Encyclopaedia Britannica in Europe and was among the first employees of the mobile network ‘3’, negotiating the first ever mobile highlights deal with the Premier League.  James lives in Salisbury and serves as a magistrate on the West Hampshire Bench, based in Southampton.

    Aruna Verma

    Aruna Verma is a distinguished lawyer, associate professor, and Campus Dean at The University of Law, Moorgate. With a strong background in legal education and practice, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of legal professionals. As an academic leader, she combines her expertise in law with a passion for teaching, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the legal profession.

    Her career spans legal practice, academia, and educational leadership, making her a respected figure in the field. At The University of Law, she oversees academic programs, fosters student engagement, and works closely with industry professionals to bridge the gap between law school and legal practice.

    Beyond academia, Aruna is known for her contributions to legal scholarship, mentorship, and commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. Her leadership ensures that the Moorgate campus remains a hub for aspiring solicitors and barristers, preparing them for the challenges of the ever-evolving legal Landscape.

    With her wealth of experience and dedication to legal education, Aruna Verma continues to make a lasting impact on both students and the legal community. Aruna also sits as a Chair at The Valuation Tribunal and the Chair of Governors at a local school. Aruna is a trained mediator and online dispute resolution specialist.

    Simon Wessely

    Sir Simon Wessely FRS is the Regius Chair of Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), part of King’s College London (KCL), the first such chair in the United Kingdom. He is also a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist at the Maudsley and King’s College Hospitals.

    After studying medicine and History of Art at Cambridge, he finished his medical training at Oxford. He is an active clinical academic psychiatrist with >1000 publications, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). He is a Past President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Society of Medicine. He was Dean of the IOPPN (2022-23) and is now a Non Executive Director of NHS-England.

    In 2003 he founded the King’s Centre for Military Health Research, which is now ranked 1st globally for publications on military health. He remains the Honorary Consultant Advisor in Psychiatry to the British Army, and works with several charities for Veterans. He was knighted in 2013 for services to military health and psychological medicine. He continues to have a broad interest in how people and populations react to adversity, past present and future.

    He chaired the government’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act (2017-19), which should receive Royal Assent at Easter. He also was a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (2017-23). His amateur interests revolve around history, and he is proud of having written some papers in “proper” history journals. Finally, if you are a follower of “Desert Island Discs” you will know his favourite occupation is arguing in Viennese cafes , perhaps reflecting the fact that his father was born in Central Europe, coming over to the UK in 1939.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Board Members will be remunerated at a rate of £386 per day. James Strachan requested not to be remunerated for this role. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. None of the candidates have declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA response to the Independent Water Commission’s call for evidence

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    CMA response to the Independent Water Commission’s call for evidence

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its response to the Independent Water Commission’s call for evidence, in relation to the water sector in England and Wales.

    Documents

    CMA response to the Independent Water Commission’s call for evidence

    PDF, 197 KB, 8 pages

    Details

    The CMA responded to the Independent Water Commission’s call for evidence.

    Our response focuses on the CMA’s overall role in the water regulatory system, in particular our role in conducting regulatory appeals and redeterminations.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Aberdeen Youth Movement member attends United Nations forum in New York

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Aberdeen Youth Movement member, Mariah Ichakpa was honoured to be selected to attend the 2025 United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum in New York last month.

    Mariah was 1 out of 20,000 people who applied to be selected to attend the forum that offered young people a visible platform to meaningfully engage with Member States, have their voices heard and be included in the global dialogue on key issues affecting the world’s population.

    Held at the United Nations headquarters, the forum’s theme of ‘youth at the forefront: leveraging science and social inclusion for sustainable development’, allowed Mariah to make a speech to the forum attendees from across the world and her inspired message was ‘If you want to see a nation’s future, look into the eyes of its youth – we are the mirror and the map’.

    Mariah said: “Representing Aberdeen and Scotland was an unforgettable experience. Sharing Scotland’s story and how we became the first part of the UK to incorporate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law was a huge achievement in helping spread awareness.

    “One of the biggest takeaways for me was that impact doesn’t always have to come from the top down. Youth-led initiatives when supported and given a platform can drive real and measurable change.

    “Leaving New York, I felt inspired. But more than that I felt responsible. We have a lot of work to do. And I’m ready to keep showing up and working alongside other passionate youths in Aberdeen Youth Movement (AYM), Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and across the world to make a difference.”

    Councillor Martin Greig, Convenor of Aberdeen City Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I was delighted to hear about Mariah’s incredible experience in New York. She spoke eloquently at the UN Youth Forum to represent young people in our city and on behalf of the rest of Scotland.

    “It is a major achievement to promote youth justice from the local perspective on a global stage. I am grateful to Mariah and to all the team who have given support for this important human rights action.”

    Aberdeen Youth Movement is the official voice of young people in Aberdeen, working closely with multiple organisations to improve the representation of young people in the city. The group consists of young people aged between 16 and 25 from different areas and interest groups.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester Libraries – winner of the Library of the Year Award

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester Libraries has won the ‘Library of the Year’ Award at the prestigious British Book Awards 2025 held at Grosvenor House London on Monday, 12th May.

    The revival of the Library of the Year award at this year’s British Book Awards event was awarded to Manchester Libraries in recognition of its multi-strand and city-wide Blue Peter Book Club Live programme which made ‘superb’ use of the revered Blue Peter brand to bring children and families into contact with libraries and reading.

    The programme engaged with people who had never or very rarely visited a library, resulting in an 88% visitor increase compared to a typical Saturday, with 60% of these attendees living in an area of high deprivation. Connecting with readers via local schools, the incentive saw children’s library membership increase by 33% during the campaign compared to the same period in 2023, and 12,308 people become new library members during the campaign period.

    It was launched at a special Book Club Live event at Central Library by the Blue Peter presenters and It engaged with people who had never, or very rarely visited the library. The team also created a badge trail to connect 13 cultural venues, distributed 20,000 trail maps and enlisted local partners to act as champions as part of the event programme which spread across the city.

    Describing the levels of engagement as ‘phenomenal’ the judges also commended the library on the committed team who saw the opportunity to work with Blue Peter and run with it grabbing the attention of children and young people who had never been into that library and kept hold of them afterwards.

    Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said:

    “This is a truly phenomenal win. For Manchester Libraries to be crowned Library of the Year at the British Book Awards is just fantastic news for our libraries team who worked so hard to make these events a resounding success.  We are privileged in this city not just have the magnificent Manchester Central Library but numerous neighbourhood libraries that serve their communities, providing literary nourishment as well as a huge array of additional benefits to the communities they serve. We took the opportunity to work with Blue Peter and with thanks to them and all our partners, we delivered an exceptional programme of events which has been recognised at the highest levels .”

    Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of judges, said:

    ‘In the Library award’s return year, Manchester Libraries is a truly worthy winner, showing how to use resources, access and breadth to change lives through reading. That it did this at scale, should not be off-putting to other libraries, but rather indicates what can happen when a range of partners pull together. We hope this winner provides a template for others to follow, whatever the size.’

    Karen Napier MBE, CEO, The Reading Agency said:

     ‘Congratulations to Manchester Libraries for winning with their city-wide Blue Peter project. The project drove a huge number of children from areas of high deprivation to the library and many for the first time, opening the doors to so much opportunity and the 33% increase in children’s library membership is a remarkable achievement. I do also want to acknowledge every library service that submitted to the award this year, which demonstrated the innovation at the heart of the sector. Libraries are lighthouses for the future, and spaces where knowledge is curated, truth is protected, and communities are strengthened. They are powerful community hubs, places where everyone is equally rich in access to ideas, creativity, and where the transformative power of reading connects us to worlds beyond our own.’

    Jen Cleary, Director North West, Arts Council England said:

    “Many congratulations to Manchester Libraries on their Library of the Year award for the Blue Peter Book Club Live. It is so important for children to discover the joy of reading and this was a fantastic opportunity to do so on their doorstep and in a fun environment. We’re pleased to have supported the project through our National Lottery Project Grants programme and to see how many children were engaged with it. I hope they are all continuing to enjoy discovering new books at their local library.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kuwait: Qudsi Rasheed

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kuwait: Qudsi Rasheed

    Mr Qudsi Rasheed OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to The State of Kuwait.

    Mr Qudsi Rasheed OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to The State of Kuwait in succession to Ms Belinda Lewis who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Rasheed will take up his appointment during September 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full Name: Qudsi Rasheed

    Year Role
    2021 to 2024 Cairo, Deputy Head of Mission
    2020 to 2021    Full Time Language Training (Arabic), FCDO four months as Deputy Director Covid Task Force
    2018 to 2020   FCO later FCDO, Deputy Director Multilateral Policy and Head of Sanctions Unit
    2017 to 2018  Beirut, Head of UK Syria Office
    2014 to 2017 UKRep Brussels, External Relations (Relex) Counsellor
    2011 to 2014   FCO, Legal Adviser, Legal Directorate
    2011 Joined FCO
    2008 to 2011  Barrister (called to the Bar of England and Wales)
    2007 to 2009   UCL and King’s College London, Visiting Lecturer

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City council’s cabinet to consider changes to waste and recycling collections Proposals to introduce weekly food waste collections along with a revamp of the way that Lancaster City Council collects waste and recycling are set to be considered by councillors.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    Proposals to introduce weekly food waste collections along with a revamp of the way that Lancaster City Council collects waste and recycling are set to be considered by councillors.

    New wheelie bins

    To comply with the Government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ scheme – which aims to create consistency in the way recycling is collected – councils across England must begin collecting food waste by March 31 2026.

    On Tuesday May 20 the city council’s cabinet will meet to decide the best way for the collections to be introduced in the Lancaster district. One of the main proposals is to switch from the current recycling boxes to new 240-litre wheelie bins.

    These larger bins would make it easier for households to store recyclables like glass, plastic, tins, cardboard and paper while reducing mess on the streets. If the proposals get the green light, recycling collections would move to every three weeks instead of every two, as there will be more space in each bin.

    The same three-week cycle is also being proposed for grey bins, as people throw away less once they start recycling food waste weekly.

    Councillor Paul Hart, cabinet member with responsibility for environmental services, said: “Bringing in food waste collections is part of a national plan to simplify how waste and recycling is collected, but it also gives us a chance to take a fresh look at how we do things.

    “If people are putting their food waste out for collection each week, their grey bins won’t fill up so quickly. And bigger recycling bins — something lots of residents have asked for – should make things easier and tidier.

    “I know these are big changes, but other councils that have already made the switch are seeing less waste going into grey bins and more being recycled. That’s what we’re aiming for too.”

    The council has received around £1.46million in funding from the government to support the roll-out of food waste collections and this will be used to purchase new vehicles and food waste caddies for households.

    Each household will receive a free caddy to keep in their kitchen for food waste, which can be emptied it into a new outside food waste bin, also provided by the council, once full.

    • More information on the proposed changes and FAQs are available on the council’s website at www.Lancaster.gov.uk/food-waste.

    The agenda for the cabinet meeting can be found here: https://committeeadmin.lancaster.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=297&MId=8606

    Last updated: 14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kuwait

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Kuwait

    Mr Qudsi Rasheed OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to The State of Kuwait.

    Mr Qudsi Rasheed OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to The State of Kuwait in succession to Ms Belinda Lewis who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Rasheed will take up his appointment during September 2025.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full Name: Qudsi Rasheed

    Year Role
    2021 to 2024 Cairo, Deputy Head of Mission
    2020 to 2021    Full Time Language Training (Arabic), FCDO four months as Deputy Director Covid Task Force
    2018 to 2020   FCO later FCDO, Deputy Director Multilateral Policy and Head of Sanctions Unit
    2017 to 2018  Beirut, Head of UK Syria Office
    2014 to 2017 UKRep Brussels, External Relations (Relex) Counsellor
    2011 to 2014   FCO, Legal Adviser, Legal Directorate
    2011 Joined FCO
    2008 to 2011  Barrister (called to the Bar of England and Wales)
    2007 to 2009   UCL and King’s College London, Visiting Lecturer

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Serious concerns over use of £22 million triggers investigation by charity regulator

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Serious concerns over use of £22 million triggers investigation by charity regulator

    The Charity Commission has launched a statutory class inquiry into several charities and issued orders to temporarily restrict the issuing of cheques.

    The charity regulator for England and Wales has launched a statutory class inquiry into a group of charities where there is evidence that they are issuing or have issued cheques, which are then exchanged for cash.

    Following an unannounced visit by HMRC to a company in Hackney, 105 charities were found to have cashed cheques with it to a value of £22 million between December 2021 and March 2023.

    The 10 charities initially under inquiry are: Inspirations (1109974), Beis Aharon Charitable Trust Limited (1010420), Mifal Hachesed Vehatzedokoh (1139320), Friend of Beis Soroh Schneirer (1153647), One Heart – Lev Echod (1167227), Yad Vochessed Association Limited (1112797), Friends of Beis Chinuch Lebonos Trust (1153187), Chasdei Dov Trust (1181900), Friends of Mercaz Hatorah Belz Macnivka (1126075), The Rehabilitation Trust (288622).

    These 10 charities have been prioritised following an assessment of a range of factors, including the number of cheques issued, and total value of cheques cashed. The Commission expects to extend the number of charities under investigation over time.

    Using powers available to the Commission during an inquiry, the regulator will determine the facts around how these charities have transferred funds. It will also investigate how trustees had oversight of what happened to funds exchanged for the cheques, and if this cash has been used properly to support what the charities were set up to do. The Commission will seek to establish how trustees determined that these financial transactions were in their charity’s best interests.

    The regulator has issued an immediate order to temporarily stop any of the charities under inquiry from issuing cheques without its prior consent.

    The scope of the inquiry may also be extended if additional regulatory issues emerge during the Commission’s investigation.

    Notes to editors:

    1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its ambition is to be an expert regulator that is fair, balanced, and independent so that charity can thrive. This ambition will help to create and sustain an environment where charities further build public trust and ultimately fulfil their essential role in enhancing lives and strengthening society. Find out more: About us – The Charity Commission – GOV.UK
    2. A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity, or class of charities and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation. An inquiry will investigate and establish the facts of the case so that the Commission can determine the extent of any misconduct and/or mismanagement; the extent of the risk to the charity, its work, property, beneficiaries, employees or volunteers; and decide what action is needed to resolve the concerns.
    3. Under section 76(3)(f) of the Charities Act 2011, the regulator has issued a restricted transactions order which will prohibit the issuing of cheques without the Commission’s written consent.
    4. The Commission’s guidance on internal financial controls can be found via this link: Internal financial controls for charities: protect your charity from fraud and loss (CC8)  – GOV.UK. It makes clear that pre-signed blank cheques should be prohibited under charities’ financial control policies.

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics updated for the 2024 Season

    Source: Scottish Government

    An Official Statistics publication

    The Chief Statistician has released figures for all Scotland showing that total salmon catch by all methods in 2024 was the sixth lowest, and total sea trout catch the second lowest, since records began in 1952.

    Salmon

    • Reported rod catch of salmon (46,978) is the eighth lowest since records began, and 114% of the previous five-year average. Catches have decreased from a high of 111,405 in 2010 and the 2024 reports are consistent with a general pattern of decline in numbers of wild salmon returning to Scotland. Reported rod days effort for salmon for 2024 (201,498) decreased by 0.7% when compared to 2023 (202,874).
    • In 2024, release rates of salmon captured by rod were the highest on record. Of spring salmon captured by rod, 99% were released; 98% of all rod-caught salmon were released.

    The net and coble fishery reported the second lowest retained catch, and the fixed engine fishery the fourth lowest since records began.

    Fish reported as being of farmed origin represented 0.03% of the total catch.

    Sea Trout

    • Total reported rod catch of sea trout (13,876) is the fourth lowest since records began. Sea trout catches have fluctuated around a general trend of decline since the 1960s.

    In 2024, release rates of sea trout were 94%. This is the highest percentage since records began.

    The net and coble fishery reported the lowest retained catch, and the fixed engine fishery the second lowest, since records began.

    Background

     The Salmon and Sea Trout Fishery Statistics publication for 2024 is based on data collected and collated by Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate. The time series began in 1952. Catch and release data were first recorded in 1994. In 2021, information on released net-caught fish was collected for the first time. Salmon rod days effort information is published from the 2023 season onwards. Data was first recorded in 2019 but sufficient returns were not received until 2023.

    The publication provides a summary of rod and net catch and effort, for the 2024 fishing season. It is based on returns from proprietors, occupiers or agents of salmon and sea trout fisheries throughout Scotland.

    The statistics for the 2024 season are a summary of the data from 1,987 forms returned from 2,152 forms issued (92% return rate). Catches for the previous 10 years have been based on return rates of forms between 93% and 95%. Salmon rod fishing effort was reported on 97% of returned rod forms.

    Collected data for the 2020 and 2021 seasons is impacted by the restrictions in place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and this will have a bearing on the five-year averages.

    Official statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scotland’s Headteachers highlight impact of attainment funding

    Source: Scottish Government

    Over £1 billion invested to support and improve attainment

    Headteachers say the attainment of pupils experiencing poverty has improved, thanks to over £1 billion of direct investment from the Scottish Government.

    The Scottish Government’s flagship policy has provided headteachers with direct additional funding to help support children and young people. 

    Schools have used the extra funding in a variety of different ways. The latest report looking at the impact of Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) found that it has helped schools employ up to 3,000 additional staff to support children and young people’s attainment and wellbeing. This has included extra staff employed to support families, such as income maximisation officers, as well as support for pupil wellbeing from the third sector. The report also highlights how the targeted investment has supported better attendance, attainment, and relationships between schools, families and pupils. 

    Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth visited St Ignatius Primary School in Wishaw to hear directly about how the school is using Pupil Equity Funding. 

    Ms Gilruth said:

    “Pupil Equity Funding has played a crucial role in our mission to ensure that children and young people impacted by poverty are given the opportunity to succeed. Since launching in 2017, we have invested over £1 billion in the programme, with targeted support now reaching a majority of schools across Scotland. 

    “Each school has its own unique challenges when it comes to closing the poverty-related attainment gap, which is why we have put our trust in headteachers to develop solutions which meet the needs of their own pupils. I have been very impressed by the creativity shown by teachers – from supporting imagination in writing, to outdoor educational trips to improve confidence, wellbeing and relationships.

    “The latest survey report indicates the hugely positive impact that this direct investment is making – with Scotland recording its lowest poverty-related attainment gap on record for literacy in primary schools. Pupil Equity Funding is also ensuring that more children and young people impacted by poverty are entering work, training or further study after leaving school. We are also taking further steps to tackle child poverty through education, including through funding early learning and childcare, free school meals and the delivery of free breakfast clubs.”

    Background

    Pupil Equity Funding 2025 Report | Scottish Attainment Challenge | Learning in Scotland | Education Scotland

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Unearth Hidden Gems with Armagh Guided Walking Tours and Archbishop’s Palace Tour

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    The Ancient Cathedral City of Armagh is undoubtedly one of the most visually stunning and historically intriguing locations on the island of Ireland. From pre-historic landscapes to an unmatched Georgian architecture, modern day Armagh is built against a rich backdrop of antiquity, clearly visible through its iconic buildings and beautiful open spaces.

    One of the best ways to discover the delights of the city, and become immersed in its culture, past and present, is through an official guided walking tour.

    Under the guidance of an experienced tour guide, you can walk through Armagh’s vibrant and varied history as you hear stories and anecdotes about the area, learn about the city’s renowned Georgian architecture and take a leisurely stroll along the distinct cobbled streets as you uncover some of the city’s hidden gems along the way.

    Guided walking tours operate Thursday – Sunday at 2 p.m. from 19 June until 7 September. The meeting point is the main entrance to Armagh County Museum on The Mall. Each tour will last approx. 2 hours, with the tour conducted entirely outdoors.

    Sensible footwear and clothing is highly recommended and please note some uneven, steep or narrow streets will be part of the tour.

    To learn more about the history of the city,  there will also be a guided tour of the Archbishop’s Palace running on two Sundays in June, July, August at 2pm. This tour will provide a glimpse into the Palace building, its history and heritage and an insight into the life of Archbishop Robinson who built it. This tour is suitable for those age 8+.

    Tickets for both the Armagh City Guided Walking Tours and Archbishop’s Palace Tour are priced at £6.00 per person. Tickets must be booked online, and this can be done easily at visitarmagh.com/walkingtours

    For further information please email

    *protected email*

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Highland Council awards new contract for road repairs

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    After a successful three-week trial of thermal technology in 2024, Highland Council has appointed Thermal Road Repairs for a two-year patching repair contract worth a seven-figure sum. This will provide an additional resource for repairing surface defects such as potholes, cracking and deteriorating surfacing joints.

    Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “After a successful trial last year, I’m delighted that we will be making use of thermal technology moving forward. It offers an efficient way to repair our roads using less material and will allow us to carry out permanent pothole fixes in all seasons.”

    The thermal repair process involves using an infrared heating system to heat existing road material which then becomes malleable and can be reworked with additional material to create a defect-free surface. The use of heat means that the repair is free of cold joints and therefore has no weak points at the edges resulting in a more effective repair that can also be carried out in colder conditions.

    Cllr Gowans continued: “Thermal Road Repairs have a wealth of experience and their technology provides a fast, permanent fix to potholes but with the added benefits of low emissions and minimal waste due to less plant and materials being required. Infrared patching is a low noise and low impact technique with only one vehicle which creates minimal disruption for road users, and it is also a very quick process with approximately one square metre repaired every 5-9 minutes.

    “Investing in our roads is a high priority not only for the Council but also for our communities and I am pleased that this contract will support our local roads teams to improve the condition of our roads faster and more effectively. The contract is part of a £2.1 billion capital investment agreed in our Highland Investment Plan which will help to maintain over 4000 miles of roads and ensure a sustainable approach to investment and contractor procurement. The Highland Investment Plan will provide 20 years of funding for roads and transport, schools, offices and community facilities throughout the Highlands.”

    Works are due to begin in summer 2025.

    14 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Water scarcity and Council support for private water supplies users

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    Following an unusually dry start to 2025, Scotland has been placed on an “early warning” for water scarcity by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).

    Considering this warning, Highland Council’s Environmental Health Team is recommending that consumers on private water supplies use water responsibly, to check the water system for any indications of leaks or contamination risks and think about other options if your water supply is potentially in shortage. A property without a Scottish Water mains water connection is considered to have a private water supply. Typically, these supplies are found in rural regions.

    As a preventive public health measure, you should also boil your water before consuming, cooking, and brushing your teeth if your private water supply is untreated or you are currently unable to maintain your water treatment system.

    To help people acquire safe drinking water during this growing period of water scarcity, Highland Council, in collaboration with Scottish Water and the Scottish Government, has announced the establishment of an Emergency Bottled Water Scheme.  As part of the scheme, the Council may provide consumers of domestic properties who are eligible, a temporary supply of free bottled water. Commercial buildings, farms, equestrian facilities, and other livestock are not included in the scheme however SEPA may be able to offer support for farmers.

    For support or advice regarding your private water supply, please phone the Environmental Health team on 01349 886606 or email envhealth@highland.gov.uk.

    Patricia Sheldon, Highland Council’s Senior Environmental Health Officer said: “It’s very reassuring that with the help of the Scottish Government, the Council can provide bottled water to support our communities and individuals who are experiencing water scarcity problems with their domestic private water supplies.

    “We have recently received a number of calls from vulnerable persons and families concerned about their water supplies. We should all strive to use water responsibly, especially if you get your water from a private water source. To address short-term solutions to their water consumption demands and to consider longer-term solutions to improve the supply, I would encourage anyone who has concerns about their private water supply to contact us. The Council is helping where we can.”

    Further information:

    Scottish Government – Private Water Supplies

    Drinking Water Quality Inspector – Private Water Supply Information

    SEPA – Water Scarcity 

    Scottish Water – Water Saving Advice

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: England athletics announces new partnership with launch event at Coventry school

    Source: City of Coventry

    England Athletics, the development body for running and athletics in the England, as well as its official charity partner, the Personal Best Foundation has announced a new partnership with Citroën.

    The partnership comes on the back of research by Citroën to parents that found on average, British children spend 4.75 hours a week exercising, while the Chief Medical Officers recommend at least 60 minutes every day.

    The partnership was announced at Sowe Valley Primary school, Coventry with Team GB Paralympian and Personal Best Foundation Ambassador, Hannah Cockroft CBE, where pupils took part in a morning of sports and activities with the organisations.

    Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “This event was a wonderful example of what happens when education and sport come together to inspire young people. Giving every child, regardless of background or ability, the opportunity to be active, confident and included is at the heart of what we aim for in Coventry’s schools. It’s especially meaningful to see inclusive sport embedded in learning and I’m proud that our city is leading the way with programmes like this.”

    Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “It was fantastic to see the energy and excitement at Sowe Valley Primary School as children took part in inclusive athletics led by Hannah Cockroft. Initiatives like this are exactly what we need to tackle inactivity and the health inequalities that affect so many of our communities. Encouraging active lifestyles from an early age is key to improving long-term physical and mental health across Coventry and this partnership is a powerful step in the right direction.”

    England Athletics’ purpose is to inspire individuals of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to take up running and athletics, fulfil their potential and develop a lifelong love of the sport.

    According to Sport England’s annual Active Lives survey 2023/24, only 47% of children are meeting the UK’s Chief Medical Officer’s recommended daily activity levels**, with children from low-income families and underserved communities the least likely to be active.

    According to Citroen’s own research, it found that a lack of time and interest were cited by over a third of parents as the main barriers to getting their children to exercise. Around one in eight toddlers and primary school-aged children in England are categorised as obese.

    In year 6, the prevalence of obesity alone in children is 22.7% and for those living in the most deprived areas this increases to 30.2%.

    The UK has some of the poorest child mental health outcomes globally, with the cost of living crisis further limiting opportunities for physical activity. Inequality and poverty put the opportunity for organised exercise and activity beyond the reach of around 4 million children and young people across the UK.

    The partnership between Citroën, England Athletics and Personal Best Foundation will help to change this, as initially 15 primary schools – prioritising those with the greatest need and children most at risk of inactivity – in Coventry, Warwickshire and Ellesmere Port, close to Citroen Headquarters, will benefit from free weekly after-school athletics programmes. In addition, free training for the teachers in the schools will allow the programme to be continued and ensure that running, jumping and throwing have a place in the curriculum.

    The partnership will also support young, up and coming athletes in England through England Athletics’ National and Age group championships and its Talent Pathway Programme, which aims to help gifted young athletes progress to be the international athletics stars of the future.

    England Athletics, Chief Executive Officer, Chris Jones, said: “We are proud to welcome Citroën into the England Athletics family. This partnership supports our shared commitment to sustainability and making athletics more accessible for young people. Through our Personal Best Foundation, Citroën’s support will help young people in schools across England experience athletics and will open the doors of opportunity for some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in England.

    “Citroën’s backing of our national events and talent programmes – supported by Citroën’s electric vehicles – aligns with our drive for a more sustainable future and our approach to encourage our network of athletes and clubs to adopt more sustainable practices.”

    Chris Theobold, Sales and Operations Director, Citroën UK, added: “We’re proud that our partnership with England Athletics will give young people access to sport and exercise, help improve young people’s lives and offer support to the next generation of talent.

    “The statistics on childhood inactivity and health is very concerning and we are very happy to be able to make running, jumping and throwing more accessible, just as we are making electric vehicles accessible to all. In partnering with England Athletics and its official charity, we believe we can help make a difference and give school children in some of the country’s less fortunate areas the chance to enjoy the benefits of athletics, be active and have fun. Whilst also supporting elite talent on the pathway to success.”

    Hannah Cockroft CBE, Personal Best Foundation Ambassador and England Athletics Sustainability Ambassador, said: “It’s fantastic to be part of this exciting new partnership between England Athletics, the Personal Best Foundation, and Citroën. It’s a privilege to meet the school children today and see first-hand how powerful sport can be in changing lives and helping young people discover what they are truly capable of.

    “I passionately believe that every young person should have the access and the opportunities to experience the physical and mental benefits of sport irrespective of their background or personal circumstances. It’s also great to see a partnership with a real commitment to sustainability, promoting a healthier, more active, and more responsible future.”

    You can find out more about the partnership and England Athletics at englandalthetics.org.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-EU summit ‘should be the start, and not the end of strengthening ties with Europe’ – Plaid Cymru

    Source: Party of Wales

    Rejoining the Single Market and Customs Union in Wales’ economic interests –  Llinos Medi MP

    Plaid Cymru’s Business and Trade Spokesperson, Llinos Medi MP has urged the UK Government to “take action” to fix the UK’s damaged relationship with Europe.

     

    Ahead of next week’s EU-UK summit, the MP for Ynys Môn said that the people of Wales have been “let down” by those who promised that Brexit would lead to a brighter future and has instead caused “huge damage” to the communities and economy of Wales.

     

    By 2025, Brexit has cost the Welsh economy up to £4 billion and has reduced the value of Welsh exports by up to £1.1 billion.

     

    In a speech in the House of Commons on Tuesday 13 May, Ms Medi called on the UK Government to establish a Youth Mobility Scheme and join Erasmus+ to allow young people to study and work abroad.

     

    Llinos Medi MP also said that the UK should commit to the long-term goal of joining the Single Market and Customs Union, claiming that it would help the UK Government achieve its mission of growing the economy.

     

     

    Speaking in the House of Commons, Llinos Medi MP said:

    “The hard Brexit pursued by the previous UK Government has cost the Welsh economy up to £4 billion; it has reduced the value of Welsh exports by up to £1.1 billion, and post-Brexit trade deals such as with New Zealand and Australia have been unfavourable for Welsh agriculture and manufacturing.

    “Since Brexit, Wales has lost out on £1 billion in European structural and rural development funding which could have been used to support our deprived communities. 

    “This was despite the promise made by the then Conservative UK Government in 2019 to “at a minimum match the size” of former EU funding in Wales and the other nations of the UK.”

     

     

    Llinos Medi MP continued:

    “The Government should create Youth Mobility Scheme and join Erasmus+ so that our young people can study and work abroad, creating new skills and opportunities for the next generation. We also need to see cooperation on the environment, the arts and on defence.

    “I hope next week’s summit will be the start, and not the end of strengthening our ties to Europe. Any plan needs clear aims and goals – Plaid Cymru believes the goal should be to eventually join the Single Market and Customs Union.

    “This Government has said its first mission is to grow the economy. I can see no better opportunity to improve growth by committing the UK and Wales to the long-term goal of joining the Single Market and Customs Union.

    “Wales has suffered badly by those who championed the false promises of Brexit, this Government must now take action to fix our damaged relationship with Europe to protect the Welsh economy.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Students must not be abandoned by Housing Bill

    Source: Scottish Greens

    14 May 2025 Housing

    Students in Scotland need afforable housing

    More in Housing

    The Scottish Government will be abandoning students to the ‘wild west’ of the student accommodation market if they do not include support for students in the Housing (Scotland) Bill, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.

    During a committee meeting yesterday, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, confirmed that the Scottish Government has no intention to include the purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) sector in the Housing Bill.

    This follows MSPs voting to ensure student accommodation could be covered by rent control regulations only last week, with calls supported by MSPs from the Scottish Greens, Conservatives, and Labour.

    Ms Chapman said: 

    “I’m disappointed and angry that the Scottish Government has decided to leave students out in the cold on the Housing Bill. Only last year they publicly committed to legislate on student accommodation, but now seem to be abandoning their commitments to students all together. [1]

    “The student accommodation market is currently an unregulated wild west, and we should not allow this to continue. PBSA providers, companies who often provide just the bare minimum to students, often snatch up potential sites that should be used for family homes and community facilities too. We desperately need regulation of this sector.

    “We’ve been listening to students and housing campaigners and they’ve been clear: the market is broken. Students across Scotland are paying on average over 80% of their loan on poor quality and insecure PBSA housing, because the Scottish Government has yet to engage with stakeholders on alternative solutions. [2]

    “I hope that the Cabinet Secretary reconsiders her statement and helps us to fight for students in this housing bill. We have had too many years of an unregulated, unsustainable, and unaffordable housing market in Scotland. It’s time we make it fair and affordable for everyone.”

    Notes:
    [1] In February 2024, the Scottish Government commit in the chamber to take forward recommendations from the PBSA Review Group, which had significant student input, which is shown here: Written question and answer: S6W-25244 | Scottish Parliament Website

    [2] The statistic on PBSA cost is sourced from this NUS research showing the state of student housing: Towards a Student Housing Strategy for Scotland – NUS Scotland

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Glasgow Pride: A statement from Patrick Harvie MSP 

    Source: Scottish Greens

    14 May 2025 LGBTQ+

    Mr Harvie responds to the suspension of political parties at Pride.

    More in LGBTQ+

    Following the announcement by Glasgow’s Pride that all political parties and related groups are currently suspended from attending the event, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP issued a response.

    The Glasgow event organisers are taking the same action as many of their counterparts across England, who earlier this week suspended political parties from participating in Pride events this year. 

    Event organisers say this has stemmed from a lack of action and delay of comment from politicians following the UK Supreme Court decision, with organisers concerned about the impact on LGBTQIA+ community members. 

    Any elected officials who wish to attend must do so as individuals on behalf of local communities, not on behalf of the party they represent. 

    Green MSP for Glasgow, Mr Harvie said:

    “As both a politician and someone who has been out since before my first election and has never shied away from standing up to prejudice, I feel ashamed of how politics in this country is letting down my own community.

    “I am of course disappointed at this decision, but the betrayal of our human rights by most political parties is the cause of this horrendous situation, and I fully respect the right of Pride organisers to make this decision.

    “Greens have stood solid against the current wave of prejudice, and will continue to do so. But it is now abundantly clear that the community has lost trust in political parties more broadly, and I urge those in leadership positions across the spectrum, and members of all parties who do support LGBTQ+ people’s human rights, to put their house in order.

    “Even at the lowest point of the political weaponization of homophobia in the 80s and 90s, Pride events never felt the need to take this step. But even in those worst of times, the Government wasn’t actually imposing segregation of public spaces as is happening now to trans people. The culture war against us needs to end.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens call for SNP to provide urgent update on support for Israel’s arms dealers

    Source: Scottish Greens

    14 May 2025 Peace

    More in Peace

    The SNP must urgently update parliament on what it is doing to end Scottish Government support for companies arming and supporting Israel, say the Scottish Greens.

    The Scottish Government has rightly opposed the bombing and collective punishment of Gaza. Despite this, since the war began, it has given over £1 million to companies that have armed Israel via its business unit, Scottish Enterprise.

    It has been three months since the Scottish Government committed to review the human rights checks which are applied by public bodies to grant applicants, following a motion brought by the Scottish Greens.

    Yet, so far, no substantive updates have been provided, and the terms of the review have yet to be published.

    The legality of UK arms exports to Israel is being considered this week by the High Court in London, following a legal challenge by campaigners.

    Scottish Green Co-leader Lorna Slater said: 

    “The genocide in Gaza is getting worse with every passing day. The scale of the suffering is horrific.

    “The destruction is only possible because of the companies and governments who have armed and supported the assault.

    “The Scottish Government talks a lot about human rights, but it has continued to pour money into the companies who are making a killing from the conflict.

    “It is three months since the Deputy First Minister committed to reviewing the grants given by the Scottish Government but there have been no details.

    “With UK arms exports in court this week, it is long past time for them to set out the terms of the review and to at least provide a timeline and explain what advice they have taken from human rights experts.

    “Any human rights policy worthy of the name would have to conclude that it is wrong to be funding companies who are profiting from war crimes and killing, so why are they taking so long?

    “Scotland may not have the power to halt UK complicity in Israel’s attacks on Gaza, but we can lead by example. The message should be clear, not another penny for Israel’s arms dealers.”

    Text of letter from Lorna Slater to DFM Kate Forbes

    Dear DFM Forbes

    Thank you for your response dated 17th March 2025 regarding the Scottish Enterprise Funding for Arms Companies.

    However, it is three months since the vote and the Scottish Government is yet to publish the terms of the review or any timeline.

    With Israeli forces planning a full occupation of Palestine, the humanitarian crisis is becoming even more grave and severe. This development could have significant implications for the Palestinians and the overall stability of the region.

    This week the High Court in London is considering the legality of UK arms exports to Israel, including weapons that have been made by companies who have received grants from Scottish Enterprise.

    Given the gravity of the situation, I would like to inquire about what actions the Scottish Government is taking in response to these reports, when this review will take place, who will be carrying it out and which human rights experts will be consulted in its production.

    I look forward to your response and to learning more about the actions being taken to address this pressing issue.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leader announces new Cabinet for 2025/26

    Source: City of Oxford

    Wednesday, 14 May 2025

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, has announced her Cabinet for 2025/26.

    Councillor Louise Upton is not on the Cabinet in 2025/26 because she will be serving as the Lord Mayor of Oxford.

    The Cabinet has subsequently been reduced from nine members to eight.

    The Cabinet Members are:

    • Councillor Susan Brown, Leader, and Cabinet Member for Partnership Working and Inclusive Economic Growth
    • Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory), and Cabinet Member for Finance and Asset Management
    • Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for a Zero Carbon Oxford
    • Councillor Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for a Safer Oxford
    • Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies
    • Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet member for Planning and Culture
    • Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford and Small Business Champion
    • Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities

    The responsibilities of each Cabinet Member are:

    • Councillor Susan Brown
      • Council strategy and policy delivery
      • Democratic Services and Member Support
      • Partnerships and outside bodies including
      • District Councils Network (Labour Vice Chair)
      • Fast Growth Cities (Chair)
      • Local Government General Assembly member
      • Oxford Growth Commission
      • Oxford Strategic Partnership
    • Councillor Ed Turner
      • Deputise for Leader as required
      • Financial and treasury strategy
      • Financial support for local residents and businesses
      • Links with our twin cities
      • Property and asset management and maintenance
    • Councillor Anna Railton
      • Deputise for Leader as required
      • Air Quality
      • Biodiversity delivery including verge and tree planting
      • Carbon reduction, heat decarbonisation and retrofitting
      • Delivery of Zero Carbon Oxford City Council by 2030
      • Delivery of the outcomes of the Oxford Citizens Assembly on Climate Change
      • Parks, Allotments, Cemeteries and Open Spaces
      • Renewable energy and energy planning
      • Sustainability
      • Taxi Licensing
      • Transport liaison with Oxfordshire County Council and Highways England and other providers
    • Councillor Lubna Arshad
      • Community safety and tackling antisocial behaviour
      • Safeguarding Adults and Children
      • Working with Thames Valley Police to tackle anti-social behaviour, child sexual exploitation, county lines, drug dealing, domestic abuse, knife crime, modern slavery, violence against women and girls and crime generally
    • Councillor Nigel Chapman
      • Business Improvement
      • Customer Service
      • Oxford Direct Services as contractor
      • OX Place as a company
      • Service delivery
      • Street scene, public conveniences
      • Tree management
      • Waste and recycling
    • Councillor Alex Hollingsworth
      • Car Parking Policy
      • City Centre Action Plan delivery
      • Culture, cultural partnerships and events (including St Giles Fair, Cowley Road Carnival etc.)
      • Development and Building Control
      • Infrastructure planning
      • Licensing Policy
      • Local Plan and planning policies including biodiversity
      • Spatial Planning and conservation
      • Major projects delivery
      • Museum of Oxford
      • Promotion of a thriving music and night-time economy
      • Tourism
    • Councillor Chewe Munkonge
      • Addressing health inequalities and public health promotion
      • Children and young people policies and school liaison
      • Leisure partnership and contract management
      • Local market promotions
      • Promotion of Oxford Living Wage
      • Small Business Champion
      • Sport and physical activity
    • Councillor Linda Smith
      • Affordable housing delivery
      • Community centres, pavilions and grants
      • Estate regeneration projects
      • Homelessness services including prevention
      • Housing allocations and strategy
      • Regulation of the Private Rented Sector
      • Tenancy management and sustainment
      • Tenant and Resident involvement

    The new Cabinet will be announced at the Annual Council Meeting tomorrow (15 May).

    “The Cabinet will continue our work focused on our key priorities: tackling inequality and the high cost of living in Oxford, delivering more affordable homes, making Oxford a great place to live and preparing our city for climate change. In order to achieve this, we will continue to provide stable and prudent council finances and good quality services.

    “We want to make sure that Oxford’s strong and growing economy is delivering for all of Oxford’s citizens. As a cabinet we are committed to continuing to work with Oxford’s diverse communities and businesses to support their needs. Oxford is a great place to live, work and do business and we want everyone to feel proud of their neighbourhood. That is what we are striving to achieve.”

    Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: E-scooter trial extension to be considered at next week’s Council meeting

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Council will next week consider if the share hire e-scooter trial in Greater Bendigo should be extended for another 12 months.

    The City of Greater Bendigo appointed Beam Mobility (Beam) following a public Request for Quote process to operate the trial until May 23, 2025 at no cost to the City.

    The trial was developed in consultation with the City to assess the success of shared hire e-scooters as an alternative mode of transport for residents and visitors.

    Beam has been operating a small trial area in urban Bendigo to provide better links between precincts and encourage a shift away from cars for shorter trips.

    The purple e-scooters are only available for hire between 5am and 11pm, 7 days a week. The maximum speed limit is set at 20km/h, and 15km/h in some busy areas, and e-scooters are only allowed to ride on roads, bicycle lanes, and shared cycle paths in line with Victorian road rules.

    It is illegal to ride e-scooters on footpaths and significant penalties apply. The Victorian Police enforce fines.

    Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge thanked community members and external stakeholders who provided valuable feedback about the trial.

    “824 people contributed to our Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo survey and the results indicated mixed sentiment from the community with 66.88% expressing some level of dissatisfaction with the trial, 17.9 per cent offered solutions to improve the trial, 8.5 percent found it to be good and 6.6 per cent said it was excellent,” Mr Petherbridge said.

    “The City also collaborated with internal and external stakeholder groups throughout the trial to improve it. They support the proposal for a trial extension with further recommendations in place. This includes expanding the area to include Golden Square, Long Gully and White Hills to align with shared walking/cycling networks. They also want to see improved operator patrols and a faster response to incidents if the trial extends.

    “The trial demonstrated that e-scooters continue to have potential as an alternative transport option that is sustainable. However, community and stakeholder feedback has informed a set of recommendations.

    “A 12-month trial extension in an expanded urban Bendigo is recommended with improved trial requirements. This would allow the share hire scheme’s full potential to be assessed over a larger area and incorporate important lessons from the initial trial. This phase may also explore integrating e-bikes and technological improvements for e-scooters to curb illegal footpath riding.”

    The feedback collected through the survey and insights from key stakeholders has contributed to the overall evaluation of the trial in a Council report. It will be presented at the next Council meeting at The Capital on Monday May 19. 

    MIL OSI News –