NewzIntel.com

Category: Great Britain

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met imposes conditions requiring weekly protest to take place outside Swiss Cottage

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met has intervened to block a protest group gathering in Swiss Cottage this Friday in an effort to prevent further serious disruption to the life of the community.

    Officers have imposed Public Order Act conditions on a static protest that was due to take place in Finchley Road, at the junction of Eton Avenue.

    It may now not take place in Swiss Cottage or anywhere in the shaded area on the map below.

    The protest, which is organised by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN) but attended by people from a variety of groups, has been taking place on a near weekly basis since October 2023.

    In February, conditions were imposed requiring the protest to relocate outside the Swiss Cottage area. After an eight-week period where protests were held outside New Scotland Yard, the protest returned to Swiss Cottage last week, prompting a further assessment of its impact.

    Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who is in charge of policing in Camden and Islington, said: “The policing of protest must constantly balance the rights of people to protest with the rights of others to go about their lives without being subjected to serious disruption.

    “We have been in ongoing engagement with community representatives and protest organisers to ensure we are achieving this balance, using our powers proportionately where necessary.

    “The protests in Swiss Cottage have been a cause of particular concern. They take place in the heart of a community with a significant Jewish population, on the eve of the Sabbath and at a time when fear and concern linked to a rise in antisemitic hate crime is increased. We have seen instances of hate speech and intimidating behaviour, including confrontation between this protest and counter protest groups.

    “The law requires us to assess the impact of each individual protest rather than taking a blanket approach, but it allows us to consider the cumulative impact of sustained protest when assessing whether or not it is the cause of serious disruption.

    “It is our position, after careful consideration, that the only way to prevent that level of disruption in this case is to use our powers to require the protest to take place elsewhere.”

    Details of the conditions in place have been shared with community representatives and local partners.

    We are happy to work with the protest organisers to ensure that any protest at a suitable alternative location can take place peacefully.

    Officers will still be deployed in Swiss Cottage on Friday evening to ensure that anyone assembling in breach of the conditions is identified and the dealt with appropriately.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Move Together’ campaign to tackle huge physical inactivity challenges

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Move Together is a unifying movement that seeks to break down the barriers to activity, empowering every resident – regardless of age, ability, or background – to become more physically active.

    Paralympic legend Ellie Simmonds MBE is fronting the campaign, which was launched this week. She was joined by representatives from the 4 local authorities and a range of community partners.

    Ellie said: “Being active has always been such an important part of my life. It hasn’t just been for my physical health, but for my confidence, mental health and happiness.

    “The best thing is that you don’t even have to be an athlete to feel the benefits – or have ever done sports. Whether it’s a walk with friends, dancing in your living room, or joining a local group, moving and being active can make a massive difference.

    “That’s why I’m so proud to be here to support the Move Together campaign – because everyone deserves the chance to feel the joy and freedom that being active can bring.”

    The campaign, running in 3 phases until October 2025, will raise awareness of the spaces and places where people can move more and be active and showcase the wealth of accessible activity opportunities across the region.

    Every move counts. Together, in partnership with stakeholders, the campaign will reimagine the Black Country as a place where every step, stretch and stride brings us closer to a healthier, more connected community.

    Sport England’s Active Lives Survey identifies the Black Country as the most inactive Active Partnership area within England. Latest data shows that 34.6% of adults were classed as inactive – a slight fall in inactivity rates over the last 12 months (the national average is 25.1%).

    Active Black Country’s Chief Executive Ian Carey said: “It’s fantastic to launch the Move Together campaign today in partnership with the local authorities of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Delivering a strategy to unite the Black Country and create active, healthier people and places requires a huge collective effort.

    “Together with our strategic partners, we have developed an inspiring campaign that can motivate people from different backgrounds to move more and be physically active so they can enjoy the multiple health and wellbeing benefits that an active lifestyle provides.

    “This campaign will showcase the breadth and diversity of activity opportunities on everyone’s doorsteps and show just how accessible they are, empowering Black Country residents to embrace movement as part of their daily lives.

    “Thanks to Sport England for their ongoing financial support. The Move Together campaign champions the ‘Uniting the Movement’ strategy that aims to provide everyone in England – regardless of postcode, background or bank balance – the opportunity to get active.”

    The campaign is powered by a partnership between Active Black Country and the 4 local authorities – who are all working together with community partners to make active living more visible, inclusive, and accessible.

    Campaign activations in the months ahead will showcase the different ways people can get active in their communities. Wave 2 will focus on bringing to life the Black Country’s waterways and how residents can utilise them for physical activity. Wave 3 will highlight the huge array of outdoor spaces across the region where people can move more and be active.

    To find out more about the Move Together campaign and how you can get involved, visit Active Black Country. To find local activities, visit Black Country Moving. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Student’s wartime diaries reveal vital rooftop role As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, the wartime diaries of a University of Aberdeen student have revealed insights into how everyday life continued – as well as the rather unusual duties undertaken by undergraduates during the Blitz.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, the wartime diaries of a University of Aberdeen student have revealed insights into how everyday life continued – as well as the rather unusual duties undertaken by undergraduates during the Blitz.
    Mary Newlands, who graduated in 1942 with a degree in English, history, geology and geography, faithfully completed the green covered student’s diary issued to each University entrant for the 1939-40 academic year – a habit she continued throughout her studies.
    She kept these her whole life and they were passed on to her granddaughter Ruth Mellis, who works as a Project Manager at the University, when she died in 2017.
    Mary, who was born on a farm in Speymouth, gained a place at University after demonstrating her academic abilities at Milne’s Institute in Fochabers where she was a clever and studious pupil, and was dux of the school several times gaining prizes in English, history, mathematics, Latin, French and German.
    She applied her meticulous nature to her student diary making small, neat notes alongside the timetabling information, useful telephone numbers and details for the student’s representative council.
    Mary recorded her social engagements, essay deadlines and debating society commitments together with glimpses of how life continued as normal in the early months of the war, including that on February 23, 1940, there was to be a campfire.
    The only indications of the significant societal changes contained in her small notes are at the end where she writes that ‘countries have to make tremendous sacrifices’ and lists addresses for a NAAFI and RAF bases.
    But by the 1940-41 session, as well as the colour of the diary switching to blue, the impact of war becomes more visible in her jottings.
    Mary’s academic year gets underway in 1940 with Dance at Udny Green, a Halloween party and Harvest Thanksgiving and in December ‘a big family party at Aunt Mary’s’.
    But by January 1941 she notes on a visit home ‘military clearing the roads’ and then the following day (Sunday Jan 26) ‘military back again, almost landed in a troop train’.
    Her notes on visits to the flicks and social events become interspersed with increased mentions of the war.
    On Thursday January 30 her classes are disrupted by an air raid warning in the morning and by February she has noted friends and classmates dispatched to various places.
    By the middle of February the frequency of reports on air raids and spending nights in the shelter increase together with references to putting on gas masks and she notes trying to finish essays following air raids. On Monday March 7, 1941, her Geography exam is interrupted by sirens and the need to evacuate.
    Against this backdrop, Mary takes on a role in addition to her studies volunteering as a fire warden for the city and on Sunday May 4 she describes for the first time her rather unique vantage point – on the roof of Marischal College.
    Throughout this period she describes juggling work and University with fire watching and by Wednesday 18 June says she is ‘falling asleep periodically’.
    The records for air strikes on Aberdeen show why the fire watching duties taken on by many University students were so vital.
    Aberdeen suffered the greatest number of air raids in Scotland during the Second World War, with some of the most significant hits close to the University.
    Loch Street, close to Marischal College where Mary stood guard on the roof, was struck in February 1941, destroying McBride’s Bar and 89 Loch Street.
    Then on July 3 high Explosive Bombs were dropped on Marischal Street, Regent Quay, Pontoon Dock No.2 off Albert Quay, Clyde Street & the Lime Company Buildings on Blaikie’s Quay.
    Activity was also clustered close to King’s College with several attacks on the area around Clifton and Hilton Road.
    In 1942 this moves closer again with an air attack that began on Saturday April 25 damaging buildings at the junction of Summerfield Terrace & King Street.
    Mary graduated in the midst of bombing campaigns focused on the city and when Aberdeenfaced its darkest day on April 21, 1943, had begun her teaching training.
    In the space of just 44 minutes, 127 bombs fell, damaging or destroying more than 12,000 homes and killing 98 civilians and 27 soldiers.
    The ‘Aberdeen Blitz’ had a significant impact on the streets surrounding King’s College including Regent Walk and King Street where nine high-explosive bombs fell. At 519 King Street the corner of the block was demolished by bombing. On Bedford Road a row of houses was destroyed killing an entire family.
    But as Mary’s diaries show, life and studies had to continue. In 1943 she successfully completed her teacher training and she returned to Moray to begin her teaching career at Clackmarras public school, teaching across the region at both primary and secondary level over the next four decades.
    She never forgot her time on the roof of Marischal College as granddaughter Ruth explains.
    “Gran was very proud of being a graduate of Aberdeen University and shared the story of her fire marshal duties with many. She made lifelong friends during her studies and spoke of her adventures on the roof of Marischal College and the many ladders involved! She was very matter of fact about this time and that everyone had to do their bit during the war.
    “I had no idea she’d kept such detailed diaries of her time at University and they’re fascinating to read and get a glimpse of what it would have been like. She was such a strong lady who was full of fun and she just got on with things which is very much shown in her diaries, she would love that her memories are being shared.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Bronze-age Britain traded tin with the Mediterranean, shows new study – settling a two-century debate

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Benjamin Roberts, Associate Professor in Later European Prehistory, Durham University

    Bronze age tin ingot from Salcombe, England. Benjamin Roberts / Alan Williams

    Tin was the critical mineral of the ancient world. It was essential to alloy with copper to make bronze, which for many centuries was the preferred metal for tools and weapons. Yet sources of tin are very scarce – and were especially so for the rapidly growing bronze age towns, cities and states around the eastern Mediterranean.

    Though major tin deposits are found in western and central Europe and in central Asia, by far the richest and most accessible tin ores are in Cornwall and Devon in southwest Britain. Yet it has been difficult to prove that these British deposits were used as a source for people in the eastern Mediterranean. So for more than two centuries, archaeologists have debated about where bronze age societies obtained their tin.

    In a new study published in the journal Antiquity, our team analysed the chemistry and different forms of particular elements in tin ores and artefacts from across Britain and Europe. These included tin ingots found at prehistoric shipwreck sites at Salcombe and Erme, southwest Britain, as well as in the Mediterranean.

    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. Join The Conversation for free today.

    This revealed that tin ingots from three ancient shipwrecks discovered off the coast of Israel and one shipwreck found off the Mediterranean coast of France originated in southwest Britain. The shipwrecks found near Israel date to around 1300BC, while the wreck from France has been dated to around 600BC.

    Small farming communities across Cornwall and Devon would have dug, washed, crushed and smelted the abundant tin ore from the alluvial deposits in the region. The heavy sand to gravel-sized tin ore is in a layer buried under soft layers of barren silt, sand and gravel.

    The tin ore is eroded from hard rock mineral veins and deposited by streams and rivers. There was simply no need for any complex and difficult mining of hard rock here. The tin would then have been taken to coastal locations where it could be traded.

    It’s probable that the tin was then moved by traders through France to the Mediterranean coast, where it was loaded onto ships. It would make its way through flourishing trade networks between the islands of Sardinia and Cyprus before reaching markets in the east Mediterranean. The tin’s value would have increased immensely as it progressed along this 2,485 mile (4,000km) journey.

    Tin is the first commodity to have been exported across the entire European continent. It was produced and traded at a potentially vast scale, but is rarely found in archaeological sites due to corrosion. But what we do known is that by 1,300BC, virtually all of Europe and the Mediterranean had widespread and consistent access to bronze.

    We know of more than 100 bronze age copper mines from Ireland to Israel and from Spain to the southern Urals in Russia. Yet these would have been just a small proportion of the copper mines active at the time.

    Given that bronze was typically made from 90% copper and 10% tin, if the copper produced by each of these known mines had to be matched by 10% tin, then tens or even hundreds of tonnes of tin were being traded each year – perhaps across distances of thousands of miles.

    St Michael’s Mount may be the site of the ancient island Ictis.
    Alan Williams

    The volume, consistency and frequency of the estimated scale in the tin trade is far larger than has been previously imagined and requires an entirely new perspective on what bronze age miners and merchants were able to achieve. It is no coincidence that it is around 1,300BC that technologies from the east, such as sophisticated systems for weighing items, as well as bronze swords, reached small farming communities living on the Atlantic coasts.

    A millennium later, around 320BC, Pytheas the Greek, from Massalia (modern Marseilles), journeyed by land and sea to Britain, which was at the edge of the known world at the time. Pytheas wrote the earliest account describing the island and its inhabitants in a book which is now lost, but which has partially survived in snippets quoted by later classical authors.

    Pytheas described how tin in southwest Britain was extracted and traded off a tidal island he called Ictis, before being taken across the sea and down the rivers of France to the mouth of the Rhone in only 30 days. In our research, we provide the first direct evidence for the tin trade Pytheas described. We show that tin from the Rochelongue shipwreck, off the south coast of France and dating to around 600BC, came from southwest Britain.

    While we can establish the movement of tin across the seas, we know very little about the markets on land in which it was traded. We are now working with a team of archaeologists from Cornwall to excavate on the tidal island of St Michael’s Mount, which has long thought to have been the island of Ictis described by Pytheas.

    A pan-continental tin trade continued in all periods after the bronze age and, in the absence of written records, our approach, using different methods of analysis, allows us to determine whether the tin came from Britain.

    Historical records show that during the medieval period, tin from Cornwall and Devon enjoyed a virtual European monopoly, with production continuing until the last tin mine closed in 1998.

    Today, tin is once again a critical and strategic mineral, this time for use in the electronics industry. As such it forms a vital part of the tools and weapons of the 21st century. Cornwall’s tin production is also set to soon restart, reviving a 4,000 year old industry.

    Benjamin Roberts was PI on Project Ancient Tin which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RPG-2019-333).

    Alan Williams was the post doc on Project Ancient Tin which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RPG-2019-333).

    – ref. Bronze-age Britain traded tin with the Mediterranean, shows new study – settling a two-century debate – https://theconversation.com/bronze-age-britain-traded-tin-with-the-mediterranean-shows-new-study-settling-a-two-century-debate-256005

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, federal partners arrest illegal Dominican national charged with armed robbery in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in partnership with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, apprehended an illegally present Dominican national charged with armed robbery in Massachusetts. Officers with ICE Boston and agents with DEA New England and ATF Boston arrested Emerson Esteban Arias-Polanco, 27, in Boston March 20.

    “Emerson Esteban Arias-Polanco illegally entered the United States and apparently decided to commit an armed robbery while wearing a mask,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He clearly represents a threat to our Massachusetts residents. It is regrettable that the Norfolk County House of Corrections decided to ignore our immigration detainer and released Arias-Polanco back into the community. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing alien offenders from the streets of New England.”

    Arias-Polanco illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, without being inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

    Officers with the Dedham Police Department arrested Arias-Polanco Nov. 30, 2023, and charged him with armed robbery — masked. On May 3, 2024, his case was elevated to Norfolk County Superior Court, and he was indicted for the charge.

    ICE Boston lodged an immigration detainer against Arias-Polanco with the Norfolk County House of Corrections Jan. 5, 2025. However, the detention facility refused to honor the ICE detainer and released Arias-Polanco from custody.

    Officers with ICE Boston and agents with DEA New England and ATF Boston arrested Emerson Esteban Arias-Polanco, 27, in Boston March 20. Arias-Polanco remains in ICE custody.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The UK government wants to expand the sugar tax to milkshakes and plant-based drinks – here’s what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David M. Evans, Professor of Sociotechnical Futures, University of Bristol Business School, University of Bristol

    Luis Molinero/Shutterstock

    The UK government is considering expanding its sugar tax on fizzy drinks to include milkshakes and other sweetened beverages, as part of new proposals announced in April 2025. The soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), to give it its official name, was introduced in 2018 to reduce people’s sugar intake and help tackle obesity. For soft drinks containing 5-8g of sugar per 100ml, a levy of 18p per litre is applied. This rises to 24p per litre for soft drinks containing over 8g per 100ml.

    The Treasury confirmed it plans to move forward not only with broadening the tax but also with lowering the sugar threshold that triggers it from 5g to 4g of sugar per 100ml. The changes, dubbed by critics as the “milkshake tax”, would end the current exemption for dairy-based drinks, as well as plant-based alternatives such as oat and rice milk.

    Based on our research into dietary change, conducted as part of the H3 project on food system transformation, we see this as a welcome and timely development.

    Not everyone shares this optimism. Opponents of what they see as “nanny state” interventionist policies argue that the SDIL has failed to deliver any real improvements to public health. In a UK newspaper’s straw poll, for example, 88% of respondents claimed the sugar tax has not significantly reduced obesity rates. Shadow Chancellor Melvyn Stride described the proposed expansion as a “sucker punch” to households, particularly given the ongoing cost of living crisis.

    Scepticism around these proposals is not surprising. Many people, regardless of political affiliation, are wary of additional taxation. And indeed, there is evidence suggesting that fiscal tools such as taxes and subsidies can be blunt instruments. They are also often regressive, placing a disproportionate burden on lower-income households.

    These concerns are valid – but they don’t quite apply to the SDIL.

    Crucially, the SDIL is not a tax on consumers. It is levied on manufacturers and importers, who are incentivised to reduce the sugar content of their products to avoid the charge. Many have done exactly that. For instance, the Japanese multinational brewing and distilling company group Suntory invested £13 million in reformulating drinks like Ribena and Lucozade, removing 25,000 tonnes of sugar, making the products exempt from the levy.

    According to Treasury figures, since the introduction of the SDIL, 89% of fizzy drinks sold in the UK have been reformulated to fall below the taxable threshold. This means households aren’t priced out of buying soft drinks – they can simply choose reformulated and presumably cheaper versions.

    It’s true that the UK is still grappling with a serious obesity problem. In England alone, 29% of adults and 15% of children aged two to 15 are obese.

    But the SDIL is having an effect. There has been a clear reduction in the sales of sugar from soft drinks, and the SDIL is reported to have generated £1.9 billion in revenue since its introduction in 2018.



    Read more:
    Sugary drinks are a killer: a 20% tax would save lives and rands in South Africa

    Early signs suggest health benefits, too. One study found a drop in obesity rates among 10 to 11-year-old girls following the levy’s implementation. Another analysis suggests that the greatest health benefits will be seen in more deprived areas, and that it may actually help to narrow some health inequalities for children in England.

    Shifting responsibilty

    Of course, the SDIL is no silver bullet. Excessive sugar consumption is consistently associated with rising obesity rates in the UK and globally. However, there are many contributing factors to the obesity epidemic, ranging from genetic predisposition to “obesogenic” environments – social contexts that promote unhealthy eating and sedentary behaviour, such as areas with a lot of fast food restaurants, limited access to healthy food options and a lack of pavements, parks, or safe places to exercise.

    Questions remain about the negative health effects of reformulated drinks, some of which still contain high levels of sweeteners or additives. And in the broader context of the need for food system transformation, focusing solely on soft drinks may be too narrow an approach.



    Read more:
    Are artificial sweeteners okay for our health? Here’s what the current evidence says

    But the SDIL’s success lies not just in outcomes but in its design. It shifts responsibility from individuals to industry, encouraging systemic change rather than simply blaming people for making “bad” choices. The government’s 2016 announcement of the levy gave manufacturers a two-year head start, allowing them to reformulate and get their products to market before it took effect in 2018.

    The government’s 2016 announcement of the sugar tax gave manufacturers time to reformulate products before the tax’s introduction in 2018.

    It’s also telling that the idea of taxing milkshakes has sparked such outrage, while most people now accept the high taxation of tobacco. That’s because smoking, as a public health issue, has matured: its risks are well understood and widely acknowledged. Obesity, meanwhile, is still catching up, despite posing similar health threats, including as a leading cause of cancer.

    In the UK, there’s still a strong social stigma around discussing diet and weight. But given the scale and urgency of the obesity crisis, it could be time to overcome this reluctance. Effective change will require bold, systemic policies – not just public awareness campaigns – but multipronged and targeted interventions that reshape the economic and cultural environments in which people make food choices.

    Expanding the SDIL may not be a cure-all, but the evidence so far suggests it’s a smart step in the right direction.

    David M. Evans receives funding from the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund (grant ref: BB/V004719/1).
    He is affiliated with Defra (the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) as a member of their Social Science Expert Group.

    Jonathan Beacham receives funding from the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund (grant ref: BB/V004719/1).

    – ref. The UK government wants to expand the sugar tax to milkshakes and plant-based drinks – here’s what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/the-uk-government-wants-to-expand-the-sugar-tax-to-milkshakes-and-plant-based-drinks-heres-what-you-need-to-know-255646

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Candidates sought for Kingswells Community Council by-election

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Residents in Kingwells are being invited to stand and represent their community in a forthcoming by-election for Kingswells Community Council.

    The community council are looking to elect up to 12 new councillors to act as a voice for their area and express the views of local people on issues that are most important to them.

    Anyone wishing to stand for election does not need any specific qualifications or experience, but should have a keen interest in their local community and be public spirited.  Candidates must be at least 16 years old and named on the current electoral register and reside in the Kingswells Community Council area.

    The closing date for nominations is Thursday 5 June 2025 at 4pm with the notice of poll or uncontested election being on Monday 16 June 2025.  Polling day, if required, runs between 8am and 8pm on Thursday 3 July 2025.   

    Interested candidates can find out more information and register by downloading the form on our website here: http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CCelection25

    Community Councils usually meet once a month, to discuss concerns in their local area and, through public engagement, should encourage feedback and involvement from everyone in the local community.

    Established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, most Community Councils comprise of up to 12 members with each community councillor elected to serve for a period of three years.

    Anyone who would like to know more information should contact Karen Finch, Community Council Liaison Officer, via email communitycouncils@aberdeencity.gov.uk or telephone 01224 053945.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SNP must go further for people and planet

    Source: Scottish Greens

    07 May 2025 Climate

    The SNP needs to show the ambition that our planet needs.

    More in Climate

    The SNP must go further for people and planet, says Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater.

    Speaking in parliament today during a debate on the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, Ms Slater called for action to rapidly reduce carbon emissions and put money in people’s pockets.

    Opening her speech, Ms Slater said: 

    “The Scottish Government cannot be timid in its response to the challenges we face. We are facing profound threats and we need profound answers. It isn’t enough to try to do the same thing faster with ever-reducing resources.

    “It is possible to build a fairer and greener Scotland, and we need a brave and bold Government to do this.

    “Greener means rapidly reducing emissions and restoring our depleted nature. Fairer means redistributing wealth and opportunity so that homes are affordable, work pays fair wages, and ensures that our social security net allows everyone to live with dignity.

    “It means practical measures to get money back in people’s pockets, and reduce poverty.”

    Lorna went on to highlight the positives in the Programme for Government that Scottish Green policies and campaigning were central to securing.

    Ms Slater added: 

    “There are some good examples of these policies in this Programme for Government, including a permanent end to peak rail fares – a policy first brought in by the Scottish Greens in October 2023.”

    Ms Slater used her speech to voice her concerns that the SNP are not going far enough with their commitments, seeming to be rolling back progressive policy instead.

    Ms Slater concluded: 

    “This Government does not always seem willing to do the hard things we need to do to build a fairer, greener Scotland and, frankly, we’re running out of tomorrows.

    “Scotland is unfair for so many people and the Scottish Government could do more to make it fairer.

    “For example, with greater ambition to deliver warmer homes and cheaper energy bills. Through proper rent controls which end rip-off rents and protect renters.

    “We need an ambitious plan to effectively tax wealth in Scotland and invest in public services in communities.

    “We need cheaper fares across all public transport, including capped bus fares.

    “With the world and the climate in crisis, people across Scotland will want reassurances that the government is still on their side – and that can’t come from broken promises and scrapped commitments.

    “The Scottish Government can do better than this, and the Scottish Greens will keep pushing them to do so.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New £4.5million project to boost NHS staffing

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is to lead the East of England delivery of a £4.5million national project, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), to improve healthcare in rural and coastal areas as well as disadvantaged urban communities.

    The five-year Allied Health Professions Workforce Research Partnership aims to improve patient care by ensuring staff such as paramedics, physiotherapists and radiographers are available when and where they are needed in NHS hospitals, community services, and general practice.

    There are 14 different allied health professions, providing specialist emergency, diagnostics, and treatment services from birth to end of life. After nurses and doctors, they are the third largest workforce in the NHS.

    The most recent figures put the East of England’s NHS unfilled vacancy rate at 8.1%, the highest in the country outside of London.

    Professor Sally Fowler-Davis of ARU will work closely with partners across the nation including Sheffield Hallam University, University of Lincoln, University of Sheffield, University of Suffolk, University of Leeds and NHS East of England.

    Researchers will collaborate in three regional hubs based in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and the East of England to test new ways to address staffing problems in these areas and help them to best meet the needs of patients.

    The project will bring together researchers and NHS partners, as well as patient and staff groups, to jointly design new ways of working that will improve patient care and help recruitment, retention and job satisfaction.

    “There are parts of the East of England that face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to their geographical isolation and limited resources, such as rural and coastal areas, where we know services struggle to recruit and retain staff.

    “By enhancing the presence and support of allied health professionals in these areas, we aim to address these disparities and ensure that residents receive the high-quality care they deserve.

    “This initiative is crucial for improving health outcomes and fostering a sense of community wellbeing. By investing in the recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare professionals in underserved areas, we can build a more resilient and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of everyone, regardless of their location.”

    Professor Sally Fowler-Davis

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Commemorative plaque for Denis Law

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Scotland’s only winner of the prestigious footballing award Ballon d’Or Denis Law is to be honoured with a commemorative plaque in the area he grew up in Aberdeen.

    Denis Law CBE was born on 24 February 1940 and raised in the Printfield area of Aberdeen, attending the former Powis Academy before moving to England to play for Huddersfield when he was 16. He went on to play for Manchester United, Torino, and Manchester City. Known as The Lawman, he scored 30 goals for Scotland. He died earlier this year, on 17 January 2025.

    The commemorative plaque will be sited at his birthplace at 6B Printfield Terrace. The Denis Law Legacy Trust had made the application which was unanimously agreed today by Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee, going against normal criteria for plaques that the person should have died at least 20 years ago and have been born more than 100 years ago.

    Finance and Resources convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “Denis especially demonstrated his strong and caring commitment to younger generations by creating a legacy trust. The positive support and opportunities that Denis Law has given through the trust is an enduring way to celebrate our much-loved and much-respected local football hero.

    “Denis Law has been an inspiring role model to so many people as well as being an exceptional footballer – he was and continues to be a hero in Aberdeen and abroad and we are very happy to agree to a commemorative plaque.”

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It shows the depth of feeling to Denis Law that the Committee agreed today to go against normal criteria and agreed to a commemorative plaque honouring him.

    “It is fitting he is recognised for all his achievements, not just those on the football pitch.”

    Denis was European footballer of the year and Scotland’s only winner of Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious award for individuals. Denis frequently returned home to Aberdeen to his roots with several accolades in his honour. These include the Freedom of the City, featuring in the Sporting Champions section of Provost Skene’s House, and a 4.7m high bronze statue was unveiled in his honour in 2021.

    When Denis received the Freedom of the City in November 2017, more than 15,000 people lined the streets of Aberdeen as he led the annual Christmas lights switch-on parade, following an earlier conferral ceremony at the Beach Ballroom. He said at the time that receiving the Freedom of the City as one of his life’s highlights.

    Denis and his friend Sir Alex Ferguson feature in Provost Skene’s House, which showcases people with links to Aberdeen and the North East who have transformed the wider world.

    The bronze statue of Denis was unveiled by The King himself in the heart of his home city in Marischal Square, beside Provost Skene’s House. Sir Alex Ferguson was at the ceremony to watch the unveiling.

    Denis was known as ‘The King’ for his achievements in football and the statue was sited to be in close proximity to the statue of King Robert the Bruce outside Marischal College – two kings of the city facing each other.

    The legacy of Denis Law continues to be represented within Aberdeen through Denis Law Legacy Trust and its successful Streetsport initiative with Robert Gordon University, as well as the Trust’s Cruyff Courts in partnership with Aberdeen City Council.

    There is also a statue located at Aberdeen Sports Village and the Denis Law Legacy Trail – large-scale murals depicting Law on buildings in Printfield – is to be launched this month (May 2025).

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DfE Update: 7 May 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Correspondence

    DfE Update: 7 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

    Documents

    DfE Update further education: 7 May 2025

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    DfE Update academies: 7 May 2025

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    DfE Update local authorities: 7 May 2025

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    Details

    Latest for further education

    Article Title
    Information 16 to 19 subcontracting
    Information New guidance for training providers for replacement apprenticeships certificates
    Information Learning aim reference service: category codes
    Information Provision recognised as higher education for Office for Students regulatory purposes
    Information Post-16 budget grant
    Information College financial planning handbook and college financial forecasting return (CFFR) 2025 now published
    Your feedback Guided Learning Hours (GLH) thematic review

    Latest information for academies

    Article Title
    Information Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool (FBIT) replaces the Schools Financial Benchmarking website
    Information 16 to 19 subcontracting
    Information Learning aim reference service: category codes
    Information Provision recognised as higher education for Office for Students regulatory purposes
    Information Post-16 budget grant
    Events and webinars FMS comparison matrix
    Events and webinars Academy finance professionals May Power Hour – HMRC
    Events and webinars RPA Members only – Cyber workshop
    Events and webinars Schools Commercial team summer webinars

    Latest information for local authorities

    Article Title
    Action Submit your section 151 (S151) officer assurance return and schools financial value standard (SFVS) assurance statement for 2024 to 2025
    Information 16 to 19 subcontracting
    Information Learning aim reference service: category codes
    Information Provision recognised as higher education for Office for Students regulatory purposes
    Information Local authority planning calendar 2025 to 2026
    Information Post-16 budget grant
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    Events and webinars RPA Members only – Cyber workshop
    Events and webinars Schools Commercial team summer webinars

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: North Antrim MP reflects on centrality of VE Day to our nation’s liberty

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister MP:-

    “As we mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, which was a most momentous day in our nation’s history, the range of national events remind us that WW II touched every corner of the United Kingdom, with headstones in every county.

    “One of the last Ulstermen to die before VE Day was James Noel Deane who is remembered on a family headstone in Second Broughshane Presbyterian Church in North Antrim. Signalman Deane, who served with Royal Corps of Signals, was killed in action on 6th May 80 years ago.

    “I am grateful to Nigel Henderson of History Hub Ulster, who does so much to keep alive the memories of our war dead, for the information on James Deane.

    “Northern Ireland’s strategic importance in the war led to Churchill’s famous tribute in his VE Day broadcast, praising NI’s ‘loyalty and friendship’ and stating without it the British people ‘should have been confronted with slavery or death’. He especially spoke of NI’s strategic importance to the Atlantic supply lines.

    “4.3m military personnel passed through Larne , including US troops preparing for the Normandy landings

    “Allied warships in Foyle and Belfast loughs provided protection for Northern Atlantic convoys and, of course, Northern Ireland was a major base for thousands of American troops.

    “Above all WW2 was about defending the territorial integrity of nation states. In light of this, how sad that Larne is now a frontier port for goods entering NI from our own nation under the Union-dismantling Protocol/Windsor Framework. It is the EU’s brazen disrespect for the territorial integrity of the U.K. which permits this outrageous partitioning of the United Kingdom.

    “But it is remembering the importance of territorial integrity, especially at this time, which redoubles my determination not to rest until the travesty of the Protocol is reversed.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: EA steps up dry weather prep after driest spring start since 1956

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    EA steps up dry weather prep after driest spring start since 1956

    Driest start to spring in 69 years across England.

    The Environment Agency has urged water companies to do more to safeguard water supplies after the driest start to spring in 69 years. 

    The environmental regulator convened a meeting of the National Drought Group today (Wednesday 7 May 2025) and said more needed to be done to cut leakage and help customers use water more wisely. 

    In England, March was the driest since 1961 and April received just half its normal rainfall. Farmers have had to start irrigating crops earlier and reservoir levels are either notably low or exceptionally low across the North East and North West of England. Both these regions have seen their driest start to the year since 1929.   

    Representatives from the EA told the meeting – which includes the Met Office, government, regulators, water companies, farmers and conservation experts – that while no area is currently officially in drought there is a medium risk of one this summer without sustained rainfall.

    Chairing the meeting, Environment Agency Deputy Director of Water, Richard Thompson, said:   

    The changing climate means we will see more summer droughts in the coming decades.

    The last two years were some of the wettest on record for England but drier conditions at the start of this year mean a drought is a possibility and we need to be prepared.  

    It’s heartening to see more people looking to reduce their water use and we expect water companies to do more to cut leakage and rollout smart meters.

    Whilst there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans, if the prolonged dry weather continues, water companies may need to implement their dry weather plans in the weeks and months ahead.   

    The EA is closely monitoring water companies’ implementation of these plans, especially high-risk locations, as well as working with farmers to help them plan for irrigating their crops. It is also preparing dry weather advice and information for the public, including small steps they can take to reduce usage. 

    Water Minister, Emma Hardy, said:  

    Our water infrastructure is crumbling after years of underinvestment.

    Water companies must go further and faster to cut leaks and build the infrastructure needed to secure our water supply.

    The Government has secured over £104 billion of private sector investment to fund essential infrastructure, including nine new reservoirs to secure our future water supply into the decades to come.

    The National Drought Group will meet to discuss action regularly in the coming months. At today’s meeting, attendees heard about the current water resources situation:

    • A dry start to the year means farmers have had an earlier start to the irrigation season and have seen an increased demand on their on-site storage reservoirs.   
    • Reservoir storage across England is 84% of total capacity. This compares to 90% at the end of April in the 2022 drought year.
    • River flows are currently below normal or lower for this time of year across northern and central England.   
    • Chalk groundwater levels are generally in a good position.   
    • Wildfires have been reported in Cumbria, Derbyshire and Dorset as vegetation is dry.   

    The EA has called on the group’s membership to take action to ensure they are prepared for drought. This includes:  

    • Water companies stepping-up action on leakage and preparing their dry weather plans. 
    • Water companies communicating with customers about current risk and supporting them to use water wisely during this dry period.  
    • Farmers to work with NFU to assess their water needs this summer and take action now to ensure they have enough to last the summer  
    • EA to work with fishery owners to have ensure plans are in place to manage dry weather.  

     The public can play their part too by reducing individual water consumption, such as installing a water butt in the garden to harvest rainwater, taking shorter showers, and turning off taps when not in use.  

    According to EA figures, by 2050, England will need to find an additional 5 billion litres of water a day to meet demand for public water supply. This is more than a third of the 14 billion litres of water currently put into public water supply.  

    Note to editors  

    • Each water company produces a drought plan, including measures to take when drought triggers are hit following dry weather. This includes campaigns on water usage, changes to their abstraction permits, and temporary usage bans (TUBS) – also known as hosepipe bans.   
    • The last drought was in 2022, with five water companies imposing hosepipe bans on a total of 19 million customers to ensure drinking and wastewater services were prioritised. South West Water’s ban was lifted in September 2023.   
    • More about drought can be found here: Are we prepared for a drought? The water resilience challenge – Creating a better place

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Regulator investigates charity’s property and governance issues

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Regulator investigates charity’s property and governance issues

    The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into CG Community Council.

    The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into CG Community Council (registered charity 502955) to look into concerns about its governance and financial management. 

    CG Community Council was established in the 1960s with the object of improving the lives of people living in Croxteth and Gillmoss, to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for health, recreation and leisure-time.  

    Information obtained by the Commission through its regulatory compliance work suggests CG Community Council property may be at risk.  

    While the charity holds the leasehold for 16 properties, it recorded nil income and expenditure in its annual return for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 and it has failed to submit financial returns for the financial year ending 31 March 2024.   

    The regulator has already issued an order to prevent CG Community Council property from being sold or otherwise disposed of without the prior consent of the Commission.  

    The inquiry will examine if trustees of CG Community Council have complied with their legal duties in respect of the administration, governance and management of the charity, in particular if: 

    1. the charity is accounting for its funds and assets, in line with legal requirements  

    2. it has suffered a financial loss as a result of any misconduct and/or mismanagement. 

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

    ENDS 

    Notes to editors  

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

    2. On 3 April 2025, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into the charity under section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 as a result of its regulatory concerns there were indications of potentially significant risk to charity property.  

    3. A statutory inquiry is a legal power enabling the Commission to formally investigate matters of regulatory concern within a charity and to use protective powers for the benefit of the charity and its beneficiaries, assets, or reputation.  

    4. 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.

    Press office

    Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk

    Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Update on UK – Turkey trade talks

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Update on UK – Turkey trade talks

    UK and Turkey agree on date to relaunch talks for an upgraded free trade agreement

    Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds and Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander met today in London [Wednesday 7 May] with their Turkish counterparts, Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat and Deputy Minister of Trade, Mustafa Tuzcu, to discuss how to grow the UK economy by boosting trade. 

    The UK and Turkey have a strong economic relationship, with trade between the two totalling around £28 billion in 2024, making Turkey the UK’s 16th largest trading partner, with UK companies already exporting £9.3 billion of goods and services to its growing market of 86 million people.  

    Ministers affirmed the importance and strength of the UK-Turkey trading bilateral relationship, committed to continue to pursue closer cooperation and increased trade and investment, and underlined the importance of defending free trade.  

    They also confirmed their intention for the first round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations to take place by the end of July.  

    Ministers concluded the meeting by signing an upgraded Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) chapter, in the form of an amendment to the 2020 UK-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This chapter closely aligns UK-Turkey TBT provisions with those found in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), reducing costs and making it easier for businesses to trade.  

    Background 

    • The UK is the second largest services exporter in the world, but in 2024 only 34% of our exports to Turkey were services. 

    • UK exports to Turkey directly supported around 57,100 jobs across the UK in 2020, more than 68% of which were in services. 

    • More than 7,800 UK companies currently export goods to Turkey (2024). 

    • Turkey’s economy is currently the 17th largest in the world. By 2050 is expected to be the 12th-largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe. 

    • The Turkish company, Eren Holding Group, recently invested £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in Deeside, North Wales. This investment is set to safeguard 147 jobs and create a further 220. The project is supported by nearly £13 million from the Welsh Government and £136 million from UK Export Finance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens on track for Senedd breakthrough as countdown begins

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    by Green Party

    With today (7 May) marking one year until the Senedd election, Wales Green Party has said it is on track to elect its first MS. Last night’s YouGov poll would see the party win its first seat in Caerdydd Penarth, according to a projection by Cavendish Consulting[1].

    Anthony Slaughter, party leader will top the list in the Caerdydd Penarth constituency. At last year’s Westminster election, the Green Party finished second in Cardiff South and Penarth, which forms half of the new Senedd constituency.

    Anthony said:

    “Living costs are out of control, public services are collapsing, and the climate and nature crises are being left to get worse. We’re on track to break through to the Senedd, where we’ll challenge the cosy consensus that has allowed things to get so bad.

    “I’m working flat out until the election to speak to residents, champion their needs, and campaign for the bold policies we need to turn things around.

    Candidate selections are currently underway across Wales, with announcements expected next month.

    Anthony Slaughter continued:

    “I’m excited about the people putting their names forward for the party next year – they would all make excellent Senedd members, and I’m looking forward to campaigning alongside them in the next year.”

    ENDS
    [1] https://x.com/CavendishCymru/status/1920060028683268448

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Lindsay Chorale to Perform Free Concert at the Guildhall in Support of Mayor’s Charity

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    The Lindsay Chorale to Perform Free Concert at the Guildhall in Support of Mayor’s Charity

    7 May 2025

    Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to announce that renowned Saintfield-based choir, The Lindsay Chorale, will be performing a special concert at the Guildhall on Sunday 18th May.

    The event, which takes place from 3pm, hopes to raise much needed funds for the Mayor’s chosen charity, The BUD Club, a vital local organisation supporting children and young adults with additional needs.

    Established in 1997, The Lindsay Chorale is known for its rich repertoire of classical, sacred, and contemporary choral music. Their visit to Derry~Londonderry offers music lovers a unique opportunity to hear one of Northern Ireland’s most accomplished amateur choirs in the majestic surroundings of the Guildhall. Having previously performed with The Priests and for Derry Girls creator, Lisa McGee, audience members are in for a treat with this special afternoon of music.

    The choir will be led by Musical Director Keith Acheson on the day. Keith is an Irish composer and conductor based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After obtaining a BMus (Hons) in 1996 he was awarded a PhD in Composition from the Ulster University. Along with many pieces for choir, he has had work performed by the likes of the Ulster Orchestra, Gemini Ensemble, HuuJ Ensemble and Arco String Quartet.

    Taking to the famous Guildhall organ, Daniel Clements will accompany the choir and provide the decadent musical background that will add to the atmospheric afternoon.

    Speaking ahead of the event, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, encouraged the public to come along and support the cause:

    “I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome The Lindsay Chorale to our beautiful Guildhall for what promises to be a very special afternoon of music and community spirit. This free concert is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy world-class choral singing while supporting a cause that is close to my heart. The BUD Club provides life-changing support for families across our district, and I would encourage everyone to come along, donate what they can, and enjoy a truly uplifting event.”

    The choir, which has performed across the UK and Ireland, also expressed their excitement about the upcoming concert:

    “We are honoured to be performing in the historic Guildhall and to be part of an event that supports such an inspiring local charity. Music has the power to connect communities, and we hope our performance will not only entertain but also make a meaningful contribution to the vital work of The BUD Club,” said Keith Acheson, Musical Director.

    The concert is free to attend, and no booking is required. The concert will start at 3pm, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Voluntary donations will be collected on the day in aid of The BUD Club.

    For more information about the Mayor’s charity, please visit:
     www.derrystrabane.com/about-council/mayor/mayor-s-charity

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermex Reports First-Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company to Host Conference Call Today at 9 a.m. ET

    MIAMI, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International Money Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMXI) (“Intermex” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s leading global omnichannel money transfer services to Latin America and the Caribbean, today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2025.

    Financial performance highlights for the first quarter of 2025:

    • Revenues of $144.3 million
    • Net income of $7.8 million
    • Diluted EPS of $0.25
    • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.35
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $21.6 million

    Bob Lisy, Chairman, President, and CEO of Intermex, stated “Intermex’s first quarter results reflect the strength and discipline of the Intermex business model, despite an economic and political backdrop that was difficult to anticipate. Year-over-year volume growth reflects our highly resilient consumer base and our ability to serve them effectively through our omnichannel strategy.”

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results (all comparisons are to the First Quarter 2024)
    Year over year volumes grew at 3.7%, however total revenues for the Company were down 4.1% to $144.3 million. This was driven by a shift in retail consumer sending behavior as consumers sent fewer transactions, but in larger amounts transferred per transaction in the quarter. The reduction in service fees from lower transactions was partially offset by an increase in revenue primarily related to growth in digital channels. The Company’s user base generated 12.8 million money transfer transactions, down 5.2% from last year. The total principal amount transferred for the period was $5.6 billion, an increase of 3.7%.

    The Company reported net income of $7.8 million, a decrease of 35.5%. Diluted earnings per share were $0.25, a decrease of 28.6%. The decreases in net income and diluted earnings per share were driven primarily by the items noted above for revenues, partly offset by lower services charges from agents and banks. It is worth noting that while revenue was down from lower transactions, the higher year over year volume offset much of the interest and banking expense reductions that would otherwise typically be captured with a lower number of transactions. Lower income tax provision also positively impacted net income. Diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchase activity.

    Adjusted net income totaled $10.9 million, a decrease of 25.9%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share totaled $0.35, a decrease of 18.6%. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were impacted by the items noted above, adjusted for certain items detailed in the reconciliation tables below following the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchases.

    Adjusted EBITDA decreased 15.0% to $21.6 million, attributable to the same items noted above, partially offset by the higher net effect of the adjusting items detailed in the reconciliation tables below following the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

    Adjusted and other non-GAAP measures discussed above and elsewhere in this press release are defined below under the heading, Non-GAAP Measures.

    Other Items
    The Company ended the first quarter of 2025 with $151.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Net Free Cash Generated for the first quarter of 2025 was $10.3 million, up from the first quarter of 2024. Year-over-year Net Free Cash Generated primarily reflects the investments in assets placed into service as a result of the Company’s move to the new U.S. headquarters facility in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by the decrease in net income.

    The Company incurred $1.2 million in transaction costs for the first quarter, primarily legal and professional fees incurred in relation to its previously announced evaluation of strategic alternatives. In addition, the Company incurred restructuring costs of approximately $0.3 million primarily related to the Company’s foreign operations.

    The Company repurchased 367,873 shares of its common stock for $5.0 million during the first quarter of 2025 through its underlying share repurchase program and a privately-negotiated transaction.

    Guidance
    Based on our first quarter 2025 financial results and the underlying market dynamics we have observed to date, the Company is revising its previously issued full-year guidance below. Current levels of uncertainty and volatility affecting market conditions and consumer behavior, have increased the difficulty of reliably forecasting short-term results.   Moreover, as previously announced, the Company is in the process of executing on a long-term strategy of investing in its digital business offerings to increase their contribution to the Company’s revenue and to increase its profitability.   Accordingly, the Company is discontinuing issuing quarterly guidance.

    Full-year 2025:
    •Revenue of $634.9 million to $654.2 million.
    •Diluted EPS of $1.53 to $1.65.
    •Adjusted Diluted EPS of $1.86 to $2.02.
    •Adjusted EBITDA of $103.6 million to $106.8 million.

    Non-GAAP Measures
    Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Net Free Cash Generated, each a Non-GAAP financial measure, are the primary metrics used by management to evaluate the financial performance of our business. We present these Non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they are frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. Furthermore, we believe they are helpful in highlighting trends in our operating results, because certain of such measures exclude, among other things, the effects of certain transactions that are outside the control of management, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the jurisdictions in which we operate and capital investments.

    Adjusted Net Income is defined as Net Income adjusted to add back certain charges and expenses, such as non-cash amortization of certain intangible assets resulting from business and asset acquisition transactions, non-cash compensation costs, and other items outlined in the reconciliation table below, as these charges and expenses are not considered a part of our core business operations and are not an indicator of ongoing future Company performance.

    Adjusted Earnings per Share – Basic and Diluted is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted).

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net Income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes, and adjusted to add back certain charges and expenses, such as non-cash compensation costs and other items outlined in the reconciliation table below, as these charges and expenses are not considered a part of our core business operations and are not an indicator of ongoing future Company performance.

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Revenues.

    Net Free Cash Generated is defined as Net Income before provision for credit losses and depreciation and amortization adjusted to add back certain non-cash charges and expenses, such as non-cash compensation costs, and reduced by cash used in investing activities and servicing of our debt obligations.

    Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Net Free Cash Generated are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, net income, net income margin or earnings per share, as a measure of operating performance or cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. Non-GAAP financial measures are not necessarily calculated the same way by different companies and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP.

    Reconciliations of Net Income, the Company’s closest GAAP measure, to Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, and Net Free Cash Generated, as well as a reconciliation of Earnings per Share (Basic and Diluted) to Adjusted Earnings per Share (Basic and Diluted) and Net Income Margin to Adjusted EBITDA Margin, are outlined in the tables below following the condensed consolidated financial statements. A quantitative reconciliation of projected Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS to the most comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because of the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying the amounts necessary under GAAP guidance for operating or other adjusted items including, without limitation, costs and expenses related to acquisitions and other transactions, share-based compensation, tax effects of certain adjustments and losses related to legal contingencies or disposal of assets. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

    Investor and Analyst Conference Call / Presentation
    Intermex will host a conference call and webcast presentation at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. Interested parties are invited to join the discussion and gain firsthand knowledge about Intermex’s financial performance and operational achievements through the following channels:

    • A live broadcast of the conference call may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.
    • To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register HERE. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call.
    • Following the conference call, an archived webcast of the call will be available for one year on Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.

    Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, which reflect our current views concerning certain events that are not historical facts but could have an effect on our future performance, including but without limitation, statements regarding our plans, objectives, financial performance, business strategies, projected results of operations, restructuring initiatives and expectations for the Company. These statements may include and be identified by words or phrases such as, without limitation, “would,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “approximately,” “shall,” “our planning assumptions,” “future outlook,” “currently,” “target,” “guidance,” and similar expressions (including the negative and plural forms of such words and phrases). These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments, projections about our business and our industry, and macroeconomic conditions, and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, estimates, contingencies, and other factors, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity. Such factors include, among others: changes in immigration laws and their enforcement, including any adverse effects on the level of immigrant employment, earning potential and other commercial activities; our success in expanding customer acceptance of our digital services and infrastructure, as well as developing, introducing and marketing new digital and other products and services; new technology or competitors that disrupt the current money transfer and payment ecosystem, including the introduction of new digital platforms; loss of, or reduction in business with, key sending agents; our ability to effectively compete in the markets in which we operate; economic factors such as inflation, the level of economic activity, recession risks and labor market conditions, as well as volatility in market interest rates; international political factors, including ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and the Middle East, political instability, tariffs, including the effects of tariffs on domestic markets and industrial activity and employment, border taxes or restrictions on remittances or transfers from the outbound countries in which we operate or plan to operate; volatility in foreign exchange rates that could affect the volume of consumer remittance activity and/or affect our foreign exchange related gains and losses; consumer confidence in our brands and in consumer money transfers generally; expansion into new geographic markets or product markets; our ability to successfully execute, manage, integrate and obtain the anticipated financial benefits of key acquisitions and mergers; cybersecurity-attacks or disruptions to our information technology, computer network systems, data centers and mobile devices applications; the ability of our risk management and compliance policies, procedures and systems to mitigate risk related to transaction monitoring; consumer fraud and other risks relating to the authenticity of customers’ orders or the improper or illegal use of our services by consumers, sending agents or digital partners; our ability to maintain favorable banking and paying agent relationships necessary to conduct our business; bank failures, sustained financial illiquidity, or illiquidity at the clearing, cash management or custodial financial institutions with which we do business; changes to banking industry regulation and practice; credit risks from our agents, digital partners and the financial institutions with which we do business; our ability to recruit and retain key personnel; our ability to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including those intended to prevent use of our money remittance services for criminal activity, those related to data and cybersecurity protection, and those related to new business initiatives; enforcement actions and private litigation under regulations applicable to money remittance services; changes in tax laws in the countries in which we operate; our ability to protect intellectual property rights; our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and remain in compliance with our credit facility requirements; public health conditions, responses thereto and the economic and market effects thereof; the use of third-party vendors and service providers; weakness in U.S. or international economic conditions; and other economic, business, and/or competitive factors, risks and uncertainties, including those described in the “Risk Factors” and other sections of periodic reports and other filings that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement is made and we undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements.

    About International Money Express, Inc.
    Founded in 1994, Intermex applies proprietary technology enabling consumers to send money from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany to more than 60 countries. The Company provides the digital movement of money through a network of agent retailers in the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany; Company-operated stores; our mobile apps; and the Company’s websites. Transactions are fulfilled and paid through thousands of retail and bank locations around the world. Intermex is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with international offices in Puebla, Mexico, Guatemala City, Guatemala, London, England, and Madrid, Spain. For more information about Intermex, please visit www.intermexonline.com.

    Alex Sadowski
    Investor Relations Coordinator
    ir@intermexusa.com
    tel. 305-671-8000

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
             
        March 31,   December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)     2025     2024
    ASSETS   (Unaudited)    
    Current assets:        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 151,764   $ 130,503
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,095 and $3,546, respectively     131,026     107,077
    Prepaid wires, net     32,577     49,205
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     10,561     10,998
    Total current assets     325,928     297,783
             
    Property and equipment, net     52,603     50,354
    Goodwill     55,195     55,195
    Intangible assets, net     26,058     26,847
    Deferred tax asset, net     18     —
    Other assets     30,787     32,198
    Total assets   $ 490,589   $ 462,377
             
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
    Current liabilities:        
    Accounts payable   $ 23,410   $ 19,520
    Wire transfers and money orders payable, net     115,081     85,044
    Accrued and other liabilities     47,977     47,434
    Total current liabilities     186,468     151,998
             
    Long-term liabilities:        
    Debt, net     147,385     156,623
    Lease liabilities, net     17,493     18,582
    Deferred tax liability, net     —     250
    Total long-term liabilities     164,878     175,455
             
    Stockholders’ equity:        
    Total stockholders’ equity     139,243     134,924
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 490,589   $ 462,377
             
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars, except for per share data)     2025     2024
        (Unaudited)
    Revenues:        
    Wire transfer and money order fees, net   $ 120,167   $ 126,921
    Foreign exchange gain, net     20,181     20,346
    Other income     3,962     3,145
    Total revenues     144,310     150,412
             
    Operating expenses:        
    Service charges from agents and banks     93,788     97,934
    Salaries and benefits     18,288     18,106
    Other selling, general and administrative expenses     10,989     9,953
    Provision for credit losses     2,066     1,595
    Restructuring costs     306     —
    Transaction costs     1,169     10
    Depreciation and amortization     3,629     3,228
    Total operating expenses     130,235     130,826
             
    Operating income     14,075     19,586
             
    Interest expense     2,700     2,702
             
    Income before income taxes     11,375     16,884
             
    Income tax provision     3,606     4,778
             
    Net income   $ 7,769   $ 12,106
             
    Earnings per common share:        
    Basic   $ 0.25   $ 0.36
    Diluted   $ 0.25   $ 0.35
             
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
    Basic     30,587,949     33,675,441
    Diluted     30,831,633     34,188,814
    Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted Net Income
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars, except for per share data)     2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
             
    Net Income   $ 7,769     $ 12,106  
             
    Adjusted for:        
    Share-based compensation (a)     2,112       2,153  
    Restructuring costs (b)     306       —  
    Transaction costs (c)     1,169       10  
    Other charges and expenses (d)     327       437  
    Amortization of intangibles (e)     711       977  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments (f)     (1,466 )     (1,012 )
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 10,928     $ 14,671  
             
    Adjusted earnings per common share:        
    Basic   $ 0.36     $ 0.44  
    Diluted   $ 0.35     $ 0.43  

    (a) Represents share-based compensation relating to equity awards granted primarily to employees and independent directors of the Company.

    (b) Represents primarily severance, write-off of assets and, legal and professional fees related to the execution of restructuring plans.

    (c) Represents primarily financial advisory, professional and legal fees related to business acquisition transactions and strategic alternatives.

    (d) Represents primarily loss on disposal of fixed assets.

    (e) Represents the amortization of certain intangible assets that resulted from business and asset acquisition transactions.

    (f) Represents the current and deferred tax impact of the taxable adjustments to Net Income using the Company’s blended federal and state tax rate for each period. Relevant tax-deductible adjustments include all adjustments to Net Income.

    Reconciliation from Basic Earnings per Share to Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
          2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
    Basic Earnings per Share   $ 0.25     $ 0.36  
    Adjusted for:        
    Share-based compensation     0.07       0.06  
    Restructuring costs     0.01       —  
    Transaction costs     0.04       NM  
    Other charges and expenses     0.01       0.01  
    Amortization of intangibles     0.02       0.03  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments     (0.05 )     (0.03 )
    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share   $ 0.36     $ 0.44  

    NM—Amount is not meaningful

    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding

    Reconciliation from Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
          2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
    Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.25     $ 0.35  
    Adjusted for:        
    Share-based compensation     0.07       0.06  
    Restructuring costs     0.01       —  
    Transaction costs     0.04       NM  
    Other charges and expenses     0.01       0.01  
    Amortization of intangibles     0.02       0.03  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments     (0.05 )     (0.03 )
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.35     $ 0.43  

    NM—Amount is not meaningful

    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding

    Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)     2025     2024
        (Unaudited)
    Net Income   $ 7,769   $ 12,106
             
    Adjusted for:        
    Interest expense     2,700     2,702
    Income tax provision     3,606     4,778
    Depreciation and amortization     3,629     3,228
    EBITDA     17,704     22,814
    Share-based compensation (a)     2,112     2,153
    Restructuring costs (b)     306     —
    Transaction costs (c)     1,169     10
    Other charges and expenses (d)     327     437
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 21,618   $ 25,414

    (a) Represents share-based compensation relating to equity awards granted primarily to employees and independent directors of the Company.

    (b) Represents primarily severance, write-off of assets and legal and professional fees related to the execution of restructuring plans.

    (c) Represents primarily financial advisory, professional and legal fees related to business acquisition transactions and strategic alternatives.

    (d) Represents primarily loss on disposal of fixed assets.

    Reconciliation from Net Income Margin to Adjusted EBITDA Margin
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025     2024  
        (Unaudited)
    Net Income Margin   5.4 %   8.0 %
    Adjusted for:        
    Interest expense   1.9 %   1.8 %
    Income tax provision   2.5 %   3.2 %
    Depreciation and amortization   2.5 %   2.1 %
    EBITDA Margin   12.3 %   15.2 %
    Share-based compensation   1.5 %   1.4 %
    Restructuring costs   0.2 %   — %
    Transaction costs   0.8 %   — %
    Other charges and expenses   0.2 %   0.3 %
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin   15.0 %   16.9 %

    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding

    Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Free Cash Generated
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)     2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
             
    Net income for the period   $ 7,769     $ 12,106  
             
    Depreciation and amortization     3,629       3,228  
    Share-based compensation     2,112       2,153  
    Provision for credit losses     2,066       1,595  
    Cash used in investing activities     (5,313 )     (13,480 )
    Term loan pay downs     —       (1,641 )
             
    Net Free Cash Generated during the period   $ 10,263     $ 3,961  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Restoration works begin on famous Armada Shipwreck collection

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Restoration works begin on famous Armada Shipwreck collection

    7 May 2025

    The Tower Museum’s famous Armada Shipwreck collection is on the move, as National Museums NI commences restoration work on the key artefacts before they make the transition to their new home in the state-of-the-art new DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum in Ebrington Square.

    The collection will be closed to the public while the essential work is being completed, however visitors can still access the popular Story of Derry and Derry Girls Exhibitions over the coming months.

    The ‘Armada Shipwreck ~ La Trinidad Valencera’ exhibition has been a central focus of the museum’s visitor experience, bringing to life the 16th century story of conflict between England and Spain, and the drama and tragedy that unfolded as over 20 Spanish ships foundered off the Donegal coast.

    The collection has been on loan to the Museum from National Museums NI since 2004 and is recognised to be of international importance. The transfer is just one element of the Tower Museum’s legacy as the collection will soon become an integral part of the new DNA Museum.  Once restored the Armada pieces will remain in storage until they can be rehoused in the new museum which is due to open in early 2027.

    Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, said it was an exciting milestone in the project. “The Spanish Armada collection has been a popular attraction at the Museum since 2005, and we are delighted to continue our relationship with National Museums NI in keeping these significant pieces here in the North West, where they were first discovered by local divers. Once restored they will take pride of place in the new DNA museum where they will help tell the wider story of our history and heritage.

    “It’s exciting to see preparations well and truly underway in archiving and restoring the collections that will move to the DNA site, where new technology and facilities will really bring these collections to life.”

    Among the artefacts are a gun carriage wheel and bronze siege gun, canon and other weaponry, textiles and items recovered from the wreck site discovered at Kinnagoe Bay. The collection also documents the remarkable story of the diving expedition which uncovered the treasure trove of artefacts.

    Council’s Head of Culture, Aeidin McCarter, said: “Work is continuing to progress on the delivery of the much-anticipated new DNA Museum which is one of the exciting strategic projects being delivered as part of Derry and Strabane’s City Deal portfolio. The decant and conservation of items from the Tower Museum is an essential part of this process, and will take place gradually over the coming months.

    “We are delighted that the new museum will have the capacity to house the majority of collections currently on display in the Tower Museum in the seven new galleries, with DNA becoming our new civic museum, creating a central hub linking to other tourism experiences across the region. I want to thank National Museums NI for their ongoing support and I look forward to seeing the successful transition to the new site.”

    William Blair, Director of Collections at National Museums NI said: “The Armada collection, and particularly the story of the La Trinidad Valancera – the ship that foundered off the coast of Donegal in 1588 – has an ensuring resonance with the North West and Derry~Londonderry. It’s time at the Tower Museum has helped share its remarkable story with many thousands of visitors.

    “At National Museums NI, we have a responsibility to preserve and protect this important heritage. That’s why we are temporarily bringing the collection back into our care – to conserve it and prepare it for public display at its new home in the DNA Museum, where it can continue to inspire and be appreciated by future generations.”

    The DNA Museum once completed will also include a dedicated archive discovery zone, access to genealogy advice, a temporary exhibition space, multi-purpose learning and events space, café, retail and external interpretation space.

    The galleries will be dedicated to telling the story of the city and wider North West area and will complement the existing museum and heritage venue offering throughout the city. A new website is also being developed to provide enhanced digital collections and online learning resources accessible to everyone.

    Council has successfully completed a Tender process and is currently working with all the relevant project partners on the appointment of a contractor which will be announced in the coming weeks, with work expected to begin on site this summer.

    Anyone who would like to access the Armada exhibition digitally while awaiting its new iteration in DNA can do so online along with associated collections and archives by visiting https://towermuseumcollections.com/la-trinidad-valencera/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major grants for community organisations

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    The Belmont Cinema, an all-ability wheelchair swing project, youth club equipment, and a community radio station are among a raft of local organisations which are to benefit from grants totalling £965,000 approved today.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee agreed the monies for projects around the city including The Belmont Community Cinema Project, Aberdeen Deeside Rotary Trust, Kingswells Community Centre, and Station House Media Uni (SHMU).

    Committee Convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “These are major projects which have been awarded funding today and the monies will assist the organisations in bringing forward their respective projects. 

    “These grant applications, from a number of partners and third sector organisations, will make a positive impact on our city in their own way.”

    Council Culture spokesperson Councillor Martin Greig said: “These grants will make a positive difference for organisations and people across Aberdeen. I look forward to seeing the progress on all of these projects in the coming months.”

    A report to committee said the grants awarded included:

    • Aberdeen Deeside Rotary Trust – all-ability wheelchair swing project – £13,000;
    • Aberdeen Performing Arts – building management system upgrade at HMT – £48,895;
    • Aberdeen Science Centre – community engagement and accessibility project – £73,198;
    • Alcohol and Drugs Action – family harm reduction/recovery support – £19,801;
    • Aberdeen City Council – Bucksburn Swimming Pool recommissioning project – £173,140;
    • Befriend a Child – family support project – £19,152;
    • Belmont Community Cinema – improving the entrance project – £100,000;
    • Citymoves Dance Agency – United Aberdeen Dance project – £47,089;
    • Community Outreach Group – upgraded kitchen – £3,800;
    • Denburn Residents and Tenants Association – Upper Denburn Gardens – £10,000;
    • East Grampian Coastal Partnership – Aberdeen City Coastal Path Study – £9,450;
    • Grampian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association – specialist exercise service for people with cardiac and chronic health conditions in Aberdeen – £15,000;
    • Grampian Women’s Aid – support services – £45,470;
    • Growing2gether – strengthening communities by building local skills, wellbeing and resilience project – £28,865;
    • Instant Neighbour – Upcycle Inc Project – £10,000;
    • Kingswells Community Centre – youth club equipment – £876;
    • Sound Scotland – Soundcommunities year 2 – £24,000;
    • Station House Media Unit – extension to Station House – £110,000;
    • Techfest – TechFests Blueprint Challenge: A Future Highstreet – £10,000;
    • The Kings Community Foundation – the Bridge Centre Retrofit – £50,000.

    The report to committee said allocation of grant funding is from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UKSPF money was allocated to the City Council by the UK Government. The core UKSPF element can be used across three priority areas – community and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grants for VisitAberdeenshire’s cruise ship volunteer programme and Northern Nights campaign

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Grants totalling more than £73,000 have been approved for two schemes which will help bring tourists and visitors to the city.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee today agreed the monies for VisitAberdeenshire. A total of £23,932 will be used for VisitAberdeenshire’s Cruise Volunteer Programme and £50,000 for its Northern Nights campaign.

    Council Culture spokesperson Councillor Martin Greig said: “Aberdeen is a beautiful and historic place and we look forward to sharing it with visitors from abroad and other parts of the country.

    “These two schemes from VisitAberdeenshire will help to attract more people to the city and area and will guide them to what there is to discover while they are here.”

    Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “Both of these VisitAberdeenshire projects are excellent ways of helping tourists and visitors orientate themselves while they are in the city.

    “We want to attract more people to come and experience Aberdeen for themselves and being able to offer added benefits through the campaign and cruise volunteer scheme will help to do just that.”

    The Cruise ‘Welcome’ Volunteer Scheme was created to meet and help orientate visitors during their first moments in Aberdeen, focusing primarily on cruise passengers arriving in the city.

    The programme aims to provide a positive first impression of the region, create fulfilling volunteering opportunities that upskill local people and generate civic pride, and change the narrative of the region as a tourism destination.

    This funding will enhance the delivery and experience of the welcome volunteer scheme, supporting programme development and preparation for the 2026 season through additional training and recruitment to grow the volunteer pool to 40 people.

    By driving more footfall into Aberdeen businesses during the cruise season, engaging local residents as volunteers, and fostering civic pride, the programme benefits the local economy, people, and place.

    The “Northern Nights: The City Comes to Light” campaign will promote Aberdeen as a vibrant winter destination in early 2026, leveraging cultural events like SPECTRA and Granite Noir to boost hotel occupancy, visitor footfall, and revenue, while supporting local tourism and hospitality businesses through targeted marketing, digital cultural trail maps, and night-time city photography.

    The proposed Northern Nights: the City comes to Light campaign will also promote experiences in the city during the early months of 2026 when nights are longer. The message will be about making this a positive reason to travel and Visit Aberdeenshire intends to bolster hotel occupancy and revenue per available room during these times in the city centre.

    VisitAberdeenshire CEO Chris Foy said “Attention is already turning towards the 2026 cruise season, and this award will not only help to deliver thousands of warm welcomes to our visitors but also contribute towards making volunteering a highly positive experience for local participants. And whilst Aberdeen currently enjoys the early summer sunshine, planning is underway to grow the visitor economy during the winter season.

    “Our inaugural Northern Nights campaign in 2024/25 resulted in over £1/2million of additional visitor spend, demonstrating that our part of the world can shine brightly during the darker months. This funding award will allow us to build on the momentum already created.”

    The report to committee said allocation of grant funding is from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UKSPF money was allocated to the City Council by the UK Government. The core UKSPF element can be used across three priority areas – community and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City centre property and retail strategy gets grant

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    A plan to existing gaps, identify viable investment prospects, and enhance the retail offering in the city centre has been awarded a £39,000 grant.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee today agreed the monies for Aberdeen Inspired to commission an Aberdeen City Centre Property and Retail Strategy.

    Committee Convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Aberdeen City Centre Property and Retail Strategy will be a good asset in working out how to attract more retail to the area.

    “We welcome that this data will be collected as it will help the city’s overall plan to ensure the city centre continues to be a place where people want to shop, live, and work.”

    Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The Aberdeen City Centre Property and Retail Strategy fits in with the City Council’s current priorities of city centre regeneration. It also aligns with approved Council policies, including the Union Street Action Plan.

    “We look forward to seeing the results from the Strategy and how they can be translated into ensuring we have a better and more resilient retail offering.”

    The Aberdeen City Centre Property and Retail Strategy will assess the current health of retail property in Aberdeen’s city centre and create an actionable plan to understand existing gaps, identify viable investment prospects, and enhance the retail offering.

    The strategy will focus on optimising property utilisation and delivering a more vibrant, resilient occupier mix for the city. The project will conduct catchment demand analysis, geodemographic data collection, and competitor benchmarking to understand consumer patterns, spend leakage, and market saturation.

    This knowledge will help determine how vacant spaces can be repurposed to improve the city centre and better serve local and regional consumer markets.

    Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “To ensure we have a city centre that is sustainable and fit for the future this strategy will identify the gaps, what businesses people want, where they want them and how we can get those businesses here.

    “This strategy will give us both a blueprint and roadmap on how to make all of that happen and is a vital part of the regeneration of our city centre. We are very grateful to Aberdeen City Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for this grant which will make this exciting project possible.”

    The report to committee said allocation of grant funding is from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UKSPF money was allocated to the City Council by the UK Government. The core UKSPF element can be used across three priority areas – community and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Captain Planet cartoons shaped my awareness of the nature crisis

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Muzammal Ahmad Khan, Lecturer in Business and Management, University of the West of Scotland

    Captain Planet is set to return more than three decades since it first broadcast on TV. A new comic book series by Dynamite Entertainment promises to bring the 1990s environmental hero to a new generation.

    For those of us who grew up watching the original show, the message feels just as urgent today as it did then. As a researcher in sustainability and education, I often reflect on how early experiences shape our environmental values. Captain Planet was one of the first moments that made me think about our responsibility to the world around us.

    Writer of the new series David Pepose has said he wants to stay true to the original, while updating the story for today’s world. He stressed: “The reason Captain Planet fights for the environment is because he doesn’t want to see anyone die, and that’s something really powerful and timeless.” The villains, still driven by greed and destruction, seem even more real now than they did in the early 1990s.

    At the time, my family lived in a small village in rural Punjab, Pakistan, a place untouched by city life or the concept of climate change. Life was calm and slow. Each morning started with the call to prayer. Most evenings ended in darkness due to regular power cuts. As children, we had few distractions, playing cricket or hide-and-seek in the street.

    But in one corner of our living room stood something that connected us to a different world – a colour television. It was rare in the village, and it quickly became a shared object of wonder. Children from the neighbourhood would gather in our home during the brief hours when state television allowed Cartoon Network to air, around 3pm to 5pm. Among all the shows, one cartoon series stood out: Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

    The plot was simple but powerful. Captain Planet is a superhero fighting pollution, corporate greed and environmental destruction. He could only be summoned by the Planeteers, a group of five internationally diverse teens with magical rings: Kwame (Africa, Earth), Wheeler (North America, Fire), Linka (Eastern Europe, Wind), Gi (Asia, Water) and finally Ma-Ti (South America, Heart). With all those powers combined, Captain Planet would rise majestically into the air, ready to do battle with pollution-spreading villains.

    The executive producer of the original 1990 series, Barbara Pyle, said the goal was to inspire and teach young people about protecting the environment. Pyle mentioned that the show’s success was not about selling toys, but about including real environmental issues in the storylines. In my view, they achieved their goal.



    Read more:
    Why ocean pollution is a clear danger to human health

    None of us understood English well enough to follow every word, but we understood the energy and emotions. Rage when forests were burned. Sadness when oceans were poisoned. Joy when villains were defeated. Above all, a sense that the natural world mattered.

    I remember the day I was walking with my father past the fields near our village. A newly built factory was releasing black smoke into the sky, and its pipes discharged foul-smelling water into a stream used by some animals. I felt uneasy, even angry. It reminded me of the villains from the show’s characters such as Hoggish Greedly and Dr. Blight who treated the Earth like something disposable. I asked my father why nobody could stop this. He was surprised. I wished I were a Planeteer with a magic ring to call Captain Planet.

    That cartoon did more than entertain. It gave names and faces to ideas we had never heard in school. Our textbooks did not talk about pollution. Nobody taught us the value of trees or clean water. But Captain Planet made those things feel important. It suggested that someone should care. That maybe, that someone could be you.

    The show’s message stayed with me. Today, my research focuses on sustainability and education. I often reflect on how a cartoon played a part in shaping that interest. I did not realise it then, but those glowing rings and the famous line “the power is yours” planted an idea that never left me.



    Read more:
    Five satellite images that show how fast our planet is changing

    Captain Planet’s message still matters

    Children today grow up surrounded by technology. They scroll before they can cycle. The connection to nature that felt instinctive in our childhood is fading. And yet, the message of Captain Planet is still relevant. Perhaps more than ever.

    Children who watched the original series are now adults. We have careers, votes and voices. We understand that the threat is not fictional. The planet is under the same threats – pressure from rising temperatures, deforestation, polluted oceans and the relentless push for profit over preservation – only now the stakes are much higher.

    The message remains the same – small actions matter. Our choices can combine to create something powerful. The power to care, to act and to inspire others never disappeared. It was passed to us.



    Read more:
    Deforestation is causing more storms in west Africa, finds 30-year satellite study

    I often think about the importance of early environmental messages. Captain Planet did that in the 1990s for me. We cannot expect people to care about the future of the planet if they have never been encouraged to think about it. Now, with the return of Captain Planet, there is a chance to inspire a new generation to believe that the power is theirs.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Muzammal Ahmad Khan 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. How Captain Planet cartoons shaped my awareness of the nature crisis – https://theconversation.com/how-captain-planet-cartoons-shaped-my-awareness-of-the-nature-crisis-255161

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Revenue and Rating Plan survey opens for community feedback

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City is developing a Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 and is inviting the community to complete a short survey.

    The Local Government Act 2020 requires the City to have a Revenue and Rating Plan which needs to be adopted for at least four years after each Council election.

    The Revenue and Rating Plan explains how the City will raise funds to provide services, facilities and infrastructure. This includes finding the most appropriate and affordable rates approach for Greater Bendigo’s residents and businesses.

    The plan includes rates options that are allowed under legislation and are fair and equitable. It also includes principles for decision-making for other income sources such as fees and charges.

    Rates and charges make up around two-thirds of the City’s income. The plan does not set targets for the City’s income.

    Greater Bendigo currently has 11 different rating types, known as differential rates, for various classes of property such as general (which covers residential properties), commercial/industrial, farms and vacant land.

    Using differential rating allows the City to shift the amount of rates that residents and businesses pay in a way that reflects their capacity to pay. This aims to make rates fairer.

    To do this, the City applies a different ‘rate in the dollar’ for different classes of property.

    Director Corporate Performance Jess Howard said community feedback was an important part of the next plan’s development.

    “The Revenue and Rating Plan is significant because it sets out decisions that Council can make in relation to rating options available to it under the Local Government Act 2020,” Ms Howard said.

    “The plan takes a four-year approach and explains how Council calculates the revenue needed to fund activities. The City provides many important services and facilities for the community and must collect revenue to cover the cost of providing them.

    “The plan aims to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of rates across property owners.

    “The community is invited to get involved in a survey on the City’s engagement platform Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo. Your responses and feedback will help inform a draft Revenue and Rating Plan which will be presented for consideration at the June Council meeting.”

    The survey is open until 5pm, May 21.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cyber sector is target for growth as Government supports businesses against serious organised cyber crime

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Cyber sector is target for growth as Government supports businesses against serious organised cyber crime

    The cyber sector will be a “prime target for economic growth” in the upcoming Industrial Strategy, as the government secures Britain’s future and delivers the Plan for Change.

    • Cyber will be a “prime target for economic growth” in upcoming Industrial Strategy as government secures Britain’s future and delivers the Plan for Change.
    • Boosting cyber sector will deliver double dividend of producing home grown jobs as well as protecting growth in other sectors.
    • UK to invest £8 million in Ukrainian cyber defences, more than £1 million to protect Moldovan elections, and extra £7 million in Laboratory for AI Security Research.

     The cyber sector will be a “prime target for economic growth” in the upcoming Industrial Strategy, as the government secures Britain’s future and delivers the Plan for Change. 

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden will say that boosting the cyber sector will deliver the double dividend of producing home grown jobs as well as protecting growth in other sectors by improving cyber security.

    Speaking at one of the country’s largest cyber security conferences on Wednesday, the minister will warn that the recent attacks on household retailers are “serious organised crime”. 

    But he will tell the audience of tech experts and business leaders gathered at CyberUK in Manchester that the digital world also presents a huge economic opportunity for the whole country – with the average cyber salary in North West England already climbing to £54,600. 

    He will announce that the government will turbo charge the sector in the upcoming Industrial Strategy, which will be a blueprint for kick-starting economic growth to put more money in working people’s pockets. 

    To ensure the government pulls every growth lever at its disposal, he will add the government is supporting an independent cyber growth report from experts at Imperial College and Bristol University, which will quickly deliver recommendations by the end of the summer. 

    Pat McFadden’s speech follows cyber attacks on M&S, the Co-op and Harrods, which he will address, saying: 

    Cyber attacks are not a game. Not a clever exercise. They are serious organised crime. The purpose is to damage and extort. The digital version of an old fashioned shake down. Either straight theft or a protection racket where your business will be safe as long as you pay the gangsters.   

    What we have seen over the past couple of weeks should serve as a wake-up call for businesses and organisations up and down the UK, as if we needed one, that cybersecurity is not a luxury but an absolute necessity.

    Turning to seize the economic prize on offer, he will explain:

    But there is enormous potential for cyber security to be a driving force in our economy – creating jobs, growth and opportunities for people. It’s already a sector on the up – with over 2,000 businesses across the UK.

    We want the benefits of the cyber industry to reach into communities all across the country. And that is why cyber will be a prime target for economic growth in the upcoming Industrial Strategy, as the Government secures Britain’s future. It is going to be a significant commitment, a vote of confidence in your sector, and one that will tell the world: the UK plans to be a global player in cyber security for decades to come.

    Cyber is already contributing to growth across the UK. The sector holds 67,000 jobs, up 6,600 in the last year, and revenues now top £13bn, up by 12% year-on-year.

    Recognising the potential for public and private sector cooperation to deliver growth, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will also deliver a progress update on the Laboratory for AI Security Research (LASR) he launched last November. In just months, it has funded 10 PhDs at the University of Oxford; 9 researchers at The Turing Institute and pioneering research through 8 leading UK universities including Queen’s University Belfast and Lancaster University.

    He will rocket charge LASR with an additional £7 million of government funding and announce a new partnership with worldwide technology leader Cisco:

    Cisco will work with LASR, and in particular the NCSC, to run challenges across the UK and build a demonstrator here in the North West to showcase how our scientists and entrepreneurs can work together to manage the risks, build the skills and grasp the opportunities of AI security. This is the first collaboration of its kind with LASR, and will be a trailblazer where others can follow to help LASR drive cutting-edge research into the impact of AI on national security.

    Cementing the UK’s commitment to the security of its allies, he will announce the government is investing £1.1 million to give the Moldovan Government tools to protect the country’s upcoming Parliamentary Election, alongside additional funding for Ukraine:

    Ukraine has put up an incredibly brave fight against Putin’s cyberwarfare, and we have vowed to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine for as long as long as it takes to defend their sovereignty. And so we are going to invest £8 million in the Ukraine Cyber Programme over the next year to continue to counter the Kremlin’s cyber aggression.

    The speech comes as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology launches a suite of measures to bolster cyber protection for individuals and businesses across the UK.

    Measures set to be unveiled by Minister Clark at CyberUK include:

    • A new Software Security Code of Practice will be published today by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to communicate essential steps every organisation developing or selling software should be taking to secure their products. 
    • This innovative guidance mirrors previous guidance issued by the government, called the AI Security Code of Practice, which will today be adopted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute as baseline steps organisations in all countries should follow. 
    • To help inoculate businesses against cyberattacks, the government will also drive investment into CHERI, a ‘magic chip’ that builds advanced memory protections in microprocessors, blocking up to 70 per cent of common cyber attacks. £4.5 million will be spent helping firms bring these chips to market, find customers and break down barriers to adoption.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Milkshake tax’: why it’s about innovative approaches to health, not household costs

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By David M. Evans, Professor of Sociotechnical Futures, University of Bristol Business School, University of Bristol

    Luis Molinero/Shutterstock

    The UK government is considering expanding its sugar tax on fizzy drinks to include milkshakes and other sweetened beverages, as part of new proposals announced in April 2025. The Treasury confirmed it plans to move forward not only with broadening the tax but also with lowering the sugar threshold that triggers it from 5g to 4g of sugar per 100ml.

    The changes, dubbed by critics as the “milkshake tax”, would end the current exemption for dairy-based drinks, as well as plant-based alternatives such as oat and rice milk. Chancellor Rachel Reeves first signalled the potential expansion in the 2024 budget, suggesting the soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), to give it its official name, could be widened to cover a broader range of high-sugar drinks.

    Based on our research into dietary change, conducted as part of the H3 project on food system transformation, we see this as a welcome and timely development.

    Not everyone shares this optimism. Opponents of what they see as “nanny state” interventionist policies argue that the SDIL has failed to deliver any real improvements to public health. In a UK newspaper’s straw poll, for example, 88% of respondents claimed the sugar tax has not significantly reduced obesity rates. Shadow Chancellor Melvyn Stride described the proposed expansion as a “sucker punch” to households, particularly given the ongoing cost of living crisis.

    Scepticism around these proposals is not surprising. Many people, regardless of political affiliation, are wary of additional taxation. And indeed, there is evidence suggesting that fiscal tools such as taxes and subsidies can be blunt instruments. They are also often regressive, placing a disproportionate burden on lower-income households.

    These concerns are valid – but they don’t quite apply to the SDIL.

    Crucially, the SDIL is not a tax on consumers. It is levied on manufacturers and importers, who are incentivised to reduce the sugar content of their products to avoid the charge. According to Treasury figures, since the introduction of the SDIL, 89% of fizzy drinks sold in the UK have been reformulated to fall below the taxable threshold.

    For instance, the Japanese multinational brewing and distilling company group Suntory invested £13 million in reformulating drinks like Ribena and Lucozade, removing 25,000 tonnes of sugar, making the products exempt from the levy. This means households aren’t priced out of soft drinks – they can simply choose reformulated and presumably cheaper versions.

    It’s true that the UK is still grappling with a serious obesity problem. In England alone, 29% of adultsand 15% of children aged two to 15 are obese.

    But the SDIL is having an effect. Excessive sugar consumption is consistently associated with rising obesity rates in the UK and globally. There has been a clear reduction in the sales of sugar from soft drinks, and the SDIL is reported to have generated £1.9 billion in revenue since its introduction in 2018.

    Early signs suggest health benefits, too. One study found a drop in obesity rates among 10 to 11-year-old girls following the levy’s implementation. Another analysis suggests that the greatest health benefits will be seen in more deprived areas, and that it may actually help to narrow some health inequalities for children in England.



    Read more:
    Child obesity is linked to deprivation, so why do poor parents still cop the blame?

    Shifting responsibilty

    The government’s 2016 announcement of the sugar tax gave manufacturers time to reformulate products before the tax’s introduction in 2018.

    Of course, the SDIL is no silver bullet. There are many contributing factors to the obesity epidemic, ranging from genetic predisposition to “obesogenic” environments – social contexts that promote unhealthy eating and sedentary behaviour, such as areas with a lot of fast food restaurants, limited access to healthy food options and a lack of pavements, parks, or safe places to exercise.

    Questions remain about the negative health effects of reformulated drinks, some of which still contain high levels of sweeteners or additives. And in the broader context of the need for food system transformation, focusing solely on soft drinks may be too narrow an approach.



    Read more:
    Are artificial sweeteners okay for our health? Here’s what the current evidence says

    But the SDIL’s success lies not just in outcomes but in its design. It shifts responsibility from individuals to industry, encouraging systemic change rather than simply blaming people for making “bad” choices. The government’s 2016 announcement of the levy gave manufacturers a two-year head start, allowing them to reformulate and get their products to market before it took effect in 2018.

    It’s also telling that the idea of taxing milkshakes has sparked such outrage, while most people now accept the high taxation of tobacco. That’s because smoking, as a public health issue, has matured: its risks are well understood and widely acknowledged. Obesity, meanwhile, is still catching up, despite posing similar health threats, including as a leading cause of cancer.

    In the UK, there’s still a strong social stigma around discussing diet and weight. But given the scale and urgency of the obesity crisis, it could be time to overcome this reluctance. Effective change will require bold, systemic policies – not just public awareness campaigns – but multipronged and targeted interventions that reshape the economic and cultural environments in which people make food choices.

    Expanding the SDIL may not be a cure-all, but the evidence so far suggests it’s a smart step in the right direction.

    David M. Evans receives funding from the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund (grant ref: BB/V004719/1).
    He is affiliated with Defra (the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) as a member of their Social Science Expert Group.

    Jonathan Beacham receives funding from the UKRI Strategic Priorities Fund (grant ref: BB/V004719/1).

    – ref. ‘Milkshake tax’: why it’s about innovative approaches to health, not household costs – https://theconversation.com/milkshake-tax-why-its-about-innovative-approaches-to-health-not-household-costs-255646

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Woman killed in hit-run collision at Hillcrest

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A pedestrian has died after being struck by a vehicle at Hillcrest overnight.

    Emergency services responded to North East Road, Hillcrest at 11pm on Tuesday 6 May after a young woman was hit by a car.

    Sadly, there was nothing police or paramedics could do, and the 20-year-old woman from Greenacres was pronounced deceased a short time later.

    Major Crash investigators attended and examined the scene overnight.  The crash occurred on the north-east bound carriageway of North East Road, near Forbes Street, near the service station.

    Investigators have spoken to witnesses who described seeing a silver sedan involved in the crash, but it did not stop at the scene.

    The driver of the car is urged to come forward.

    Anyone with information about this silver sedan, which possibly has front end damage, or the driver is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    Police are appealing for any witnesses or other motorists with dashcam footage, including of the woman’s presence on the roadway before the fatal crash, to contact police.  Police are also seeking any CCTV footage from the area.

    The young woman is the 29th life lost on South Australian roads so far this year.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 142-2025: Scheduled Service Disruption: Saturday 10 May to Sunday 11 May – Multiple Systems

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    07 May 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)
    • Master…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police and retailer collaboration brings down organised crime groups

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    Offenders brought to justice responsible for £8m of thefts

    • National intelligence unit sees 148 arrests in first year of operation 
    • 50% reduction in offending from organised crime groups identified 
    • Retailers praise dedication of team in affecting criminal justice outcomes  

    A national policing intelligence unit set up in partnership with retailers to tackle organised retail crime has been operational one year (1 May) and continues to reap results, identifying and bringing to justice crime groups responsible for £8m financial impact of offending.  

    Funded by the Home Office and the Pegasus Partnership (a collaboration between retailers and policing coordinated by CC Amanda Blakeman and PCC Katy Bourne), the team within Opal (policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime) collects and develops intelligence around organised retail crime from retailers and police forces.  

    Since 1 May 2024, the team has received 153 referrals from retailers and police forces across England and Wales with 313 offenders and 105 linked vehicles identified as a result. Action taken following a referral can range from simply identifying an individual or vehicle right through to a complex investigation of an organised criminal network. 37 operations have been adopted from referrals totalling nearly 5,000 offences nationwide (4,710) with 148 arrests to date and 33 court outcomes resulting in custodial sentences and deportations where the offenders are foreign nationals.  

    Of the organised crime groups identified and monitored through Opal’s work, there has been a 50 per cent reduction in offending since 1 May 2024, demonstrating a clear impact in disrupting these high harm offenders and networks.1  

    The Pegasus Partnership was set up in October 2023 to bring policing and retailers together in tackling shop theft through improved information sharing, best practice and upskilling. A number of high profile convictions include; three offenders responsible for over 100 crimes nationwide brought to justice by Surrey Police and Opal, an individual who stole more than £50,000 worth of goods from Boots stores across the country investigated by South Wales Police and an offender who worked across 16 police force areas to steal high value electricals and perfumes who was convicted by Devon and Cornwall Police.  

    Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman is National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for volume crime. She said: 

    “Partnership and collaboration is vital in our fight against retail crime, policing cannot do this alone and through Pegasus we have built strong relationships and information sharing which enables us to target resources where they are most needed.  

    “Without the national intelligence coordination from Opal’s highly skilled team, many of these offenders brought to justice over the last year may never have been identified or at the very least, the huge scale of their offending may not have been identified. And in a lot of cases, the scale and level of offending is what has led to the most significant court outcomes.  

    “I’d like to thank the retailers and Government for their commitment to making the partnership the success it so clearly is and we look forward to seeing our collective impact continue.”  

    Jason Towse, Managing Director, Business Services at Mitie said:  

    “We’re proud to have supported the formation of Pegasus and despite only being a year the results are overwhelming. Through technology and collaboration, Pegasus is joining the dots between retailers and the police to secure appropriate outcomes for offenders and in turn drive safer communities across the UK.  

    “The financial impact of retail crime is only one piece of the puzzle and what the figures don’t show is the psychological impact of the current situation on shopworkers, many of whom feel unsafe in their workplace due to threat of attacks. The tide must turn, and this can only happen through effective data sharing agreements between retailers, security and police that leave violent criminals with no place to hide.” 

    Katy Bourne is Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner and APCC joint lead for Business and Retail Crime. She said: 

    “It was very clear that retailers were suffering from shop theft on an industrial scale and needed results, including a better method to share information and intelligence with police forces nationally.  This is why, one year ago, I convened our Pegasus Partnership – a unique collaboration of the country’s top retailers joining together to fund a specialist policing team and analysts. The results published today, on our first anniversary of operation, speak for themselves and show the power of collaboration, trust and hard work, leading to nearly 150 criminals arrested and put before the courts.  

    “I want to acknowledge the support of Chief Constable Blakeman and the OPAL team in galvanising a national police response to shop theft. The Opal team have exceeded the expectations of our Pegasus Partnership and the retailers have seen their investment return valuable results against organised retail crime groups and persistent offenders. 

    “As we look ahead, it is evident we have built a well-positioned and strong foundation for tackling organised retail crime gangs and I look forward to seeing these results increase. I am delighted that the Government can see the value too with an additional £5million given to extend OPAL’s capacity. This really is a huge step forwards in the fightback against shop theft that will benefit all retailers up and down our country.” 

    Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said: 

    “Through concerted police, retailer and government action, we can fight back against the currently unacceptable levels of shop theft blighting our communities.  

    “This is why we are providing £5 million pounds over the next three years to continue to support this work, significantly increasing funding and making government the largest financial backer of this initiative.  

    “But we can and must go further, which is why I will be discussing with police and retailers at our forthcoming Retail Crime Forum what more we can do to tackle this issue as a whole, targeting not just organised crime gangs and prolific offenders but all perpetrators of shop theft who bring misery to our high streets.  

    “And it is why through our Plan for Change we are putting 13,000 neighbourhood officers and PCSOs on the beat in every corner of the country – soon to be equipped with new powers to tackle assaults on shop workers and thefts under £200.” 

    Kari Rodgers is UK Retail Director at Primark. She said:  

    “Pegasus has been a significant step forward in fostering change and improving safety on our high streets and we welcome the collaboration and intelligence sharing it has facilitated. Our collective job in tackling retail crime is far from over and we remain fully committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow retailers, local police forces and the government to continue driving forward the progress made so far.” 

    Ben McDonald is Senior Senior Corporate Protection Manager at Morrisons. He said:  

    “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Pegasus to keep our communities safe. The partnership provides Morrisons with the opportunity to work closely with the police in order to prioritise organised retail offenders and bring them to justice. We hope this sends out the necessary deterrent to prevent further crime groups from offending.” 

    The organised retail crime team within Opal take referrals from retailers of any size, whether or not they are part of the Pegasus Partnership, and will work in a number of different ways to develop intelligence. This could be as simple as identifying an offender, linked offenders and/or vehicles through the Police National Database, looking at patterns of offending and MO’s which are repeated and working with retailers to share information packs about prolific offenders. The team will then support local police forces through an investigation, sharing intelligence, but also working with the Crown Prosecution Service and additional agencies as required.  

    Results from the Opal Organised Retail Crime team since 1 May 2024 include: 

    • 153 referrals impacting retail businesses, a third of which came from supermarkets.  
    • 313 offenders identified 
    • Offenders identified responsible for £8m loss to retailers 
    • 105 vehicles identified 
    • 37 operations (criminal investigations) adopted 
    • 1,407 positive outcomes 
    • 33 sentences handed out 
    • Total custodial sentences for all offenders of over 39 years  
    • 128 upskilling sessions run with retailers and retail organisations 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cowardly criminals forced to face victims under flagship Bill

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Cowardly criminals forced to face victims under flagship Bill

    Victims will be better protected than ever thanks to new measures across the justice system following the introduction of the Victims and Courts Bill (7 May).

    • New powers for judges to punish offenders who refuse to attend sentencing
    • Parental responsibility to be restricted for perpetrators of child sex offences
    • New powers for Victims’ Commissioner to hold government to account

    For the first time ever, judges will be able to hand down prison punishments for cowardly criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearing.

    The powers of the Victims’ Commissioner will also be strengthened, empowering them to play a greater role in individual cases and requiring them to produce an independent report on compliance with the Victims’ Code.

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood said:

    This Bill will deliver long overdue reforms to ensure victims see justice done and are given the vital support they need as they rebuild their lives.

    There is still more work to do as we fix a justice system that was left on the brink of collapse, but this Bill is a step towards rebuilding victims’ confidence through our Plan for Change.

    Measures in the Bill to force offenders to attend their sentencing will go further than ever before. In recognition that those facing long sentences or Whole Life Orders may not be deterred solely by additional time behind bars, this government is going further and giving judges the power to impose a range of prison sanctions on top of additional years on their sentence to ensure heinous criminals who refuse to attend can be appropriately punished. 

    The Bill also extends the eligibility to all cases in the Crown Court, meaning that all offenders who attempt to evade justice could be subject to tough sanctions – such as confinement to their cell and loss of privileges, like extra time in the gym – as well as up to two more years behind bars.

    Offenders who have been ordered to attend by a judge but whose disruptive and disrespectful behaviour results in their removal from the courtroom will also be punishable by the same means.

    Minister Davies-Jones said:

    I would like to thank the remarkable families of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, Jan Mustafa, Sabina Nessa and Zara Aleena and countless others who   have campaigned tirelessly for offenders to have to face the reality of their crimes by attending their sentencing.

    Justice isn’t optional – we’ll make sure criminals face their victims. 

    The Bill will also provide greater protection to victims by automatically restricting parental responsibility for vile offenders sentenced for a serious sexual abuse offence against their own child.

    Predatory parents will be prevented from actively taking steps in the child’s life, including requesting updates about the child’s schooling or seeking to interfere with their activities, better enabling the family to move forwards with their lives.

    London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, said:

    For too long, offenders found guilty of some of the most heinous crimes have refused to attend sentencing hearings and face justice, their victims, and their victims’ families.

    I have worked closely with Jebina Islam, Farah Naz, and Ayse Hussein in spearheading this campaign and I want to pay tribute to their tireless campaigning, and also thank the family of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who have fought so hard for this. Over the last few years, I have met with Ministers, the Judiciary, and justice partners to help shape these proposals to ensure they meet the needs of victims. I am pleased this Government has listened and acted on our concerns and have included other measures, such as prison sanctions, which I hope will put an end to this cruel injustice.

    This Bill will also bring in other important reforms I have long called for, such as measures to remove parental responsibility from convicted child sex offenders, to ensure these victims are better protected, and new powers to strengthen the vital work of the Victims’ Commissioner. These are all welcome changes and I’ll continue to do everything I can to ensure victims’ and survivors’ voices and experiences are at the heart of criminal justice reform.

    To ensure the government and other agencies are held to account in delivering for victims, the Bill also bolsters the role of the Victims’ Commissioner. Under the new legislation, the Commissioner will be able to play a greater role in individual cases which raise systemic issues ensuring lessons are learned to benefit other victims or witnesses.

    The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:

    These important and welcome reforms give the Victims’ Commissioner the statutory powers needed to deliver on the role’s promise: championing victims’ rights, scrutinising compliance with the Victims’ Code, holding agencies to account, and spotlighting the true victim experience to drive meaningful change. This marks a step towards a more accountable system that puts victims first.

    Crucially, it introduces much-needed oversight and accountability to how agencies respond to anti-social behaviour – an area where victims have too often felt unheard and unsupported.

    Taken together, the Bill delivers on multiple manifesto commitments and the Government’s Plan for Change – giving victims greater confidence in the justice system.

    Further information

    The Commissioner will also be required to produce an independent report on compliance with the Victims’ Code, holding agencies to account on their statutory requirement to comply with the Code. Providing independent scrutiny from a victim-focused perspective and calling out agencies who are not fulfilling their duty will ensure victims are aware of their rights, improving their experience of the justice system.

    Further measures within the Bill include:

    • Updating the Victim Contact Scheme and establishing a new Victim Helpline so victims have a clear route to request information about an offender’s release
    • Placing a duty on local authorities and social housing providers to co-operate with the Victims’ Commissioner in relation to victims ASB
    • Increased flexibility for the Director of Public Prosecutions in appointing Crown Prosecutors
    • Lord Chancellor can now prescribe, through Regulations, rates at which private prosecutors may recover their costs from Central Funds
    • Increased time limit for the Attorney General to refer a sentence to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that it is unduly lenient where a request is made to the Attorney General in the last 14 days of the current 28-day time-limit

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –