The Second WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health has concluded with major commitments from over 50 countries, cities and organizations ready to tackle air pollution and safeguard health.
Jointly organized with the Government of Colombia, it brought together more than 700 participants from 100 countries, including government representatives, UN agencies, civil society, scientists, and health societies, to accelerate action on air pollution and public health.
A shared goal to reduce the health impacts by 50% by 2040 was agreed upon to save millions of lives every year. Furthermore, new funding pledges and policies were proposed as commitments.
At the high-level session, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, urged leaders to respond to a global call to action: “It is time to move from commitments to bold commitments. To achieve clean air, we need urgent actions on all fronts: financial investment in sustainable solutions, such as in clean energy and sustainable transport; technical enforcement of WHO global air quality guidelines; and social commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our most polluted regions.”
Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, attended the high-level day of the Conference, emphasizing Colombia’s determination in the fight against air pollution: “Air pollution claims more victims than violence itself. Poisoning our air costs lives in silence – this conference reinforces our determination to implement policies for both the environment and the health of our people.”
Among the pledges made during the Conference, countries, UN agencies and civil society organizations demonstrated commitment towards the right path.
The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia,Lena Yanina Estrada Añokazi, committed to strengthening efforts across sectors to address air pollution through actions in surveillance and public health. The country will support initiatives that improve air quality, promote a clean energy transition by advancing clean technologies in industry and transportation, and develop early warning systems for wildfire prevention and mitigation.
Spain committed to achieve a carbon-neutral health-care system by 2050 through emission reduction, multi-sectoral collaboration and promoting innovation.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to tackling air pollution by chairing the Forum for International Cooperation on Air Pollution (FICAP), setting health-based PM2.5 (fine particulate matter 2.5) targets, and launching a comprehensive air quality strategy. This will include stricter standards, improved public access to air pollution data, and community engagement. The United Kingdom also committed to support Africa’s air quality efforts.
Brazil is committed to strengthening interministerial cooperation advancing key initiatives, the establishment of the National Air Quality Policy, the updating of air quality standards based on WHO guidelines as a Legal Framework, and the monitoring of the impact of these initiatives on reducing mortality that is due to exposure to air pollution.
China is committed to stronger air quality standards, smarter health protection systems, and enhanced international cooperation. The country will continue its efforts to achieve national environmental and climate goals for 2030, 2050, and 2060.
On behalf of the co-chairs of C40 cities, representing almost 100 of the world’s biggest cities, the Deputy Mayor of London, Mete Coban, committed to reducing air pollution, and supporting WHO’s 2040 target and roadmap, and called on other national governments to expand investments in clean air solutions, strengthen air quality monitoring systems, and recognize cities as key partners in developing and implementing clean air strategies.
The Clean Air Fund (CAF) committed to continuing to support WHO in demonstrating the benefits of life-saving clean air actions. It also committed to allocate an additional US$ 90 million over the next two years for climate and health efforts.
Pledges from health associations and civil society organizations included support for the integration of air pollution and the health of the planet into medical education and equipping health-care professionals with the knowledge and tools to address its health impacts.
“The commitments made at this Conference demonstrate the global momentum to address air pollution as a critical public health issue,” said Dr Maria Neira, Director, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization. “WHO remains dedicated to supporting countries in translating these commitments into concrete actions that protect lives and promote well-being.”
With a strong foundation of commitments and partnerships, the global community is now better positioned to drive meaningful change in the coming years.
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
Double number of drivers arrested than previous years
8,648 arrests made for drink and drug driving offences
Positive results for drink driving remain below 10%
Breath tests following a collision show nearly 15% motorists testing positive for alcohol, at its highest since 2019
Drug wipes result in positive test results of over 42%
Police officers proactively undertook 58,675 roadside tests for drink and/or drugs on drivers across the UK over the festive period in 2024 (1 Dec 2024 – 1 Jan 2025) as part of the nationally coordinated Operation Limit crackdown which sees 45 police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland working together.
Intelligence and hotspot-led, roadside breath tests for alcohol saw nearly 10% of drivers testing positive (9.7%) with drug wipes resulting in 42.2% positive tests.
Shockingly, 2,782 drivers were arrested for both drink and drug driving offences, almost double the number from previous years’ national operations. While many tests during Op Limit are proactive stops, tests following a collision showed 14.5% motorists testing positive for alcohol, the highest in these circumstances since 2019. Unfortunately this trend aligns with data from the Department for Transport (DfT) which also shows a rise in alcohol-related collisions.
The figures prompt warnings from senior officers about the risks of driving under the influence, a ‘selfish and reckless’ decision that costs too many lives each year.
Men continue to be disproportionately represented, making up 85% of the offences for driving under the influence of drink or drugs and 79% of offenders were 25 years of age or older.
Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier is National Police Chiefs’ Council Operational Lead for Operation Limit. He said:
“In 2023, 19.6% of fatal collisions were assigned at least one drink or drugs related factor. That’s pretty much 20% of road deaths caused by drink or drugs, with a significant number occurring in December – two facts which are completely unacceptable and which make Op Limit so important.
“Now in its third year of running as a national operation, the Christmas drink and drug driving crackdown brings together all police forces in a positive coordinated effort to tackle this driving behaviour.
“The statistics of positive results and the demographics of offenders remain consistent and what is encouraging is to see the dedication and innovation which policing puts into this operation across the country. Many forces collaborate on a regional level, working cross border and strengthening their resources as a result.
“In addition, we are seeing the numbers of collisions in December specifically as a result of drink or drug driving reduce each year, remaining consistently at the levels experienced during Covid when far less drivers were on the roads. While there will be many factors impacting this fall, we can certainly draw a link between policing’s increased focus and enforcement activity to tackle drink and drug driving over this time of year.
“The decision to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is reckless and selfish and it will not be tolerated. Not only do you risk your own life but you seriously endanger everyone else on the road and the tragic impact of your decision will be felt by individuals, families, friends and whole communities.”
Collisions in December where drink and drug driving is a factor
Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) lead for drink and drug driving, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham, Joy Allen said:
“With responsibility for supporting victims, PCCs see and deal with the devastating impact of drink and drug driving.
“The Operation Limit results show that more intensive enforcement works. We want to see more resource invested in roads policing and the appropriate use of tougher penalties for drink and drug driving, including immediate bans and full cost recovery of the costs from offenders, to act as a greater deterrent and protect the public.”
Key statistics not included in report
A total of 8,203 drivers were caught drink or drug driving during the period of enforcement activity, with 60% (4,940) drink drive offences detected and 40% (3,263) drug drive offences detected. A total of 74,456 vehicles were stopped during this campaign with 50,948 breath tests administered, resulting in 4,940 drivers testing positive, failed or refused to provide.
A total of 7,112 breath tests were administered following a collision, with 1,030 drivers committing a drink drive offence following a collision. 14.5% motorists tested positive for alcohol following a collision. This percentage is the highest it has been since 2019.
Contextual data
Drug driving:
In 2022, most drivers with detected drugs had illegal substances in their system (127), followed by query drugs (61) and prescribed drugs (27). Query drugs refer to substances that may have been administered medically after a collision but also have potential for abuse.
Illegal drugs were primarily found in deceased drivers aged 20 to 39, while medicinal drugs were more common in those aged 30 and older.
Among drivers aged 70 and above, medicinal drugs were detected more often than illegal drugs, though the overall numbers in this group were small.
The five most frequently detected substances were cocaine, benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite), cannabis, morphine, and ketamine, highlighting cocaine and cannabis as the most common illegal drugs in road fatalities.
From 2014 to 2022, approximately two-thirds of casualties in drug-impaired collisions were fatalities. Of these, 91% were drivers with drugs detected in their system, indicating that most fatalities were drug-impaired drivers themselves. The majority of other casualties were passengers of the impaired driver.
Drink driving
The central estimate of fatalities for 2022 is the highest level since 2009, and an increase compared to the previous year.
The central estimate of the number of deaths in collisions with at least one driver over the alcohol limit for 2022 is 300. This represents about 18% of all deaths in reported road collisions in 2022.
Overall, an estimated 6,800 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit. This represents an increase of 1% from 6,740 in 2021.
DfT collisions data where drink/drugs were reported as a key factor:
A celebration event took place at the Millennium Forum this week to showcase the successful delivery of Soft Landing within the Community, a local initiative delivered under the Multiply programme, aimed at improving numeracy skills.
The Multiply programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered in Northern Ireland by the Department for the Economy, with assistance from Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The showcase event was an opportunity for local families to celebrate their participation in the programme aimed at parents wishing to increase their numeracy skills to help their children and their own learning progression.
Delivered as part of the programme was a series of Family Friendly Interactive Fun Days and Structured Six-Week Programmes – where families were encouraged to participate in fun maths-themed games. There was also an opportunity to take part in card games and puzzles and get involved in hands-on problem-solving activities and digital games aimed at reinforcing and enhancing mathematical skills in an informal but enjoyable and fun setting.
Primary NumeraSee were contracted by Derry City and Strabane District Council to delivery this initiative as part of a wider £5.9m Multiply Fund managed by the Department for the Economy in the north of Ireland.
Katrina Bradley, from Primary NumeraSee said: “We were delighted to receive funding to deliver these interactive sessions to provide numeracy skills support to families in Derry and Strabane. We were keen to ensure that the sessions were done in a way that was not only interactive and interesting but that encouraged a positive attitude towards numbers and the important role they play in daily activities. Everyone that took part really enjoyed it and we really hope that it helped develop a love of learning in a fun and interactive way.”
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr added her support to the initiative. “I think this programme is wonderful. I love the concept of making maths fun and bringing families together in a fun and relaxing environment to learn new numeracy skills. By developing and enhancing maths skills we are providing a new lifeline to many families by providing them with the skills and confidence to boost their opportunities in life and enhance their well-being. I am delighted to hear that the participants enjoyed the sessions and the new skills they learnt from being part of the programme. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Jarlath Gallagher, one of the participants said: “I just wanted to share how much the Soft Landing within the Community ‘Team Up’ programme at Strabane Library has meant to my daughter and me. The sessions were delivered in a fun and engaging way, making an essential skill set more accessible than usual. Katrina and Franz provided fantastic content that encouraged both children and parents to get involved, fostering a positive environment with a strong theme of ‘giving it a go’. My daughter, Mara, loves the subject but isn’t always the most confident in putting herself forward. These sessions gave her the space to do so, with me learning alongside her. Mathematics is a skill that touches every aspect of life, and understanding the principles behind problem-solving will benefit all participants for years to come. Thank you for the support and the opportunity of the Soft Landing within the Community ‘Team Up’ programme not just with my daughter, but with the wider Strabane community as well!”
The Department for the Economy is leading on the delivery of the Multiply Programme in the north of Ireland. This programme will support the Economic Vision for a regionally balanced economy with good jobs and increased productivity. Numeracy is a vital skill and programmes like the initiatives rolled out in Derry and Strabane will help boost the competence and confidence of over 3,000 people across the North and in turn enhance their opportunities for further training and employment.”
The Multiply programme is being delivered by further education colleges, universities and local councils in collaboration with the community and voluntary sector.
Mayoral Youth Initiative invitation widened to include all generations
28 March 2025
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s hugely successful ‘Our Guildhall, Our Space’ events, where young people from across the Council area have come together to enjoy a night of music and entertainment, is being extended next month to include their parents, grandparents and family members and older adults from across the Council area as part of a wider Intergenerational Celebration of Youth.
Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr says she wants to make the Youth Initiative event even more inclusive with an invitation to older persons across the Council area to come along and join in the celebration of young people. The next ‘Our Guildhall, Our Space’ event is scheduled to take place at the Guildhall on Saturday, 12 April, from 6pm to 9.30pm and young people registering to attend are being encouraged to bring their parents, grandparents or any family members. An invitation is also being extended to older persons groups across the Council area who want to be part of this unique celebration.
Mayor Barr said: “I want this to be an intergenerational celebration of young people in our Council area and for people of all generations to join together for a fantastic night of music, games and food at the Guildhall. I have been hosting this youth initiative during my Mayoral year and it has been a huge success. The young people involved really love it and have been so positive about the experience that I wanted to give others the opportunity to be part of this unique experience.”
The night promises to be fantastic night of entertainment and music for everyone with live performances from local music legend Ritchie Remo, fun, games and entertainment with comedian and entertainer Fabu D aka The Black Paddy alongside the opportunity to dance the night away with Q Radio’s Tyree Patton on the decks, taking requests. On top of all that there will be delicious food served!
The event is open to young people between the age groups of 12 and 20 years of age, their parents, grandparents or family members and to older persons groups across the Council area.
Encouraging people to sign up, Mayor Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said next Saturday’s event is a unique celebration of young and old coming together to share the joy of laughter and music in the historic setting of the Guildhall.
“I want to invite parents and adults across our council area to meet with young people, encourage them, and explore ways to support their growth in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
“Our young people need role models, and who better to guide, nurture, and inspire them than members of our own community? They are facing challenges that are very different from what many of us experienced growing up. I want them to build resilience, grow in confidence, and believe in their ability to thrive right here in our city and district
“This intergenerational event is all about bridging the gap between young people and adults. It’s a chance to engage in open discussions, learn from one another, and most importantly, have fun together. Let’s show them that they’re not alone, and that we, as a community, are here to support them every step of the way.”
The Mayor added that the ‘Our Guildhall, Our Space’ events also demonstrate the commitment by Council that decision makers at all levels in the district are making to young people on the journey towards UNICEF UK Child Friendly Community Status.
It also coincides with the Council’s support for Intergenerational week which is 24th April to 30th April when the Council offices on Strand Road and the Alley Theatre in Strabane will be lit up Pink.
The event on Saturday 12th April is the second last in the series with the final one scheduled to take place on 17th May.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Correspondence
Lord Chancellor letter to the Sentencing Council: 20 March 2025
The Lord Chancellor wrote to the Sentencing Council to reiterate the government’s opposition to the ‘differential treatment’ introduced by new sentencing guidelines.
In this letter, to Sentencing Council Chair Rt Hon Lord Justice William Davis, the Lord Chancellor acknowledges the Council’s plans to publish new Imposition of Community and Custodial Sentence Guidelines.
The letter reiterates the government’s objections to the guidelines, specifically that it introduces ‘differential treatment’ in court on the basis of race or ethnicity – and notes the risk this would have on public confidence in the justice system.
The Lord Chancellor also raises concerns about the fact the current government was not consulted on the introduction of the guidelines, and sets out her position that matters of policy should be decided by Parliament and Ministers.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Natural England board member reappointed
Clare Fitzsimmons has rejoined the board for a second term
Clare Fitzsimmons has today (Friday 28 March) been reappointed to the board of Natural England.
Her second term will run for three years from 12 March 2025 until 11 March 2028.
This appointment has been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office.
Natural England is the government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment in England. Its purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
Biography:
Clare Fitzsimmons is Professor of Marine Ecosystems and Governance at Newcastle University. She is Director of Business, Innovation and Skills in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and chairs the External Advisory Board, gaining commercial experience in defence and consultancy sectors.
Clare is also a Marine Management Organisation-appointed member of the North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority. She is co-chair of Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee, multi-disciplinary experts to ensure the best available scientific advice is used to underpin decision-making for nature recovery.
The official Aberdeen anthem for this summer’s much-anticipated Tall Ships spectacular was given its premiere yesterday (Thursday 27 March) to great acclaim.
In another first for The Tall Ships Races, the event’s official mascot – Dorry the Dolphin – made a debut appearance at the special lunchtime concert in Aberdeen Art Gallery’s Cowdray Hall.
Primary 4 pupils from Abbotswell School sang ‘The Sea Journey’ l to an audience of 150, including composer Clara-Jane Maunder who wrote the piece for the Aberdeen City Council Music Service pupils to celebrate the Tall Ships return to the city.
Clara-Jane, a former Music Service pupil who went on to study at Aberdeen University and is now an emerging professional composer was delighted with her composition’s public debut which named familiar Aberdeen landmarks.
She said: “It has been a real delight to work on this commission for Aberdeen City Music service over the past couple of months, and it has been even more wonderful to hear it performed in such a beautiful and enthusiastic way by pupils from Abbotswell Primary School.”
I benefitted hugely from the Music Service’s instrumental tuition, ensembles, and orchestras as a young person, so this has been an absolute full-circle moment. It has been truly wonderful to have the opportunity to write for the next generation of young creatives, inspired by the city I grew up in.
“‘A Sea Journey’ follows the journey of a sailor (maybe from this century, or maybe from long ago) as they return to Aberdeen after a long time at sea, continuing with them past familiar parts of Aberdeen’s coastline until they arrive home to the Granite City.).
Clara-Jane’s delight was shared by Councillor Martin Greig, Chair of the Tall Ships Organising Committee, who said: “It was a pleasure to be here today on such a joyful occasion.
“The pupils gave a wonderful performance of Clara-Jane’s stirring composition which will be a real symbol of the Tall Ships and our great maritime city. The song will be a splendid long lasting legacy of this year’s Tall Ships experience. Joining in with the words and music is a great way to share in the celebrations and the fun.”
The piece has been written as a flexi score which means that it can be performed by different combinations of musicians such as a full orchestra and choir, or sung by a soloist and string quartet. This allows the piece to be used as much as possible in different settings including not only the Tall Ships festival but also the forthcoming Big Sing 2025.
Also among the captivated audience were Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen and Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired. Mr Sanguinetti said: “I’m thrilled to have been part of this memorable occasion today. The students showcased an outstanding performance of Clara-Jane’s captivating composition, which perfectly embodies the essence of the Tall Ships and reflects the rich maritime spirit of our city. This remarkable piece will leave a lasting impression, serving as a wonderful reminder of this year’s Tall Ships event.”
Mr Watson said was also charmed by the pupil’s performance, saying: “It was a magical moment to hear the talented pupils of Abbotswell School give this moving piece of music its premiere.
“This might be the first time we have heard Clara-Jane’s soaring work, The Sea Journey, but it won’t be the last. I am sure this enchanting composition will become a much-loved and oft-performed anthem for The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen.
“Today was very much about firsts for The Tall Ships Races, with Dorry the Dolphin’s debut appearance making a splash at the concert. Such a fun and loveable mascot for the Tall Ships, Dorry will become a familiar sight on city streets in the weeks to come.”
Aberdeen Sinfonietta is premiering Clara-Jane’s second Tall Ships piece “The Coast” on 18 May at The Music Hall concert on maritime-related orchestral music.
Meanwhile, Dorry will be popping up around the city over the coming weeks at the Bucksburn Community Council Event, Peterculter Gala, Big Belmont Bash and Aberdeen Highland Games.
Photograph shows Abbotswell P4 pupils and Tall Ships mascot Dorry theDolphin flanked by Cllr Martin Greig (left) and composer Clara-Jane Maunder (right)
Sadiq’s new Police and Crime Plan will help revitalise neighbourhood policing teams with City Hall working with Government to help put more officers in the heart of communities over the next four years
The Plan re-commits to being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime, and places partnership working with the Met Police, Government, Transport for London, London Councils and other agencies at the heart of work to tackle Londoners’ priorities
Detailed plan has been developed in consultation with more than 4,000 Londoners and key partners including police, local councils, justice agencies and voluntary groups
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today launched his new London Police and Crime Plan1 which will focus on revitalising high-visibility policing in our neighbourhoods and high streets to deal with local priorities and make London safer for everyone.
The detailed plan for 2025-2029 sets out Sadiq’s priorities to build on crime reductions already achieved in the capital2 and is focused on working with Government throughout the four-year period of the plan to strengthen neighbourhood policing in London so that more officers are in the heart of communities to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour.
Comparing statistics for the financial year before the Mayor’s previous Police and Crime Plan and the 12 months from January-December 2024, violence with injury in the Met Police area fell by 11%, domestic homicide by 28%, non-domestic homicide by 8%, teen homicide by 43%, lethal barrel discharges by 25% and the number of people under 25 admitted to hospital due to assault with a sharp object by 13%.
Latest ONS figures show the rate of violence in London is lower than the rest of England and Wales. Last year there were fewer homicides of people under-25 than any year since 2003 and the number of teenage homicides in London in 2024 was also at its lowest total since 2012.
The plan comes as the Mayor has welcomed the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, announced at the end of last year, to have 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing officers, Police Community Support Officers and special constables in dedicated neighbourhood policing roles nationally to help tackle and prevent crime in high streets and town centres.
As Mayor, Sadiq has gone above and beyond to ensure the capital’s police have the resources to continue tackling crime locally. Directly funding 1,300 extra police officers, backing the Met with a record £1.16bn in City Hall funding in this year’s budget alone.
The Mayor’s new plan has been developed following consultation with more than 4,000 Londoners, the Met Police and other key partners including local authorities, and voluntary groups. The key priorities are: reducing violence and criminal exploitation; building safer, more confident communities; supporting and overseeing reform of the Met Police; and improving the criminal justice system and supporting victims.
The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) will bring partners and agencies together to help address community concerns and bear down effectively on crime and anti-social behaviour. This will include looking at ways to improve best practice in the sharing of data, cross-boundary working and developing critical partnership skills.
Neighbourhood policing remains the bedrock of community confidence and safety in London. Against the backdrop of 14 years of Government austerity and its continued impact on the Met, record investment from City Hall3 is empowering the Met to deliver its new Met for London plan, which prioritises local high-visibility policing and taking officers out of back-office roles to deliver on the issues that matter most to Londoners including tackling robbery, theft and anti-social behaviour.
The Mayor is clear that one violent crime is one too many and his new plan will build on reductions already achieved to further drive down serious violence in line with the Government’s national mission to halve knife crime in a decade. Sadiq has always been clear that the police alone cannot reduce violence and the plan is focused on enhanced and effective working with partners including the Met Police, Government, Transport for London, London Councils and other agencies.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe and I’m determined to do all I can to tackle violence and crime in our city. My new Police and Crime Plan is about putting communities first and over the next four years we will work with the Government and the Met to improve visible neighbourhood policing and strengthen partnership working to deal with the violence, crime and anti-social behaviour issues that matter to Londoners.
“This plan is about tackling the issues that matter most for our city and it has been created in consultation with thousands of Londoners, partners and local organisations. I want to thank everyone who took the time to give their views – and all of those who continue to work day-in, day-out to make our city safer.
“My new plan will build on crime reductions already achieved in the capital where we have seen fewer young people being injured with knives and the number of teenage homicides in London in 2024 being at its lowest total since 2012. But clearly there is still much more work to do. At City Hall we are fully focused on that, and I will continue to do everything in my power to make London a safer city for all.”
The Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will continue to tackle the complex causes of violence through prevention and early intervention, building on 400,000 diversionary activities and opportunities for young Londoners through youth work and access to youth clubs, and interventions to tackle school exclusions.
His VRU will oversee the Government’s Young Futures Prevention Partnerships in London, which aim to provide support for young people at risk of crime.
The plan also highlights the continued commitment of the Mayor and the Met Commissioner to crack down on mobile phone robberies – a key driver of violence in London. Over the next four years, the Met will continue to take tough enforcement action against robbery offenders and City Hall will continue to work in partnership with the Government, leading mobile phone companies, manufacturers and the tech industry to design out the theft of their products.
The Mayor has committed to publishing a refreshed strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), building on the pioneering work done in London over the last eight years to tackle the perpetrators of these crimes, support victims and survivors and educate young men and boys about the dangers posed by misogynistic attitudes and behaviours – backed with £233 million investment from the Mayor.
Sadiq has been clear that police reform is a critical part of his Mayoralty, and he will not be satisfied until Londoners have the police service they deserve – one that is trusted, puts communities first, is representative of London and delivers the highest possible service to every community in our city. Important steps forward have been made, including the Met coming out of HMICFRS special measures earlier this year. The plan sets out how Sadiq will continue to support and oversee the work of the Met to embed reform and deliver more trust, less crime and higher standards.
Victims of crime will remain at the heart of everything City Hall does, and the plan sets out how the Mayor will continue to invest in innovative, high-quality services for victims through the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). The plan also sets out how London’s Independent Victim’s Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, will continue her vital work to champion the rights of victims of crime and press for improvements in the services they receive at every stage of their journey.
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: “It has been so valuable to hear from so many Londoners, partner organisations and community groups as we’ve developed this plan who contribute daily to keeping London safe. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped us to shape the strategy we publish today so that we can continue delivering for Londoners.
“After years of chronic underfunding by the previous Government and huge cuts to policing, the Mayor and I are determined to drive this plan forward and working with partners is at the heart of my approach to build on the progress that has already been made to reduce serious violence in the capital.
“Strong partnerships make communities safer, and that’s why this plan focuses so much on strengthening joint working between police, Government, local authorities, justice agencies and key partner organisations like TfL and the NHS. I look forward to working with all of our partners to make London a safer city for all.”
London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner, Claire Waxman OBE, said: “I’m glad to see a focus within this new Police and Crime Plan on investing in high-quality services to support victims of crime. It’s critical victims and bereaved families remain at the heart of the Mayor’s work at City Hall.
“Our Criminal Justice System is in crisis and in need of serious reform following years of underfunding by the previous government. That’s why, in my role, I’m determined to continue standing up for victims’ rights, ensuring that their voices are heard, and work closely with the Government to lobby for adequate funding and improved policies to support victims.
“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with MOPAC to better understand the specific points within the system where victims are being failed. Underpinned by MOPAC research, my London Rape Reviews and Stalking Review have respectively helped to shape national policy and I am keen to build on their successes. Through this work, I hope to effect changes that will improve victims’ experiences and keep them at the heart of all decision and policy making.”
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: “The safety and security of our customers and staff is our top priority. We are committed to working alongside the Mayor, police and other partners to ensure that everyone travelling in London can do so safely. We welcome this new plan which will see visible local policing in communities supporting the transport network across the capital. It is vital we continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that our transport network remains a welcoming environment to work and travel.”
Police investigating structure fire in New Norfolk
Friday, 28 March 2025 – 5:06 pm.
Police are investigating a deliberately lit fire which damaged a residence in New Norfolk last night. Emergency Services were called to a home in Back River Road about 9.58pm on Thursday evening (27 March), where a residence was on fire. All residents had safely evacuated and no injuries were reported. Tasmania Fire Service crews extinguished the fire and determined it was deliberately lit. Anyone with information in relation to the fire or suspicious activity in the area around the time, is asked to contact Bridgewater CIB on 131 444 or provide information through Crime Stoppers Tasmania (this can be done anonymously) at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR770687.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has promised a Coalition government would spend an extra A$400 million on youth mental health services.
This is in addition to raising the number of subsidised psychology sessions from ten to 20, which had been previously announced.
While extra funding for youth mental health is welcome, it’s important to target this in ways that will make a real difference to young people.
In our recent research, we asked young people about their experiences of waiting for mental health support, how they coped in the meantime, and what would really make a difference while they waited.
Rates of mental illness rising
An estimated one in seven Australian children and adolescents had a mental illness in the past 12 months. Rates of mental illness have also increased over time, particularly among younger generations.
The COVID pandemic led to a rapid rise in the number of children and young people seeing their GP for mental health problems. Visits for depression rose by 61% and eating disorders by 56% compared with before the pandemic.
The number of visits to the emergency department in New South Wales for self-harm, or plans or thoughts about suicide, have also increased since COVID.
The annual Mission Australia Survey reveals young Australians see mental health as one of their biggest challenges, with thousands calling for more support.
But there are long waits for care
Despite the greater demand for mental health treatment in Australia, there is very little information on how long young people wait to access it.
The Australian Psychological Society reported that during the pandemic, 88% of psychologists increased their wait times and one in five were not taking on new clients. This meant about half of people waited more than three months to begin psychological treatment. But this is for clients of all ages.
There is also little information on how young people experience the wait for treatment.
We asked young people about the wait for care
We recently published research on the wait times for mental health treatment for Australian teens.
We asked 375 young people aged 13–17 about the mental health care they have tried to access for their anxiety and depression and how long they waited to start treatment. We also asked them about their mental health while they waited, what helped them cope, and the types of support they received.
We found that on average, teens were waiting more than three months for their first session of treatment. Most teens waited to access psychologists and psychiatrists after a GP referral.
While their wait times varied, nearly all teens felt they waited “too long”.
Longer wait times were linked to poorer mental health, with more than 90% of teens reporting high distress while they waited. Many of the teens felt their feelings of worry and sadness had worsened and they had used risky and unhealthy ways to cope, such as spending more time alone, sleeping more, self-harming, and using alcohol and other drugs.
Most teens did not receive any support from their health-care providers during the wait time, despite wanting it.
One female 17-year-old had waited six months for treatment and told us:
It felt like I was hanging over a cliff and was just told to hold on.
Teens also felt their parents would benefit from greater support during the wait time. But we need more research to better understand how to help families.
Together, these findings show we desperately need to address wait times for young people’s mental health treatment.
Teens know the support they need
If teens are to wait for mental health treatment, they told us they need support while they do so.
Young people wanted more regular contact and “check-ins” from their service providers, someone to talk to during the wait, as well as more useful information on positive ways to cope.
Most teens in our study used digital mental health tools – such as mental health websites, online mental health checks, mobile apps, online chat services and forums – while they waited.
We’re developing digital mental health tools, in consultation with young people and GPs, to support doctors to care for their teen patients when treatment isn’t available right away. We’re testing the system of short digital mental health programs, supportive text messages and peer support in NSW this year.
But not all teens we surveyed found digital mental health tools helpful. So we need to offer teens a range of supports – from their family, their GP, and from their referred service provider – to help them cope while they wait for treatment.
What can governments do?
We must carefully consider when, where and how mental health funds are invested. If governments wish to see more young people treated for their mental health problems, then we need to look at how our health-care system will cope with the growing demand.
We also need national, transparent benchmarks for how long young Australians wait for mental health treatment. Only some health services in Australia have this. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, have something similar to minimise the health risks of young people waiting too long for care.
Ultimately, though, we need to prevent mental health issues from starting in the first place. That would reduce the need for treatment, the very type young Australians are waiting too long for.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Bridianne O’Dea is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Investigator Fellowship (1197249) and a MRFF Millions Minds Mental Health Grant (2035416). Bridianne O’Dea received funding from the Buxton Family Foundation, Australian Unity, the Frontiers Technology Clinical Academic Group Industry Connection Seed Funding Scheme and the UNSW Medicine, Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme and SPHERE Clinical Academic Group Collaborative Research Funding to conduct this research. Bridianne O’Dea is a member of the Australian Society for Mental Health Research and the International Society for Research on Internet Interventions. Bridianne O’Dea’s current work has received pro bono support from Deloitte Digital Australia.
A 23-year-old Glenorchy man has today been charged with murder following an incident at Dickson Street, Glenorchy earlier this month. Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.30pm on 11 March, arriving to find a 19-year-old man unconscious and non-responsive outside a property. He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he died on 22 March. The alleged offender has been detained to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court tonight. Detective Acting Inspector Nicholas Bowden said investigations are continuing, and anyone with further information about the incident should contact police. “Detectives are still particularly interested in anyone with information about a small four door sedan, possibly silver in colour, in the area of Dickson Street at the time,” he said. “Any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage should also be provided to investigators.” Information can be provided to direct to Glenorchy CIB on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 – quote OR769213.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, questioned witnesses during the Energy Subcommittee Hearing titled, “‘Keeping The Lights On’ Examining The State Of Regional Grid Reliability.”
The witnesses included:
· Pablo Vegas, President & Chief Executive Officer, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc., (ERCOT)
· Gordon van Welie, President & Chief Executive Officer, ISO New England (ISO-NE)
· Richard J. Dewey, President & Chief Executive Officer, New York Independent System Operator (NYISO)
· Manu Asthana, President & Chief Executive Officer, PJM Interconnection, LLC
· Jennifer Curran, Senior Vice President for Planning and Operations, Midcontinent ISO (MISO)
· Lanny Nickell, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Power Pool
· Elliot Mainzer, President & Chief Executive Officer, California Independent System Operator (CAISO)
Watch the hearing in its entiretyHERE.
During the hearing, ERCOT’s President and CEO, Mr. Vegas, confirmed to Rep. Pfluger that there is a pressing need to invest in long-duration, dispatchable resources to support the Texas grid reliably.
Watch Rep. Pfluger’s full line of questioningHERE, or read the highlights below.
Rep. Pfluger: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to state that I believe in the best of the above, not all of the above, and I think that differs from state to state. In West Texas, we have no access to hydropower, unfortunately, as they do in the Pacific Northwest, but if you have access to affordable, reliable sources, then we should use those. Mr. Vegas, I think we need to do a math problem here. So, sorry for math in public. But let’s talk about what the current demand is in Texas for what ERCOT is serving. What are we seeing annually?
Mr. Vegas: The current demand peak in the summer is around 80,000 – 85,000 and in the winter, about 80,000.
Rep. Pfluger: Okay, and in the next three or four years, with added industrialization, added population data centers, what do we think that is going to grow to in Texas?
Mr. Vegas: We’re now forecasting that by 2030 we expect around 150,000 megawatts. So that’s an additional 65,000 megawatts over where we are today.
Rep. Pfluger: Almost double?
Mr. Vegas: Almost double.
Rep. Pfluger: In three to four years? This is incredible. So what I want to get to is, when you look at the balance, you’re balancing price, you’re balancing reliability, you’re balancing all these different things. What are the best sources that you are looking for today at 85,000 and in three years, at 150,000 plus?
Mr. Vegas: We’re getting to a point on the Texas grid where you can start to see that the peak demand is exceeding the dispatchable generation that we have available on the grid. So it’s important, as we look forward, to meet the demands of this growth, to grow the supply in a balanced way. The balanced resource mix brings, I think, the best portfolio for consumers. It brings cost combinations that vary and give the optimal price, and it also brings characteristics around reliability and resilience that are important. So as we look forward, we need to make sure we keep up with firm dispatchable generation, in addition to the strong growth that we continue to see on renewables.
Rep. Pfluger: Firm dispatchable generation. So I just looked it up on your website, ercot.com, and right now in my hometown, it’s 78 degrees, and we’ve got a little bit of wind, which is serving 18% of the grid, 45% solar. But talk to us about when it’s hot or when it’s cold, and how reliable on those days where you have 100 degrees plus, which we have about 90 plus days in the summer in Texas of 100 degrees or more, or when it’s cold, how reliable are those sources?
Mr. Vegas: Yeah, as I said earlier, over the course of a year, the actual delivered energy on the Texas grid, 65% of it comes from our thermal fleet, which is our coal, our natural gas, and our nuclear. They are the backbone of reliability. They complement what we’re getting from the renewable mix as well. And right now we need all of the supply that’s there. It’s clear that we need it all. We’re seeing 63% right now coming from renewables, but when the wind isn’t blowing, and when it’s nighttime, and in the summer when it’s hot, you still need a lot of energy to support that air conditioning load and that requires long duration, dispatchable resources to do that.
Rep. Pfluger: When government dictates policy that doesn’t allow you to have the right capacity, the right mixture – what does that do to affordability, reliability, and at the end, what does it do to our national security?
Mr. Vegas: It is absolutely detrimental to affordability and to reliability, and it risks our energy security.
On March 26 NSW Health issued an alert advising people to be vigilant for signs of measles after an infectious person visited Sydney Airport and two locations in western New South Wales.
The person recently returned from Southeast Asia where there are active measles outbreaks in several countries including Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
If you’re travelling overseas soon, you could be at risk of measles. Here’s what to know to ensure you’re protected.
First, what is measles?
Measles is one of the most contagious viral illnesses. It spreads through the air when a person breathes, coughs or sneezes. On average, one person can infect 12 to 18 others who are not immune.
Initial symptoms include fever, a runny nose, cough and conjunctivitis. Then a non-itchy rash usually starts around the hairline before spreading around the body.
Measles is most common in children, and they’re also most vulnerable to getting very sick with the virus. Measles is severe in around one in ten children. Complications can include ear infection, diarrhoea and pneumonia, and, more rarely, encephalitis (brain swelling).
However, adults can also catch and spread the disease, making up 10–20% of measles cases during outbreaks.
The measles vaccine is free through Australia’s National Immunisation Program. It’s routinely given at 12 and 18 months of age. The first dose is combined with mumps and rubella (the MMR vaccine) and the second adds protection against chickenpox, or varicella (MMRV).
False suggestions the measles vaccination is linked with disorders such as autism have been thoroughly disproven. The vaccine is very safe and highly effective.
However, because the vaccine is made from a live virus, people with weakened immune systems (for example, those receiving chemotherapy for cancer or pregnant women) cannot have the vaccine even though they’re at higher risk of severe measles. Their safety depends on high community immunisation rates to reduce the spread of the virus.
Because measles is so infectious, at least 95% of the population needs to be immune to prevent its spread.
Immunity occurs from either two doses of measles vaccine or past infection. Measles vaccination was introduced in Australia in 1968. Most adults born before the mid-1960s would still be immune from a past infection. But vaccination is recommended for everyone else who is not immune.
In 2023 only 83% of the world’s children received at least one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday, down from 86% in 2019. This is not enough to halt spread.
The withdrawal of US government funding from many global health programs, including a measles surveillance network that supports testing and outbreak responses, is throwing fuel on the fire.
In Australia, small but progressive declines in the uptake of childhood vaccines over the past five years and immunity gaps in other age groups means our risk of outbreaks in increasing.
For example, coverage of the MMR vaccine at 24 months declined 0.4 percentage points between 2022 and 2023 (from 95.3% to 94.9% in Indigenous children and 95.1% to 94.7% in children overall).
On-time vaccination rates – within 30 days of the recommended age – are also falling. The proportion of children who had their MMR vaccine on time dropped from 75.3% to 67.2% for non-Indigenous children and 64.7% to 56% for Indigenous children between 2020 and 2023.
Measles outbreaks are increasing in Australia and across the world
Measles cases are rapidly rising across the globe and more cases are arriving from overseas into Australia. So far in 2025, 37 cases have been reported compared to 57 in all of 2024, 26 in 2023 and seven in 2022. Most cases have been imported from overseas, but we’ve ascertained eight cases so far in 2025 were locally acquired.
Many of the countries experiencing the largest measles outbreaks are popular travel destinations for Australians, including India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
As the incubation period – the gap between exposure and symptoms – is around seven to ten days, travellers may enter the country without knowing they’re about to become ill and potentially spread the virus to others.
Protecting yourself and your family
Although the usual age for the first measles dose is 12 months, the MMR vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months who are travelling to measles hotspots or during outbreaks.
This early measles vaccine dose does not replace those given at 12 and 18 months, but will help protect the infant in the interim.
It’s important all adults, particularly those planning overseas travel, know their vaccination or infection history. If you don’t, talk to your health-care provider about being vaccinated.
Everyone who doesn’t have immunity from an infection should have two lifetime doses. Some adults, including those who have migrated from overseas, may have had none or only one dose when they were younger. If you’re unsure, there’s no harm in receiving a vaccine if you’ve had measles or have been fully vaccinated already.
If you come back from overseas and need medical care, inform your health-care provider about your symptoms and recent travel before attending a clinic in person.
Archana Koirala has worked on projects funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care and NSW Health. She is the chair of Vaccination Special Interest Group and a committee member of Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Infectious Diseases Group of the Australasian Society of Infectious Diseases.
Kristine Macartney is the Director of the Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). NCIRS receives funding from the Australian government Department of Health and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NSW and other state and territory health departments, Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization, the NHMRC, the MRFF and the Wellcome Trust.
Devonport man charged after police seize drugs, homemade firearm
Friday, 28 March 2025 – 12:06 pm.
A man has been charged with trafficking and firearms offences after police seized a significant quantity of methylamphetamine and a homemade pistol during a targeted search at Devonport yesterday morning. Police executed a search warrant at a private residence on Thursday 27 March, locating and seizing the homemade firearm as well as 50 grams of methylamphetamine, ammunition, cash believed to be proceeds of crime, and quantities of other illicit substances. A 56-year-old Devonport man was arrested and has since been charged with multiple offences including trafficking in a controlled substance, possess a firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued, possess an unregistered firearm, possess an unsafe firearm, and further minor drug charges. He will appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date. Anyone with information about illegal firearms or illicit substances should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online a crimestopperstas.com.au
Police are proceeding against three youths over incidents reported on Metro buses earlier this month. A 14-year-old boy will face court over two matters, including allegedly stealing from a bus on 13 March, and assaulting a bus driver and stealing a quantity of cash in Glenorchy on 15 March. Two 15-year-old boys will face court after allegedly damaging a bus in Gagebrook on 19 March, and stealing approximately $270 worth of property in a separate matter. Inspector Jason Klug said CCTV enabled police to quickly identify all the alleged offenders. “The safety of Metro employees and community members on public transport is a priority for Tasmania Police,” he said. “We work in partnership with Metro and have dedicated officers who proactively patrol and detect offending on buses and around key transport areas.” “The use of high quality CCTV on buses and in bus malls helps us to identify those engaging in illegal behaviours.”
A man has been charged with multiple offences following an incident on the East Derwent Highway at Lindisfarne yesterday. Police were called about 3.10pm Thursday 27 March after reports a driver was holding what appeared to be a small firearm out the window of a black BMW while travelling on the highway toward Geilston Bay. The vehicle was intercepted by police a short time later on the Brooker Highway at Goodwood and the driver was taken into custody without incident. Police located a plastic toy firearm within the vehicle. The 31-year-old Clarendon Vale man was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, and multiple traffic and drug-related offences and will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.Police would like to thank members of the public for their vigilance in reporting the matter. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or the vehicle travelling dangerously over the Bowen Bridge yesterday afternoon should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
A father and son from Risdon Vale have been rescued while fishing in Pipe Clay Lagoon in southern Tasmania overnight. About 11pm Thursday 27 March, the 43-year-old man and his 14-year-old son were flounder fishing in Pipe Clay Lagoon. They called emergency services for assistance after becoming disoriented and entering deep water several hundred metres from land. Senior Constable Callum Herbert from police search and rescue said the pair were located by uniform officers and at about 12.45am after support from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. “They were pulled from the water by members from Marine and Rescue Services in a specialised shallow draught vessel. “They were then taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where they were treated for hypothermia. “The rescue of these two individuals is a timely reminder for any members of the public who undertake activities on the water. “If the response had been delayed, the outcome in this case could have been disastrous. “We urge you to be prepared, even in waters that seem calm or you are familiar with, always plan ahead by checking the weather forecast, ensuring you have appropriate safety equipment, including a working charged mobile phone.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Press release
Government backs next wave of semiconductor start-ups to scale up growth
Third cohort of semiconductor start-ups backed by government to drive economic growth.
Third group of startups selected to bring new semiconductor products to market
A third cohort of innovative UK semiconductor businesses are chosen to join ChipStart, to continue driving economic growth and creating high-skilled jobs under the Plan for Change
These semiconductor startups are developing technologies that will have a direct impact on everyday life – from improving energy efficiency in devices to advancing smart automation and connectivity
The newly renewed scheme will build on the success of an initial two cohorts, which are on track to raise over £40 million in private investment
New wave of semiconductor start-ups will join ChipStart, a government-backed incubator programme driving our Plan for Change by helping companies scale up, create jobs, and boost growth.
ChipStart provides technical expertise and commercial support to help UK-based semiconductor innovators grow and create high-skilled jobs. Companies from the first two cohorts are already on track to raise over £40 million in private investment.
Semiconductors are a cornerstone of the UK’s tech economy, with the sector already worth £10 billion and projected to grow up to £17 billion by 2030. They power the technology we rely on daily, from smartphones and medical devices to electric cars and cutting-edge AI. They control the flow of electricity in electronic systems and as demand for smarter, more efficient tech grows, the UK is well placed to lead, backed by a world-class innovation ecosystem and a thriving entrepreneurial environment. The UK is the number one country in Europe for venture capital investment, has the lowest corporation tax in the G7, and benefits from a highly skilled workforce and leading academic institutions.
ChipStart – delivered by SiliconCatalyst.UK, leading global start-up accelerator – has successfully helped early-stage semiconductor companies turn their ideas into real-world products by providing expert mentorship, industry connections, and access to cutting-edge design tools.
As part of our Plan for Change, and the wider Industrial Strategy we are supporting these high-potential companies to reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in entrepreneurship, creating the conditions for the next generation of world-changing technologies to thrive and driving growth in communities across the UK.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance said:
The UK’s semiconductor industry is vibrant with innovation, and this third cohort shows just how much potential we have with many exciting start-ups.
This sector holds incredible promise, and with the right partnerships, it will lead us into a future of greater economic growth and technological advancement – a key pillar of our Plan for Change.
This announcement builds on the UK’s growing momentum in semiconductors, following Vishay Intertechnology’s plans to invest £250 million in the UK’s largest semiconductor factory. Announced by the Chancellor during a visit to South Wales yesterday, this investment will strengthen the UK’s domestic semiconductor supply chain – critical for industries like automotive, renewable energy, and defence. With South Wales emerging as a key semiconductor cluster, this investment underscores the UK’s competitive advantage in advanced chip manufacturing.
From the successful second cohort, Qontrol, a University of Bristol spin-out, is developing technology that could transform the internet as we know it. Their precision control systems for photonics – the use of light to process data – could lead to faster, more reliable internet connections, helping to bring high-speed connectivity to rural communities and build the networks needed for next-generation digital services.
This year’s cohort – backed by £1.1 million of government funding – includes RX-Watt, a company pioneering battery-free sensors that can be wirelessly powered using safe microwave signals. Their technology could save industries time and money where they depend on monitoring products and goods in real-time – helping manufacturers prevent costly equipment failures and ensuring critical goods like vaccines are stored at the right temperature throughout the supply chain.
Companies from the first two ChipStart cohorts are already on track to raise over £40 million in private investment, proving the strength of UK semiconductor start-ups and the impressive return on investment associated with government backing.
Another example from the second cohort is KuasaSemi, a Cornwall-based company, is revolutionising the design of semiconductors used in electric vehicles and renewable energy. By developing advanced computer tools to work with new types of materials, they are enabling the creation of faster, more efficient power devices. This means electric cars could charge faster, run longer, and perform better – helping to accelerate the shift to greener, more sustainable energy solutions.
Sean Redmond, Silicon Catalyst UK said:
We have been delighted with the high quality of new semiconductor startup applications we received for our third cohort of ChipStart from across the UK semiconductor clusters. Our now proven incubation process, that provides no cost design tools and chip manufacturing, will help these competitively selected companies attract the right private investment at the right time, launching them onto the global semiconductor stage.
With the help of our experienced semiconductor executive advisors, which includes co-founders of Arm, we can help these young companies make great decisions and build the next generation of UK semiconductor unicorns. The next ten years of semiconductors will be a race to a £2 trillion industry. These new UK scale-ups will be in pole position to win that race.
Wave Photonics, another successful company from the first cohort, is pioneering design technology to accelerate the development and mass production of integrated photonics – circuits that use light instead of electricity. These innovations are paving the way for energy-efficient AI communications, next-generation healthcare sensors, quantum technologies, and more.
James Lee, co-founder of Wave Photonics said:
ChipStart was fantastic preparation for raising and deploying our seed round to deploy our new approach to photonics design for quantum technologies, sensing and datacentre applications.
As well as training and connection to mentors, ChipStart helps you directly plug into the UK semiconductor ecosystem and learn from the successes of the previous generation of UK semiconductor startups.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Press release
PM: North will no longer be held to ransom by broken transport system
The Prime Minister has announced more funding to deliver the largest rail investment in the North in decades.
Major package of investment to revive Victorian-era transport system in the North, which comes as government spends more than double as much money per head on local transport in North than the South, including London
Nearly £1.7 billion boost for local buses, roads and trams in the North this year, and supported with further £415 million to reboot key railways across the Pennines, £270 million investment in bus services and £330 million in road maintenance across the North
Prime Minister backs regional mayors to accelerate growth plans in their area through radical devolution agenda – bringing a new tram network to West Yorkshire, a new station to Merseyside and an improved transport hub to Bury
Through its Plan for Change, this government is investing in the North after years of broken promises and delivering on manifesto to boost growth for everyone, everywhere
People across the North will no longer be held back by a broken transport system and empty promises, the Prime Minister has said as he announces more funding to deliver the largest rail investment in the North in decades.
For far too long, working people have been hamstrung by a transport system that no longer works for them. Doctors’ appointments are missed, children late to school, work meetings missed thanks to delays or cancellations. These are the real-world impacts which lead to an insecurity and instability for working people. The Prime Minister will make clear today that his government will not stand by and watch while this blight continues to disrupt the lives of working people.
After years of false promises and under delivery, the government is rolling up its sleeves and delivering change working families will feel. The Prime Minister will today set out plans to make the Liverpool-Hull corridor an economic superpower – rivalling the Oxford-Cambridge arc – kickstarted with £1.7 billion this year.
This transformatory package to reboot the North’s creaking transport system means government more than double on local transport in the North compared to the South and London, delivering on its Plan for Change to boost living standards and provide security and certainty for working people across the country.
This comes on top of funding announced today:
For the key rail line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, which has been plagued by disruptions and delays for years without a plan to fix it. The route will now be supported with £415 million in funding from government to restore its failing services.
For local leaders to unleash their areas’ untapped potential with over £1 billion for the North to improve the transport services people use every day – backing regional mayors and ensuring decisions about the North sit with those who call it home. This comes alongside £270 million investment in bus services and £330 million in road maintenance across the North.
The funding, delivered working hand in hand with local leaders, will have a transformative impact on people’s lives, connecting the great towns and cities of the North that have been cut off from each other for far too long, holding back its potential.
The Prime Minister will make clear that these measures will better connect the North to support its thriving industries, unlocking growth in key sectors like Sheffield’s nuclear industry, booming fintech in Leeds, and cutting-edge life sciences in Liverpool. It will also support leading universities left hamstrung by poor connectivity while commuter towns and cities near London benefit from world-leading transport infrastructure.
On a visit to a factory in the North of England today, the Prime Minister is expected to say that today’s funding boost must see local leaders speed up delivery of key projects in their areas, which will transform the lives of working families.
This includes:
A Mass Transit system for West Yorkshire progressing, with the next stage of the business case expected in the Autumn – bringing growth to the largest city in Europe without a metro transport system.
A new Merseyrail station in the Baltic Triangle – better connecting the city to ‘Britain’s coolest neighbourhood’ – starting works this Autumn and complete by Spring 2028.
The Bury Interchange redevelopment fast-tracked with £80 million to improve bus and tram connectivity across Greater Manchester.
Today’s announcement will provide stability for the North following years of uncertainty and broken promises. This administration is choosing a new way of governing, empowering local leaders who have skin in the game to make the changes that working people want to see in their area.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
The North is home to a wealth of talent and ingenuity. But for too long, it has been held to ransom by a Victorian-era transport system which has stifled its potential. I lived in Leeds for years, I get that this has real-world impacts – missed appointments, children late to school, work meetings rescheduled – all leading to insecurity and instability for working people.
My government won’t stand by and watch. We are rolling up our sleeves, and today’s downpayment for growth is a vote of confidence in the North’s world-beating industries. The film studios in Bradford, life sciences in Liverpool, the fintech industry in Leeds – it is time they had a government on their side to get the North motoring again.
After years of false promises and under delivery, this government is delivering real change for the North. We are spending double as much on local transport in the North than the South, all done hand-in-hand with our mayors and local leaders. Through our Plan for Change, we are upgrading transport in the North, we are correcting years of unfairness that has gone before, and we are better linking our historic towns and cities. That means boosting living standards, putting more money in the pockets of working people, and restoring pride to communities.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
The transport system outside of London and the South East has been plagued by delays and cancellations, frustrated by strikes and failing infrastructure because upgrades that were promised were never delivered.
That ends with our Plan for Change, because reliable and affordable public transport links are essential for kickstarting economic growth and putting more money in people’s pockets across the Midlands and the North.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
For too long, the North has been left behind and relied on a crumbling transport system that’s not fit to serve the great towns and cities it’s home to.
The Government’s Plan for Change will end that and schemes like the TransPennine Route Upgrade will bolster the region’s neglected potential and make travelling between these historic Northern towns and cities quicker, easier and greener.
Once the TransPennine Route Upgrade is completed, journey times between the major cities of Manchester and Leeds will be slashed from 50 to 42 minutes, with up to six fast services every hour, while journey times from Manchester to York will be reduced by ten minutes.
The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements are already supporting major transport schemes in city regions across England, including the Wednesbury Brierly Hill Metro expansion in the West Midlands and the renewal of the Sheffield Supertram.
Today’s announcement builds on the government’s pro-growth agenda for the North, including more funding to fix potholes, landmark planning changes to turbocharge house building, and Government backing for major regeneration around Old Trafford.
Homes England, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire Pension Funds provide £96.7 million for Leeds residential scheme
Funding for Barings, a large diversified real estate manager, to develop a major residential scheme near Leeds city centre
Homes England, Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) and West Yorkshire Pension Fund (WYPF) will provide a £91 million loan over a four-year term. In addition to this, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has provided a £5.7 million grant from its brownfield housing fund.
The scheme is being developed as a joint venture with Glenbrook, a leading UK residential developer, which will retain a stake in the project and act as development manager.
Located on Kirkstall Road, the scheme will deliver 618 one, two and three-bedroom apartments set across five buildings sitting in extensive landscape grounds, including a new public realm, next to the River Aire.
The five-acre site will include over 10,000 square feet of amenity space, including a residents’ lounge, co-working area and gym, two private roof terraces and 3,800 square feet of commercial space. Construction has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Located just one mile from Leeds city centre and within walking distance of Wellington Place – a key commercial hub – the site offers excellent connectivity. Leeds Central railway station is approximately one mile away, while both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University are easily accessible.
Nigel Barclay, Director of Loans at Homes England, said:
As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, we are committed to working in partnership with organisations in both the public and private sector, to achieve their ambitions and develop much needed new homes across the country.
The Kirkstall Road Scheme is an excellent example of how the Agency’s Home Building Fund is delivering in priority regeneration locations whilst supporting small and medium house builders, that are crucial to building a diverse and resilient housing sector.
Darren Hutchinson, Head of UK Real Estate Transactions at Barings, said:
The Kirkstall Road scheme represents exactly the kind of high-quality, well-located residential investment we seek on behalf of our partners.
With the support of Homes England, GMPF, and WYCA, and through our joint venture with Glenbrook, we are delivering a best-in-class residential scheme that will provide much-needed new homes while creating long-term value for our investors.
Darran Ward, Head of Alternatives at West Yorkshire Pension Fund, said:
We are proud to support this significant investment in Leeds, helping to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes that are much needed in our region.
By working alongside our Northern LGPS partner Greater Manchester Pension Fund, and Homes England, we are demonstrating how collaboration between institutional investors and government can drive local economic growth, create jobs, and provide long-term, sustainable housing solutions.
This project reflects our commitment to investing in our home market whilst ensuring returns for our members.
ENDS
About Homes England
We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.
We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.
Barings Real Estate (BRE) is a part of Barings and offers a broad range of global investment opportunities across the private debt and equity investment markets. BRE invests in all major property sectors and offers an expansive range of financing solutions to real estate borrowers. Follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/showcase/barings-alternative-investments.
About Barings
Barings is a $421+ billion* global asset management firm that partners with institutional, insurance, and intermediary clients, and supports leading businesses with flexible financing solutions. The firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, seeks to deliver excess returns by leveraging its global scale and capabilities across public and private markets in fixed income, real assets and capital solutions.
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UK Government funds mental health support to help steelworkers
£3.27 million to boost mental health provision in the local community and help steelworkers into work.
£3 million for mental health support to help affected steelworkers secure and stay in employment.
£3.27 million from the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board committed to boost mental health provision in the local community
Support will help steelworkers affected by the transition to secure and stay in employment
Funding to services includes community and schools mental health support.
Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board has already announced more than £50 million to support workers and businesses.
A fund of more than £3 million will be created by the UK Government in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council to support the mental health and wellbeing of Tata Steel workers and their families in Port Talbot and the wider community.
Chairing the latest meeting of the Tata Steel Port Talbot Transition Board today (27 March) Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens announced £3.27 million to fund mental health support services in Neath Port Talbot for those affected by Tata Steel’s transition to greener steelmaking.
The funding, which is flexible and may be increased depending on demand, is planned to cover services including:
hiring more counsellors to work directly with affected steelworkers, and providing extra resources and grants to support existing mental health provision
expanding availability of community and peer support such as through Men’s Sheds, She Sheds and other community groups
funding mental health support in schools where children are affected by the Tata Steel transition
Providing specialist advice for steelworkers and their families navigating the welfare system or struggling with debt
training council and trade union support workers in suicide awareness and prevention
The latest funding comes from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund which, since last July, has announced more than £50 million to help individual steelworkers and businesses in Tata Steel’s supply chain to protect jobs and grow the local economy.
The latest announcement is the first project to support workers’ mental health and wellbeing. In the coming months, there will be tens of millions more in funding allocated to growth and regeneration projects in Port Talbot, ensuring that secure well-paid jobs are available in the local area.
Wellbeing is key to securing and staying in good employment. So this funding will contribute to UK Government’s mission to boost economic growth and raise living standards in Wales, as part of its Plan for Change.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families and for the wider community but we said we would back them in whatever ways were needed. We are helping people learn new skills but we also need to help protect people’s mental health, because well-being is crucial to getting back into work and staying in work.
By boosting direct support services, we are investing in the people of the area and supporting growth in the local economy.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans MS said:
Working alongside our Transition Board partners, we will continue to make sure that the right assistance and support is in place for those impacted by the Tata changes as well as providing opportunities for growth, investment and employment wherever they arise.
Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt said:
Neath Port Talbot Council welcomes the announcement of this funding and the commitment to support the wellbeing of our local communities through this difficult time. We know the impact of change at the steelworks is being felt deeply across the area, and particularly within Port Talbot itself, where every household will know many others directly or indirectly affected.
This is a vital addition to the support the council is delivering alongside our Transition Board partners, as we adapt to the future of steelmaking in the town and prepare for the new opportunities offered by future investment and developments such as the Celtic Freeport.
Martyn Wagstaff, Mental Health Advisor said:
It’s really important that anyone who is struggling with their mental health asks for help. There is support available and talking to someone is the best way to get better.
This funding from the Transition Board means that people in Neath Port Talbot will be able to access more help when needed.
A youth has been charged following an incident at West Launceston overnight where a woman received non-life-threatening injuries.
Police were called about 6.15pm after an off-duty police officer had apprehended the youth who had allegedly assaulted a woman with a stick.
The woman was taken to the Launceston General Hospital for treatment.
The youth – a 15 year old boy – was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with wounding.
He was detained to appear in the Youth Justice Division of the Launceston Magistrates Court later today.
Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestoppers.com.au
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Bill Text (PDF)
Washington (March 27, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and House Rules Committee Ranking Member Jim McGovern (MA-02) today reintroduced the Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act, legislation to direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the Deerfield River to identify portions of the river and its tributaries that could be incorporated into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Deerfield River runs from southern Vermont through western Massachusetts to the Connecticut River and historically served as a travel route for native communities alongside the Mohawk Trail. Today, the river continues to serve as an invaluable resource for surrounding neighborhoods and the environment.
“Deeply rooted in our Commonwealth’s history, the Deerfield River carries invaluable natural, cultural, and recreational value,” said Senator Markey. “From swimming and rafting to canoeing and fly fishing, the Deerfield River continues to serve as an important resource for Massachusetts families and visitors to the region. I am proud to join Congressman McGovern in reintroducing this legislation that will protect and preserve this natural beauty for generations to come.”
“The Deerfield River is truly one of New England’s greatest natural treasures, with outstanding whitewater boating, scenery and fishing, and the Deerfield River Watershed Association is excited to work with Senator Markey and Ranking Member McGovern to introduce legislation to consider the Deerfield River for potential addition to the National?Wild and Scenic River System. To date, we have garnered the support of 21 watershed communities, including 14 Massachusetts communities and 7 Vermont towns, as well as 12 regional and state organizations, for this initiative, demonstrating the broad-based support for protecting this beautiful river,” said Christopher Curtis, Vice President of the Deerfield River Watershed Association.
In February 2019, Senator Markey introduced legislation to designate portions of the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as scenic rivers under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, which was then signed into law that year under part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act.
The City of Greater Bendigo is holding a series of free events to highlight the region’s natural environment and biodiversity during the April School Holidays.
City of Greater Bendigo Climate Change and Environment Manager Michelle Wyatt said the free events will both educate and entertain participants.
“Our region has a diversity of wildlife and the free sessions will help residents to learn about their unique characteristics and understand the importance of caring for the habitats they live in,” Ms Wyatt said.
“In addition to the events there will also be a pop-up activation in Hargreaves Mall for children and families to learn about Bendigo’s unique native plants and animals as well as ways to make your home more energy efficient from 11am to 2pm on Wednesday April 9. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.”
Other events taking place include:
Frogs of Bendigo Monday April 7 10am – 12pm Riley Street Reserve, East Bendigo
Nature by Night Tuesday April 8 6.30pm – 8.30pm O’Keefe Rail Trail, Wilkie Road
Birds of Bendigo Monday April 14 7.30am – 9.30am Crusoe Reservoir
Nature by Night Tuesday April 15 6.30 – 8.30pm O’Keefe Rail Trail, Wilkie Road
Bats of Bendigo Thursday April 17 10am – 12pm Rosalind Park
Bookings are essential for all events except the Nature in Hargreaves Mall pop up event.
The 2025 Official Visitor Guide for Bendigo and Heathcote has been released featuring new experiences, suggestions on what to see and do, and themed itineraries to appeal to domestic and international visitors.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said the Visitor Guide was a great way to showcase the region.
“With so many exciting events taking place over the next few months, including Bendigo Gallery’s exclusive exhibition Frida Kahlo: In her own image, the Bendigo Easter Festival, Illumin8, Heathcote on Show, Bendigo Writers Festival, Australian Sheep & Wool Show, and much more, the Visitor Guide is perfect for domestic and international visitors looking for a memorable getaway,” Mr Myatt said.
“The Visitor Guide is also ideal for residents looking to explore more on their own doorstep, particularly if they are hosting family and friends during the Easter and winter school holidays.
“The guide features a fantastic range of experiences, seasonal highlights, events and festivals, and things to see and do. You’ll find everything from history and heritage, arts and culture, food, and local produce to family-fun experiences.
“You can browse the top 10 iconic experiences in Greater Bendigo, inner-city precincts and suburbs, surrounding natural beauty, and a range of experiences and suggested itineraries to suit all interests.
“The City’s commitment to inclusive tourism ensures that people of all abilities can enjoy Greater Bendigo’s many offerings, and the visitor guide provides a dedicated section on accessible tourism.
“The Bendigo and Heathcote region is an ideal pet-friendly holiday destination, and the guide provides useful information on places to stay and visit with your pet by your side.
“Each section has a QR code to link to more detailed information on the Bendigo Region website.”
The Visitor Guide has been distributed to local tourism operators, Visitor Information Centres across Victoria, and Bendigo and Melbourne Airports. The guide will also be used in the interstate and international markets as a key promotional tool for the region.
The guide is produced by the City in partnership with Bendigo Tourism to highlight unique events and experiences on offer in the region.
The Visitor Guide has been distributed to local tourism operators, Visitor Information Centres across Victoria, and Bendigo and Melbourne Airports. The guide will also be used in the interstate and international markets as a key promotional tool for the region.
A copy can also be picked up locally at Bendigo and Heathcote Visitor Centres, and from a range of local attractions, cafes, retailers, accommodation providers, and more.
A digital version of the Visitor Guide is available on the Bendigo Region website:
BOSTON – A Dominican National, residing in Leominster, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to charges related to passport fraud and other offenses.
Hector Eduardo Arias Mejia, 44, pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and making a false statement in an application for a United States passport. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2025. In December 2023, Arias Mejia was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Arias Mejia, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, applied for a United States passport and a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Real ID using the name and other biographical information of a resident of Puerto Rico. In support of his application, Aris Mejia submitted a Massachusetts driver’s license in the citizen’s identity (with Arias Mejia’s photo on it), a Social Security card with the name of the citizen and a birth certificate issued in Puerto Rico in the citizen’s name.
On February 25, 2020 Arias Mejia, again using the citizen’s identity, applied for a United States Passport at the Fall River post office. In support of the passport application, Arias Mejia submitted the Real ID he obtained in the citizen’s name and the birth certificate in the citizen’s name. The passport was issued.
Law enforcement became aware of Arias Mejia fraudulent acts when it investigated individuals who simultaneously received government benefits in Boston and Puerto Rico. When it was revealed that the same individual was receiving benefits in both places, the individual in Puerto Rico was interviewed and it was determined that he was lawfully receiving benefits. Further investigation revealed that the person receiving benefits under the same name in Boston was Arias Mejia, a Dominican national. Aris Mejia had been using the Puerto Rico citizen’s identity since at least 2011.
The charge of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The defendant will also be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized investigative group comprising personnel from various state, local, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity and benefit fraud schemes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by Homeland Security Investigations in Santo Domingo; Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety; U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
They are neither as leafy nor as affluent as much of the Liberal heartland, but Peter Dutton believes the outer ring-roads of Australia’s capitals provide the most direct route to power.
He has been telling his MPs these once-safe Labor-voting suburbs are where the 2025 election can be won.
From the moment the Queenslander assumed control of the Liberal Party in 2022, he was intent on this suburbs-first strategy, even if it seemed historically unlikely and involved repositioning his formerly business-loyal party as the new tribune of the working class. As he told Minerals Week in September 2023:
The Liberal Party is the party of the worker. The Labor Party has become the party of the inner city elite and Greens.
This has been Dutton’s long game. It’s an outsider approach reminiscent of what US President Donald Trump had achieved with disaffected blue-collar Democratic supporters in the United States, and what Boris Johnson managed by turning British Labour supporters in England’s de-industrialised north into Brexiteers and then Conservative voters.
It was not the obvious play but it may prove the right one.
After a tumultuous period in which the Liberals had cycled through three prime ministers and ignored a clear public clamour for policy modernisation on women, anti-corruption and climate change, the Morrison government had been bundled from office.
Morrison hadn’t merely failed to attract disengaged undecideds in the middle-ground, but had haemorrhaged engaged constituents from some of Australia’s safest Liberal postcodes.
Nineteen seats came off the Coalition tally in that election, yet Labor’s gain was only nine.
Something fundamental had happened. Six new centrist independents now sat in Liberal heartland seats – all of them professional women.
Numerically, they formed a kind of electoral Swiss Guard around the new Labor government’s otherwise weak primary vote and thin (two-seat) parliamentary majority.
In a sharp visual contrast to the Coalition parties, women made up around half of Anthony Albanese’s new Labor government and he moved to prioritise the very things on which the Coalition had steadfastly refused to budge – including meaningful constitutional recognition of First Peoples.
Albanese, it seemed, had tuned in to the zeitgeist. He would even go on to break a 102-year record a year later, becoming the first PM to increase his majority by taking a set off the opposition in a byelection. One more urban jewel shifted out of the Liberals’ column.
Dutton, however, never blinked.
His first press conference as leader in 2022 had been notable for the absence of the usual mea culpa – a suitably contrite acknowledgement that he’d heard the message from erstwhile Liberals who had abandoned their party for more progressive community independents.
Instead, Dutton confidently responded that the 2025 election would be decided not in these comfortable seats but in the further-flung parts of Australia’s cities where people make long commutes to work and struggle to find adequate childcare and other services.
It was a bold strategy because it meant targeting seats with healthy Labor margins.
Canberra insiders wondered privately if this was brave or simply delusional. Some concluded it could only work as a two-election strategy.
Many asked where a net gain of 19 seats would come from if not through the recovery of most or all of what became known as the “teal” seats?
Yet the combative Liberal continued to focus on prising suburbanites away from Labor with a relentless campaign emphasising the rising cost-of-living under Labor.
Three years later and even accounting for the first interest rate cut in over four years, it is Dutton’s strategy that has looked the more attuned to the electoral zeitgeist.
So much so that he goes into this election with a realistic chance of breaking another longstanding electoral record: that of replacing a first-term government.
This hasn’t been done federally since the Great Depression took out the Scullin Labor government of 1929-1931.
It’s all about geography
While only votes in ballot boxes will tell, the Coalition’s rebounding support appears to have come from the outer mortgage belt, just as he predicted.
These voters absorb their political news sporadically via social media feeds, soft breakfast interviews, and car-radio snippets.
These are media where Dutton’s crisp sound-bite messaging around cost-of-living pressures has simply been sharper and more resonant than Labor’s.
And it is by this means that these voters may have picked up that a Dutton government would seek to deport dual citizens convicted of serious crimes, stop new migrants from buying property (a policy first ridiculed as inconsequential by Labor and since copied), and cut petrol excise, temporarily taking around $14 off the price of a tank of fuel.
These voters may have noticed Dutton’s campaign against the supermarket duopoly, which includes the option of forced divestiture for so-called “price-gouging”.
And they might have heard his dramatic nuclear “solution” to high energy costs and emissions (in reality, devilishly complex and expensive).
On top of these, semi-engaged voters might recall Dutton’s culture-war topics for which he has regularly received generous media minutes, including:
his opposition to what he called “the Canberra Voice”
his defence of Australia Day
his refusal to stand in front of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
his oft-made claim that a Greens-Teals-Labor preoccupation with progressive issues has left the cost-of-living crisis unaddressed.
Beyond such rhetoric, Dutton has had little to say in detailed policy terms. But will that matter? However comprehensive, Labor’s list of legislated achievements has, arguably, achieved even less purchase in the electoral mind.
Polls taken as the election campaign neared showed Dutton’s Coalition was well-placed to win seats from Labor in suburban and outer-suburban areas of Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, as well as regional seats in the NSW Central Coast.
These include seats such as Tangney and Bullwinkel in outer Perth; McEwen and Chisolm in suburban Melbourne, and as many as seven seats in NSW – mostly on the periphery of Sydney or in the industrial Hunter Valley region.
There may be other seats to move also. Liberal sources say they like their chances in Goldstein, currently held by the Teal, Zoe Daniel. And with a recent conservative turn in the Northern Territory election to the CLP, seats like the ultra-marginal Lingiari and the numerically safer Solomon could also be in play.
A YouGov MRP poll reported by the ABC on February 16 put Dutton’s chances of securing an outright majority after the election at 20%.
It measured the Coalition’s two-party-preferred support at 51.1% over Labor on 48.9%. That represents a swing towards the Coalition of 3.2%. But it is where the swing occurs that matters most.
Seat-by-seat assessment of the YouGov results suggested the Coalition would be likely to win about 73 seats (median), with a lower estimate of 65 and an upper estimate of 80, if a federal election was held today.
The same modelling indicates Labor would go backwards, holding about 66 seats in the next parliament, with a lower estimate of 59 and an upper estimate of 72. This is just one, albeit unusually large poll, but it will concern Albanese that even on its upper margin of Labor seat holds, he would not retain a majority.
Of course, the campaign can change things and already, the delayed start caused by Cyclone Alfred introduced further variables in the form of a federal budget, replete with income tax cuts.
A succession of polls conducted through March point to a Labor recovery with a Redbridge poll of 2,007 respondents, taken over March 3–11 putting Labor ahead 51%–49%. The same poll however showed a majority of people worry that the country is heading in the wrong direction.
The final contest
In political circles, people talk about momentum in campaigns, and say things like “the trend is our friend”. If true, that electoral amity has leaned decisively towards Dutton for the past year, and only recently to Labor.
But caution is always advised. Election counts invariably throw up oddities – swings being more (or less) marked in one state compared to others, and seats retained (or lost) against a broader national trend on the night.
Such surprises give the lie to the concept of uniform swings and makes prediction of a final seat count more difficult.
If the polling consensus is broadly correct – rather than being the result of herding – and the source of Dutton’s rising support is former Labor suburbs, the question is, will those vote gains materialise at sufficient scale to translate into seat gains?
If so, this election could redraw the political map and require new thinking about major party voting bases, policies and strategies into the future.
The final outcome seems likely to turn on three things:
Dutton’s ability to stay on message about the cost-of-living through the campaign when others in his team, buoyed by Trump’s war on wokeness, want to raise tendentious social issues.
Albanese’s effectiveness in convincing wayward Labor voters that Labor has in fact delivered, that the economy has turned the corner, and that Dutton’s comparative toughness is code for budget cuts that would hit them hardest.
Unforeseen events – at home or abroad.
The Liberal leader is surprisingly well-placed. But remember, he is coming from a long way back.
Mark Kenny 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.
The usual story for a first-term government is a loss of seats, as voters send it a message, but ultimate survival.
It can be a close call. John Howard risked all in 1998 with his GST, and almost lost office, despite having a big majority.
But you have to go back to 1931 to find a first-term government thrown out.
So, going into this campaign, Anthony Albanese has the weight of history on his side. But modern day politics is volatile, and the voters are cranky, which has in recent months given the opposition hope it could run the government close or even defy the odds.
Government and opposition start the formal campaign with the polls close on the two-party vote. In the past few weeks, the government has improved its position, arguably to be now in the lead. If the election were held today, Labor would probably win more seats than the Coalition, and form government.
But the margins are narrow. With the next parliament, like this one, expected to have a large crossbench, present polling is pointing towards a minority government as a likely outcome. Things can change during a campaign.
Albanese started the term with substantial public goodwill – although his majority was razor thin, and his 2022 election owed more to the unpopularity of then prime minister Scott Morrison than to any real enthusiasm for Labor.
If one had to point to the single biggest political mistake the prime minister made, it was his over-investment in the Voice referendum. Whatever one thinks of the proposal itself, Albanese let it distract from what was a growing-cost-of-living crisis. The referendum was probably always destined to fail, but Albanese and the “yes” side were also out-campaigned by the “no” forces, strongest among them opposition spokeswoman Jacinta Price.
Albanese never properly recovered from the Voice’s defeat.
Early in the term the government was complacent about its opponents, believing Peter Dutton was unelectable. Indeed, that was a widespread view, including among many on the conservative side of politics. It underestimated Dutton’s strategic and tactical skills, the changing nature of the electorate, and how deeply the cost-of-living crisis – with its dozen interest rate rises under Labor, on top of one under Morrison – would bite.
Suburbia up for grabs
What was once ALP heartland, outer suburbia, is now up for grabs. Many of the tradies have become conservatives, to whom Dutton’s blunt, black-and-white political pitch is not just acceptable but potentially attractive.
Labor’s appeal to working people in this campaign is that that the worst is over on the economy, with unemployment still low and real wages in (slightly) positive territory. The latest national accounts figures showed Australia’s per capita recession, which had lasted seven quarters, was over. The February interest rate fall has also been a plus for the government: it may not be a big vote changer but it has reinforced Labor’s argument that things are going in the right direction.
The question remains: will people buy the story of life getting better when they are still not back to where they were a few years ago, and continue to feel under the financial pump?
This week’s budget and Dutton’s reply have homed in on cost of living. The government has come up with modest tax cuts, starting mid next year. These were legislated in a rush before parliament rose, so the Coalition was forced into saying it would repeal them. Dutton countered by promising an immediate cut to the excise on petrol and diesel. The opposition leader also used his budget reply to open another front in the battle over the energy transition, with the promise of a gas reservation scheme.
In the past month or two, there has been some change in the political atmosphere. Dutton’s momentum seemed to have stalled. The tight internal disciple he had maintained frayed somewhat, with messages over some policy and internal fears Dutton had left policy announcements too late.
Will voters think they don’t know enough about Peter Dutton?
The risk for Dutton is that people will fear they’re buying a pig in a poke. He has run a small target strategy; leaders (Howard in 1996, Abbott in 2013) have won on these before.
But if Dutton’s policy offerings in the campaign fall short, or his policy doesn’t stand up to the forensic scrutiny that comes in a campaign, he is likely to stall. So far, Dutton has established himself as a strong negative campaigner but he has yet to come through as a positive alternative prime minister.
His signing up to Labor’s $8.5 billion bulk-billing initiative was an example of a short-term tactic to neutralise an issue that raised questions about the Coalition’s inability to produce its own health blueprint.
The government will mobilise industrial relations against the Coalition, arguing Labor has delivered benefits to workers that a Coalition government would attack. This is risky for Dutton. His plans for slashing the public service, curbing working-from-home and removing the right to disconnect will fuel Labor’s negative campaigning, which will focus too on Dutton’s general plan to cut spending.
The Trump factor
A major unknown is what impact overseas events will have on this election. There has been a general swing to the right internationally. But the Trump factor has become a danger for Dutton.
His opponents seek cast Dutton as Trump-lite. The opposition leader is a critic of Trump on Ukraine, and he’s aware Trumpism is now politically scary for many voters. Nevertheless, Dutton’s pre-occupation with the size of the public service and his emphasis on cuts (without giving detail) will, to some voters, sound like echoes (albeit faint) of Trump. Labor claims its focus groups show people have been increasingly seeing Dutton as Trumpist.
Trump this week announced tariffs on foreign cars (not a worry to Australia, which doesn’t make any anymore). Next week he’ll announced the next stage in his tariff policy. This will feed into the election campaign. The extent it does will depend on whether Australia is directly hit. The government is busy with intense last-minute lobbying.
The cost of living is front and centre in the election, but the recent appearance of Chinese ships near Australia and their live-fire exercise has contributed to making national security and defence (especially how much we should be spending on it) issues as well, although second tier for most voters.
Major attention in this election will be on the performance of independents. Half a dozen so-called teals seized Liberal seats in 2022, and it would be very hard for the Coalition to obtain a majority without regaining some of them. The Melbourne seats of Kooyong and Goldstein will be especially closely watched. In New South Wales, one teal seat has already been lost through the redistribution.
The teals ran last time on climate change, integrity, and equity for women. This election, climate is less to the fore in the voters’ minds, while we now have an anti-corruption body, the National Anti-Corruption Commission. And there is no Scott Morrison, who was a lightning rod for the Liberals’ “women problem”. So in terms of issues, the teals have a harder case to make than before.
On the other hand, people remain deeply disillusioned with the major parties, and the teals have had plenty of time to dig into their seats. The general “community candidate” movement has strengthened and broadened. Whatever its precise composition, the new House of Representatives is expected to have a large crossbench.
In the event of a hung parliament, the crossbench will come into play. This means its potential members, especially the teals, will be under pressure during the campaign to indicate what factors they would take into account in deciding to whom to give confidence and supply. They are likely to keep their cards close to their chests.
The election will also test whether the hardline positions the Greens have taken, on local and foreign issues, have alienated or attracted voters. The Greens are at an historic high with four seats in the lower house. The three of those that are in Queensland will be on the line.
Given the closeness of the polls as the formal campaign starts, what happens in the coming five weeks, and notably the personal performances of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton could be crucial to the outcome. This is not one of those elections where either side can be confident it has the result in the bag.
Michelle Grattan 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.
Of all the problems facing Australia today, few have worsened so rapidly in the past 25 years as housing affordability.
Housing has become more and more expensive – to rent or buy – and home ownership continues to fall among poorer Australians of all ages.
Housing makes up most of Australia’s wealth, so more expensive homes concentrated in fewer hands means growing wealth inequality, with a marked generational divide.
To unwind inequality, we need to make housing cheaper, and that means building much more of it.
Housing has become more expensive
The price of the typical Australian home has grown much faster than incomes since the turn of the century: from about four times median incomes in the early 2000s, to more than eight times today, and nearly 10 times in Sydney.
Housing has also become more expensive to rent, especially since the pandemic.
Rental vacancy rates are at record lows and asking rents (that is for newly advertised properties) have risen fast – by roughly 20% in Sydney and Melbourne in the past four years, and by much more in Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
Home ownership is falling fast among the young
Rising house prices are pushing home ownership out of reach for many younger Australians.
Unsurprisingly, home ownership rates are falling fastest for younger people. Whereas 57% of 30–34 year-olds owned their home in 2001, just 50% did so by 2021. And just 36% of 25–29 year olds own their home today, down from 43% in 2001.
People on low incomes, who are increasingly renters, are spending more of their incomes on housing.
The real incomes of the lowest fifth of households increased by about 26% between 2003–04 and 2019–20. But more than half of this was chewed up by skyrocketing housing costs, with real incomes after housing costs increasing by only 12%.
In contrast, the real incomes for the highest fifth of households increased by 47%, and their after-housing real incomes by almost as much: 43%.
Wealth inequality in Australia is still around the OECD average but has been climbing for two decades, largely due to rising house prices.
In 2019–20, one-quarter of homeowning households reported net wealth exceeding $1 million. By contrast, median net wealth for non-homeowning households was $60,000.
Since 2003–04, the wealth of high-income households has grown by more than 50%, much of that due to increasing property values. By contrast, the wealth of low-income households – mostly non-homeowners – has grown by less than 10%.
This inequality will get baked in as wealth is passed onto the next generation.
Some Australians will be lucky enough to inherit one or more homes. Others – typically those on lower incomes – will receive none.
To unwind inequality, we need to make housing less expensive
We haven’t built enough
Australians’ demand for housing since the turn of the decade is a story of historically low interest rates, increased access to finance, tax and welfare settings that favour investments in housing, and a booming population.
But one widely-blamed villain – the introduction of the 50% capital gains tax discount in 1999, together with negative gearing – is likely to have played only a small part in rising house prices.
Yet Australia has one of the lowest levels of housing per person of any OECD country, and is one of only four OECD countries where the amount of housing per person went backwards over the past two decades.
This is largely a failure of housing policy. Australia’s land-use planning rules – the rules that dictate what can get built where – are highly restrictive and complex. Current rules and community opposition make it very difficult to build new homes, particularly in the places where people most want to live and work.
More homes would mean less inequality
Fixing this will allow mores home to get built, moderate house price growth, and reduce barriers to home ownership. In turn, this will reduce the inequalities created by our broken housing system.
Easing planning restrictions is hard for governments, because many residents don’t want more homes near theirs.
The good news is that the penny has started to drop and state governments – particularly in Victoria and New South Wales – are making meaningful progress towards allowing more homes in activity centres and on existing transport links.
But now the real test begins: how will governments respond to the backlash from people who would prefer their communities to stay the same?
How well governments hold the line against the so-called NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) will tell us a lot about what we can expect to happen to inequality in Australia in the future.
Grattan Institute began with contributions to its endowment of $15 million from each of the federal and Victorian governments, $4 million from BHP Billiton, and $1 million from NAB. In order to safeguard its independence, Grattan Institute’s board controls this endowment. The funds are invested and contribute to funding Grattan Institute’s activities. Grattan Institute also receives funding from corporates, foundations, and individuals to support its general activities, as disclosed on its website.
Joey Moloney and Matthew Bowes do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Young people of the Highlands are being invited to put themselves forward as the recruitment search begins for the unique, representative role of Highlands’ next Youth Convener.
Created in 2007 by The Highland Council, the 12-month full-time position of Highland Youth Convener continues to be instrumental in championing the causes of young people across the Highlands.
The Youth Convener will attend The Highland Council’s Education Committee, they will also work with The Highland Council’s Youth Service team in shaping the work of the Highland Youth Parliament as well as contributing to other initiatives that increase youth involvement, and influence decisions which may impact young people.
Current Youth Convener, Lauren McKittrick explains: “The Highland Youth Convener role is as important as it is unique. It creates a vital and direct relationship between young people in the Highlands and those who have the ability to make change. To engage with the Highlands’ young people and represent their interests to senior officials and community planning partners offers a great deal of satisfaction, and I would encourage any enthusiastic young person who seeks to champion the voice of young people to take up this opportunity.”
Assistant Chief Executive – People, Kate Lackie said:“The role provides an outstanding opportunity for someone to be a full-time face, voice and influencer. The Youth Convenor creates links between young people services and service-providers; and plays a pivotal role in connecting those very important local youth voices on the issues that matter in young people’s lives with decision makers at regional level.”
Principal Adult and Youth Services Manager, Mark Richardson said: “Young people’s rights must be upheld and championed by us all. This work includes ensuring that their voices are listened to, have influence, and contribute to positive change on the issues that matter to them.
“The Youth Convener role represents a platform for the voices of young people to be heard within our democratic structures, including at the Highland Council’s Education Committee and in the development of services in our communities.”
Any young person who has good communication skills, a strong awareness of issues affecting young people, an ability to represent those views and who can work with a wide range of people and organisations is being invited to apply for the position.