NewzIntel.com

Category: Great Britain

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

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Public land unlocked for the next generation of home owners

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:

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

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

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

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said:

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

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

    Defence land 

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

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

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

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

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

    Defence Secretary John Healey said:

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

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

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

    Rail estate land 

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

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

    • Manchester Mayfield: opportunity for 1,500 new homes 

    • Cambridge: a mixed-use development with 425 homes  

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

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

    More information

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

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

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

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Imported dengue cases reach record high

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    It is also important for travellers to:   

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

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

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

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

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

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

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

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

    Harriet Aldridge, Government Internal Audit Agency CEO

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

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

    Responding to the report findings, Harriet said,

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

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

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

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

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

    Notes:

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

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

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Akamai and Fermyon First to Support Edge-Native Serverless and AI Applications, Powered by WebAssembly

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONGMONT, Colo., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fermyon™ Technologies, the serverless WebAssembly (Wasm) company, today announced a partnership with Akamai, the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, to bring edge-native serverless and AI applications to the world’s largest distributed cloud platform and content delivery network (CDN). The new Fermyon Wasm Functions engine offers blazingly fast, portable, polyglot WebAssembly-based serverless running on Akamai’s globally distributed network.

    Media, ecommerce, financial services and other high-volume digital experience companies know that even 100-millisecond delays can impact customer engagement and online revenue. Latency-sensitive applications in slow, centralized servers compound this problem. With the performance characteristics of WebAssembly providing the underlying magic, this partnership will usher in a new era of highly responsive, edge-native applications delivered faster than the blink of an eye (<100 milliseconds).

    Fermyon Wasm Functions Overview

    Fermyon Wasm Functions is a multi-tenant, hosted, globally distributed engine for serverless functions running on Akamai Cloud, a globally distributed network. It provides Akamai customers with the ability to integrate Akamai’s existing services–such as EdgeWorkers, object storage, globally available CPU and GPU compute capabilities, and CDN–with a WebAssembly-based serverless platform.

    Starting today, Akamai customers can develop WebAssembly applications and deploy them through Fermyon Wasm Functions, enabling them to:

    • Build edge-native distributed applications with lower egress cost than hyperscalers.
    • Develop cost-effective AI inferencing applications that execute near the user.
    • Integrate powerful edge-native applications with Akamai’s existing CDN, EdgeWorker, and object storage offerings.
    • Cut cold start time of edge-native applications to a mere fraction of a millisecond, which, combined with Akamai’s largest network in the world, delivers responses to end users faster than the blink of an eye.
    • Empower developers to build and deploy edge applications with unprecedented ease of use and speed. Fermyon again delivers on the promise of taking developers from blinking cursor to deployed application in two minutes or less.

    Akamai customers will be able to directly procure Fermyon Wasm Functions from Akamai. Akamai is providing credits toward a trial of Fermyon Wasm Functions for a limited time and for experimental volumes.

    “Companies worldwide are moving toward a more distributed cloud model, especially for AI workloads which benefit from proximity to the data. Serverless WebAssembly enables massive performance gains while making applications easier to build, manage, and secure-by-default – and Fermyon is the clear leader in this space. Our partnership will accelerate companies’ development and adoption of AI agents that benefit from distributed data and compute that only the Akamai Cloud can provide,” said Jon Alexander, VP of Product at Akamai.

    “Bringing the world’s fastest serverless platform to the world’s most distributed cloud computing platform is a big win for any organization interested in delivering dynamic content faster than the blink of an eye,” said Fermyon CEO, Matt Butcher. “With cold starts under half a millisecond, robust service APIs, AI and GPU integration, and support for a broad array of programming languages, Fermyon brings Akamai customers next-generation edge compute that is not just industry leading, but redefining.”

    Fermyon, alongside Akamai, will be showcasing Fermyon technologies at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe in London, England from April 1 to 4, 2025. And at the NAB Show in Las Vegas from April 5 to 9, 2025.

    Additional Resources

    About Akamai

    Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

    About Fermyon™ Technologies

    Fermyon is leading the next wave of cloud computing with the first cloud-native WebAssembly FaaS that lets developers build better serverless apps faster. Fermyon is focused on empowering cloud developers to quickly realize the things they are thinking about creating and focus on the code that brings value instead of the obligatory foundation code. Fermyon was founded by the Deis Labs team at Microsoft Azure and is backed by Insight Partners and Amplify Partners. For more information, go to https://www.fermyon.com or follow @fermyontech.

    Contact:
    constantia@fermyon.com

    The MIL Network –

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

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Hayley Marshall, Headteacher at Iveson Primary School, said: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Poverty levels broadly stable over last decade

    Source: Scottish Government

    Latest Accredited Official Statistics and Official Statistics published

     The latest statistics cover the period up to March 2024 and three-year averages for levels of relative and absolute poverty show a broadly stable trend over the past decade for children, working age adults and pensioners.

    Three-year average results show that:

    • Working-age adults and pensioners are less likely to be in poverty compared to children: 20% of working-age adults and 15% of pensioners are in relative poverty after housing costs, compared to 23% of children.
    • Relative poverty has been broadly stable for most age groups. Adults under 25 are more likely to be in poverty than older adults.
    • Minority ethnic households are more likely to be in poverty compared to white British households. Muslim adults have higher rates of poverty compared to adults of Christian background and those with no religion. Some of this difference may be explained by Muslim households being younger.

    The publication also includes statistics for the measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017. These are based on single-year figures which tend to fluctuate year on year compared to three-year averages, which provide a better indication of trends.

    In 2023-24, rates of relative and absolute child poverty have reduced from the previous year to 22% and 17% respectively, with levels above the interim targets due in that year. Persistent poverty rates for children are relatively volatile over time, and the most recent estimate shows a marked increase (23%) to a level also higher than the interim target. The most recent combined low income and material deprivation estimate for 2023-24 is not comparable with earlier years as the material deprivation questions have been updated. The current figure of 9% is slightly above the interim target.

    Background

    The two full statistical publications are available here:

    Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland contains statistics on poverty, child poverty, poverty risks for various equality characteristics, household income and income inequality for Scotland. This report also includes statistics on household food security. The data comes from the Department for Work and Pensions Family Resources Survey, Households Below Average Income dataset. Comparable UK income and poverty figures are published on the same day by DWP.

    Figures are presented as three-year averages of each estimate. Three-year estimates best identify trends over time.

    The four child poverty measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act are based on single-year figures.  These are available in the reference tables and in the child poverty summary.  

    Persistent Poverty in Scotland presents estimates of the proportion of people in Scotland who live in persistent poverty. The data comes from the Understanding Society Survey, and the latest statistics cover the period from 2018 to 2023.

    These poverty statistics are used by the Scottish Government and other organisations to monitor progress in tackling poverty and child poverty, and to analyse what drives poverty and what works for tackling poverty and income inequality.

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

    Key poverty measures:

    Relative poverty: A person is in relative poverty if their current household income is less than 60% of the current UK median. Relative poverty statistics fall if income growth at the lower end of the income distribution is greater than overall income growth.

    Absolute poverty: A person is in absolute poverty if their current household income is less than 60% of the UK median in 2010/11, adjusted for inflation. Absolute poverty statistics fall if low income households are seeing their incomes rise faster than inflation.

    Combined low income and material deprivation identifies the number of children in families that cannot afford basic essential goods and services because of a low income (below 70 percent of the middle household income).

    Persistent poverty identifies the number of people in relative poverty for three or more out of four years. People who live in poverty for several years may be affected by it throughout their lifetime.

    Household income is adjusted for household size.

    The poverty publications present poverty figures before and after housing costs. Before housing costs figures are a basic measure of household income from earnings and benefits. After housing costs figures subtract spending on rents, mortgage interest payments and other unavoidable housing costs from this basic income. In Scotland, poverty statistics focus mainly on poverty after housing costs. The poverty estimates in the child poverty summary refer to relative poverty after housing costs.

    Interim child poverty targets 2023-24

    The interim child poverty targets were as follows:

    Relative poverty: less than 18%

    Absolute poverty: less than 14%

    Combined low income and material deprivation: less than 8%

    Persistent poverty: less than 8%

    Further information on income and poverty statistics within Scotland is available.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First Minister pays tribute to Christina McKelvie MSP

    Source: Scottish Government

    Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy has passed away.

    Following the news of the sad passing of Christina McKelvie MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP, said:

    “I am devastated to learn of the passing of Christina McKelvie – one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met in my life.

    “In all the years since I first met Christina, I have been so grateful to call her my friend and colleague and to benefit from her warmth and loyalty.

    “Christina was fiercely proud of her Easterhouse roots, and she often spoke of how injustices her family experienced in her childhood had inspired her to join the trade union movement and enter elected politics.

    “In her almost two decades as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, Christina put her values into action. Whether it was helping her constituents in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, serving as a highly-respected committee convenor, or in the Ministerial posts she held, Christina was always a fierce champion for equality, social justice, for Scottish independence and for a better world.

    “But for all her many political achievements, Christina was first and foremost deeply committed to her family. Everyone could see the joy that she and her partner Keith brought to each other’s lives, and she spoke so often over the years of her pride for her sons, and more recently her immense joy at becoming a granny.

    “In recent years, when Christina returned to Parliament after treatment for breast cancer, she was determined to help those around her – using her platform to encourage women to check themselves and go to screening appointments.

    “The Scottish National Party has lost one of its finest, and I have lost an outstanding Minister in my government. I know her loss will be felt right across the Parliament and among the countless constituents she supported over the years. Christina was such a big-hearted woman, with compassion and social justice at her core. Her political allies and opponents would agree – she truly was a force of nature.

    “Today, my thoughts and prayers are with Keith, her sons Jack and Lewis and her wider family and many friends.”

    ENDS

    Christina was born on 4 March 1968. She became an MSP in 2007 latterly representing Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from 2011.

    She was Minister for Equalities from 2008 to 2023, when she became Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, and was Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy from February 2024.

    As an MSP she was Convener or the European and External Relations Committee and a member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe between 2016 and 2018, and then Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee from September 2016 until she was appointed a Minister in 2018.

    Christina was a long standing and active member of the SNP and was also a trade unionist with Unison during her time working in social work services in Glasgow.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exciting transformation begins at Mount Batten Centre!

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Major redevelopment works are set to begin this month at the Mount Batten Centre, transforming this iconic gateway to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.  

    The project, kicking off on 24 March, promises to bring a wave of exciting changes to enhance accessibility and visitor experience. 

    The redevelopment includes opening up the reception area to provide a warm and inviting welcome, creating a new ground floor café with direct access to outdoor seating and spectacular waterfront views, and designing new changing facilities to meet Sport England and Changing Places standards.  

    The updated design includes accessible and inclusive spaces, with provisions for multicultural and family changing, as well as separate areas for public use. The facilities will also feature slip-resistant flooring, durable materials, and adaptable layouts to ensure safety and flexibility for different user needs. 

    In addition to the new internal facilities, substantial improvements will be made externally to the areas immediately surrounding the centre and the 17th Century Artillery Tower. To enhance visitor experience, new outdoor terraced seating areas will provide space for people to relax and enjoy being next to the water creating an ambient welcome to the centre.   

    The historic Mount Batten Tower will benefit from additional pathways offering better access to the tower plateau to enable more people to enjoy the views across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.   

    Thanks to £4m funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Plymouth City Council and the Levelling Up Fund through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, this sensitive restoration project will enable greater accessibility to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. 

    Plymouth City Council Leader, Councillor Tudor Evans, said: “We are incredibly excited to see the Mount Batten Centre undergo this transformation.  

    “As Britain’s Ocean City we have a unique opportunity to restore the amazing heritage of Plymouth Sound. Our vision is to create a welcoming and inclusive space that celebrates Plymouth’s rich maritime heritage and offers new opportunities for everyone to enjoy the stunning waterfront.” 

    Richard Stevens, Chair of the Mount Batten Centre Board, said:  “Myself and the Mount Batten Centre Board are all incredibly excited to see these redevelopment works begin. The comprehensive project of reworking and enhancing the Centre is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a vibrant, accessible space that will connect people with our extraordinary National Marine Park, whether that be on, in or by the water. 

    “This investment will unlock the Centre’s full potential, providing first-class facilities for watersports, activities, and community engagement, ensuring the Mount Batten Centre, and wider Mount Batten peninsula, is recognised as one of the pivotal gateways to Plymouth Sound and a cornerstone of the National Marine Park experience.” 

    Adam Brimacombe from Classic Builders, a local construction company undertaking the works, added: “We’re incredibly proud to be appointed to deliver these important works at the Mount Batten Centre.  Plymouth is an important place for us, not only is it our home city but a large proportion of our talented team are based in the area. The delivery of these works allows us to further our support of local staff, share opportunities with local supply chain members, and play a key part of the continued investment of Plymouth as an exciting place to live and work. 

    “We’re delighted to be delivering the works at Mount Batten Centre. Having worked on a number of schemes for Plymouth City Council, we’re proud to be once again supporting the local authority on another important project. Plymouth is a special place to everyone at Classic Builders, and we’re excited to be working on another key project in our home city.” 

    This project is part of a wider £22m transformation programme that will help empower and engage the city in the marine environment.  

    The centre remains open for activities and is being operated from the class room block in the main car park, where temporary welfare units are in place to provide facilities for booked activities and club/affiliate members of the centre.  There will be no access to the centre’s main building during the renovations, this includes the existing café and accommodation. 

    Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey to revitalise the Mount Batten Centre and make it a premier destination for locals and visitors alike! 

    For more information, visit the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University research a key enabler of the energy transition, Holyrood told Innovative approaches to helping Scotland secure long-term leadership in sustainable energy solutions and deliver an orderly energy transition were showcased by the University of Aberdeen at Holyrood last night.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Innovative approaches to helping Scotland secure long-term leadership in sustainable energy solutions and deliver an orderly energy transition were showcased by the University of Aberdeen at Holyrood last night.

    An 80-strong audience of MSPs, policy makers, industry representatives and other stakeholders attended the University’s parliamentary event, entitled ‘Accelerating the Energy Transition in Scotland and Beyond’. 

    They heard how the University has for the past five decades been a trusted partner to government and industry, delivering independent, data-led, evidence-based research and training programmes to address the global energy challenges and advance Scotland’s net zero ambitions. 

    Professor John Underhill, the interdisciplinary director for energy transition, spoke about how the University’s world-leading research supports Scotland’s energy future by driving industrial decarbonisation, informing energy policy, managing offshore spatial pressures, and enhancing workforce skills to secure Scotland’s global leadership in the energy transition. 

    The reception, which was hosted by Kevin Stewart MSP, also gave politicians the opportunity to engage directly with the University’s leading experts and discuss opportunities for collaboration in areas such as offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, decommissioning, geothermal and delivering a just transition. 

    “All aspects of the energy system, from exploration and production to consumption and decommissioning, must change. Our research seeks solutions to deliver a reliable, affordable, environmentally sustainable and climate compatible low-carbon energy system that ensures the transition is managed, orderly and just as we decarbonise and meet ambitious net zero targets,” said Professor Underhill. 

    “As parts of the world increasingly move towards renewable energy sources, the transition from oil and gas must be managed carefully to tackle fuel poverty and avoid imposing hardship yet ensure energy security. The transition strategy in Scotland will need to reassure communities about job security of those currently employed in the North Sea’s oil and gas industry while developing tangible new opportunities in renewable technologies. 

    “The challenge is inter and multi-disciplinary, and all aspects of the University’s research and training activity play a crucial role in providing solutions for low-carbon net-zero goals. For Net Zero to be successful it must obtain and retain public support, through continuous engagement, with people and places. Aberdeen is leading the way in the research needed to identify opportunities to accelerate decarbonisation and to design technically informed solutions that tackle societal challenges such as fuel poverty, sustainable local economies, wellbeing and social justice.” 

    Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said: “We are determined to ensure a successful energy transition for the North East and indeed for the whole of Scotland.
    “Our universities have an international reputation for excellence in research, and it’s clear from what we heard here tonight that the University of Aberdeen is at the forefront of accelerating the energy transition both here in Scotland and internationally. 
    “The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to work in partnership with universities, supporting and amplifying innovative research like this to help ensure a sustainable future for us all.”

    “There is a need to decarbonise and transform the UK’s and global energy systems to reduce emissions, achieve NetZero and climate targets,” added Principal Professor George Boyne. 

    “Academics, government and all sectors must continue to work together to map a just transition for energy global systems.  The University’s interdisciplinary approach is a key enabler for this work as energy transition spans all of our five interdisciplinary research challenge areas.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local businesses and projects to be boosted with grants

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    More than £1million is to be given in grants to local businesses and organisations to help boost their offer to city communities.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday agreed the money for the projects which include Tall Ships event site business opportunities, Business Support Grant schemes, and a Digital Skills Programme in conjunction with Business Gateway.

    Councillor Ian Yuill, Council Co-leader, said: “This investment is especially important for city businesses which are at their start up stage. It is good to cooperate with local entrepreneurs to help them develop digital skills. This year we need to grasp the opportunity to maximise any commercial benefits from the Tall Ships event coming to the city. The Council will continue to do what it can to offer support and to make a positive difference for the private sector through available grant schemes and forms of assistance.”

    Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Council is committed to working with businesses to increase help available to them which in turn will help the city to be an even better place to visit, work, shop, live , invest, and do business.”

    The Tall Ships event, which is the largest free family festival in Europe and will include more than 50 sailing ships from around the world, returns to Aberdeen in July.

    The funding for the event will assist with the costs of the commercial programme for businesses, charities and visitor attractions engaged in marketing, trade and revenue generating activity. The constraints of the event site mean that all business facilities are of a temporary nature requiring marquees and stands including health and safety compliant installation, site management, security and servicing, onsite marketing provision, access assistance, and a derig after the event finishes. The grant funding will help to pay for vital infrastructure such as marquees, contribute toward supply of power and water, ensure adequate critical resourcing such as stewarding and security, and cover digital marketing to support businesses on the event site and in the wider city.

    The Business Start-Up Grant Scheme would provide seed capital to support new businesses, offering one-off grant awards of either £1,000 or £3,000, where the new business is taking on a commercial room, premise or property.

    The availability of a start-up grant scheme further supports the incorporation of the Business Gateway service in-house to Aberdeen City and Shire Councils. Applicants will only be eligible for a grant award if engaging with, and are assigned to, a dedicated Business Gateway officer. This will ensure the applicant is accessing business support, as well as the grant, and maximise likelihood of business success.

    The Digital Skills Programme will support businesses to develop digital skills and assets which is important in order for them to stay ahead, continue to innovate and grow. This project builds upon work undertaken by the Digital Boost Programme.

    Other projects which are to receive grants include the Healthy Minds Project, the Aberdeen Creative Industries Skills Development Initiative, the Tall Ships Young Person Development and Employability Project; the Paid Work Placement Initiative, the HMP Grampian Project, the Green Skills Project, the People in Recovery Project, and the Life Skills Project.

    The grants were from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Aberdeen City Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AberNecessities visit encourages partnership working

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    A committee visit to local charity AberNecessities has highlighted the positive impact that partnership working between organisations can have on communities and service users.

    During the visit in January 2025, members of the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee met with Danielle Flecher-Horn, AberNecessities Founder and Michelle Herd, Co-Founder, and discussed a number of issues which have led to several actions being taken forward, some of which have already been completed.

    Issues discussed and some subsequent actions have included:

    • Supporting ways to improve access to infant formula milk
    • Improved access to life skills training for young people
    • Aiding wrap around support to prevent future need of foodbank dependency with the aim of stopping intergenerational poverty
    • Exploring the provision of community laundry facilities
    • Building on the success of the volunteer recruitment campaign for the Tall Ships Races 2025 to highlight the many other volunteering opportunities with organisations and charities across the city.

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “Our committee visit to AberNecessities, along with our Committee’s External Advisors, allowed us to see the vital services they and their volunteers are providing for children and their families across the city.

    “I am encouraged by the lengthy discussions we had and the agreed actions that are taking place as a result of the visit and I look forward to continuing the joined-up working approach between organisations and our Council teams through these visits.”

    Anti-Poverty and Inequality Vice-Convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “Partnership working should be at the forefront of our common effort to address poverty and inequality across our city, and I’m delighted to see the many actions and issues that are now being addressed and taken forward as a result of our committee visit.”

    Danielle Flecher-Horn, founder of AberNecessities said “AberNecessities puts great value in partnership working. We have built wonderful relationships with many services across the local area including NHSG, education, social services and third sector organisations.

    “We thank the committee for taking the time to visit us and see the incredible effort our staff and volunteers put in every day to ensure that no child should go without. I look forward to moving forward with the committee in the hope that together, we can make a lasting, positive impact for local children and families.”

    AberNecessities provides disadvantaged families with essential and basic items so that no child goes without.  They recognise the importance of meeting the basic needs of a child in order to give them the best start possible.  The charity operates on a referral basis, receiving applications from a network of professionals across health, social care and education systems.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Financial education and access to money advice services improved

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    The Accessing Money Advice and Advisory Services questionnaire which returned 560 responses has helped identify areas where improvements can be made, with many of the recommendations having already been implemented.

    At Tuesday’s (25 March 2025) Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee, members heard how the results highlighted the need for greater service availability, stronger collaboration between providers, and improved access to financial education resources.

    Improvement actions taken forward have included:

    • A series of SHMU Radio shows have been arranged to raise awareness of benefits, debt support and financial advice services available.
    • The Financial Inclusion Team have targeted benefit take-up using the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT).
    • A number of actions aimed at improving financial literacy have included ABZ Works, Adult Learning and Financial Inclusion Team working in partnership on various projects and financial education being provided by MyBnk.
    • Work is being undertaken through a Local Improvement Group project to simplify information, ensuring leaflets are easy read and available in multiple languages.
    • A new data project is being developed for Aberdeen City to connect individuals and families with essential support based on their needs.

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “I’m pleased to see progress being made with vital improvements for accessing the money advice and advisory services.

    “Raising awareness of the services available and improving financial support and education for those most in need is crucial for tackling poverty across the city.”

    Anti-Poverty and Inequality Vice-Convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “Increasing collaboration and partnership working between all organisations involved with improving access to and awareness of the money advice services available is vital.

    “I’m encouraged to see the feedback from the questionnaire being taken forward and subsequent actions being implemented.”

    The committee also agreed to continue monitoring the impact of awareness campaigns along with partners in the Anti-Poverty Group. In addition, there will be expansion of the mobile outreach service, incorporating additional locations identified as high-need areas through the data collected.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Working together to ensure financial integrity

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning. It is a great pleasure to be here today and to welcome you to the BIS Innovation Hub’s Analytics Showcase.1

    This event marks the conclusion of the 2025 Analytics Challenge, in which we invited innovators to submit proposals for collaborative technology solutions to a specific problem.

    Over the next two days, we will come together to tackle a pressing challenge for regulators, businesses and consumers – financial crime. And since financial crime does not respect borders, we believe there is a clear need for deeper global collaboration. In the next few minutes, I will reflect on why this is essential and how we can work together in an increasingly digitalised world.

    The BIS Innovation Hub already helps central banks around the world collaborate on financial technology. We track key trends, connect innovation experts to each other and develop public goods in the technology space that are geared towards improving the functioning of the financial system.

    We experiment through projects that aim to show how technology can help and inspire meaningful action. These projects are possible thanks to collaboration with the global community of policymakers and innovators. And to our delight, part of this community is also here today.

    In my remarks, I will share with you the Innovation Hub’s projects that use technological innovation to safeguard financial integrity. And then I will set out our plan for the next two days to explore new technology and further expand global collaboration in the fight against financial crime.

    But let me now turn to why action is called for in the first place.

    Financial crime today

    Financial services are needed for a society to work well. Indeed, they are crucial for the economy to function properly. But widespread financial crime, such as fraud, money laundering and cyber attacks, undermines the integrity of our financial system and harms society. Central banks and financial supervisors therefore have a strong interest in supporting the fight against this type of criminal activity.

    The scale of financial crime is staggering. By some estimates, over $3 trillion2 in illicit funds move through the financial system each year, draining up to 5% of global GDP.3 Fraud alone costs hundreds of billions of dollars, hitting both consumers and businesses that have to shoulder a considerable share of the losses.

    We have good reasons to believe that most cases of fraud are never reported, which leaves the true scale hidden.4 And the real cost isn’t just money – financial crime often goes hand-in-hand with  other crimes, such drug and human trafficking, often damaging society’s most vulnerable people.

    Meanwhile, criminals move faster than law enforcement, exploiting technology and global networks to stay ahead. Look no further than Europe for evidence. Most fraud here appears to be cyber-enabled, online scams that very often cross borders,[5] with more consumers being targeted than ever before.

    In turn, financial firms face soaring compliance costs to detect illicit activity, spending hundreds of billions each year just to keep up.6

    And despite these efforts, estimates indicate that less than 1% of dirty money is intercepted and recovered,7 a remarkable statistic that highlights a difficult reality: despite growing investment in fighting financial crime, the overall results are falling short.

    To turn the tide, we need to explore new ways to fight financial crime, and we know that new technology holds great potential.

    But we also know that only through the collaboration, support and contributions of many can we fully harness technological innovation to protect our financial system and society. In other words, it takes a village.

    That brings us to today. We’ve laid the foundation already – the next two days of the Analytics Showcase will build on it.

    Let me share how the BIS Innovation Hub has been driving this effort.

    The role of the BIS Innovation Hub

    The Bank for International Settlements supports central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability by fostering international cooperation.

    About five years ago, the BIS launched the Innovation Hub – a partnership with central banks that now spans seven centres across the globe, with one located here in London and hosted by the Bank of England.

    The Innovation Hub experiments with new technologies to see how they can solve shared challenges and help central banks deliver on their mandates more effectively.

    It does so because technology is changing finance fast, and the Innovation Hub aspires to facilitate collaboration and be a partner to central banks, while demonstrating the potential that novel technology brings.

    And the financial system needs to be secure, resilient and trusted, no matter how fast things change.

    Financial integrity is key to central banks for three reasons.

    First, threats to financial integrity are also threats to safety and stability – their core job.

    Second, central banks operate and supervise financial market infrastructures such as payment and settlement systems, where the threat of financial crime exists.

    Third, central banks often oversee banks’ compliance with anti-money laundering rules that enable the detection of illicit transactions.

    Some of the Innovation Hub’s projects have developed technological solutions or components that could be combined in a potential “technology stack”, elevating global collaboration in the fight against financial crime.

    Let me unpack that.

    A technology stack to maintain financial system integrity

    Consider a typical cross-border payment – it involves multiple banks and payment systems across jurisdictions. From the moment the sender makes a payment until the final recipient receives the money, multiple steps are taken to keep the payment safe and secure.

    I will walk you through the five key components that make these steps more effective.

    To start, each bank involved in the transaction must conduct compliance checks. This involves screening customers against sanctions lists or ensuring compliance with foreign exchange rules. These checks are often repeated and require manual work, due to varying regulations and data standards along the payments chain.

    Our first component of the technology stack provides a solution for programmable compliance and transaction pre-validation.

    Through Project Mandala, we have demonstrated better options for financial institutions to automate compliance checks and generate cryptographic proofs to show they have conducted all the necessary checks before initiating a transaction.

    The solution enhances the efficiency, transparency and speed of cross-border transactions without compromising the quality and soundness of regulatory checks.

    Mandala also improves transparency on country-specific policies, while facilitating real-time reporting and monitoring for regulators and supervisors.

    Now, after compliance checks, transactions are submitted to electronic payment systems for processing. These systems have a bird’s eye view of payers and payees allowing them to analyse transaction networks.

    Our next component is about embedding enhanced transaction analytics into payment systems. This could improve detection of seemingly legitimate transactions tied to complex money laundering schemes.

    Ongoing work in Project Hertha aims to show that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and network analytics methods at a payment system level can help identify financial crime patterns that warrant a second look, while protecting privacy by using only a limited set of data points.

    To achieve this, the project created synthetic transaction data mimicking real payments using state-of-the-art AI methods. These data were also shared with Analytics Challenge participants to help test their solutions.

    The third component is about collaborative analytics. Advanced technologies, such as federated learning and multi-party computation, allow public and private stakeholders to share intelligence without revealing private customer data. Such public-private collaboration can help stakeholders join forces to identify criminal activity. 

    Project Aurora demonstrated how shifting to this more holistic approach, including the application of AI and machine learning techniques, helps identify money laundering and financial crime networks both nationally and internationally.

    Another component of our tech stack is user privacy, which is crucial in all our projects. Privacy rights must be upheld in any collaborative analytics and information sharing initiatives.

    Projects Aurora and Mandala tested privacy-enhancing technologies for secure data sharing. Project Hertha is testing methods to identify suspicious network patterns using a minimal set of data points.

    The final component is protection against cyber threats, vital in today’s digital landscape. Fraudsters and cyber criminals often use similar methods, like phishing. And those same technologies can also be used to fight back against the criminals. 

    Two of our projects addressed this.

    Project Raven can help the financial sector and authorities assess cyber security and resilience in their jurisdiction, by using AI to lower the reporting and analytical costs.

    Project Polaris focuses on the cyber security and resilience of potential future forms of money and payment systems, including offline digital payments.

    Strengthening these five components can help future-proof the financial system against evolving threats.

    Let me now explain how the Analytics Challenge and Showcase play a role here.

    Looking ahead: the Challenge and the Showcase

    Late last year, we invited public and private sector experts to join the BIS Innovation Hub 2025 Analytics Challenge and build on the work we started.

    We asked innovators to propose collaborative tech solutions that combat financial crime and simplify compliance through two challenges.

    In the open challenge, participants had to tackle three key questions:

    • How can AI be used to improve the detection of illicit financial activity?
    • How can privacy-preserving technology be used in sharing data and intelligence?
    • Finally, how can we collaborate on innovative tech solutions to enable compliance with diverse regulations across jurisdictions?

    In the prediction challenge, participants were asked to build algorithms to detect illicit transactions.

    Participants could test and demonstrate their solutions using a rich and realistic synthetic payments data set developed in Project Hertha.

    I am impressed with the high quality of the responses and I hope the demonstrations and discussions at the Analytics Showcase inspire new possibilities and partnerships.

    But the Showcase has even more to offer in the next two days.

    And with that, I trust the Analytics Showcase will strengthen our fight against financial crime and look forward to the insights ahead.

    Thank you very much for listening.

    1 My thanks go to the BIS Innovation Hub’s Andrei Pustelnikov and Simina Puscasu who helped me write this speech.

    2 Nasdaq and Verafin, Global Financial Crime Report, 2024.

    3 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Money laundering”.

    4 UK National Crime Agency (NCA), “Fraud”.

    5 The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), “Cyber-enabled fraud and illicit money flows”, infographic, 2024.

    6 LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Report: The true cost of financial crime compliance, 2023.

    7 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Factsheet: money laundering”, 2014.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council homes development underway on former tennis club site

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    City of Wolverhampton Council has appointed contractor Morro Partnerships to build the new ‘A’ Rated, gas free homes with solar panels, on the site of the dilapidated former Bilston tennis club in Villiers Avenue.

    Following clearance works, the development of nine 2-bedroom and two 3-bedroom houses will bring the land back into use and enhance the area.

    The council’s housing development team is leading the project, and the mix of detached and semi-detached homes will be available for affordable rent, with construction expected to be complete by Spring 2026.

    To mitigate for the loss of the tennis courts £40,000 has been allocated to improve tennis courts at East Park.

    The houses form part of the latest phase of new council homes coming forward across the city, with development works underway or set to start in the coming months on 81 properties across 6 sites.

    Morro Partnerships builds with sustainability in mind, with the Bilston development adopting a timber frame construction throughout.

    The carbon footprint of a timber frame is less than traditional structures, and this modern method of construction also helps to reduce energy consumption, helping to keep residents’ bills to a minimum.

    This is consistent with Morro’s pipeline of affordable homes across the Midlands, as part of their commitment to being better environment and community makers.

    The development will be supported by a £620,000 grant from Homes England.

    Councillor Steve Evans, the council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, said: “This is a great example of the council’s strategy to bring small disused sites back into use for the benefit of our residents and communities.

    “There is an increasing demand for housing and this forms part of our pipeline of new council properties we are developing to deliver more good homes in well connected neighbourhoods across the city.

    “Residents will not only benefit from these future proofed homes, they will also reap the rewards of the significant investment already made in Bilston in recent years that is seeing the town flourish.”

    Tom Broadway, Managing Director at Morro Partnerships, said: “Supporting sustainable and affordable housing projects is at the very heart of what we do at Morro.

    “These high quality, energy efficient homes will not only provide more choice for Bilston residents but leave a lasting positive impact on the surrounding area. It’s great to step into spring with construction well underway, and by this next time next year, we will be preparing final handovers and starting to see people move in.

    “This project is testament to what can be achieved through community collaboration, and we are pleased to be working with City of Wolverhampton Council on this site and look forward to continuing to grow this partnership.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency storm overflow spill data for 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Environment Agency storm overflow spill data for 2024

    Spill count and duration remains unacceptably high across England. Data analysis and stricter rules to reduce pollution going forward.

    The Environment Agency has today published water company Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) Annual Return data for 2024 showing the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows in England.  

    The data for 2024 shows a 2.9% decrease in the number of sewage spills compared to 2023. Spill durations increased by 0.2% – this is the number of hours overflows operated for compared to last year. This year’s data shows that storm overflow spill counts and duration remain unacceptably high.

    The data also shows that in 2024:   

    • The average number of spills per overflow was 31.8 compared to 33.1 in 2023 and 32.6 in 2020; 
    • 39% of storm overflows spilled less than 10 times in 2024 compared to 40.5% in 2023 and 40% in 2020; 
    • 12.5% of storm overflows did not spill at all in 2024 compared to 13.9% in 2023 and 13% in 2020. 

    In January, the Environment Agency worked with partners to secure the largest commitment of actions and investment from water companies to clean up our waterways since privatisation. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) sets out over 24,000 actions water companies must take over the next five years to meet their legal requirements for the environment, representing a £22.1bn investment – around £10.2bn of which will be used to improve storm overflows in England, including nature-based solutions which reduce the amount of rainfall reaching overflows.

    To meet our requirements, water companies have committed to upgrading over 2,500 storm overflows – which is expected to reduce annual sewage spills by 85,000. Water companies will also install 3,500 monitors at emergency overflows sites, further protecting and enhancing 13,500 km of river.

    Chair of Environment Agency Alan Lovell said: 

    This year’s data shows we are still a long way off where we need to be to stop unnecessary sewage pollution. But it also provides vital intelligence that drives targeted investment. Using our Event Duration monitoring analysis, we have worked with partners to secure £10.2bn from water companies to improve storm overflows in England.

    While these improvements get underway, we expect water companies to do what customers pay it to do: ensure their existing assets are maintained and operating properly.

    We will continue to protect our precious water quality and resources by holding water companies to account.

    The Environment Agency puts permits in place for storm overflows to ensure they are only used legally during times of rainfall and snowmelt.

    We have significantly ramped up our monitoring of water companies in recent years. There is more monitoring of storm overflows in place than ever before and data-driven analytics led by our increased workforce is helping us to map discharges against rainfall more effectively.

    The transparency this provides allows us to understand the scale of the issue at hand and gives the industry a clear framework to focus their investment and improvements.

    It also informs our compliance and investigation work. Where significant pollution incidents occur, we work to stop the pollution as quickly as possible and then to take enforcement action where necessary. Since 2015, we have concluded 65 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies – securing fines of over £151 million. At the same time, we’re tightening the rules around storm overflows. The Water Special Measures Act will give us increased legal powers to take stronger enforcement action against environmental lawbreakers.

    We recently updated our Storm Overflow Assessment Framework, which places greater emphasis on water companies to investigate, maintain and improve underperforming storm overflows. We are also updating water company permits to include spill frequency thresholds and, since January, all day dry spills – no matter how small – are now classified as pollution incidents.

    Reducing the use of storm overflows is vital to achieving healthier waterways. This is a long-term process, but we have the investment, mechanisms and powers to move closer towards a cleaner future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hundreds of millions of pounds to turbocharge manufacturing sector in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Hundreds of millions of pounds to turbocharge manufacturing sector in Wales

    Wales to see new £250m investment into UK’s largest semiconductor facility, supporting hundreds of highly-skilled jobs in Newport and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

    • Vishay Intertechnology’s planned investment is vote of confidence in the region’s industrial capabilities, and strengthens the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster in South Wales.   

    • Chancellor welcomes the investment as a major win for the UK as a global hub for advanced manufacturing.

    Wales is set to benefit from a £250million investment from one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors that will be vital to the production of electric vehicles (EV), supporting the government’s Plan for Change in delivering more skilled jobs, and turbocharging the economy.

    The Chancellor Rachel Reeves will welcome Vishay Intertechnology’s intention to invest on a visit to their Newport plant today (Thursday 27 March) – the UK’s largest semiconductor facility – as part of plans to develop large-scale compound semiconductor manufacturing in the country.

    The investment will boost production at the state-of-the-art factory where it will make advanced Silicon Carbide semiconductors, an integral part of EV production. This advanced technology supports faster battery charging time, enabling a more efficient supply of energy to the motor and longer driving distances.

    Vishay’s investment is expected to directly support over 500 high value, high skilled jobs in the region and indirectly support hundreds more in the wider supply chain.

    It comes after the Chancellor’s Spring Statement yesterday where she vowed to bring about “new era of security and national renewal” to kickstart economic growth, protect working people and keep Britain safe. The Chancellor confirmed that the OBR has upgraded their growth forecast in 2026 and every year thereafter and people will be on average £500 a year better off by the end of this parliament compared to under the previous government, putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    Under this government the UK is open for business. This is exactly the type of investment that will help us grow the economy, create highly skilled jobs and boost opportunity for people across the country, as we deliver on our Plan for Change to get more money in working people’s pockets.

    Supported by the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), the investment will help secure domestic supplies of semiconductors critical to the UK automotive industry, and other key industries including renewable energy and defence, supporting the Industrial Strategy. It also strengthens the UK’s position in a competitive, global semiconductor landscape, supporting long-term growth for our economy.

    It is a huge boost for the UK as a global hub for advanced manufacturing, which has the fastest growth in manufacturing productivity per job in the G7 between 2010-2023.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is a huge vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investments in the industries of tomorrow. It will support local skilled jobs and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.

    Vishay’s investment will help secure a domestic supply of semiconductors which are vital for our world leading automotive sector and support our clean energy industries – key growth driving sectors identified in our upcoming Industrial Strategy.

    Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said:

    This massive investment by Vishay and the UK Government is a huge boost for Wales’s world-leading semiconductor industry.

    Earlier this month I was at Vishay to see the work they do on advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and defence industries – all key sectors in the Welsh economy.

    This investment will build on that success to create and support hundreds of highly skilled and well-paid jobs, driving economic growth in south Wales and beyond and helping us deliver our Plan for Change.

    Roy Shoshani, COO Semiconductors and CTO for Vishay said:

    This is an exciting moment, and the start of our plans for growth in the UK. We can see through the development of the Industrial Strategy and the skilled workforce in Newport that there is a real opportunity to play to the UK’s strength in advanced semiconductors, delivering greater economic security and supporting Net Zero.

    Ahead of her visit to Newport, the Chancellor will join the Invest in Women Taskforce roundtable with the Welsh First Minister which has secured over £250million of funding commitments to support female entrepreneurs in the UK.

    Through the ATF, delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the government continues to unlock private investment in UK automotive design, development, and manufacturing as the sector transitions to zero emission technology. To date, the ATF and APC funding programmes have leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector.

    The Autumn Budget confirmed over £2 billion for capital and R&D funding over five years for zero emission vehicle manufacturing and their supply chains. Building on the achievements of the ATF and APC programmes, this long-term commitment is a vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, supporting investment and productivity growth across UK automotive.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    This significant investment in compound semiconductors is a huge contribution to the innovation and advanced technology necessary to drive the future of UK Automotive. British-made next-generation semiconductors will create jobs, support supply chains and enhance the UK’s strategic capabilities. Digitisation and decarbonisation are at the heart of the transition taking place amongst UK automotive manufacturers, and this investment can support that transition, aided by a comprehensive industrial strategy to deliver the growth the sector and the economy needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Apprenticeship standards achievement rates update

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Apprenticeship standards achievement rates update

    A letter from the Minister for Skills on current apprenticeship standards achievement rates.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Letter from Baroness Smith on an update to the apprenticeships achievement rate ambition

    PDF, 145 KB, 4 pages

    Details

    The letter is from the Minister for Skills, Baroness Smith, to those delivering apprenticeships. It outlines an update on the apprenticeship achievement rate.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Australia’s government is spending less on consultants – and trying to rebuild the public service

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Emmanuel Josserand, Enseignant-chercheur, Pôle Léonard de Vinci

    The post-Covid era has been marked by a global crackdown on government spending on consultants. This phenomenon hasn’t only concerned France, where the “McKinsey-gate” episode concerning President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 campaign for the Élysée led to a Senate inquiry and spending cuts.

    Public debates, government inquiries and new laws emerged in many countries, including the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and South Africa. Australia has been particularly active and achieved significant savings in consultant and contractor spending. Here’s how it did it.

    Nearly €2 billion in savings

    To understand why the use of consultants has become highly politicized in Australia, we need to go back at least to the 2018 federal elections. The right-wing coalition government was focusing on cutting public spending by reducing public jobs. The Labour opposition argued that this led to the more costly use of consultants.


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    The controversy continued through the 2022 federal elections, when a newly elected Labour government pledged to save 3 billion Australian dollars (around €1.9 billion) on consultants and the use of external labour. This was also pursued at the regional level. For instance, the state of New South Wales announced savings of over 55% in consultants’ fees for the fiscal year 2023-24.

    The case of Australia highlights four main reasons for reducing consulting costs and improving governance – reasons that are also found in other countries.

    • Expenses exceeding needs

    First, a dramatic increase in government spending on consultants attracted attention. In Australia, it almost tripled between 1988-89 and 2016-17 (after adjustment for inflation) and then tripled again to reach 3.2 billion Australian dollars for management advisory services alone in 2022-23. There is a concern that such costs are far more than what might be justified by a temporary rise in workload or the need for very specific technical expertise, even accounting for the exceptional case of Covid.

    • Hollowing out of the public service

    Second, there is the related question of the hollowing out of the public service. The increase in the use of consultants can trigger a vicious circle in which the government loses its skills, thus becoming even more dependent on consultants. This was the core argument of a recent critique by economists called The Big Con.

    • Lack of assessment

    Third, there are reasons to doubt the overall efficiency and effectiveness of consultants’ interventions, especially in the absence of appropriate assessment by clients of the outcomes of the services provided. Despite the claims of consultants and their paying clients that consulting adds value, it is often impossible to measure value precisely, and, therefore, identify who deserves credit or blame.

    Beyond comparing rates of pay, it is hard to know whether internal options would be more effective than using external consultants. Overall, research provides a very mixed picture, with some work showing external consulting being associated with increased inefficiency.

    • Significant conflicts of interest

    Finally, the capacity of consultants to provide independent advice has been broadly criticised after a series of scandals. This is partly because of conflicts of interest for consultants working for both public and private sector clients that are also often undeclared.

    This concern became especially salient in Australia with the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) tax scandal. The Treasury had hired PwC, one of the “Big 4” consulting firms, to help devise legislation to restrict tax evasion by multinationals. Some PwC partners then shared this information with their private sector clients to help them prepare to avoid the new laws. Such cases are linked to broader concerns about the lack of transparency and professionalism in consulting and the failure of self-regulation, both linked to a reward system in the sector that prioritises generating fee income over ethics and the wider public interest.

    Recommendations from the Senate inquiry

    With a dependency on consulting that was proportionally greater than any other country’s and the resulting diminishment of its public service, Australia was facing a significant challenge and pressure to cut costs. But because of the diminishment of the public service, these cuts risked leaving it unable to fulfil its missions.

    A recent Senate inquiry into the matter provided recommendations on how to improve the contracting process, public reporting on consultant contracts and a new regulatory framework for the consulting industry. It also recommended that any external consulting contract include an approach to transferring knowledge to the Australian public service.

    However, these measures wouldn’t have been enough to reconstruct the capacity of the public service to compensate for significant cuts in their consulting and contractor spending. To solve this problem, the Australian government has started a major rebuilding of the public service.

    Thousands of reallocated roles

    Since 2022, Canberra has reallocated 8,700 roles formerly performed by consultants and external labour hires to public servants across all the major public service agencies. This will be supported by the Australian Public Service Commission’s strategy to develop a flexible workforce that is prepared for the challenges the public service will be facing – notably that of digitalization, an area that has been over-reliant on consultants.

    Another interesting initiative in New South Wales is the establishment of a unit that will aim to redirect government agencies toward in-house expertise instead of consultants. Indeed, recourse to internal consulting units is common in the private sector. The government will also undertake long-term capability and skills planning, notably to identify core public service skills and address competency gaps.

    Will this bring lasting results?

    Australia’s solution is thus a strong commitment to redeveloping the public service with a flexible and planned approach to the management of its human resources. This is a key part of the way forward if cuts to consulting budgets are to be sustained. It is, however, too early to judge if the challenge of redeveloping the public service workforce and making it flexible enough will be met.

    We should also keep in mind that this long-term objective is subject to political changes. With the current opposition leader promising a cut of 10,000 civil servants if his coalition is elected later this year, Labour’s plans for the public workforce might be short-lived.

    Indeed, in Australia and elsewhere, there is a long history of short-lived and failed government efforts to contain the use of external consulting. This is in part because of a lack of civil service capacity to respond to change, but also because consulting firms are adept at persuading those in power – politicians and senior civil servants – that they can solve their problems (and let them take the credit).

    Emmanuel Josserand is affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney and the Business Insight Institute, Wiltz, Luxembourg.

    Andrew Sturdy et Emmanuel Josserand ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur poste universitaire.

    – ref. How Australia’s government is spending less on consultants – and trying to rebuild the public service – https://theconversation.com/how-australias-government-is-spending-less-on-consultants-and-trying-to-rebuild-the-public-service-252748

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England

    Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently.

    New provisional STI surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains.

    While most gonorrhoea infections can be treated effectively, certain resistant strains present significant treatment challenges. Ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea is of particular concern. As the primary antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea, resistance to ceftriaxone can make infections difficult to treat.

    Since first being detected in England in 2015, 42 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea have been reported. Fifteen of these cases were extensively drug-resistant (XDR), which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and to second line treatment options.

    Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently. In the 15 months from January 2024 to 20 March 2025, there were 17 cases of ceftriaxone resistant gonorrhoea reported (13 in 2024 and 4 in 2025 so far). This compares to 16 across the previous 2 years (January 2022 to December 2023).

    XDR cases are also rising. From January 2024 to March 2025 there were 9 XDR cases (6 in 2024 and 3 in 2025 to date). This compares to 5 cases in total in the previous 2 years (between January 2022 and December 2023).

    Most cases are linked to travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where ceftriaxone resistance is common. While transmission within England has been limited so far, the increasing number of cases in recent years is concerning as it increases the chance of wider spread and treatment challenges.

    Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods. However, many people infected with gonorrhoea will have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum. This lack of symptoms makes it important to test regularly when having sex with new or casual partners.

    Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health complications including infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive system, which includes the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

    Dr. Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said:

    Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which could make it untreatable in future. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

    The best way to stop STIs is by using a condom. If you’ve had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, get tested, whatever your age, gender or sexual orientation. This includes when you are having sex abroad. Early detection not only protects your health but prevents transmission to others. Many STIs show no symptoms, which is why regular testing is so important. Testing is quick, free and confidential.

    The latest provisional data on gonorrhoea overall shows approximately 54,965 gonorrhoea diagnoses at sexual health services in the first 9 months of 2024, compared to over 85,000 recorded in the whole of 2023. The latest data indicates that gonorrhoea diagnoses are starting to level, remaining relatively high.

    Meanwhile, around 7,000 syphilis cases were recorded between January and September 2024, compared to 9,513 in the whole of 2023. UKHSA reminds healthcare professionals to remain vigilant for syphilis symptoms, as untreated infections can lead to serious, irreversible complications affecting the brain, heart and nerves.

    Both gonorrhoea and syphilis are easy to catch. If you are having condomless sex with new or casual partners, regular testing for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health. Testing is free and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres or through self-sampling kits ordered online and sent discreetly through the post.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grandads and Grandlads create special memories and crafts in Portadown

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Cllr Kyle Savage pictured with those who took part in the Grandads and Grandlads programme at Millenium Court.

    An intergenerational programme in Portadown organised by ABC Council has helped craft special memories, closer bonds along with some unique wooden art pieces.

    The Grandads and Grandlads initiative which was held at Millenium Court over six weeks in February and March, allowed six grandads and their grandsons to participate in crafting workshops.

    Working in pairs, they used traditional tools and equipment to create a range of items including a flower pot, pendant and a three-legged stool.

    The grandads who took part in the programme said it had given them an important opportunity to spend quality time with their grandsons and learn new skills in the process.

    Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Cllr Kyle Savage visited Millenium Court to find out more about the programme.

    “After speaking to the grandads and the grandlads, you can tell how much they enjoyed these workshop sessions,” said the Deputy Lord Mayor.

    “It is great to see this level of concentration and engagement on a shared task, away from the distractions of modern technology like mobile phones and digital devices. Hopefully we can see more programmes like this organised in the future and it certainly has proven to be a real benefit for those who took part.”

    The programme was organised by ABC Council’s Community Development department with funding from ‘The District Council’s Good Relations Fund’ for the NI Executive.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Taskforce Morpheus – National Day of Action 2025

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Law enforcement agencies from across Australia and New Zealand have targeted the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Club (HAOMC) in a coordinated National Day of Action as part of Operation Morpheus.

    The focus of the National Day of Action was to cause maximum disruption to the HAOMC through compliance and enforcement activities across Australia and New Zealand.

    With a significant legacy of past national coordination and collaboration by law enforcement and partners in Australia and New Zealand, National Taskforce Operation Morpheus is a joint initiative. This includes all Australian state and territory police, New Zealand Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Defence Force, AUSTRAC, Australian Taxation Office, and Services Australia collaboratively targeting the highest threat outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) impacting Australia and New Zealand.

    The National Day of Action 2025 has resulted in law enforcement agencies around the country conducting compliance checks relating to bail, parole, firearms possession and other legislation. The agencies also seized firearms, weapons, various drugs, illicit cigarettes and tobacco products and in excess of $48,000 in cash resulting in the arrest of 23 people, involving 60 charges.

    By proactively targeting OMCG’s throughout Australia and New Zealand in a day of action using a combination of enforcement, compliance and disruption techniques Operation Morpheus generates significant intelligence holdings. Shared intelligence relating gang to membership and associates, locations and gang related premises and criminal activities play a crucial role in national and international law enforcement awareness of links with OMCG’s like HAOMC and organised crime.

    Other focuses of law enforcement were HAMC – OMCG members involved in family violence matters and those club members and associates already incarcerated within the prison populations.

    The overrepresentation of OMCG members and associates linked with family and domestic violence perpetration is a significant community issue.  As is violence and contraband within the prison systems, also well documented and a focus of this operation.

    Operation Morpheus sends the message to members of OMCG members, “It doesn’t matter if you are at freedom or in custody you will be targeted for criminal related activity, be that personal or club related business. Put simply it doesn’t pay to be a member of an OMCG or any criminal gang.”

    Australian Border Force have also identified HAMC members and associates attempting to enter Australia recently as well as targeting members and associates who may be subject to removal from Australia.

    As national organised crime continues to move into the illegal tobacco and vape industry, including OMCG involvement with other crime groups law enforcement and partners are actively focused on this activity, including the extreme violence, firearms, extortion, arson, and money laundering activities. ​

    Leveraging shared capability and technology, National Taskforce Morpheus also targets criminal assets and unexplained wealth of key OMCG members, protects vulnerable people and develops national strategies to deter gang recruitment, reduce membership and target recidivism and enablers to organised crime.

    Agency Key Results:

    South Australia Police –

    Small quantities of illicit substances seized, firearms prohibition order compliance checks completed with in-custody cell searches conducted by Dept Correctional Services. Significant additional contemporary criminal intelligence was gathered relating to HAOMC in SA.

    Victoria Police –

    9 offenders charged with 8 offences, 1 search warrant executed, small quantities of illegal prescription drugs seized, firearms prohibition order compliance checks revealing quantities of firearm ammunition, $48,000 in cash seized and subject to further investigation. Significant additional contemporary criminal intelligence gathered relating to HAOMC in Victoria.

    Western Australia Police –

    2 offenders charged with 5 offences, 2 search warrants executed, small quantities of illicit substances seized and contemporary criminal intelligence gathered relating to HAOMC in WA.

    New Zealand Police –

    3 offenders charged with 4 offences, 3 search warrants executed and 3 vehicles seized. Small quantities of both prescription and illicit substances were seized. Contemporary criminal intelligence was gathered relating to HAOMC in New Zealand.

    Australian Border Force –

    2 VISA cancellations / refusals at point of entry, a further 3 identified as potential VISA cancellations and a single Unlawful Non-Citizen detained linked with OMCGs in Australia.

    New South Wales –

    3 offenders facing 12 charges, 2 search warrants executed, small quantities of illicit substances seized, firearms prohibition order compliance checks with an additional 9 ADVO compliance checks also conducted. In-custody cell searches were also activated for OMCG members in NSW prisons.

    Queensland –

    5 offenders facing 30 charges, 2 firearms seized, 25 bail breaches (non-compliance) discovered with a significant number of traffic breaches identified with both fines and prosecutions commenced for drug and drink driving.

    Northern Territory –

    Heavy focus on traffic compliance identifying both drink (3) and drug (3) drivers apprehended.

    Tasmania –

    1 offender charged with an offence with bail and firearms prohibition order compliance checks conducted.

    Quotes attributed to: Taskforce Morpheus Chair Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly (VICPOL)

    “National Taskforce Morpheus has been an extremely successful national and international operation coordinating multiple operations that have seen Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs) and their members disrupted, arrested, charged and held to account.  

    “Law enforcement and partner government agencies, through National Taskforce Morpheus, share the use of a variety of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs at a state, territory, national and international level. National Taskforce Morpheus will continue to be relentless in pursuing OMCGs and will not stop disrupting and holding OMCGs to account, no matter where they are located.

    “OMCGs are motivated by profit and greed, they infiltrate communities, industry and businesses and have a negative impact on the communities. The social and economic impact of OMCGs in Australia and New Zealand is significant. OMCGs also have a culture of secrecy, that includes intimidation and propensity for extreme violence, often with public displays of violence that impacts the safety of the community. For these reasons Law Enforcement and partner Government agencies will continues to target OMCGs.”

    Quotes attributed to: Officer in Charge Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SAPOL) Detective Superintendent Shane Addison

    SAPOL recognises the risk and serious harm to the community caused by significant and violent criminal activity undertaken by and associated with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) in South Australia. SAPOL is committed to reducing this threat to community safety and will relentlessly pursue members and associates of OMCGs who seek to profit from violence and all forms of illicit criminal activities. Today’s National Day of Action activities have focused on disrupting those OMCG members who pose the greatest risk to the community.

    “In collaboration with our law enforcement and supporting agency partners, SAPOL will target anyone involved with OMCGs illicit criminal and violent behaviour. This includes targeting the confiscation of their criminal assets. The results from the Operation Morpheus Day of Action in this State reflects this commitment.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New sentencing laws will drive NZ’s already high imprisonment rates – and budgets – even higher

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda Mussell, Senior Lecturer, Political Science and International Relations, University of Canterbury

    Paremoremo Maximum Security Prison near Auckland. Getty Images

    With the government’s Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill about to become law within days, New Zealand’s already high incarceration rate will almost certainly climb even higher.

    The new legislation essentially limits how much judges can reduce a prison sentence for mitigating factors (such as a guilty plea, young age or mental ability). A regulatory impact statement from the Ministry of Justice estimated it would result in 1,350 more people in prison.

    This and other law changes are effectively putting more people in prison for longer. By 2035, imprisonment numbers are expected to increase by 40% from their current levels, with significant cost implications. Last year, the Corrections budget was NZ$1.94 billion, up $150 million from the previous year.

    In sheer numbers, the Ministry of Justice projects the prison population will increase from 9,900 to 11,500 prisoners over the next decade. But Minister of Corrections Mark Mitchell recently said government policies could see a peak of 13,900 prisoners over that period.

    New Zealand’s imprisonment rate is already high at 187 per 100,000 people. That’s double the rate of Canada (90 per 100,000), and well above Australia (163 per 100,000) and England (141 per 100,000).

    Accounting for imprisonment and population projections, New Zealand’s prisoner ratio could be between 238 and 263 per 100,000 by 2035. That is higher than the current imprisonment rate in Iran (228 per 100,000).

    The role of remand

    Much of this increase is driven by the number of people awaiting trial or sentencing on remand. This has risen substantially in the past ten years and is expected to keep rising.

    Remand prisoner numbers are projected to nearly equal sentenced prisoners in 2034. Among women and young people, remand numbers are already higher than for sentenced prisoners.

    In October 2024, 89% of imprisoned youth were on remand, a 15% increase in seven years. In December 2024, 53% of women prisoners were on remand, more than double the 24% rate a decade ago. Men on remand comprise 41% of prisoners, nearly double the 21% rate a decade ago.

    Māori are affected most by these increases, making up 81% of imprisoned youth, 67% of imprisoned women and 53% of imprisoned men.

    Some 30% of those on remand are not convicted. Of those who are, data released to RNZ last year showed 2,138 people (15% of remand prisoners) were not convicted of their most serious change, almost double the 2014 figure of 1,075 people.

    Significant court delays can mean people are remanded for a long time. By 2034, it is projected the average remand time will be 99 days, compared with 83 days in February 2024. As well as being a human rights concern, this is very expensive.

    Minister of Corrections Mark Mitchell: prisoner numbers could reach 13,900 over the next decade.
    Getty Images

    Putting more people away for longer

    Crime and imprisonment rates fluctuate independently of each other, as the former Chief Science Advisor acknowledged in a 2018 report. Increasing imprisonment rates are the result of political decisions, not simple arithmetic.

    The Bail Amendment Act 2013 reversed the onus of proof in certain cases, meaning the default rule is that an accused person will not be granted bail. This results in more people being sent to prison while awaiting a hearing, trial or sentencing.

    When this week’s changes to the Sentencing Act come into effect, they will further constrain judges’ discretion, capping sentence reductions for mitigating factors at 40% (unless it would be “manifestly unjust”).

    At the same time, it has become more difficult for prisoners to return to the community. For example, some are kept in prison or recalled because they do not have stable housing. (Dean Wickliffe, currently on a hunger strike over an alleged assault by prison staff, was arrested for breaching parole by living in his car.)

    Last year, Corrections received $1.94 billion in operating and capital budget, a $150 million increase to account for rising imprisonment numbers and prison expansion. There was no meaningful increase in funding for rehabilitation programmes or investment in legal aid.

    Imprisoning people is expensive. The cost of a person on custodial remand has almost doubled since 2015, from $239 a day to $437. For sentenced prisoners, it is $562 per day. This comes to between $159,505 and $205,130 per year to confine one person.

    The Waikeria expansion and beyond

    Corrections has developed a Long-Term Network Configuration Plan to meet anticipated prison population growth. This year’s budget in May will fund 240 high-security beds and 52 health centre beds at Christchurch men’s prison, at a cost of approximately $700-800 million.

    Those 240 beds will fit within 160 cells, meaning “double-bunking”. This is known to have a significant impact to prisoner health and rehabilitation, and can also add to staffing costs.

    Former corrections minister Kelvin Davis acknowledged this before the first 600-bed expansion of Waikeria prison, costed at $750 million in 2018. By June 2023, that had increased by 22% to $916 million.

    The second Waikeria expansion will deliver another 810 beds for an estimated $890 million, although the exact budget has been unclear. These projects will involve public private partnership, a model known for not always delivering the cost savings and service quality initially promised.

    There will be other costs for facilities maintenance, asset management services and financing. And there can be unanticipated costs, too. For example, the government’s partner in the Waikeria expansion, Cornerstone, claimed $430 million against Corrections in 2022 for “time and productivity losses” due to COVID-19.

    These overall trends are happening while the government is also cutting funding for important social services. Shifting resources to improve social supports would be a better option – and one that has worked in Finland – than pouring more money into expanding prisons.

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

    – ref. New sentencing laws will drive NZ’s already high imprisonment rates – and budgets – even higher – https://theconversation.com/new-sentencing-laws-will-drive-nzs-already-high-imprisonment-rates-and-budgets-even-higher-253119

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with high range drink driving in St Helens

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man charged with high range drink driving in St Helens

    Thursday, 27 March 2025 – 11:25 am.

    A 35-year-old St Helens man has been charged with high-range drink driving and other driving offences after being intercepted by police in St Helens last night.
    Inspector Luke Manhood said the driver was intercepted by police on Medea Street, St Helens about 6.00pm and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.346 – almost seven times the legal limit.
    “He was arrested and charged with drink driving and driving while disqualified, and will appear in court at a later date.”
    “Drink driving is a serious and unacceptable risk to all road users, and being almost seven times the legal limit is both highly dangerous and reckless,” he said.
    Drink and drug driving are significant contributing factors to serious and fatal crashes, and police will not tolerate this behaviour.
    Police will continue to target those who place themselves and others at risk on our roads. Remember, we can be anywhere, at anytime.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Live on View invites emerging contemporary musicians to take centre stage

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Up and coming contemporary musicians and bands who are living, working, or studying in Greater Bendigo are invited to apply for a Live on View subsidy to perform at the Engine Room on View Street.

    The City will provide the venue, staffing, ticketing, and marketing support for the live performances at the iconic location in the heart of the city centre.

    The performers will receive the revenue from ticket sales.

    Live on View will support evening performances with two 45 min (approx.) sessions on the night. These may be allocated to a single act (musician/group) performing two sessions or may be allocated to two acts (one session each).

    Live on View covers:

    • One day of venue access: up to 8 hours including performance
    • A multi-skilled technician for eight hours of venue access
    • Pre-event consultation with a BV&E staff member to discuss technical and other requirements
    • Audio set up
    • Standard lighting rig including front and back light and colour changing stage wash
    • Projector and screen
    • Events will be ticketed via gotix, the City’s ticketing service. Tickets to all performances will be $10 each

    Manager Bendigo Venues & Events Julie Amos said this was a new subsidy for contemporary musicians and bands.

    “For emerging talent, this is an opportunity to get gig ready and take centre stage,” Ms Amos said.

    “It is a fantastic way to raise your profile and reach a wider audience and finesse your live performance. Priority will be given to emerging artists or those presenting new work.

    “BV&E will look after everything that is needed to host a professional gig, and the bands will receive revenue from the ticket sales for their gig.

    “Tickets are $10 each so residents and visitors can experience live performances from a range of local artists playing different genres in contemporary music.

    “The iconic Engine Room is an ideal location for a great vibe and intimate atmosphere, so I encourage emerging musicians to apply.”

    Live on View applications are now open. To find out more, or to apply, visit:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Create Lab emerging artists progress creative works with mentor support

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    Four local emerging artists have been awarded $2000 each in the 2025 Create Lab small grants program to explore a creative idea with the support of an artist mentor.

    A diverse range of projects across a variety of artforms including theatre, design, music and animation are included in the Create Lab program. 

    Creative City Officer Mandy Field said the focus of the funding was to encourage participating artists to experiment with ideas, develop their skills and capacity to work creatively.

    “It has been wonderful to support these innovative ideas from emerging artists who are exploring their unique ways of making and working creatively,” Ms Field said.

    “Artists have met with their mentors over a six-week period to gain insight into creative possibilities, explore new and different ways of working and methodologies.

    “Participating artists have had time to develop ideas, receive feedback and advice, get their project documented and present their works in progress, all important stages in the creative process.”

    Funded projects include:

    • The creative development of a solo version of MacBeth by local emerging actor and theatre maker Kody Austin, involving one actor and a bucket of fake blood
    • A stop motion animation based on an original script and intricate set pieces that will be manipulated and captured frame by frame by animator Zak Westcott
    • A series of show posters with original designs by Gemma Fitzgerald in conjunction with the Bendigo Pride Festival
    • A video clip for a new single by Mannix Harrington and band Sugargum

    The community is invited to attend a showcase of works in progress which will take place at 5pm on Friday March 28 at the Engine Room, 58 View Street.

    For more information about the Create Lab Showcase, please email: 

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Slams Tesla Attacks, Crockett’s Rhetoric Against Fellow Texans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) blasted two of the latest examples of Democrats’ unhinged behavior because President Trump was delivered a mandate on November 5th: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) using derogatory and unacceptable language against fellow Texans Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Democrats – who once considered themselves champions of electric vehicles – attacking Tesla cars and showrooms in Texas and nationwide. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “Just two days ago, police officers found what they called multiple incendiary devices at a local Tesla dealership in North Austin, where I live…This prompted a full bomb squad to respond, and an investigation is still under way.”

    “The Associated Press has reported that there have been at least 50 demonstrations around the country focused on Tesla, while more are planned, not just here in the United States, but around the world in countries like England, Spain, and Portugal.”

    “Some Tesla owners have reported incidents of vandalism on their personal vehicles. Some have even been spray painted with swastikas.”

    “We should not hesitate to call this what it is: Domestic terrorism…It’s reminiscent of the violent unrest that plagued our nation with the BLM riots that happened during the summer of 2020.”

    “We live in a democratic republic, not a banana republic.”

    “Placing bombs and lighting cars on fire is not an appropriate means of expressing dissenting views in a country like the one we are blessed to live in.”

    “I was disappointed to see one of my fellow Texans in our congressional delegation go so far as to condone these kind of activities.”

    “Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett recently made comments encouraging violent protests at a virtual rally. She said, ‘All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.’”

    “I would expect better than this sort of incendiary rhetoric from a member of Congress, who was elected to her position because of the very democracy we are fortunate to enjoy.”

    “This isn’t the only thing she said recently that has raised eyebrows and resulted in condemnation. Congresswoman Crockett recently commented that our governor, Governor Greg Abbott—who happens to be a paraplegic as a result of a terrible accident years ago—she referred to him as ‘Governor Hot Wheels.’”

    “Then Senator Cruz, my colleague, the junior senator from Texas, she said should ‘Be knocked over the head, like hard.’ This is disgraceful, and we should call it for what it is.”

    “This is a disturbing trend in political rhetoric, one that has turned to violence.”

    “All Americans and all Texans deserve better.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with attempted murder following Claremont, Dowsing Point, West Moonah incidents

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man charged with attempted murder following Claremont, Dowsing Point, West Moonah incidents

    Thursday, 27 March 2025 – 9:51 am.

    A man has been charged with multiple offences including attempted murder, arson, and evade police following incidents at Claremont, Dowsing Point and West Moonah yesterday.
    He has been charged with attempted murder, arson, unlawfully setting fire to a property, common assault, do an act which resulted in the death of an animal, stealing, attempted motor vehicle stealing, motor vehicle stealing, evade police (aggravated circumstances), dangerous driving, and unlawfully injuring property.
    The 55-year-old West Moonah man was detained to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at 10am today.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: International Law Enforcement Cooperation Leads to Takedown of U.S.- and Brazil-Based Alien Smugglers and Immigration Arrests

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    View the criminal complaint.

    Earlier today, extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Brazilian law enforcement and prosecution authorities culminated in a significant enforcement operation to dismantle a transnational criminal organization allegedly responsible for the illicit smuggling of hundreds of individuals from Brazil to the United States. The enforcement operation included the arrest on U.S. charges of a previously convicted alien smuggler who allegedly re-entered the United States illegally after deportation to Brazil and was residing in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) executed multiple search warrants in Brazil and arrested an alleged Brazil-based human smuggler.

    Flavio Alexandre Alves, also known as “Ronaldo,” 41, was arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to bring aliens to and transport aliens within the United States for the purpose of commercial or financial gain in violation of law. Alves will appeared in federal court in Worcester earlier today and was temporarily detained pending a detention hearing on Friday.

    According to court documents, Alves conspired with others to transport aliens from Brazil, through Mexico, and then into the United States. Once the aliens arrived in the United States, Alves allegedly purchased airline tickets for the aliens to other U.S. destinations. Alves also allegedly transferred money from the United States to aliens and smugglers located in Mexico to pay for expenses associated with transit into the United States and collected fees from aliens for being smuggled into the United States. Alves was previously convicted of human smuggling in the Central District of California in 2004 and was deported to Brazil in February 2005. Court documents indicate that Alves has been residing in the United States without immigration status after illegally re-entering the United States.

    It is alleged that between May 2021 and August 2022, Alves purchased more than 100 individual airline tickets from Tucson or Phoenix to destination cities in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania (Boston, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia). Some of these purchases were for migrants who had recently had encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers or were recently released from detention.

    Additionally, HSI offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, supported by other partner law enforcement agencies, detained four individuals today associated with the alien smuggling organization on administrative immigration violations.

    The investigation and arrest of Alves was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 315 U.S. convictions; more than 260 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

    HSI New England led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with HSI Brasilia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. OIA provided crucial assistance in this matter.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion and Acting Deputy Chief Frank Rangoussis of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: International Law Enforcement Cooperation Leads to Takedown of U.S.- and Brazil-Based Alien Smugglers and Immigration Arrests

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    View the criminal complaint.

    Earlier today, extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Brazilian law enforcement and prosecution authorities culminated in a significant enforcement operation to dismantle a transnational criminal organization allegedly responsible for the illicit smuggling of hundreds of individuals from Brazil to the United States. The enforcement operation included the arrest on U.S. charges of a previously convicted alien smuggler who allegedly re-entered the United States illegally after deportation to Brazil and was residing in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Brazilian Federal Police (PF) executed multiple search warrants in Brazil and arrested an alleged Brazil-based human smuggler.

    Flavio Alexandre Alves, also known as “Ronaldo,” 41, was arrested in Worcester, Massachusetts on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to bring aliens to and transport aliens within the United States for the purpose of commercial or financial gain in violation of law. Alves will appeared in federal court in Worcester earlier today and was temporarily detained pending a detention hearing on Friday.

    According to court documents, Alves conspired with others to transport aliens from Brazil, through Mexico, and then into the United States. Once the aliens arrived in the United States, Alves allegedly purchased airline tickets for the aliens to other U.S. destinations. Alves also allegedly transferred money from the United States to aliens and smugglers located in Mexico to pay for expenses associated with transit into the United States and collected fees from aliens for being smuggled into the United States. Alves was previously convicted of human smuggling in the Central District of California in 2004 and was deported to Brazil in February 2005. Court documents indicate that Alves has been residing in the United States without immigration status after illegally re-entering the United States.

    It is alleged that between May 2021 and August 2022, Alves purchased more than 100 individual airline tickets from Tucson or Phoenix to destination cities in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania (Boston, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia). Some of these purchases were for migrants who had recently had encounters with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers or were recently released from detention.

    Additionally, HSI offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, supported by other partner law enforcement agencies, detained four individuals today associated with the alien smuggling organization on administrative immigration violations.

    The investigation and arrest of Alves was coordinated under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 355 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 315 U.S. convictions; more than 260 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks or grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

    HSI New England led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with HSI Brasilia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. HSI received substantial assistance from CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force. OIA provided crucial assistance in this matter.

    Trial Attorney Alexandra Skinnion and Acting Deputy Chief Frank Rangoussis of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Noto for the District of Massachusetts are prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Do you feel £1,400 better off every year since 2014?

    Source: Scottish National Party

    In the 2014 independence referendum Westminster politicians said “every Scot will be £1,400 better off every year” if people voted ‘No’.

    It’s therefore painfully ironic that, just a decade later, people in Scotland see headlines saying “UK families to be ‘£1,400-a-year poorer by 2030’.”

    New analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) – using forecast models from the Bank of England – shows that the austerity policies of Keir Starmer’s government will leave people worse off in the next five years.

    The JRF also said that if living standards haven’t improved by 2030, Labour will not only have failed to meet their own election pledge but will have become the first government in nearly 75 years to have seen a fall in living standards across a full parliament.

    They concluded that the worse effects of these policies will fall on the poorest third of the population.

    The pledge that “every Scot will be £1,400 better off every year” is not only looking threadbare, it’s been ripped into rags by the very people who promised it.

    And, this is no joke, the same Westminster politicians seriously argued that this £1,400 meant people would be able to enjoy ‘scoffing 280 hot dogs’ or drinking ’636 cappuccinos’. Instead we’ve seen food banks rise year on year.

    But those aren’t the only promises Westminster politicians made to persuade people to vote ‘No’.

    In the run-up to the 2014 referendum people were also promised “lower shopping bills” and that Westminster would “keep energy costs down for families in Scotland“.

    Better Together on X: “Lower shopping bills than if we left the United Kingdom say supermarkets. Read more: http://t.co/hcmC81lu9q #indyref http://t.co/MmDmHF6nrt” / X

    Better Together on X: “Being part of the UK keeps energy costs down for families in Scotland http://t.co/VkNwzmQ4kq #indyref” / X

    They highlighted Gordon Brown urging people in Scotland to vote ‘No’ “to create a more socially just country“; and that a Westminster-run social security system “offers better protection for pensioners, disabled and the unemployed“.

    Better Together on X: “Gordon Brown urges people in Scotland to stay in the UK to create a more socially just country http://t.co/0s9ZggfkZN #indyref” / X

    Better Together on X: “Gordon Brown in Dundee: “Our UK welfare state offers better protection for pensioners, disabled and the unemployed.” http://t.co/AYzvqu9EBH” / X

    With Scots facing yet more energy bill increases – despite Labour promises to cut them by £300 – and Keir Starmer’s government cutting winter fuel payments for pensioners and support for the disabled.

    This situation not only makes a bad joke of the Westminster politicians’ promises in the 2014 independence referendum, but it also exposes the duplicity of Labour’s promise of “Change”.

    Even before the 2024 election the signs of the direction of the UK were obvious.

    Reports revealed that UK workers were missing out on over £10,000 a year, with living standards falling behind other G7 nations, as well as Australia and the Netherlands.

    Other analysis showed that, compared to neighbouring countries in north west Europe, the UK in the 21st century has had the least wealth per person, the most poverty, and the greatest gap between rich and poor. It also shows that countries similar in size or smaller than Scotland are wealthier and more equal than the north west European average.

    But it could be so much different, and better, for Scotland.

    With a huge offshore energy potential, a food and drink sector worth billions and one of the best educated populations in Europe and can even be asked: Why is Scotland in a UK trailing its neighbours so badly?

    The reason is that those countries don’t have government from Westminster obsessed with cutting public spending again and again.

    Those other countries get government’s they voted for with policies they want, and the results can be seen in how they are wealthier, fairer and happier than the UK.

    Despite the ‘No’ campaigns 2014 promises, Westminster isn’t working for Scotland, but independence works for those countries.

    So why shouldn’t it work for Scotland too?

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –