Source: The Conversation – UK – By Steve Schifferes, Honorary Research Fellow, City Political Economy Research Centre, City St George’s, University of London
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves faces her biggest test with the government’s departmental spending plans for the three years from next April until the general election. With nearly £600 billion a year to spend, her decisions will impact on every aspect of public life and shape the political weather for years to come.
She believes the key to reviving Labour’s fortunes as its poll ratings tumble lies in boosting economic growth.
So the government has promised that its policies will increase the UK’s anaemic growth rate and enhance productivity. Reeves is looking to capital spending on big projects that will boost the economy, such as the £14.2 billion government investment in a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell in Suffolk.
Last year she revised the government’s fiscal rules to give herself the space to borrow an extra £113 billion over three years to transform Britain’s ageing infrastructure. She has already made it clear that she wants to boost transport investment outside of London, as well as invest in research and development, including green energy.
But there are challenges ahead. In the first place, the effect of infrastructure investment takes a long time to feed through. This is partly because of the lag between planning the projects and when they come on-stream.
It will take time before the full effect will be felt on productivity, which has been growing more slowly than expected. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) suggested in March that the latest government plans for planning reform might increase productivity by just 0.2% in the longer term.
There are also some real trade-offs as to where the increased capital investment will go – and which sectors will benefit most. The chancellor has emphasised her commitment to putting more money into projects outside London and south-east England that have had less public investment in the past.
But London and the south-east is where productivity is highest and where further investment might have a bigger effect on economic growth.
It appears that there may be less funding for social housing, which may threaten the government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes over the parliament. There may also be less available to repair schools and hospitals.
And the plans to boost defence spending on expensive military equipment – such as frigates and fighter planes – will also count as capital spending. As such, it could further reduce the amount available for infrastructure investment.
The departmental trade-offs
Despite the relative abundance of cash for infrastructure, the tighter fiscal rules on day-to-day spending mean that many departments are facing a squeeze on their budgets. The government plans to allow total day-to-day departmental spending on average to rise by just 1.2% per year in real terms during the next three years. This probably spells a real-terms cut for some “unprotected” departments.
This is because the money will not be distributed equally. The Department of Health and Social Care gets 40% of all departmental spending and is likely to be the big winner.
It has already received a big increase in the last spending round, with an 11% increase in capital spending is likely to get even more to realise an ambitious ten-year plan for improving services in the NHS in England.
If health spending were to go up by 2.5% (well under its historic average), this could mean very little increase for many other government departments. And if it is increased by 3.5% this will imply real-terms cuts for other areas.
The situation is made more difficult by the government’s decision to prioritise two other areas: defence and schools. For defence, it is committed to raising spending to 2.5% by 2027 and to 3% in the next parliament.
And for education, Reeves has pledged an extra £4.5 billion per year for more teachers, childcare places and free school meals. The decisions have a strong political dimension, as health and education tend to be the most popular spending priorities among the public.
The spending review, however, only covers half of total government spending. The more unpredictable part is annually managed expenditure, mainly on benefits and interest payments on government debt.
The Treasury sets an overall target (known as the spending envelope) on how much will be spent in these areas. But it now faces a crunch point over the unpopular decisions to cut disability benefits and keep the two-child benefit cap.
Reeves’ partial U-turn on the winter fuel payment, which will now be paid to 9 million pensioners, will cost an additional £1.25 billion a year but may have been a political necessity.
But a full U-turn on the two other issues will be much more expensive. Taken together, such a change might breach the fiscal rules, which give only £10 billion of “headroom” in a total government budget of more than £1.2 trillion. So while there will be some rowing back, the finances suggest any more major U-turns are unlikely.
To make matters worse, these spending plans are based on an economic forecast made by the OBR in March. This did not include the effect of US president Donald Trump’s tariff plans. Since then, both the IMF and the OECD downgraded their UK growth forecasts for both 2025 and 2026, and despite a recent small upgrade by the IMF, growth is still significantly lower than previously expected.
Even though Britain seems to have secured a deal with the US, the effect of tariffs on global growth will still damage the UK’s prospects as a trading nation.
This will make it harder for the government to meet its fiscal targets in the autumn budget while sticking to the departmental spending plans. The chancellor will then have three options. She can look for more cuts in benefits spending.
She could try to find other sources of tax revenue, for example by tweaking the rules on taxing pensions or extending the freeze on upgrading tax bands. Or, more radically, she could modify the fiscal rules to give herself more flexibility – for example by having only one economic forecast a year, as the IMF has suggested.
Ultimately Labour’s electoral prospects will depend on whether it has succeeded in boosting living standards. While the productivity drive could work, the UK economy remains at the mercy of wider global economic forces.
Steve Schifferes 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.
Civil Nuclear Constabulary welcomes new barring list legislation
The CNC has welcomed new legislation which will prevent disgraced officers from re-joining the police service.
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary has welcomed new legislation which will introduce measures preventing CNC officers dismissed for gross misconduct from being employed again elsewhere in law enforcement agencies and local police forces.
The Home Office has today (10 June) tabled amendments to the flagship Crime and Policing Bill which will establish new barred and advisory lists for the National Crime Agency (NCA) and also for specialist police forces including the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), British Transport Police (BTP) and the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP).
This new measure will ensure that individuals dismissed for gross misconduct are prevented from re-entering policing or any other law enforcement role.
Where an individual is on the barred list, law enforcement agencies will not be able to employ them, and where an individual is named on the advisory list, the employer will be obligated to take this into consideration as part of the recruitment.
Each force’s list will be maintained by its respective authority, and law enforcement employers across England and Wales will be required to check these lists before hiring.
Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “The public deserve to know that those tasked with protecting them meet the highest standards.
“Under our Safer Streets mission, we are restoring confidence in policing by removing those who undermine it.
“This new measure ensures that officers who abuse their position in the CNC cannot resurface in other areas of policing — we will continue taking every possible step to protect the integrity of our law enforcement agencies.”
Assistant Chief Constable Kerry Smith, lead for Professionalism, said: “We welcome the Government’s move to close this legislative loop-hole. It will prevent those officers who fail to uphold our rigorous standards from being employed again within policing and law enforcement.
“We maintain robust vetting and professional standards, but in the rare instance of one of our officers being dismissed for gross misconduct, these measures will ensure that there is a process to ensure the public are protected and we can maintain trust and confidence in policing.”
The findings of an independent review into how the Council handled allegations of misconduct have been published today (10 June).
The findings of an independent review into how the Council handled allegations of misconduct have been published today (10 June).
Led by former Scottish Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion, the investigation focused on how the Council handled any allegations made, the policy and procedures in place to deal with similar types of allegations and what improvements, if any, could be made to safeguard against any inappropriate behaviour in future.
Following his appointment in February, Mr Dunion carried out a detailed review of relevant council policies, reports and other documents, webcasts of council meetings and 35 structured interviews. He also received 20 written representations from current and former councillors and staff.
In his report, which will be considered by councillors at a council meeting next Thursday (19 June), he concludes that complaints were, for the most part, handled properly and that the policies and procedures in place are broadly effective. In particular, he states that the recent allegations were ‘well handled and properly considered in line with the Council’s policies’.
However, he did identify issues with how previous concerns were dealt with and makes a series of recommendations around the Council’s complaints procedures and whistleblowing policy – in particular around the safeguarding of victims and/ or those making a complaint.
He also recommends further consideration of councillors’ conduct, their interactions with staff and the appropriateness of some social events in the City Chambers.
Chief Executive Paul Lawrence said: “I want to thank Kevin Dunion for leading this sensitive review and for his report, not least given the complexity of the brief and tight timescales.
“I know this must have been challenging and a difficult experience for many people and I particularly want to thank those who came forward to be interviewed or provided information to the review. Your input is very much appreciated.
“Subject to approval by councillors next Thursday, we will bring a further report back to the Policy and Sustainability Committee in August, outlining our proposed actions in response to Mr Dunion’s recommendations.”
Scotland’s future lays in renewable energy, we must reject new nuclear plans.
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The UK Government’s plans to spend billions of pounds of taxpayers money on new nuclear power stations across the UK will not cut energy bills, and will only line the pockets of profiteers, warns Scottish Greens co-leader and energy spokesperson Patrick Harvie MSP.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and MP Michael Shanks have been touting building so-called ‘small modular reactors’, despite the catastrophic failure of the nuclear power industry running over schedule and over budget in the UK, and a long record of nuclear accidents and near misses; such as fires and radiation leaks.
The first nuclear power plant to be built in the UK for over 30 years, at Hinkley Point, is nearing £28 billion over its original budget and despite the construction phase beginning in 2016, it will likely not generate any electricity until at least 2029 but possibly 2031.
“The only people set to benefit from new nuclear power are the shareholders and executives of big energy companies, not the families who urgently need support with energy bills.
“Nuclear power takes decades and billions of pounds to construct, as we’ve seen with the shambles of Hinkley Point. Households need help with energy bills now, and we have renewable energy sources in Scotland already generating abundant, cheap-to-produce energy. People can’t afford to wait twenty years for a new power station to come online.
“Without real action to fix the broken energy market, bill payers will continue to come second to energy company profits.
“Scottish Greens are clear that we want to see real investment in cheap, clean renewables such as wind, solar and tidal to bring down household bills and create green jobs without the extreme cost, time or safety risks of nuclear power.
“Scotland already produces a majority of our energy from cheap, clean, renewable sources, and we have so much potential to go even further. What governments need to do is end our reliance on fossil fuels, cut the artificial high price of electricity, and commit to a renewable future, not toxic, dangerous, expensive nuclear power.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Equine therapy at the heart of an award-winning, veteran-led community hub in the Rhondda Valley
Equine therapy is at the heart of an award-winning, veteran-led community hub in the Rhondda Valley.
Paul Bromwell standing with a horse. Copyright: RFCA for Wales
Around 20 years ago the charity Valley Veterans was founded by Falklands War veteran Paul Bromwell, initially as an informal support group for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Having served in the Welsh Guards during the Falklands Conflict 40 years ago, Paul was all too aware of the effects of returning to civilian life after leaving the Armed Forces. He himself suffered from PTSD as a result of his time in the South Atlantic, and on his return home to the Rhondda Valley, initially struggled to get the support he needed.
It was that struggle that led him to set up an informal support group for PTSD sufferers that has now grown into a vibrant, veteran-led community hub with more than 140 active participants.
In the latest in a series of accolades, Paul recently won the Community Champion category in the prestigious St David Awards – the national awards for Wales which recognise exceptional achievements by Welsh citizens. The award was presented by First Minister Eluned Morgan in a ceremony at the Senedd.
The award recognised how Valley Veterans provides weekly support for vulnerable veterans which benefits their mental and physical health. For the first 15 years Paul personally funded the group by remortgaging his home to purchase land to build stables for equine therapy services.
Over the years, the support at the hub has widened and the group now holds a breakfast club every Thursday in the Ton Pentre Community Centre that attracts up to 60 veterans each week, a Wednesday morning paperwork session, and daily equine and horticultural activities on nearby land.
Founder and CEO Paul Bromwell explained that the idea for equine therapy as part of the Valley Veterans hub came about because he wanted to offer the same opportunity to others that had been given to him.
Paul said:
I went away horse trekking with Combat Stress and it helped me so much that when I came home, I bought a horse and on the days that I couldn’t sleep, I’d be up on the mountain with my horse and it would calm me down.
I just thought if this is working for me that it will help others. By then I was looking after a couple of lads that were good friends of mine and were also feeling a bit of stress and had problems caused through active service.
And from those early days of a few friends and one horse, Valley Veterans now links many support groups and more than 100 veterans across the Valley.
When people need help, we are always here – it’s never that dark place with no-one to help, there’s always somebody here,
said Paul.
Being outside has been a game changer for many of the people that come here – it could be working in the gardening, mucking out the stables or grooming the horses –the benefits are clear to see.
They can come and get help with their paperwork on a Wednesday, socialise at the breakfast club on a Thursday and any day of the week, work outside in the gardens and the equine area.
Gary Pethig (64) from Gelli, who served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, said,
This group has changed my life – it has literally been a godsend for me because without it I’d just be sitting at home watching television – instead I come here and have made lots of new friends.
I get practical face-to-face help from various organisations who help me fill in all sorts of paperwork which otherwise I would find very difficult or impossible to complete by myself online or over the phone – and this means I can access the help that I need and am entitled to.
I also enjoy getting outside by going outside into the garden and growing crops.
Stephen Roberts (55) from Williamstown, who served in the Royal Engineers and now works for the Welsh Blood Service, said,
I first came here six years ago as I was struggling with PDSD, I’d shut myself away from society and was struggling to get out. I knew about this place but I didn’t have the guts to come up here until eventually I arranged to meet someone here that I knew and have been coming ever since.
I have met a brilliant bunch of friends that I’m close to and have had support off them ever since. It has changed my life, I was withdrawn from society before but coming up and spending time here and socialising has helped me hugely and I can now go out to social events such as birthday celebrations and fundraisers that I wasn’t able to before.
Des Sparey (79) from Caerphilly, who served in The Welch Regiment, said:
This group has changed my life totally, without it I’d be lost. There is nothing better than coming up and talking to the guys here – I love it and won’t be without it. There are charities here that will help you if you have problems with things like healthcare, your finances or even finding somewhere to live.
Veteran support agencies, mental health organisations, local authority representatives and other community groups attend the Thursday and Wednesday sessions to provide support and advice on areas ranging from housing support to employment and benefits advocacy.
Sian Sexton, Money Advice Advocate for MIND said:
We are here building relationship, doing the groundwork and providing consistency. We are able to provide practical face-to-face help for people such as filling in forms when they need it and how they need it so they can access help more easily and more quickly.
Stephen Sullivan, Strategic Pathways Development Officer, Adferiad Change Step said:
I use this hub on a weekly basis and I bring in other projects – it’s all about collaboration and networking and making the referral pathways easier.
South Africa is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, associated with a rise in cases in certain regions of Asia.
This is according to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who addressed the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the Group of 20 (G20), which is underway in Johannesburg.
Motsoaledi said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated this “a variant under monitoring” due to its growing presence.
India is the latest country to experience a surge in new COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the new variant, NB.1.8.1.
According to the Independent, infections have been confirmed in several Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia and China.
In addition, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency reported the first 13 cases of this variant in England last week.
“I wish to reassure this esteemed gathering that South Africa has robust surveillance systems in place.
“Our National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) manages a comprehensive sentinel surveillance programme that systematically tests for key respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV. Currently, our data show very low SARS-CoV-2 activity,” Motsoaledi explained.
South Africa is currently experiencing a seasonal rise in influenza, but the country is well-prepared to manage the situation, he said.
“Crucially, the new variant remains a descendant of the Omicron lineage. This means that current recommendations for updated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are still effective. Therefore, at this stage, no specific new public health actions are required from the public.”
Motsoaledi said government continues to promote good hygiene practices, including handwashing, covering coughs, and staying home when feeling unwell.
“These simple measures are effective in reducing the spread of all respiratory illnesses. We will continue to monitor the situation closely through our established networks and will report any significant changes.”
Meanwhile, he called on the attendees of the meeting to work together with “renewed urgency and unwavering resolve”.
“Let us build a future where solidarity, equity, and cooperation are the cornerstones of our global health architecture.”
The week-long Health Working Group meeting began on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday.
It brings together health leaders, experts, and policymakers from the world’s largest economies, invited nations, and international organisations.
The plenary sessions will build on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and address ongoing barriers to accessing countermeasures, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
There will be a focus on prioritising the expansion of local and regional manufacturing capacity, especially in regions like Africa.
Delegates will also explore opportunities for technology transfer, sustainable financing, and regulatory alignment to ensure timely and equitable access to life-saving tools during health emergencies. – SAnews.gov.za
In reality, the competition is the latest chapter in FIFA’s long-running quest – going all the way back to 1960 – to create a global championship that would determine which club really is the best in the world.
As always, the litmus test for success will come from the fans. So far, things are not going well on that front. Falling prices on Ticketmaster bode ill for the competition. Just days before the games were due to begin, FIFA slashed prices for the opening match: MLS club Inter Miami against Egypt’s Al-Ahly. Reports suggest that less than a third of tickets at the 65,000-seat venue for the opener, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, had sold – despite the likely presence of soccer superstar Lionel Messi.
Of course, the declining number of tourists coming to the U.S. since the second inauguration of Donald Trump – and the president’s recently announced travel ban affecting 19 countries – hasn’t helped encourage fans of the global game to the U.S., even if none of the competing clubs come from one of those countries.
FIFA vs. UEFA
So, given all the problems and controversies, why is FIFA so invested?
As someone who has long researched the nexus of soccer, money and power, I see the World Club Cup as part of a struggle between UEFA, the European governing body that runs the Champions League – currently seen as the pinnacle of soccer club competition – and FIFA, which wants to supplant the Champions League with its own competition.
UEFA’s power stems from hosting the world’s biggest clubs. Only one club from outside Europe appears in soccer data website Transfermarkt’s list of the 50 most valuable squads – with Palmeiras from Brazil squeaking in at 50.
Top players in their prime rarely quit Europe to play on another continent – the high-profile names that opt to play in the U.S. or Saudi leagues tend to be veterans cashing in on their name.
Meanwhile, the world’s soccer talent flocks to European clubs. It’s not just that big clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool or Bayern Munich that can pay top dollar for the star players – less storied clubs like Brentford, Real Sociedad or VfB Stuttgart have the wherewithal to fish in the global player market.
The wealth and status of these clubs form the muscle behind UEFA. And the jewel in the UEFA crown is the Champions League, an annual competition that brings together the best clubs in Europe.
A game of two halves
While UEFA also has its own national competition, the Euros, its pull is nowhere near as great as FIFA’s World Cup.
This division – with FIFA dominating the international team competition and UEFA the club competition – dates back to the 1960s and the early years of mass television.
When the 1966 World Cup was hosted by England, it was one of the very first global sports events, watched by an estimated audience of 400 million people worldwide.
The 1970 World Cup, a legendary event in the eyes of boomer soccer fans, established the four-year ritual that surpasses even the Olympics as a global sporting event.
At this time, UEFA’s Euros were barely a competition at all. The 1968, 1972 and 1976 editions – played in Italy, Belgium and Yugoslavia, respectively – each had only four teams and only four or five games.
UEFA had by then established its role in club competition. The European Cup, as the Champions League was then called, started in 1955.
Ferenc Puskas of Real Madrid scores his team’s sixth goal during the European Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 18, 1960. Keystone/Getty Images
Witnessed by a crowd of 128,000 at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, the more important statistic was the estimated 70 million television audience in Europe.
The 1968 final at London’s Wembley Stadium, when Manchester United overcame Benfica in honor of the “Busby Babes” – Manchester players who died in a 1958 Munich air disaster while traveling home from a European Cup game – saw a TV audience of 270 million.
A history of failure
The ambition to create a club world cup to rival the European Cup goes back to the 1950s. Soccer powerhouses Brazil and Argentina in particular promoted the idea that the top clubs in Europe should face off against the top South American teams.
The resulting Intercontinental Cup ran from 1960 to 2004, with the top teams from UEFA and CONMEBOL, the South American soccer federation, taking part.
But played in midseason, it barely made an impression on the fans.
In 2000, FIFA created the Club World Championship, with eight teams drawn from the five international federations.
It also attracted little love, and the 2001-to-2004 editions had to be canceled for lack of financial backing.
In the early years, it seemed like an excuse to emulate the Intercontinental Cup, and the first three winners were South American. However, since 2006, all the winners bar one – Brazil’s Corinthians in 2012 – have been European.
Europe is ‘on the beach’
Then, in 2017, Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, announced plans to expand the competition and move it to the summer. With 32 teams, the competition will look more like the World Cup and will receive a lot of TV coverage.
The fact that it will be free to watch will help. So too will the presence of Messi.
Yet the overwhelming feeling going into the competition is that, like its predecessors, the revamped FIFA club competition is destined for failure.
With the European domestic leagues all completed and the Champions League final – the unofficial marker of the end of the soccer season – having taken place on May 31, players and fans appear to be “on the beach,” to use a favorite phrase of soccer commentators.
Ultimately, FIFA’s revamped World Club Cup faces the same issues that beset its forerunners: European teams are overwhelmingly tipped to win.
Rather than the global soccer “solidarity” that FIFA hopes, the competition sets to reinforce the dominance of European clubs – and of Europe’s governing body when it comes to club competition.
Stefan Szymanski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alex Newman, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Sustainability Assessment at the Grantham Centre, University of Sheffield
Tomatoes could be grown at an industrial scale using heat generated from burning household waste in Essex, UK. Jenoche/Shutterstock
A new project in Bradwell, Essex, aims to change how we grow food and how we deal with our rubbish. Slated to begin operations in 2027, the Rivenhall greenhouse project could become Europe’s largest low-carbon horticulture facility.
The idea is to close two loops at once. By processing most of Essex’s household waste, the region’s reliance on landfill can be reduced – this cuts the amount of biodegradable waste decomposing to release methane (a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide). Also, by diverting the energy from that waste to grow food locally, less produce will need to be imported from regions increasingly vulnerable to climate-related stresses like drought and water scarcity.
The giant greenhouse will sit next to the Rivenhall integrated waste management facility, operated by waste company Indaver. Household waste will be incinerated on site, producing steam. Some of that steam will drive turbines to generate electricity and power the greenhouse. The rest of the steam will heat the greenhouse at a constant temperature all year round.
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To further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a carbon capture system (separates CO₂ from other gases in exhaust streams) will extract around 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually from the incinerator’s flue gases. Rather than releasing this into the atmosphere, the captured carbon dioxide will be piped into the greenhouse to enhance plant growth.
Still, the scale of carbon capture is modest and not a quick fix. The 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide expected to be captured annually represents less than 10% of typical emissions from similar-scale waste facilities.
The facility will include 13 hectares of artificially lit greenhouse space for winter growing and a vertical farm (growing crops in stacked layers) converted from a former RAF hangar to grow leafy greens. In theory, this creates a resilient, year-round food production system largely decoupled from fossil fuels and climate-sensitive imports.
Burning waste to grow tomatoes might sound counterintuitive. Incinerators still release emissions after all. As a method of electricity generation, incineration of waste has a higher carbon footprint than burning coal. But in the context of current waste management and food import practices, it may make sense.
According to the UK government’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, around 30.8% of England’s household waste went to landfill in 2023 (around 8 million tonnes). Landfill emissions (primarily methane) are not just large – they’re long-lived and hard to capture.
Rivenhall’s model claims to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 20% compared to landfill. When electricity, heat, and food outputs are factored in, and carbon capture included, emissions per kilogram of tomato could be substantially lower than those from conventional imports or fossil-powered greenhouses.
But low-carbon status is not a badge that companies claim, it’s a result that needs to be verified. In lifecycle assessment (a method for measuring the environmental impacts of a product, service, or system, and the focus of my research), low-carbon status only applies if net emissions per kilogram of tomato are demonstrably lower than those from the realistic baseline.
That baseline, be it landfill, composting, anaerobic digestion, or recycling, must be clearly defined. If incinerated waste includes material better suited to recycling, the claimed benefits narrow or vanish.
The success of this particular project hinges not just on technical integration, but on accurate emissions accounting and efficient performance of carbon capture systems.
According to the waste hierarchy, the most sustainable strategy for reducing waste-related emissions is not incineration, but waste prevention and reduction. Energy recovery is better than landfill, but less preferable than eliminating waste altogether.
The bigger picture
In the Netherlands, greenhouses often run on combined heat and power systems. In Canada, some horticultural operations use industrial waste heat. But Rivenhall’s scale and its tight integration with waste management infrastructure makes it unusual. If it works, it could serve as a blueprint for how regions can simultaneously tackle food security and waste while keeping the environmental cost of consumption closer to home.
Beyond greenhouse gas emissions, there are other environmental considerations. Even modern incinerators produce air-polluting nitrogen oxides and particulates, which must be rigorously controlled to avoid human health problems such as lung disease. To comply with the UK’s biodiversity net gain rules, natural habitats and wildlife populations around this site must be enhanced, not degraded.
While delivering on its technical promises, Rivenhall must also prove that its low-carbon credentials are more than just hot air. Even so, projects like this are no substitute for upstream solutions like waste prevention, reduced consumption and circular design.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Alex Newman 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.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on news that the UK government is investing in a nuclear plant at the Sizewell C site and a small modular reactor programme.
Prof Patrick Regan, Professor of Nuclear Metrology, University of Surrey, said:
“The announcement that the UK government has committed £14.2bn of investment to build European Pressurized Reactors (EPRs) at the Sizewell C site will contribute to the UK tackling the delicate balance between ever-increasing secure energy requirements and our commitment to achieving net-zero. The EPRs planned at Sizewell C represent Generation 3+ technology and build on more than 70 years of operational reactor experience worldwide to provide the cleanest, safest and most efficient form of nuclear power yet.
“This large investment, however, brings with it the obvious need to produce and maintain a highly skilled, expert workforce related to all phases of the Sizewell C project. Science and Engineering Apprentice, Graduate and Post-Graduate training in areas such as chemical engineering, material science, nuclear physics & radiochemistry, environmental monitoring, radiation measurement and health physics will be key in enabling ‘life-long’ UK-based careers in this industry, in line with such a far horizon project. This is a long-term investment in the UK’s national infrastructure, and it needs a skilled workforce to ensure its ultimate success.”
Dr Phil Johnstone, Principal Research Fellow, University of Sussex Science Policy Research Unit, Patron of Nuclear Information Service, Member of Sussex Energy Group, and Member of Nuclear Consultation Group:
Is this a good move?
“The decision on Sizewell C is a bad move. It will likely lead to increasing costs for UK electricity consumers and represents a significantly slower means of combatting climate change than alternative options. The announcement comes alongside the decision to select submarine reactor manufacturer Rolls Royce as the winning bidder to develop Small Modular Reactors. These are part of the same underlying goal: to sustain the UK military nuclear industrial base via subsidies from civil nuclear power, with democratic scrutiny of this strategy almost entirely absent.”
Prof Andy Stirling, professor of science and technology policy at the University of Sussex Science Policy Research Unit:
Is this a good move (or not) when it comes to energy and fossil fuels?
“It is well acknowledged behind the scenes (but denied in public), that this move is more intended to support the kind of nuclear industrial base needed for military than for climate reasons. Nuclear power stations like Sizewell C are so slow and expensive compared to renewables and storage strategies, that they erode rather than enhance climate action.”
What does this mean for UK energy production? Is there overspeculation?
“This will make UK energy production needlessly more expensive, less secure and less effective in climate terms, than if the same money had been spent on renewables and energy storage.”
What does the science say?
“On this as on many other policy issues, what counts as ‘the science’ is more uncertain and context-dependent than any side typically implies. If either nuclear advocates or critics claim their arguments to be uniquely or unequivocally science-based then that is a sign that they are seeking to mislead.”
Dr Sarah Darby, Emerita Research Fellow, Energy Programme, Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, said:
“The argument that building Sizewell C will be markedly cheaper and quicker than Hinkley C is weak. Hinkley C is ‘first of a kind’ in the UK but has the same design as Olkiluoto in Finland and Flamanville in France. These two have been, respectively, over 10 years late and almost four times over budget [1] and over 12 years late and over four times over budget in real terms [2,3]. Neither is yet working reliably [4,5].
“The unfinished Hinkley C was reported by EdF last year as already 90% over budget and 7 years late – and EdF do not expect it to be finished before 2029-31.
“In the light of these figures from three power plants of the same design as SZC, Ed Miliband’s forecast of a 10-year build time looks wildly optimistic. Where cost and complexity are concerned, there is the additional concern about the SZC site being on a flood-prone and eroding coastline, with sea levels on the rise.
“EdF are now wholly owned by the French government, following their extreme financial difficulties, and it is unclear whether they will take any stake at all in SZC. This is hardly a vote of confidence in the prospects of their own design.
“The argument that nuclear build helps with climate goals is similarly weak. New nuclear would arrive too late to assist – renewables already supply over half of UK generation [6] – and are on the rise. The massive sums involved are money not spent on quicker and more effective moves towards energy transition. Bloomberg NEF’s latest assessment of energy transition investment trends* refers to renewables, energy storage, electric vehicles, and power grids as ‘proven, commercially scalable [and with] established business models’, yet categorises nuclear power as an ‘emerging’ technology, with investment held back by lack of affordability and technology maturity [7].
“Nuclear is being presented by the Government as complementary to renewables, for ‘when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow’. But what we need for these times – and for times of abundant renewable supply – is flexibility from storage and demand-side response, not large-scale inflexible power plants that cannot easily be turned down or up and that can be shut down at a moment’s notice [5,8].
“As so often, the debate is focused on supply rather than demand – what we use energy for. The government are citing figures of a doubling of demand by 2050 that are certainly not set in stone and likely to be exaggerated. AI demands are the new kid on the block but, as DeepSeek has shown, they need not be nearly as high as is often made out. There is still plenty of scope to improve energy security through energy efficiency, allied with storage and demand-side response, without compromising quality of life [9].
“Successive governments have already sunk £6.4bn of taxpayers’ money into Sizewell C, but this is no reason to compound the error. A further £14.2bn is substantial but falls a long way short of the £40bn ‘overnight’ cost estimated by the FT [10]. Further, this £40bn estimate does not take into account the costs of capital, decommissioning and disposal of waste. The last of these is itself a topic of major concern to the Public Accounts Committee [11].
“It is not too late to avoid a FID for Sizewell C and to steer funding in more productive directions, including modernisation of the electricity grid, energy efficient buildings and transport systems, and storage. Such investment could create jobs and improve living conditions around the country.”
Stephanie Baxter, Head of Policy, Institution of Engineering and Technology, said:
“The £14.2 billion of funding announced today for the development of Sizewell C, alongside selecting Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to develop the UK’s first small modular reactors, marks an important step forward towards nuclear playing a significant role in the UK’s energy mix.
“Nuclear infrastructure, both large and small, will be needed in our energy system if the UK is to have a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system for 2030 and beyond. However, the Government must also take a whole system view of the wider energy system to ensure new nuclear infrastructure compliments other energy generation and distribution resources currently deployed and being developed.
“Significant infrastructure projects such as these rely on long-term stability – in the supply chain, regulations and the skills pipeline. That is why today’s announcements must be backed up by clear plans for delivery, including engagement with local communities.
“These ambitions will also not be met without the skilled engineering and technician workforce that will be critical to delivering and maintaining new nuclear infrastructure.
“Great British Energy must work closely with Skills England to ensure that these plans are backed by a long-term workforce strategy to deliver skilled job opportunities across the country – both by training up new workers in schools and colleges, and upskilling/reskilling the existing workforce through flexible funding in the Growth and Skills Levy.”
Will Davis, Nuclear Expert and a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Centre, said:
“Today’s announcements are a clear demonstration of the government’s long-term commitment to low-carbon energy security, extending beyond the 2030 clean power target and taking concrete steps toward achieving net zero by 2050.
“To meet our net zero ambitions, we must significantly scale up electricity generation – by two to three times current levels – and this will only be possible through large-scale projects like Sizewell C and the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programme.
“While these developments are both welcome and necessary, the UK nuclear industry must address its ongoing credibility challenges around delivering projects on time and within budget. Unlike the UK’s Hinkley Point C, nuclear projects in countries like China and the UAE have avoided major delays. Learning from these international examples is essential if we are to attract private investment and reduce reliance on gas-fired power stations.
“The selection of a preferred bidder for the SMR fleet is a long-awaited milestone – over a decade in the making – and we’re pleased to see it finally progressing.
“The clarification of roles between Great British Energy and Great British Energy – Nuclear, with NESO overseeing the critical upgrades to our national electricity infrastructure is welcomed. These upgrades are vital and must be properly funded, not treated as an afterthought.
“With the announcements on Sizewell C and SMRs, we urge the government to clarify its position on future gigawatt-scale nuclear projects, such as the previously proposed development at Wylfa.
“New nuclear power stations require a high-tech supply chain and a highly skilled workforce. Investment in key manufacturers like Sheffield Forgemasters is encouraging, but broader supply chain investment hinges on project certainty – contracts must be signed.
“The IET continues to support the sector through initiatives like the Nuclear Skills Taskforce. We’re also pleased to see continued investment in STEP, the UK’s prototype fusion power plant. A £2.5 billion commitment is significant and deserves more visibility.
“However, we note the absence of updates on advanced nuclear technologies, which could play a crucial role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steelmaking and hydrogen production. We hope to see further clarity on this soon.”
Dr Lewis Blackburn, Lecturer in Nuclear Materials, University of Sheffield, said:
“Today the UK government demonstrated a clear and renewed commitment to nuclear fission as a means to achieve Net Zero, a key goal that was outlined in the 2024 White Paper “Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050”. This comes in the form of an approximately £14B commitment to the Sizewell C project, comprising two EPR (European Pressurised Reactors) delivering a total of 3.2 GWe. The project is forecast to support 70k jobs and produce enough energy to power 6M UK homes. Today’s news also comes alongside an announcement that Rolls-Royce have been identified as the preferred bidder to construct the UK’s first Small Modular Reactors (SMR) – a fleet of smaller fission reactors designed to be built ‘modular’ on a production line, prior to shipping and assembly on-site.
“The UK faces a potential skills challenge in the field of nuclear engineering and projects like Sizewell C and Rolls-Royce SMR offer an exciting opportunity to build a skills pipeline, increasing the number and diversity of people entering the nuclear workforce, and bolstering the supply chain.
“In order for the UK to maintain its international reputation as a leader in civil nuclear, it must continue to invest heavily in new infrastructure, the wider industrial supply chain and R&D. Thus, producing the next generation of nuclear expertise in both the industrial and academic sectors, equipping them with the skills required for the UK to continue to utilise nuclear fission, safely, for generations to come.
“An important aspect of this is ensuring that highly radioactive waste, generated as a by-product of nuclear fission, is not passed onto future generations and is permanently disposed of. In this area, the UK is in the process of siting a geological disposal facility – a dedicated site wherein intermediate and high-level radioactive waste will be isolated from the wider environment permanently. The international consensus in the wider scientific and technical community is that this is the only feasible way to safely manage such wastes, ensuring passive safety. This is the focus of significant R&D in both the technical and academic space.”
Dr Mark Foreman, Associate professor of Nuclear Chemistry / Industrial Materials Recycling, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, said:
“Building a new power plant based on light water reactors at Sizewell is a good idea, it will provide a reliable supply of electric power which will help society reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. I hold the view that it will be a safe means of providing for the energy needs of society. Many critics of nuclear power use the example of the Chornobyl accident to argue that all nuclear power plants are unsafe. This is unreasonable, operating the Chornobyl reactor in the same way as it was just before the accident can be thought of as like roller blading along the M1. While running modern (or even a 1980s era) light water reactor is like calmly driving a Volvo equipped with all the latest safety features along the M1.”
Prof Robin Grimes FRS FREng, Professor of materials physics, Imperial College London, said:
“Large plants such as Hinckley, currently under construction and this announced plant at Sizewell are very good at providing constant base load electricity capacity. They are also good for supporting grid stability and providing inertia. Of course they offer generation diversity and energy security. They will offer these benefits for many decades. As we turn to more electricity use to reduce carbon emissions we will need more nuclear electrify. However, large plant are less good at helping with the inherent intermittency of renewables. For this we need the greater flexibility as provided by small modular reactors or the higher temperatures of advanced modular reactors which offer access to more technology options for decarbonisation. I therefore see this announcement as part of the systems approach by which we progress to greater energy security and decarbonisation.”
Prof David Armstrong, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering (Department of Materials), University of Oxford, said:
“This is excellent news for the UK energy landscape. As the UKs aging AGR fleet retires new baseload energy is required. Sizewell C will sit alongside Hinkley Point B to provide sustainable emission free baseload energy complementing the growing wind and solar power and making a significant contribution to UK energy security.”
Dr Iain Staffell, Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, said:
“Today’s decision is an important one, but even with Hinkley C and Sizewell C, the UK’s nuclear capacity in the 2030s will still be below its 1990s peak.
“After a decade of dithering, Sizewell C is a litmus test of the UK’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure on schedule.
“This deal lives or dies on its delivery. Sizewell C must be built on time and on budget, learning from the (many) mistakes from Hinkley Point C and other UK mega-projects.
“Nuclear power offers a strong energy security hedge. Fuel and key parts can be stockpiled, insulating consumers from foreign instability and gas price spikes.
“Sizewell C won’t start generating for nearly a decade if it is built on time, so it only just contributes towards the Government’s 2035 clean-power goal. But, it is building for the long-term, and will deliver carbon-free electricity well into the 2080s.
“People are rightly concerned by the environmental impacts and emissions from the enormous construction project, but compared to the scale of energy production over the next six decades, nuclear remains one of the cleanest power sources we have.
“The upfront cost is undoubtedly high. £14 billion could fund around 10 GW of offshore wind versus just 3.2 GW of nuclear. But, these reactors will run day and night, especially valuable when the wind is not blowing.”
Louis Barson, the Institute of Physics Director of Science, Innovation and Skills said:
“It is good to see this decision made about developing Sizewell C. New nuclear will play a vital role in bringing reliable, secure and affordable power to new markets, decarbonising industry and helping countries meet their net zero commitments – as part of our future low-carbon energy mix.
“But we need to make sure we also pay attention to the desperate need for hundreds of thousands of skilled workers to support both this project and the development of smaller, modular, nuclear reactors.
“Signing off on Sizewell C is only half the picture, we need the nuclear-ready scientific workforce to make it a reality: that means more physics teachers, well-funded physics departments in universities and a healthy pipeline of physics talent.”
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive, Nuclear Industry Association, said:
On Sizewell C Given Go-Ahead from Government
“This is a momentous day for Sizewell C and for the British nuclear programme. Sizewell C is one of Britain’s most important clean power projects, and will give the country the jobs, the economic growth and the energy security we need to ensure a secure and reliable power supply for the future. This record investment confirms the government is serious about building new nuclear and all the economic benefits that come with it, and will be welcomed in communities the length and breadth of Britain.”
On Rolls-Royce SMR Winning the UK SMR Competition
“This is a hugely significant moment for Rolls-Royce SMR and for the British nuclear programme. These SMRs will provide essential energy security and clean power alongside large scale reactors, all the while creating thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs, opportunities for growth right across the country and significant export potential. We look forward to working with Rolls-Royce SMR and all other potential SMR vendors, including those not successful today, on making Britain the best place to build new nuclear anywhere in the world.”
Prof Mark Wenman, Professor in Nuclear Materials, Imperial College London, said:
“This is a big step forward. Since the 1990s the amount of nuclear energy the UK produces has been steadily declining from around 12 to 4.5 GWe today. Sizewell C will help reverse this trend and further provide the UK with energy security. It will help balance the grid with the increase of renewables, replace fossil fuel plants and protect us against potential blackouts, as recently seen in Spain. Whilst the costs may seem high initially, this needs to be balanced against the fact that these reactors will produce low carbon electricity for 80 or possibly 100 years, 24/7, providing around a tenth of the current UK electricity needs. Once paid for, nuclear reactors produce the cheapest electricity of any kind, so this investment should be seen as future proofing the UK electricity system.”
Prof Adrian Bull,Chair in Nuclear Energy and Society, Dalton Nuclear Institute, University of Manchester, said:
“It’s very welcome news to see the announcements today of Government support for a new wave of nuclear power in this country. We’ve known for decades that reliance on imported gas could ruin the environment – but recent years showed us that it can ruin the economy too. Nuclear gives much-needed resilience against global fossil fuel prices, without emitting the gases that cause climate change, so it’s excellent news that we are going to see new plants – both large and small – built.
“I’m especially pleased that we have finally got over our national phobia of replicating a previous project. We’ve never done that in our UK nuclear fleet before, but the rest of the world learned ages ago that series construction is the route to certainty over the time and budget for such projects. Doing the same things at Sizewell which we have already done at Hinkley Point is much easier than starting from scratch to build a massively complex plant for the first time.
“The announcement of Rolls Royce as the winner of the SMR competition is a welcome sign of progress, but it’s disappointing to see only one winner selected, when we had all anticipated more. Government has long been supporting the Rolls Royce SMR project – with over £200m of public funds provided already – so it was inconceivable they would not be on the podium at the end of the race. Seeing them there alone makes the two years spent by Great British Nuclear on running a competition look like time and effort that could have been better spent.
“Overall though, these nuclear plants – whilst not cheap – will produce reliable, low carbon electricity around the clock and will most likely do so for the best part of a century. This is an investment in our grandchildren’s future as well as helping towards our 2050 climate goal.”
Prof Dame Sue Ion GBE FREng FRS, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“It’s really good news that the Government is finally taking steps to ensure that nuclear energy plays the vital role it should in achieving significant quantities of stable low carbon electricity. Perhaps as importantly, if not more so, is the news that Rolls Royce’s Small Modular Reactor has been selected as the technology of choice to progress the opportunity presented by SMRs. These systems are designed from the outset to be modular, with modern construction techniques using much more factory fabrication, so they will be faster and easier to build.”
Prof Tom Scott, Professor in Materials, University of Bristol, said:
“This is an extremely important strategic step for the UK towards achieving net zero carbon emissions. Nuclear energy is a safe, secure and reliable form of electricity generation. With the lessons learnt from the Hinkley Point C project, and with the experienced workforce and supply chain that has been established because of it, my expectations are high for the delivery of Sizewell C at a much lower cost and shorter timescale.
“The announcement about Government investment in Sizewell C and more excitingly, about the investment in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), really shows the Government’s understanding and commitment towards nuclear as a key part of the solution towards achieving zero carbon emissions in the UK.
“SMRs offer the potential for providing new nuclear power stations much faster and more cheaply than conventional large-scale light water reactors like Hinkley Point C. Ultimately, the roll-out of SMRs delivered by British companies like Rolls-Royce will help to keep our electricity prices low whilst also generating high-value jobs across the U.K. This is a smart investment for the UK.”
Dr Mark Foreman, Associate professor of Nuclear Chemistry / Industrial Materials Recycling, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, said:
“Building a new power plant based on light water reactors at Sizewell is a good idea, it will provide a reliable supply of electric power which will help society reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. I hold the view that it will be a safe means of providing for the energy needs of society. Many critics of nuclear power use the example of the Chornobyl accident to argue that all nuclear power plants are unsafe. This is unreasonable, operating the Chornobyl reactor in the same way as it was just before the accident can be thought of as like roller blading along the M1. While running modern (or even a 1980s era) light water reactor is like calmly driving a Volvo equipped with all the latest safety features along the M1.”
Prof Adrian Bull: “I am a (paid) part time Professor at the Dalton Nuclear Institute, part of the University of Manchester; I am a (paid) consultant for US nuclear communications consultancy Full On Communications; I am an (unpaid) Board member of the Northern Nuclear Alliance; I am an (unpaid) Trustee of the Nuclear Institute; and am also the President-Elect, taking over in Jan 2026.”
Prof Dame Sue Ion: “Sue is Honorary President of the National Skills Academy for Nuclear.” “Sue is also a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Task Force.”
Prof Tom Scott: “In terms of interests, I am Director of the Spur West Nuclear Hub and Professor of Nuclear Materials at the University of Bristol sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
The nuclear hub is a consortium of academic, industrial and governmental partners coalescing around the requirement for research, skills and innovation in the UK nuclear sector.”
Dr Mark Foreman: “I have worked on advanced nuclear reprocessing for years and have also have worked on nuclear reactor safety issues. I have done and supervised research on the chemistry of nuclear accidents.”
Prof Mark Wenman “I have previously received funding for research from EDF Energy, Rolls-Royce, the UK National Nuclear Lab”
Tom Greatrex “The NIA is funded by its 320 member companies from across the civil nuclear industry.”
Dr Iain Staffell “I receive industry funding from a several companies in the UK and European energy sector, I try to keep this balanced so as not to over-represent any one technology or organization. Recent funding sources include: Drax, Octopus, SSE, HM Government, NESO (National Grid), EWE, Aurora, Baringa, Shell, Uniper, SLB, and the World Bank.”
Prof David Armstrong “I’ve had funding from UKAEA, Rolls Royce and EdF for research and students over the last 20 years.”
Prof Robin Grimes “I am a non-executive director of UKAEA and receive research funding from the UK national nuclear laboratory.”
Dr Mark Foreman “I do not currently get any money from the nuclear industry, I do not stand to make any money from the sales of nuclear products / technology. I have not been employed by the nuclear industry. I think that in terms of conflicts of interest I have none.”
Dr Lewis Blackburn“He receives funding from industry via Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, National Nuclear Laboratory, and Nuclear Waste Services”
Stephanie Baxter “No conflicts of interest.”
Will Davis “No conflicts of interest.”
Prof Andy Stirling “no conflicts of interest to declare.”
Dr Phil Johnstone “no conflicts of interest to declare.”
Dr Sarah Darby “I have no conflicts of interest to declare.”
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Applications will open for the fifth year of the Marine Fund Scotland today.
The fund will make £14 million available in 2025-26 to help deliver Scotland’s Blue Economy Vision, transform the way the marine environment is used and how Scotland’s ‘blue’ resources are managed.
Eligible individuals, businesses, and organisations can apply for funding for new projects that will contribute to an innovative and sustainable marine economy, support coastal communities, and help Scotland reach net zero emissions.
Last year, a total of 67 projects received funding, with grants ranging from under £1,000 up to £1.6 million. These projects included the modernising of seafood processing facilities to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency; the first Scottish facility to recycle mixed material from fishing and aquaculture nets and marine litter prevention; support for young fishers purchasing their first fishing vessel; and marine research and innovation to protect iconic wild salmon.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands Mairi Gougeon said:
“Since 2021 the Marine Fund Scotland has awarded more than £55 million in grants to 330 projects, facilitating a total of £121 million of investment and supporting jobs and communities right around our coastline and throughout our islands. I urge all those with ideas for projects to help marine industries to evolve and flourish to apply.
“We are backing Scotland’s marine economy, which is crucial to the economic, social and cultural fabric of our rural, coastal and island communities. They now need the UK government to do the same and to provide Scotland with its fair share of funding.
“The UK Government recently announced a new £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund, and I am calling for a fair share of the budget allocation to be devolved. This multi-year funding will be key to delivering benefits for the marine economy and environment, as well as supporting coastal communities, for years to come. If this newly announced funding isn’t devolved to Scotland, it will duplicate the current funding programmes, causing stakeholder confusion and dilution of intended benefits.”
Donna Fordyce Chief Executive of Seafood Scotland said:
“The Marine Fund Scotland funding has been vital to not only retain existing markets for our premium Scottish seafood but to develop new markets to achieve the highest value for the industry. Funding also allowed Seafood Scotland to further develop the Seafood in Schools programme launching the Scottish Seafood Ambassador scheme and Teach the Teacher curriculum-linked educational resources. The aim is to increase consumption of our delicious seafood and highlight the sector as a career of choice; this is very relevant given the labour shortage the industry is currently facing.”
In almost the same way the rope aboard the Pequod “folds the whole boat in its complicated coils,” so too have the details of the 14th International Melville Society Conference around UConn’s Mary K. Bercaw Edwards.
Who knew planning a weeklong event at UConn Avery Point for 150 Herman Melville scholars from lands as far away as those along the route in the hunt for Moby Dick would imitate passages from the English professor’s favorite chapter in the novel by the same name?
The whaling line, Melville writes of the rope, is both “magical, sometimes horrible.”
But once the scholars arrive and the opening plenary address begins on Monday, June 16, Bercaw Edwards says she’ll settle in and enjoy what the week has to offer as the UConn campus and southeastern Connecticut show off their maritime heritage.
“It’s going to be an amazing conference. The talks look outstanding, and everyone is so excited to be in this location,” Bercaw Edwards says.
Titled “Oceanic Melville,” the conference follows a 2022 gathering in Paris and other global destinations through the years including Poland in 2007, Israel in 2009, Italy in 2011, and Japan in 2015. The first was held in Greece in 1997, with gatherings planned generally biennially.
The latest exhibition, “Oceanic Melville,” at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art features artwork inspired by Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick,” including artist Robert Del Tredici’s mixed media print, “Torn Body, Gnashed Soul.” The exhibition at UConn Avery Point is open through June 19. (Kimberly Phillips/UConn Today)
Bercaw Edwards says The Melville Society, an international organization dedicated to the study of the author, asked her to arrange a conference at Avery Point in part because of its proximity to Mystic Seaport Museum just 15 minutes down the road where the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world, is on display.
The Morgan was launched in 1841 from New Bedford, Massachusetts, built seven months after and 7 miles away from the Acushnet, the whale ship on which Melville served as a crewmember in the Pacific Ocean before writing “Moby-Dick,” making the Morgan as identical as possible to the Acushnet.
While several days of panel discussions and other academic talks (some are open to the public) on topics ranging from Melville in popular culture to Melville and his animals are the centerpiece of the conference, Bercaw Edwards says a daylong trip to the Museum, where she works in the summer, and the chance to get up close with the Morgan is a highlight.
“They’ll see us raise sails, lower and raise the whale boat. They’ll get to pull on the halyards, which will give them a visceral feeling of what it’s like to set sail,” she says of conference attendees. “We’re also going to give them an opportunity to actually row in whale boats.”
Participants’ day at the Museum also will include the daily activities available to the public, including a concert by staff musicians playing and singing the songs mentioned in “Moby-Dick” and a 35-minute play with three actors using Melville’s words to tell the story of Ahab and the whale.
“Monstrous: Whaling and its Colossal Impact,” the Museum’s newest exhibition that opened in late May and runs through Feb. 16, 2026, by happenstance coincides with the conference.
The exhibition has been built around Mexican American artist Jos Sances’ scratchboard mural, “Or, The Whale,” a 51-foot-long artwork the same size as a juvenile sperm whale. Bercaw Edwards says Sances created the piece after reading and finding inspiration in “Moby-Dick.”
“Sances is a screen printer and a scratchboard artist who’s from Mexico and lives in California – and then he read ‘Moby-Dick’ and was driven to make this mural,” she says. “With his background, there was nothing that would have drawn him naturally to reading a book by a white New England author, but he did just like so many others do.”
‘Deep and Important Questions’
From the perspective of Pequod crewmember Ishmael, “Moby-Dick” tells the story of Captain Ahab’s trek across the globe for vengeance against the albino sperm whale Moby Dick, which took off his leg during a previous encounter.
Some chapters are incredibly dense with precise details about whaling and sailing, while others are so action-packed the story moves quickly. It’s considered among the greatest American novels and for many English majors might be considered their very own white whale.
“Quenchless Feud (Ahab)” from artist Jos Sances is on display as part of “Oceanic Melville” at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at UConn Avery Point. (Kimberly Phillips/UConn Today)
Bercaw Edwards says she’s oftentimes amazed that today’s audiences are so interested in something written in 1851 – that’s nearly 175 years ago – especially given that it’s authored by a dead, white male and features the killing of whales.
“It seems as politically incorrect as it can possibly be, and yet it feels as if it’s still on the ascendancy,” she says. “It’s a long, dense, tough book, and yet it’s immensely popular. There are graphic novels, movies, plays, concerts, memes, and T-shirts about it.”
She says she once witnessed a colleague who writes about Melville in popular culture mention the word “tattoo” during a talk, and afterward a throng of people gathered around to show him the Melville-inspired artwork on their biceps, forearms, and calves.
“It’s just amazing to me that Melville is so popular. I think it’s because he asks all kinds of deep and important questions: Is there truth? Is there justice? Is there anything beyond our human existence? How do we go about life? And he doesn’t give us any answers. Every time you think ‘OK, that’s the answer,’ he undercuts it. He wants you to realize there are no answers, but he’s asking these great questions. I think that’s part of why it’s still eternal,” she says.
Never mind the beauty of Melville’s writing.
“At the end of Chapter 1, Melville writes, ‘It is but well to be on friendly terms with all the inmates of the place one lodges in.’ I’ve always loved that. We should all get along,” Bercaw Edwards says. “I also love, ‘Ignorance is the parent of fear.’ People are afraid of things they don’t know. It’s so true.”
Pequod third mate Flask fears butter – yes, a stick of butter – Bercaw Edwards continues, noting the humor in the book. He feels as if he’s not entitled to the spread: “So when they’re all eating with Ahab – Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask – they’re always really quiet because they’re kind of nervous around Ahab, and Flask, of course, never dares to take butter. Then Melville writes, ‘For Flask is a butterless man.’”
Reading ‘Moby-Dick’
Every time “Moby-Dick” appears on a syllabus in one of Bercaw Edwards’ classes, she says she gives it a fresh read, no specific routine around it, no tableside requisite cup of black tea to share with Ahab.
She’s delighted in its humor during her at least 35 times rereading it through the years – so many instances that she finds herself quoting it as she goes along. And when she gets to her favorite chapter – number 60, “The Line” – she knows she’ll get the best Melville has to offer.
“He’s describing the whale line, which is attached to the harpoon and thrown into the whale. He has really basic information about the line, about rope, and then it’s infused with all kinds of humor,” she says, quoting his description of hemp: “Hemp is a dusky, dark fellow, a sort of Indian; but Manilla is as a golden-haired Circassian to behold.”
Melville then builds to what Bercaw Edwards calls a “metaphysical lift,” explaining that the whale-line surrounds the boat, crisscrossing it and traveling by each of the crewmembers. He then notes that we’re all surrounded by ropes, and no one knows when it will take you to eternity.
“It’s set up like a sermon,” she says of the chapter. “Sermons pick apart a line from biblical text. This does the same thing. It just does it with real line rather than a line of text.”
Then again, Bercaw Edwards can relate to Melville and journeys around the world better than most.
As her friends shifted into high school upperclassman status at 16 years old, she and her family went to sea, she says. The family of five – Mom and Dad, sister and brother, and her – sailed around the globe on a journey that took 3½ years.
“When I went to college, I knew I wanted to be an English major, but I was thinking I would study Henry James,” she says of the American British author. “Then my professor suggested that with my sailing background I should be a Melville scholar – and now I can’t imagine anything else. All my scholarship has been on Melville, with a little on Joseph Conrad and Jack London, but always centered on Melville.”
She acknowledges, though, that for some, reading “Moby-Dick” might be daunting, to which she offers four words of advice: Visit Mystic Seaport Museum.
Seeing the whale boat demonstrations and getting onboard the Morgan to imagine sleeping in its belly every night for between two and five years oftentimes help people get through those challenging whaling chapters.
She further recommends listening to the story as an audio book.
“When people hear it read aloud, they’ll often see how funny it is. I mean, it’s full of humor, and that’s often lost when people get stuck on the fact that this is The. Great. American. Novel,” she says.
From July 31 to Aug. 1, Mystic Seaport Museum will host its 40th annual “Moby-Dick” Marathon reading of the book to coincide with Melville’s Aug. 1 birthday. Readers gather onboard the Morgan and take about 24 consecutive hours to get through the 135 chapters.
“One of the things I always notice is people listening and then they start to laugh and feel embarrassed, like they’re not supposed to. This is The Great American Novel, but of course we’re supposed to laugh,” she adds.
Public Events and AVS Exhibition
With grant funding from Connecticut Humanities and the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, several events during The Melville Society conference will be open to the public, Bercaw Edwards says.
The opening plenary talk at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, June 16, “Other Seas: Sailing Without Ahab,” will come from St. John’s University English professor Steve Mentz, who’s figured prominently in the field of blue humanities. He will discuss how humans engage with water, along with the history and theory of water-centric thinking.
“The Pod” from artist George Klauba is on display as part of “Oceanic Melville” at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at UConn Avery Point. (Kimberly Phillips/UConn Today)
Then, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, “Does the Whale Diminish? – Will He Perish? Cross-Disciplinary Currents in Conversation” will offer a panel discussion with Anne Cohen from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, conservation biologist and author Joe Roman, and Portuguese marine researcher Rui Prieto.
The closing plenary address at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, also is open to the public. It features Lenora Warren from Cornell University, one of the leading scholars about Melville and race. Her talk, “Melville’s Ghosts,” dovetails with the day also being Juneteenth.
At the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art at Avery Point, the exhibition “Oceanic Melville” comes together thanks to curator and gallery director Jeanne Ciravolo, along with Bercaw Edwards and Robert K. Wallace from Northern Kentucky University.
Ciravolo says she mentioned during a campus faculty meeting more than a year ago that she enjoys making the gallery’s exhibitions interdisciplinary experiences and afterward Bercaw Edwards asked if she was interested in working together on a show to dovetail with the conference.
“I absolutely was,” Ciravolo says. “I’m a reader. I once thought I’d be an English teacher, but I became an artist, so to have the opportunity to marry literature plus art is very unusual for me and special.”
About two dozen framed artworks on loan from The Melville Society, which houses its collection at the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, are part of the show, along with several artists’ books, Ciravolo says, noting that most of the pieces relate to “Moby-Dick.”
This includes three full-color pieces from artist George Klauba, prints from sculptor and graphic artist Leonard Baskin, and an abstract piece, “Skin’s Path/Moby Dick,” from artist Aileen Callahan, a charcoal on paper that depicts the damaged skin of a whale that’s been beaten with time.
“The idea is to always get a mix of things, a variety of style and media, into the gallery,” Ciravolo says, explaining she and Bercaw Edwards visited the New Bedford Museum to pour through The Melville Society’s full collection, as well as the Museum’s Elizabeth Schultz Collection, and select the most powerful artworks from watercolor to printmaking.
“The scholars who are coming are going to appreciate seeing these artworks,” Ciravolo says. “I love that it will be a generative experience for them and that the public will have the chance to see this very interesting show. We’re here on Long Island Sound, near the whaling center of New England, so it’s a perfect place for this.”
The AVS Gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. in the Branford House at UConn Avery Point. It will have extended hours from noon to 4 p.m. on Monday, June 16, and Tuesday, June 17, during the Melville conference for both participants and the public. The “Oceanic Melville” exhibition is open now through Thursday, June 19.
Keith Barr was born only months before the historic Apollo 11 landing in 1969. While he was too young to witness that giant leap for mankind, the moment sparked a lifelong fascination that set him on a path to design technology that will carry astronauts farther into space than ever before. Today, Barr serves as a chief engineer and Orion Docking Lidar Field Test lead at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. He spearheads the field testing of docking lidars for the Orion spacecraft, which will carry astronauts to the Moon on the Artemis III mission. These lidars are critical to enabling Orion to autonomously dock with the human landing system on Artemis III — the mission that will land astronauts near the Moon’s South Pole for the first time in history.
“The Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions are some of humanity’s greatest technical achievements,” he said. “To be part of the Artemis chapter is a profound honor.” In recognition of his contributions, Barr was selected as a NASA Space Flight Awareness Honoree in 2025 for his exceptional dedication to astronaut safety and mission success. Established in 1963, NASA’s Space Flight Awareness Program celebrates individuals who play a vital role in supporting human spaceflight. The award is one of the highest honors presented to the agency’s workforce. With a career spanning over 25 years at Lockheed Martin, Barr is now recognized as a renowned leader in lidar systems—technologies that use laser light to measure distances. He has led numerous lidar deployments and test programs across commercial aviation, wind energy, and military markets. In 2019, Barr and his team began planning a multi-phase field campaign to validate Orion’s docking lidars under real-world conditions. They repurposed existing hardware, developed a drone-based simulation system, and conducted dynamic testing at Lockheed Martin facilities in Littleton, Colorado, and Santa Cruz, California. In Littleton, the team conducted two phases of testing at the Space Operations Simulation Center, evaluating performance across distances ranging from 50 meters to docking. At the Santa Cruz facility, they began much farther out at 6,500 meters and tested down to 10 meters, just before the final docking phase. Of all these efforts, Barr is especially proud of the ingenuity behind the Santa Cruz tests. To simulate a spacecraft docking scenario, he repurposed a lidar pointing gimbal and test trailer from previous projects and designed a drone-based test system with unprecedented accuracy. “An often-overlooked portion of any field campaign is the measurement and understanding of truth,” he said. “The system I designed allowed us to record lidar and target positions with accuracy never before demonstrated in outdoor docking lidar testing.”
The test stand at the Santa Cruz Facility had once been used for Agena upper stage rockets—a key piece of hardware used during the Gemini program in the 1960s. “We found a Gemini-era sticker on the door of the test bunker—likely from the time of Gemini VIII, the first space docking completed by Neil Armstrong and David Scott,” Barr said. “This really brought it home to me that we are simply part of the continuing story.”
Barr spent more than two decades working on WindTracer—a ground-based Doppler wind lidar system used to measure wind speed and turbulence at airports, wind farms, and in atmospheric research. The transition from WindTracer to Orion presented new challenges. “Moving onto a space program has a steep learning curve, but I have found success in this new arena and I have learned that I can adapt and I shouldn’t be nervous about the unknown,” he said. “Learning new technologies, applications, and skills keeps my career fun and exciting and I look forward to the next giant leap—whatever it is.”
Barr’s passion for flight moves in tandem with his pursuit of innovation. Over his career, he has flown over 1.6 million miles on commercial airlines. “I often joke that I’m on my fourth trip to the Moon and back—just in economy class,” he said. Before specializing in lidar systems, Barr flew as a captain and assistant chief pilot at New England Airlines, operating small aircraft like the Piper Cherokee 6 and the Britten-Norman Islander. He also worked at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, contributing to several NASA airborne missions aimed at unraveling the science behind global ozone depletion.
As Barr reflects on his journey, he hopes to pass along a sense of legacy to the Artemis Generation. “We are in the process of writing the next chapter of human space exploration history, and our actions, successes, and troubles will be studied and analyzed well into the future,” he said. “We all need to consider how our actions will shape history.”
NEW BEDFORD, Mass., June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amalgamated Bank, a subsidiary of Amalgamated Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: AMAL), today announced the successful closing of a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“C-PACE”) financing under the PACE Massachusetts Program using Allectrify’s FASTPACE Platform.
The C-PACE financing will fund a 205kW (kilowatts) DC (Direct current) solar PV (PhotoVoltaic) installation and associated roofing upgrades at an industrial building located in the Port of New Bedford. The property is owned and operated by Marder Seafood; a trusted leader in premium, sustainably sourced seafood in the area for more than 50 years.
Amalgamated Bank, which opened its downtown Boston Commercial Banking office in 2020, invests nearly 40% of its total lending portfolio in climate protection solutions. This financing further reflects the Bank’s climate leadership and focus on decarbonization and renewable energy.
The C-PACE closing showcases how clean energy and C-PACE financing can support key regional industries, drive investments in New England commercial building stock, and lower energy costs for industrial end-users. The project will drive over $1.9 million in lifetime energy cost savings at the property.
C-PACE financing supports long-term, competitive financing for commercial property improvements for energy efficiency, renewable energy, resiliency, and water conservation. The project represents the fourth financing closed to date under the Massachusetts C-PACE Program since its launch in 2020. Amalgamated Bank is a leader in deploying C-PACE capital, and its partnership with Allectrify enables efficient closing for projects of all sizes.
“With more than $1.2 billion in PACE assets in our investment portfolio, we are proud to lead the industry in providing solutions that empower borrowers to implement proven energy-savings strategies in commercial properties,” said Mark Walsh, New England Regional Manager & Senior Vice President at Amalgamated Bank. “Through our ongoing partnership with Allectrify, we look forward to executing even more C-PACE deals that drive sustainable progress in Boston and beyond.”
This $1.3 million C-PACE financing represents an innovative approach to green capital deployment. C-PACE makes capital available to a broader set of property owners who seek to make energy efficiency and other building energy improvements.
“This transaction is a prime example of Amalgamated Bank’s commitment to putting climate solutions into practice, in this case supporting a commercial solar project at an industrial property serving a classic New England industry,” said Colin Bishopp, Chief Executive Officer of Allectrify. “We are pleased to see this project closed on Allectrify’s FASTPACE platform which enables efficient C-PACE execution in programs across the country.”
About Amalgamated Bank:
Amalgamated Bank, the wholly owned banking subsidiary of Amalgamated Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: AMAL), is a mission-driven full-service commercial bank and a chartered trust company with a combined network branches in New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Boston. Amalgamated Bank provides commercial and retail banking products, investment management and trust and custody services, and lending services. Since their founding in 1923, Amalgamated Bank is diligent in fulfilling their mission to be America’s socially responsible bank, empowering organizations and individuals to advance positive change. The businesses that Amalgamated Bank focuses on are generally mission aligned with our core values, including sustainable companies, clean energy, nonprofits, and B Corporations. www.amalgamatedbank.com.
About Allectrify, PBC:
C-PACE made simple for lenders and borrowers. Allectrify’s FASTPACE platform enables banks, credit unions, CDFIs and non-bank lenders to offer C-PACE financing quickly and easily, at no cost to the lender and with reduced transaction costs for borrowers. Through Allectrify’s network of FASTPACE lenders, borrowers can access C-PACE financing for projects of all sizes. https://allectrify.com/.
Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
Statement by TUV party chairman Cusher councillor Keith Ratcliffe:
“What happened in Scarva on Saturday should never have been allowed to happen.
“I formally objected to this parade in advance warning both the PSNI and the Parades Commission that it was deeply inappropriate to route a politically-charged march through a quiet Unionist village with strong support for Israel. Those warnings were ignored. The result was entirely predictable: provocation, disorder, and division.
“We were told the parade would stick to the towpath. Instead, participants made their way onto Scarva Main Street. Residents were confronted with chanting that included pro-IRA slogans and the antisemitic cry of “From the river to the sea” — a slogan rightly recognised as a call for the destruction of the state of Israel.
“This was not a peaceful demonstration. It was a deliberate and coordinated display designed to provoke. The failure of the PSNI to properly monitor or restrict this parade, and the Parades Commission’s refusal to impose even the most basic conditions, raises serious questions.
“I have written to both bodies demanding answers:
• Why was this event deemed non-contentious?
• Why was no action taken when marchers deviated from the route?
• Why were chants glorifying terrorism and calling for the destruction of a nation tolerated on our streets?
“Residents were placed in an entirely avoidable situation — one that could and should have been prevented. There must now be a serious review of how this parade was approved, routed, and policed.
“I will not remain silent when Unionist communities are disrespected and when public order is sacrificed for political convenience. Those responsible for these decisions must be held to account.”
Over 40,000 trees have been planted across Aberdeen since 2022, members of the Net Zero, Environment, and Transport committee heard today. The work forms part of a plan to replenish and grow the city’s woods and other green areas.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “I’d like to express my thanks to our Environmental Services team, alongside our communities, for their efforts to replace lost trees, and plant new ones.”
“We have set an ambitious objective to plant one million trees in Aberdeen by 2032, and each tree planted brings us closer to reaching that target.”
Committee Vice Convener Councillor Miranda Radley added: “In recent years, our tree population has paid a heavy toll through the impact of storm damage.
“It’s vital that we continue to replace what we’ve lost, but also improve green spaces in our communities for the benefit of our people, and for the natural environment.”
The Tree and Woodland Strategic Implementation Plan, approved in 2022, sets an action plan for Aberdeen’s urban, street trees, rural trees, and woodlands. Work is currently ongoing expand and enhance the Granite City Forest as part of this plan.
Tree replacement following damage caused by Storm Arwen has included 8,688 trees in Carnie Woods, 8,925 trees at Denwood, and 800 at the Crematorium. Local communities have helped to plant trees and provide support to the Environmental Services team.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Raft of tech companies investing in Britain as government vows to unleash growth
From AI to fintech, leading global tech firms that will power the next Industrial Revolution announce major UK investments, creating highly-skilled jobs from Edinburgh to Warwick.
From AI to fintech, leading global tech firms that will power the next Industrial Revolution announce major UK investments, creating highly-skilled jobs from Edinburgh to Warwick.
Technological progress will define the decades ahead, unleashing new innovations that could make us healthier, wealthier and safer – Science and Tech Secretary Peter Kyle told an audience today.
Government will go all in on science and tech to deliver the growth, improved healthcare, and clean energy breakthroughs that are central to the upcoming modern Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change.
Hundreds of well-paid, highly-skilled tech jobs will be created from Edinburgh to Warwick, and beyond, as the Science and Technology Secretary has confirmed a raft of investments into the UK by leading global technology companies today (Tuesday 10 June). These significant investments range from AI to fintech, and some see the companies involved setting up shop in the UK for the very first time.
Peter Kyle unveiled this news in a keynote speech at London Tech Week, where he also set out more of the government’s plan to put the white-hot potential of science and technology to work, building a better UK. Investments like these, together with partnerships like that announced with NVIDIA by the Prime Minister yesterday, and new government measures set out by the Secretary of State, will ignite the growth the UK needs to truly deliver on the government’s Plan for Change.
From harnessing AI to boost healthcare and clean energy, to new measures to support innovative early-stage science and tech companies to thrive, going all in on science and tech is the route to the medical breakthroughs, ways of making energy cheaper and greener, and good-quality jobs that will make all our lives better. It’s one of the growth-driving sectors in the government’s forthcoming modern Industrial Strategy, and today’s speech sets out elements that will drive the success of the strategy.
Investments being announced today:
Liquidity, a US-based global AI fintech, will launch its European headquarters in London as part of a plan to invest an additional £1.5 billion into cutting-edge enterprises over the next 5 years
InnovX AI, one of Europe’s leading startup hubs, investing £14.7 million in a new London technology hub, creating 30 jobs
Nebius, a Dutch AI infrastructure company, announcing a long-term commitment to back the UK’s AI sector, starting with an initial investment of £200 million. They will establish a UK AI Factory – with 2 potential sites in South East England currently being assessed – that could result in thousands of jobs coming online in the decades to come
Capgemini, one of the world’s largest business and technology transformation partners, expanding its UK presence with a new London HQ, following strong revenue growth over the years.
Netcompany, a Danish IT consultancy, investing £2 million as it expands its Leeds office and launches a new site in Edinburgh, eventually set to create 150 jobs
Ekimetrics, a French AI solutions firm, is investing £8.5 million in their UK operations, creating over 150 roles in London over 3 years as part of its Elevate 2028 strategy
Yuno, a Colombia-based global fintech that is rapidly expanding, is choosing London for its European headquarters
Rebeldot, a Romanian software and tech consultancy, opening its UK subsidiary in Warwick, as part of plans to expand its presence in the UK
To succeed, the UK’s tech leaders need stability and certainty. Today the Science and Tech Secretary has set out the ways in which the British state will be an active partner and enabler, working with the private sector to unlock the promise of technology, to help unleash the next Industrial Revolution and build a better Britain.
The government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy will also provide a credible 10-year plan to deliver the certainty and stability businesses need to invest in high-growth sectors like digital and technologies. This will secure the UK’s position as the best place in Europe to create, invest, and scale-up a fast-growing digital and technologies business.
These include an £86 billion commitment to funding for R&D, a new £25 million scheme to bring elite AI experts to the UK, £187 million for new schemes to train up the tech workforce of tomorrow, and £1 billion funding for the AI Research Resource announced by the Prime Minister yesterday.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
We have all seen over the last few years, just how rapidly and profoundly technologies like AI are transforming the economy, and our society. Britain can – and must – be at the cutting edge of this change. The era of hesitancy is over: we can be the masters of our fate, and through the measures I am announcing today, we will harness the vast potential of our trillion-pound tech sector to help remake our country for the better.
This is the Plan for Change, in action. The UK has all the tools needed for success in science and technology, and by working as an active partner to our world-leading universities and cutting-edge businesses, this government will ensure that we seize the era-defining opportunities before us.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
The UK continues to be a prime destination for tech businesses from across the world to come and succeed, and London Tech Week is a shining example of this.
Securing valuable high-tech investment is an integral mission of this government and seeing global investors put billions in the UK economy shows the Plan for Change is working, with more and more companies choosing Britain.
With tech being identified as a key growth sector in our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, we’re not only helping attract and secure investment, but delivering long-term, stable growth that supports skilled jobs and raises living standards across the UK.
Announcements being made today are evidence of the holistic approach the government is taking to turbo-charging Britain’s tech sector.
Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship
To encourage the investment and access to risk capital that is critical for science and tech-backed businesses in the early stages, we are opening the Science and Technology Venture Capital Fellowship for a second cohort and round of applications, to increase the capacity of the UK financial sector to invest in the tomorrow’s breakthroughs, today. This will be delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Imperial Business School.
Turing AI ‘Global’ fellowships
New efforts to build the skills base Britain needs to seize the potential of AI, are being backed with £25 million. A prestigious new AI talent fellowship will be launched, to attract 5 top AI experts to the UK: the Turing AI ‘Global’ fellowships. Fellows will receive substantial packages to relocate to the UK and quickly build a team of experts to conduct frontier AI research and contribute to the UK’s AI ecosystem.
Encode: AI for Science Fellowship
The government also intends to fund a UK-based expansion of the Encode: AI for Science Fellowship. Conceived and delivered by Pillar VC and enabled by ARIA, the programme embeds world-class AI researchers into cutting-edge scientific labs, accelerating the pathway to industry, and enabling talent to spend one year immersed in intensive exploration, feedback, and development cycles.
The Encode fellowships will commence earlier, with new talent arriving in the UK by Autumn 2025. This will be backed by the UK Sovereign AI Unit with up to £5 million in government funding.
This investment will ensure the UK further benefits from the extraordinary talent Encode has already attracted, catalysing new collaborations in areas such as climate modelling, rare disease treatment, crop development, and neuroscience. Encode is one of the first initiatives launched and supported through ARIA’s flagship Activation Partners initiative.
Spinouts Register
Meanwhile a world-first new Spinouts Register marks a step-change in the type and quality of information available on the UK’s spinouts – which will inform better policymaking, and enable better support for these important companies. This comprehensive database covering the more than 2,000 spinouts formed since 2012/2013 in the UK, represents the first ever ‘official’ list of all spin-out companies produced by UK universities.
The first flagship analysis to better understand how spinouts grow and succeed, drawing on data within the Register, is also being published today, by the University of Cambridge’s Policy Evidence Unit for University, Commercialisation and Innovation (UCI). Initial findings show university spinouts outperform other start-ups, including contributions in key strategically important sectors, with university spinouts comprising 70% of the top 20 life science startups by investment raised. The Register has been developed by the Higher Education Statistics Agency with Research England and UCI.
Working internationally delivers benefits beyond investment, and working with global partners is also critical to the UK’s ambitions for science and technology. The vast opportunities for our innovators through schemes like Horizon Europe are central to that. Later today, Peter Kyle will meet with European Commissioner for Research and Innovation Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva to discuss how to exploit these opportunities even further, building on the UK having recently gained access to more quantum and space Horizon funding calls.
All of this is on top of commitments to the UK’s innovation and technology-forward future announced by the Prime Minister, yesterday, including greater support for researchers to spin their ideas out into successful businesses, and new schemes like the Tech First programme that will give British workers the skills they need to thrive in the decades ahead. The government is also developing the National Digital Exchange, a web platform that could save the public sector £1.2 billion on buying tech, as well as cutting duplicative costs and processes.
This new team will create a dynamic and unified service designed to enhance community safety, improve local environments, and deliver more responsive support to residents across the region.
The new team brings together the Council’s Parking and Civil Contingencies Service, Community Safety Team and Visitor Management into a single, streamlined unit under one leadership structure. The move is part of a broader strategy to deliver on the Council’s vision of a Perth and Kinross, where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality.
By focusing resources where they’re needed most, the team will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the community, providing visible, intelligence-led patrols and rapid responses to local concerns. They will help protect our shared spaces, streets, landscapes, and local wildlife—ensuring Perth and Kinross remains welcoming and secure for everyone, whether residents or visitors.
Working closely with local partners and residents, the team will take a proactive, community-first approach to address key concerns such as illegal parking, irresponsible visitor behaviour, shoplifting, and anti-social activity.
This collaborative strategy will not only enhance public safety but also support local businesses and strengthen community trust.
Recently, in partnership with Snaigow Estates, Rangers from our Community Support and Enforcement and Community Greenspace teams installed new fencing and signage at Loch Clunie. This initiative is designed to prevent access to a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Protecting these areas is vital, as it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly cause damage to the protected environment.
The CSE Rangers will continue to work with partners to patrol known hotspots such as Loch Clunie to ensure everyone is following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, protecting our landscapes for everyone. On a recent patrol, several pieces of outdoor camping kit were abandoned. However, this has now been donated to Blair Atholl Primary School and Our Lady’s RC Primary School.
Supporting community resilience is also a key part of the team’s remit. In partnership with River Track, Scottish Flood Forum and Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, a new river level monitoring system has been installed at the Rattray Burn. This early warning system will provide residents with timely flood alerts, empowering them to take preventative action and stay safe during periods of heavy rainfall.
The team will continue to take a strong, visible stance against unsafe, unfair and illegal parking as well as anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Eric Drysdale, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: “It’s been fantastic to see the positive impact that the team have already made across Perth and Kinross in such a short time since coming together.”
“From encouraging responsible outdoor behaviour during the recent spell of sunny weather, supporting events on VE Day, to working closely with local flood groups in preparation for future storms, the team is making a real difference.
“By working in new and more effective ways with communities and partners, the team is helping to create a safer, cleaner and more welcome Perth and Kinross for everyone.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
UKHSA urges travellers to take steps to avoid infection abroad
Typhoid and paratyphoid cases reach record high while Malaria cases remain high despite small dip in cases.
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provisional data shows an increase in travel-associated enteric fever cases (typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever cases) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with 702 cases in 2024, an 8% rise from 2023 (645 cases). This represents the highest number of cases recorded annually to date.
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are serious preventable illnesses caused by Salmonella bacteria, usually spread through contaminated food or water. In the UK, most cases of enteric fever are acquired abroad, commonly in regions with poor hygiene and sanitation. Previous surveillance has also highlighted a concerning rise in antibiotic-resistant typhoid in Pakistan, which reduces the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotics, impacting the response to treatment, and increasing the risk of complications. A free typhoid vaccination is available from GP surgeries for some travellers, though no vaccine exists for paratyphoid.
Meanwhile, provisional data shows that imported malaria cases remain at concerning levels in the UK despite a slight decrease in diagnoses to 1,812 in 2024 from 2,106 in 2023. These figures significantly exceed the levels seen in recent years. Most cases were reported during peak summer travel months between July and October. Malaria is potentially fatal but almost entirely preventable when antimalarial tablets are taken correctly.
There were fewer imported dengue cases reported in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with 65 cases in the first 3 months of 2025 compared to 254 cases in 2024, mostly linked to travel to Thailand, Brazil and Indonesia. Dengue cases have increased substantially globally over the past five years, with exceptionally high levels in 2023 and 2024, and the sustained transmission of dengue is an ongoing global health challenge.
Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA, said:
We are seeing high levels of infections such as malaria and typhoid in returning travellers. It is important that travellers remain alert and plan ahead of going abroad – even if you’re visiting friends and relatives abroad or it’s somewhere you visit often. The Travel Health Pro website has information on how to keep yourself and family healthy, including what vaccines to get, any important medication such as anti-malaria tablets, and how to avoid gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid and hepatitis A. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive there are special precautions you should take, so please speak to a healthcare professional before planning your trip.
Dr Diana Ayoola Mabayoje, co-founder of African Diaspora Malaria Initiative (ADMI), said:
Most UK malaria cases occur in Black African people returning from travel to Africa. Community engagement of the African Diaspora in malaria prevention is crucial to reduce imported malaria in the UK. The African Diaspora Malaria Initiative (ADMI) is leading this charge with our upcoming ‘Africans Against Malaria’ campaign. It will directly address the perceptions, beliefs, and behaviours that hinder malaria prevention uptake amongst the UK African diaspora and signpost where to obtain malaria chemoprophylaxis. Our focus is on community engagement and outreach, and we will be targeting African communities in London ahead of summer travel.
The Travel Health Pro website, supported by UKHSA, has information on health risks in countries across the world. It 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 at least 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination. Travellers who may be eligible for dengue vaccine should consult 3 to 4 months before travel.
In countries with insects that spread diseases like dengue, malaria or Zika virus infection, travellers can protect themselves by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under an insecticide-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
stock up on necessary medications including malaria prevention tablets
get valid travel insurance to cover your entire trip and planned activities
Along with typhoid, hepatitis A is another gastrointestinal infection that is spread through viral infection that affects the liver. The virus spreads through contaminated food or water, and through close contact with infected individuals. A hepatitis A vaccine is available from GPs and travel health clinics and is recommended for those visiting high-risk areas.
To prevent the spread of hepatitis A, UKHSA recommends:
thorough handwashing – especially after using the toilet, changing nappies, helping children with toileting, and before preparing or eating food
regular cleaning of toilet seats and handles using standard household cleaning products
In this community update, we provide information on the next steps for Grenfell Tower, the eighth anniversary Tower illumination, plus site works and maintenance, air quality monitoring, health and wellbeing support, and our contact email address. You will also find details of our next drop-in where you can talk to us about the Grenfell Tower site and and ask us any questions you may have.
You can watch a recording of the update on the MHCLG YouTube channel:
AI revolution to give teachers more time with pupils
Government driving forward AI tools to deliver excellence everywhere for every child, as part of Plan for Change
Pupils across England will benefit from more face-to-face time with teachers as the government forges ahead with plans to harness the power of AI to deliver educational excellence.
The Department for Education has today (June 10th) launched a package of measures to transform how schools use AI – including the first ever AI guidance for schools and colleges setting out how schools can safely and effectively use AI to transform the classroom experience for students.
A recent survey showed 43% of teachers rate their AI confidence at just 3/10, with over 60% asking for help applying AI to planning and support tasks. Nearly all teachers wanted safety guidance and additional training.
The comprehensive guidance delivers on this and gives teachers and leaders the confidence to power-up learning and swap wasted hours spent on admin for time spent inspiring our children – as part of our Plan for Change pledge to deliver an excellent education for every child.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:
We’re putting cutting-edge AI tools into the hands of our brilliant teachers to enhance how our children learn and develop – freeing teachers from paperwork so they can focus on what parents and pupils need most: inspiring teaching and personalised support.
Our Plan for Change demands an excellent education for every child, and making all sure young people are benefitting from the latest technology is a vital step.
By harnessing AI’s power to cut workloads, we’re revolutionising classrooms and driving high standards everywhere – breaking down barriers to opportunity so every child can achieve and thrive.
Developed in partnership with education experts from the Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching, it sets out clear principles for AI use, with education standards and child safety at the fore. It makes clear that AI should be used to ensure learning remains teacher-led and that teachers should verify accuracy and protect personal data.
For staff, AI can automate some tasks such as generic letters – giving them hours back to focus on personalised parent communications around children’s education progress and wellbeing.
An additional £1 million of Contracts for Innovation funding will accelerate development of pioneering AI tools to help with marking and generating detailed, tailored feedback for individual students. Building on the successful AI Tools for Education programme announced last August, this investment will take the tools from the design stage into teachers’ hands – meaning world-first AI interventions are a step closer to being classroom-ready.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:
These resources are a welcome source of support for education staff. AI has huge potential benefits for schools and children’s learning, but it is important that these are harnessed in the right way and any pitfalls avoided.
Government investment in future testing and research is vital as staff need reliable sources of evaluation – supported with evidence – on the benefits, limitations and risks of AI tools and their potential uses.
As part of this innovation drive, schools and colleges are being invited to become ‘test beds’ for evaluating promising EdTech products, creating an evidence base for technologies that genuinely improve both teaching quality and pupil outcomes.
These innovations will redefine teaching as a profession, transforming it into a more appealing career choice by significantly reducing administrative workload. It will play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talented educators, accelerating progress toward the government’s pledge to recruit 6,500 additional teachers.
Earlier this week the Prime Minister set out a package of digital and AI training opportunities as part of a new £187m TechFirst programme to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities. This package will train up people of all ages and backgrounds for the tech careers of the future, including giving 1 million secondary school students yearly the chance to learn about technology and gain unprecedented access to skills training and career opportunities.
These initiatives form a key element of the government’s ambitious Plan for Change, directly supporting the mission to break down barriers to opportunity by ensuring every child benefits from exceptional teaching.
The latest quarterly Scottish Government Workforce Information statistics have been published today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. These statistics cover the numbers of workers, staff sickness rates, and the diversity of staff up to the most recent quarter ending March 2025.
The statistics show that:
At the end of March 2025 there were 8,917 full time equivalent (FTE) directly employed staff, an increase on last year’s figure of 8,843 (0.8%) at the end of March 2024.
At the end of March 2025 99.6% of full time equivalent (FTE) directly employed staff were permanent and 0.4% were temporary. This compares to last year (March 2024: 99.4%, 0.6%).
There was a 17% decrease in the number (headcount) of contingent (non-directly employed) workers from the end of March 2024 (1,290) to the end of March 2025 (1,075), a decrease of 215 workers.
The staff sickness level was 8.7 average working days lost (AWDL) per staff year in the 12 month period ending March 2025, compared with 8.2 AWDL for the 12 month period ending March 2024. This equates to a loss of 3.9% of working days in the 12 month period ending March 2025.
Just over half (56.6%) of the workforce were female, compared to 43.4% male. The proportion of female staff is slightly higher than that in the same period last year (56.4% March 2024).
At the end of March 2025 the majority of staff were aged between 30 and 59, broken down as follows: 30-39 (28.8%), 40-49 (27.9%), 50-59 (22.8%), 13.2% were aged 16-29, and 7.3% were aged 60 or over.
Detailed statistics on the diversity and inclusion of the Scottish Government workforce were also updated today with the inclusion of the 2024 People Survey demographic data and will be available at https://data.gov.scot/workforce-diversity-2024-update
Background The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
The statistics contain quarterly data from March 2012 to March 2025 and present:
full time equivalent numbers and headcounts in each directly employed staff category
headcounts of contingent workers engaged in work for the Scottish Government
sickness absence levels of directly employed staff, headcounts of directly employed staff by age, disability status, ethnicity, sex, marital/civil partnership status, religion or belief, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.
The Scottish Government uses the data internally for monitoring the performance of its workforce. Other expected users of the data in this publication are likely to include the general public and media for information about the Scottish Government, and other government departments for comparative purposes.
Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff. More information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at:
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released the main findings of the 2023/24 Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS).
The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey shows that most adults in Scotland (80.1%) were not victims of any SCJS crime in 2023/24, including fraud and computer misuse for the first time.
One-in-five (19.9%) were estimated to have experienced at least one crime, this included property crime (10.3% of adults), violent crime (2.9%) and fraud and computer misuse (9.5%).
The latest findings shows that the overall level of property and violent crime combined and the likelihood of being a victim of these crimes has increased since 2021/22. However, no change is detected with the pre-pandemic year of 2019/20, and both measures are down since 2008/09.
The latest findings also show that people feel safer in their local communities though there has been a fall in confidence in the police across a range of measures.
The extent and prevalence of crime in Scotland in 2023/24
The proportion of adults who experienced at least one property or violent crime increased from 10.0% in 2021/22 to 12.1% in 2023/24. The latest figure remains lower than 2008/09 (20.4%) and is not statistically different from the pre-Covid position in 2019/20 (11.9%).
There were an estimated 1,185,000 crimes in 2023/24, of which 524,000 (44%) were fraud and computer misuse crimes, 429,000 (36%) were property crime and 231,000 (20%) were violent crimes.
The estimated volume of violent and property crimes individually have both fallen over the longer term, down 27% and 41% respectively since 2008/09. Estimated violent crime increased by 73% since 2021/22 but remains at a similar level to the pre-pandemic position in 2019/20, while property crime has remained at a similar level to both 2019/20 and 2021/22.
Consistent with previous years, the majority of violent incidents were cases of minor assault resulting in no or negligible injury (61%), with instances of serious assault (8%) and robbery (5%) remaining relatively uncommon.
Victims of two or more incidents (5.8% of adults) accounted for over half (55%) of all crime in 2023/24.
This report includes the first findings on the nature of and extent of fraud and computer misuse experienced in Scotland. These results show that, in 2023/24, around one-in-ten adults (9.5%) were the victim of a fraud or computer misuse crime, with around half of these crimes being bank and credit card fraud (47%). The survey also shows that most people who lost money through fraud were ultimately reimbursed.
Crime continues to be experienced disproportionately among some groups in the population. The likelihood of experiencing any SCJS crime, including fraud and computer misuse, in 2023/24 was higher among those aged 16 to 24, for adults who are disabled and those living in urban areas of Scotland. Many population groups have seen the likelihood of experiencing any property or violent crime decrease since 2008/09.
In 2023/24, the latest comparable survey period, overall crime victimisation rates in Scotland (including fraud and computer misuse) were higher to those in England and Wales (19.9% and 16.1%). When looking at property and violent crimes alone, the rate in Scotland was also higher than in England and Wales (12.1% compared to 10.1%). This is a change to the position in 2021/22, when both areas had a similar victimisation rate and 2019/20, when Scotland had a lower rate (11.9% compared to 13.3%).
Public perceptions of the police, the justice system and crime in Scotland
Fewer than half of adults (45%) said the police in their local area do an excellent or good job. This is a decrease from 61% in 2012/13 and from 49% in 2021/22. Males and those living in urban areas were less likely to feel positively about the police than comparator groups.
The survey also looks at attitudes towards more specific elements of policing (including policing effectiveness, community engagement and fairness). Most adults expressed confidence in the local police force’s capability across various aspects of police ‘effectiveness,’ including their ability to deal with incidents as they occur and solve crimes. An exception was in preventing crime where 42% of adults were confident in the police. These measures of confidence in police effectiveness have decreased from a high in 2014/15, with some returning to 2008/09 levels.
Over two thirds (71%) of respondents thought that the local crime rate had stayed the same or reduced in the two years prior to interview, down from 76% in 2021/22 and at a similar level to 2008/09. In 2023/24, the majority of adults in Scotland said they felt very or fairly safe walking alone in their local area after dark (75%) and when in their home alone at night (95%).
Generally the public were fairly confident about the operation of the justice system in Scotland. For example, around three-quarters of adults (73%) were confident that the justice system allows all those accused of crimes to get a fair trial regardless of who they are. However, adults were less confident on other related measures, for example, 35% were confident that it deals with cases promptly and efficiently, with 52% saying they were not confident.
Background
The figures released today were produced in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
This report covers 4,970 face to face interviews were conducted between July 2023 and April 2024. Participants were adults (aged 16 and over) living in private households in Scotland. There was a 46.0% response rate which is comparable to that of 2021/22 (47.3%) which itself saw a large fall following the COVID-19 pandemic
The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey is one of the Scottish Government’s flagship national surveys. The survey allows the people of Scotland to independently report their experiences and perceptions of crime, and thus influence the continued development and improvement of the Scottish justice system. The SCJS also provides a range of additional information, including details on the characteristics of victims and offenders of crime. It also captures adults’ perceptions of policing and the justice system.
The publication presents statistics on the extent of crime in Scotland, importantly including crime that is not reported to the police. However, it is limited to crimes against adults resident in households, and also does not cover all crime types. Experiences of sexual offences are not included in the main estimates and are instead collected in the self-completion section. Police recorded crime is a measure of those crimes reported to the police and recorded by them as a crime or offence.
More information about the survey, including the online data tables for 2023/24 results are available on the Scottish Government website.
Further breakdowns for some smaller population groups are also being published on perception of crime in the local area from the Scottish Survey Core Questions, which combines data from the three large Scottish Government household surveys. These breakdowns are available on the Scottish Survey Core Questions webpage.
As with all surveys, SCJS results are estimates, not precise figures. Results are only described as ‘increases’ or ‘decreases’ where statistical tests identify statistically significant differences. Where they do not detect significant change, results are reported as showing ‘no change’ – even if the estimate from one year appears greater or smaller than the comparator year. Importantly, this does not mean there has definitely been no change, but that the sample is not large enough to confidently detect any change that has or has not occurred. These issues are common to all population surveys, particularly on issues that affect only a minority of people. Often, where changes and trends emerge, they can be more easily detected over longer time periods, as cumulative changes build year-on-year.
Flagship survey shows people feel safer in their communities.
Total levels of property and violent crime have fallen by more than a third since 2008-09, according to the latest Scottish Crime and Justice Survey (SCJS).
The 2023-24 official statistics also show that people feel safer in their communities.
The survey of almost 5,000 people across Scotland estimates that since 2008-09:
the volume of property and violent crime, including incidents not reported to police, is 37% lower
violent crime is down 27%
property crime is down 41%
the proportion of people who feel safe walking alone in their local area after dark has increased to three-quarters (75%) from two-thirds (66%)
Those who took part in the survey were asked about their experiences of violent crime and property crime and, for the first time, their experience of fraud and computer misuse. The volume of property and violent crime combined has increased since 2021-22 but remains at similar levels to the pre-pandemic position in 2019-20 and below that in 2008-09.
The survey also asked people about their perceptions of crime, policing and the justice system. Most adults expressed confidence in their local police’s ability to deal with incidents as they occur and to solve crimes.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said:
“This flagship national survey indicates that property crime and violent crime is more than a third (37%) lower than 2008-09 and that people feel safer in their local communities. These statistics are consistent with other official figures which show that police recorded crime is at one of the lowest levels since 1974. We are making record investments in policing and across the justice system to build on this progress.
“Crime continues to be down significantly over the long term, though the survey does highlight areas of concern and the need for continued action from governments and justice partners. While the levels of crime experienced remain similar to the pre-pandemic position in 2019-20, I am keen to understand what has contributed to the rises in crime identified since the 2021-22 survey.
“I am also concerned about levels of fraud and computer misuse, including bank and credit card fraud, which can cause significant harm to individuals and businesses. A range of action will continue to enhance Police Scotland’s response to fraud, to raise awareness among the public of the potential risks and to help protect individuals and organisations from cyber criminals.
“Overall, and importantly, this survey shows most people do not experience any crime and only a very small proportion are affected by violent crime, but I have been consistently clear that any incidence of violence is one too many. That is why we are taking forward a wide range of actions to prevent, reduce and tackle violence, funded with more than £6 million invested over the past three years on top of our record funding for police.
“This week, I will also chair, with the First Minister, a cross-party summit with MSPs, youth workers and partners to consider what more can be done to address and prevent violence among young people.”
The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey is a flagship national survey funded by the Scottish Government. The survey allows the people of Scotland to independently report their experiences and perceptions of crime and influence the continued development and improvement of Scotland’s system of community safety, policing and justice system.
Some of the 2021-22 SCJS covered reference periods when Covid restrictions were in place. Analysis from the Scottish Victimisation Telephone Survey suggested crime fell significantly during the first UK national lockdown, which started in March 2020. Scottish Victimisation Telephone Survey 2020: main findings
An official statistics in development publication for Scotland
New average carbon footprint estimates for beef, sheep, milk and cereal production in Scotland have been released. These are average emission intensity estimates for enterprises (activities) on farms in the Farm Business Survey.
In 2023-24 the average beef emission intensity for livestock farm types in the Farm Business Survey ranged from 30.9 to 32.8 kgCO2e/kg dwt. Average sheep emission intensity was higher on Less Favoured Area sheep farms (35.5 kgCO2e/kg dwt) than on lowland cattle and sheep farms (25.2 kgCO2e/kg dwt). On dairy farms, the average emission intensity for milk production was 1.3 kgCO2e/kg FPC milk in 2023-24. This is an increase of 2% from the previous year, as average milk yields fell. Lower productivity is associated with higher emission intensities.
Emission intensity for cereals production in 2023-24 increased on cereal (by 14% to 258 kgCO2e/tonne crop) and general cropping farms (by 7% to 241 kgCO2e/tonne crop), compared with the previous year. The rise was mostly driven by increased emissions from fertiliser and manure. Fertiliser usage rates rose in 2023-24 as prices fell from their peak in 2022-23.
The report includes estimates of total emissions for agricultural sub-sectors. While total agriculture emissions continued at their lowest levels in 2023 at around 7.5 MtCO2e, arable farming saw the largest increase in emissions (by 5% to 1.5 MtCO2e). Emissions for suckler beef, dairy, sheep and dairy beef sub-sectors fell by 1% each, compared with the previous year.
Estimates of nitrogen use at farm level show an increase in nitrogen balance (input minus output) and a decrease in nitrogen use efficiency on the average farm compared to the previous year. Similar results are seen for most farm types and generally driven by increased fertiliser and high energy feed inputs. Falling cereal outputs, where lower yields can lead to nitrogen accumulation in the soil, also drove increases in nitrogen balance.
Background
The full statistical publication with supporting data tables is available at:
Results for the agriculture sector, along with national greenhouse gas emissions, were released in the publication. The report includes new subsector analysis based on methodology developed by SRUC . Subsector analysis allocates total Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics emissions from agriculture to subsectors that align more closely with agricultural enterprises.
Farm level results are calculated from the 2023-24 Farm Business Survey, which covered the 2023 cropping year and the 2023-24 financial year. The Farm Business Survey is an annual survey of approximately 400 commercial farms with economic activity of at least approximately £20,000. Farms which do not receive support payments, such as pigs, poultry and horticulture, are not included in the survey. On-farm emissions are estimated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) based carbon calculator (Agrecalc). Enterprise estimates are not weighted to the 2023 June Agricultural Census and represent sample averages of farms in Farm Business Survey. Nitrogen estimates are based on standard estimates of nitrogen content in all farm inputs and outputs where possible.
The data are designated as official statistics in development. They are being released to involve users in our assessment of the suitability and quality of the data.
We would like to hear about your use of this data, please get in touch with us at agric.stats@gov.scot.
For the latest statistics news follow us on Twitter @SGRESAS.
Lord Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray and Chief Executive Roger Wilson OBE at the launch of the new Local Economic Partnership. Pictured with (L-R) Michelle Craig (DfE), Ian Snowden (Permanent Secretary of DfE) and Ethna McNamee (Invest NI)
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council successfully hosted the inaugural meeting of the new Local Economic Partnership (LEP) on Monday 9th June at The Palace Demesne, Armagh, marking a significant step forward in the borough’s drive to strengthen economic growth and collaboration.
The meeting brought together a broad and diverse group of stakeholders to lay the foundation for the newly established partnership, which is being supported by £4.5 million in funding from the Department for the Economy (DfE) over the next three years.
The LEP aims to identify key barriers to economic development across the borough and to co-design and deliver interventions that enhance the region’s value proposition, support local enterprise, and promote innovation and skills development.
The Partnership includes four elected members—Alderman Paul Greenfield, Councillor Joy Ferguson, Councillor Kevin Savage and Councillor Kyle Savage —along with representatives from Southern Regional College (SRC), Business Partnership Alliance (BPA), Labour Market Partnerships (LMP), Community Planning, Invest Northern Ireland, and the Department for the Economy.
Reflecting on the launch of the LEP, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Alderman Stephen Moutray, said: “The first meeting of the ABC Local Economic Partnership was a defining moment for our Borough. We are now in a stronger position than ever to work hand-in-hand with our partners to unlock potential, boost competitiveness, and build a sustainable economy that serves everyone in our communities.”
Ian Snowden, Permanent Secretary of the Department for the Economy, attended the event to mark this important milestone, and said: “One of the Minister for the Economy’s four priorities is achieving better regional balance to make sure that all areas share in greater economic prosperity. Local Economic Partnerships are the centrepiece of our Sub-Regional Economic Plan. They will identify the main barriers to economic development and the interventions that will help to unlock the area’s potential. The Department is providing the Partnerships with dedicated funding to support their work.”
The Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting economic development through strategic collaboration and long-term investment, ensuring that the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough remains a thriving hub for business, innovation, and opportunity.
Dundee’s Our Lady’s RC Primary School has been awarded Gold by UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.
UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school. Gold is the highest accolade given by UNICEF UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life. There are two schools in Dundee that have received Gold.
This school has been working with UNICEF UK since June 2021. They received their Silver Certificate in June 2023.
Children Families and Communities Convener Stewart Hunter said:“I am delighted to see that Our Lady’s RC Primary has been awarded this Gold Award.
“This achievement highlights the school’s dedication to placing children’s rights at the heart of everything they do. It was great to see several of the school’s strengths play a key role in earning this award, including its positive ethos based on mutual respect and trust, as well as children feeling valued, supported and safe in school.”
“I want to thank the staff, the young people and community for all their efforts, I know how important it was for them to win this award.”
Headteacher of Our Lady’s Primary School Lorna Dashwood said: “I am incredibly proud of our school community for achieving the Gold Award from UNICEF UK. This recognition reflects our deep commitment to placing children’s rights at the heart of our school, and it celebrates the ongoing support and dedication of everyone involved.
“A heartfelt thank you to Kirsty Keegan, our Principal Teacher, for her outstanding leadership, and to our children, families, staff, and the wider Our Lady’s school community for their continued support and commitment.”
The Award recognises achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice. A Rights Respecting School is a community where children’s rights are learned, taught, practised, respected, protected and promoted.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Health Promotion is pleased to announce the designation of the Institute for Social Marketing and Health (ISMH) at the University of Stirling, Scotland, as a new WHO Collaborating Centre for Alcohol Policy and Public Health Research.
With more than four decades of international research expertise on marketing, behaviour change and public policy, ISMH becomes one of the few WHO Collaborating Centres specifically focused on alcohol policy.
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear some of the highest burdens of alcohol-related deaths worldwide. As populations grow – especially among young people – the number of individuals affected is expected to rise. Despite this, many countries still lack comprehensive alcohol policies to safeguard public health. The new Collaborating Centre will work closely with WHO to support alcohol policy research in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in areas concerning alcohol licensing, the regulation of alcohol marketing and addressing unrecorded alcohol. The partnership aims to generate evidence to inform public health policy and protect individuals and communities from the health and social harms associated with alcohol consumption.
“The time is now to tackle the harm caused by alcohol consumption and to empower decision-makers with the evidence and practical tools they need to drive meaningful change that will save lives. This new Collaborating Centre will play a crucial role in addressing this often-hidden public health crisis,” said Dr Rüdiger Krech, Director of the WHO Department of Health Promotion. “As harm from alcohol consumption continues to grow in many parts of the world, we are proud to partner with ISMH – an institution with an impressive track record of research that has directly contributed to alcohol policy innovation and public health improvement.”
Professor Niamh Fitzgerald, Director of ISMH and Co-Director of the new Centre, commented, “We are tremendously proud to achieve this designation in recognition of our past and planned collaboration with the World Health Organization. Over more than 40 years, ISMH has developed an international reputation for its important research seeking to improve the health of the world’s population, and this designation further acknowledges the Institute’s success as a global leader in alcohol research.”
Dr Robyn Burton, Co-director of the Centre, added, “As the market for alcohol in high-income countries has become saturated, the alcohol industry has turned its attention to global markets as a new source of growth and profit, prompting increased consumption in low- and middle-income nations. Our work for WHO will help to prevent the wide-ranging negative impacts of alcohol on health and well-being, productivity and communities in these countries by working in collaboration with local research leaders to generate high-quality evidence for policymakers. We look forward to working with WHO and supporting its important work.”
WHO’s Less Alcohol Unit supports the design of policies and implementation of evidence-based and population-wide interventions that address the cultural, social and commercial determinants of alcohol consumption. WHO works closely with leading experts, civil society and academia to synthesize ground-breaking evidence for policymakers and advocate for actions across sectors. It also shares innovative approaches for front-line practice to sustain population-wide interventions over time.
Five libraries in Aberdeen are to see their opening hours revised, including at weekends and evenings.
The following libraries will see a change in their opening hours from June 2025:
Airyhall – 10am-7pm (Monday and Wednesday), 10am-5pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and 10am-1pm and 2-5pm (Saturday);
Bucksburn – 10am-7pm (Monday), 10am-5pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and 10am-1pm and 2-5pm (Saturday);
Dyce – 10am-5pm (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), 5:15-8pm Open+ hours (Wednesday) and 10am-1pm Open+ hours (Saturday);
Kincorth – From Tuesday 17 June: 10am-5pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday), 10am-7pm (Wednesday) and 10am-1pm (Saturday), and;
Torry – From Monday 2 June to Saturday 16 August: 11am-6pm (Monday and Thursday), 1-7pm (Wednesday) and 10am-1pm (Saturday).
Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “We are constantly looking for ways in how our Library and Information Service can be improved so that it becomes a more flexible and accessible library service for everyone throughout the city.
“I hope that this will encourage more people to use their local library regularly at a time that suits them best.”
The changes in the opening hours come following a consultation in 2023 which found that there was a need for increased and more consistent opening hours and access being available outside of 9-5.
All community libraries will also open at 10am and include opening until 7pm on at least one evening and opening on Saturdays.
Dyce Library will also begin a trial of Open+, a system which enables library members to access library buildings and resources outside of normal opening hours using their library card.
Since April 2025, library members have also not received late fees on any overdue items. The introduction of this will help to break down potential financial barriers to using libraries and encourage use throughout the city.
The changes to Aberdeen City Libraries come as part of the Future Library Service Model, which is introducing a series of improvements to the service so that it can better meet the needs of communities.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Press release
Driving innovation – 38,000 jobs on the horizon as pilots of self-driving vehicles fast-tracked
From 2026, self-driving cars without a safety driver could be available for people to book via an app for the first time.
pilots of self-driving taxi- and bus-like services will be brought forward by a year to spring 2026, attracting investment and making the UK one of the world leaders in this technology
cutting-edge innovation, regulation and road safety will be the key priorities of the pilots – with the UK’s new automated vehicle legislation one of the most robust in the world
industry could create 38,000 jobs and add £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035, helping deliver the Plan for Change by putting money in people’s pockets
Nearly 40,000 jobs could be created, roads could be safer, and billions could be added to the economy as self-driving vehicle pilots are set to start in England from spring 2026.
Today (10 June 2025), Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed that the government will fast-track pilots to spring 2026, introducing self-driving commercial pilots on England’s roads.
Firms will be able to pilot small scale ‘taxi- and bus-like’ services without a safety driver for the first time – which could be available to members of the public to book via an app – before a potential wider rollout when the full Automated Vehicles Act becomes law from the second half of 2027.
Innovation, world-leading regulation and road safety will be at the forefront of the pilots, with self-driving vehicles aiming to reduce human error – which contributes to 88% of all road collisions.
Bringing forward the pilots of self-driving vehicles will help the government deliver the Plan for Change, by creating 38,000 jobs to put money in the pockets of hardworking people, driving investment to back British engineering excellence and creating an industry worth £42 billion by 2035.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
The future of transport is arriving. Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the UK to be among the world-leaders in new technology.
With road safety at the heart of our pilots and legislation, we continue to take bold steps to create jobs, back British industry, and drive innovation to deliver our Plan for Change.
The Automated Vehicles Act will require self-driving vehicles to achieve a level of safety at least as high as competent and careful human drivers, and they will undergo rigorous safety tests before being allowed on our roads.
By having faster reaction times than humans, and by being trained on large numbers of driving scenarios, including learning from real-world incidents, self-driving vehicles can help reduce deaths and injuries. Unlike human drivers, AVs can never get distracted or tired and they won’t drink-drive or speed.
Self-driving vehicles can also improve transport for millions of people – providing greater choice and flexibility to get around more easily. They could add new public transport options in rural areas to boost connectivity for local communities, and improve mobility, accessibility and independence for those unable to drive.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
We can’t afford to take a back seat on AI, unless it’s on a self-driving bus. It’s great to see the UK storming ahead as a global leader in using this technology – making our roads safer, travel easier and driving growth by spurring innovation across the country.
That’s why we’re bringing timelines forward today, placing the UK firmly in the fast lane and creating opportunity along the way so people across the country benefit.
Self-driving trials have already been taking place in the UK since January 2015, with British companies Wayve and Oxa spearheading significant breakthroughs in the technology. From spring 2026, self-driving cars without a safety driver could be available for people to book via an app for the first time.
The UK is already host to a thriving self-driving sector. Wayve secured a record-breaking investment of over $1 billion and announced recent partnerships with Nissan and Uber, while Oxa has already supported ‘bus-like’ services in the US and started rolling out self-driving vehicles at Heathrow Airport to improve baggage handling.
Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO, Wayve says:
The UK has been Wayve’s home since 2017 – building this technology here has been an incredible journey, from testing our first prototype in Cambridge to deploying the world’s first end-to-end AI driver on public roads, starting in London and expanding nationwide.
Accelerating commercial self-driving pilots to 2026 positions the UK as a leading destination for the deployment of L4 self-driving technology. These early pilots will help build public trust and unlock new jobs, services, and markets. For Wayve, this means we can prioritise the UK for early deployment and help deliver safer, cleaner mobility to the UK. We’re excited to bring the benefits of L4 autonomous mobility to cities around the UK.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
Britain’s self-driving vehicle revolution moves one step closer, with today’s announcements putting the country on track to reap the road safety and socio-economic benefits this technology can deliver.
Pilot rollout of commercial self-driving services from next year will widen public access to mobility, while the consultation will ensure the technology is deployed in a safe and responsible way. These latest measures will help Britain remain a world leader in the development and introduction of self-driving vehicles, a manifest application of AI at its finest.
Launched during London Tech Week, the commitments are a cornerstone of the department’s new Transport AI action plan – a groundbreaking vision which sets out how the government is using AI to drive economic growth, reduce traffic congestion, and improve transport for everyone in the UK.
Gavin Jackson, Oxa’s CEO, said:
Oxa welcomes the Department for Transport’s (DfT) decision to enable driverless services on British roads by 2026.
Since 2024, Oxa has advocated for an expedited regulatory regime. Clear rules will open up the market and encourage transport companies to introduce the benefits of autonomous vehicles across the country. Today’s announcement shows that Britain is ready for this technology.
Sarfraz Maredia, Head of Autonomous Mobility and Delivery at Uber, said:
We welcome the UK government’s continued leadership on AV regulation and today’s announcement marks a significant step toward bringing autonomous services to the UK.
Uber already enables tens of thousands of driverless trips each month worldwide through partnerships with leading AV developers. Having recently appointed a dedicated leader for our UK autonomous efforts, we look forward to working with regulators and partners to deploy this technology safely in Britain.
Michelle Peacock, Head of Global Public Policy at Waymo said:
The United Kingdom has long been home to our first European engineering team dedicated to the development of our AI-powered Waymo Driver. We’re delighted to see the government lay the groundwork for new investment possibilities in the years ahead.
Today, our fully autonomous driving technology provides more than a quarter of a million paid trips each week across major American cities. We hope to continue growing our footprint globally, and one day bring Waymo’s safety, accessibility and sustainability benefits to the people of the United Kingdom.
Julian David OBE, CEO, techUK, said:
Today’s announcement is great news for the UK’s AV and tech sectors. Safety must be front and centre of any new regulatory regime. The call for evidence on the statement of safety principles enables a healthy discourse on what outcomes the public should expect from self-driving vehicles. The public must also be able to understand when their vehicle really is capable of driving autonomously to prevent accidental misuse. This is why the techUK members also strongly supports the draft statutory instrument on protecting marketing terms.
The UK must also make sure it doesn’t fall behind other countries despite the promising progress made in 2024 to create new, bespoke legislation for AVs. The ability to deploy truly driverless passenger services from 2026 is a major milestone towards bringing the benefits of autonomy to communities across the country. That is why we warmly welcome plans to accelerate delivery of the necessary regulatory changes to make this a reality.
The local area is one of 112 places worldwide working hard to take decisive, Earth-positive action to build resilience, manage climate impacts and create a better future for their communities.
The CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, is a not-for-profit organisation that runs the global disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts.
The continued A status also highlights how things have improved – in 2019, Perth and Kinross received a D-grade from the CDP, but by 2022 this had risen to a B rating, before achieving the highest grade possible in 2023, and maintaining this in 2024.
To score an A, among other actions, cities and local authorities must publicly disclose their environmental data through CDP, have an area-wide emissions inventory and have published a climate action plan. A listers must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation goal to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards. Many A List locations are also taking a variety of other leadership actions.
Climate Change and Sustainability Convener, Councillor Richard Watters said: “We’re very proud to be maintaining our place on the CDP A List again alongside locations around the world. We have seen the real impacts of climate change on the local area and taking appropriate, data-based steps to protect our environment and our communities into the future is vital.”
For more information about the CDP’s 2024 Cities, States and Regions A List, visit the CDP website.
