Historians and neuro-scientists show there are well-established psychological patterns that explain how personal fear fosters anger that leads to a need for action to eliminate the fear.
This dynamic has been evident in much of my 40 years of experience and research on public protests, including my doctorate on public order policing and subsequent ongoing analysis.
Google Trends offers a scientifically valid rating of global search engine topics rated on a weighted scale of 100. In the U.S. on March 10, 2025, for example, the search topic “I am so angry all the time” hit the top of the 100 index, the highest in more than 20 years.
In the powerful 1976 movie Network, actor Peter Finch — playing a volcanic TV newscaster — goes berserk, rises from his desk and yells, “I’m a human being, goddamn it! My life has value … I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!” In response, thousands go to their windows and scream his rallying cry.
A clip of the famous scene in Network when Peter Finch proclaims ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’
In perhaps a similar vein, leaders at the Pentagon, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Energy recently instructed federal workers not to reply to a weekend email from the Office of Personnel Management with the subject line: “What did you do last week?”
The fear-anger-action dynamic is now unfolding in America.
“If I could say one thing to Elon Musk, it’s ‘Please put a dose of compassion in this. These are real people. These are real lives …. It’s a false narrative to say we have to cut, and you have to be cruel to do it, as well. We can do both.”
The response from Musk and Trump to the outrage follows a proven pattern of action and anti-action my colleagues and I have termed the “4-D defense” of deny, divert, delay and destroy. We discovered this pattern through many years of research on public activism for both industry and government agencies, and it was the focus of my PhD dissertation.
We analyzed the content of thousands of traditional news stories, public opinion surveys and the socio-demographics of fearful groups that were angry they were being impacted by actions that were unfair, unlawful, dangerous and arbitrary.
We found that the defensive 4-D reaction works like this:
First deny there’s a problem.
When proven true, then divert the cause to someone else.
When proven you’re the cause, agree to remedies but delay the process as long as possible through promises and endless consultations.
When this is unacceptable, then destroy those protesting by besmirching their credibility and reputations with erroneous and confusing counter-facts and entangled lawsuits.
Trump prefers the ‘destroy’ part
Trump is quick to jump to the “destroy” part of 4-D defense through threats that have included bullying and crushing tariffs.
Another example of this Trump tendency was a recent heated Truth Social post in which he vowed to “imprison or deport students who participate in certain protests” against his attacks on education.
Musk responded on his social media site, X, that reactions by frightened and angry employees to arbitrary firings was “EXTREMELY troubling that some parts of government think this is TOO MUCH!! What is wrong with them?”
Musk appears to be embracing the 1911 “scientific management” style of Frederick Taylor, an American inventor and engineer who is known as the father of scientific management. He argued that the “greatest evil” in the workplace was lazy employees who were simply “replaceable cogs on a wheel.”
When Musk asks “what is wrong with them?” in reference to the fear, anger and demands for protective action from hundreds of thousands of federal employees, he should perhaps watch Network.
It seems they’re “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.”
Eli Sopow 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
News story
Members of the Committee on Fuel Poverty reappointed
Caroline Flint (chair), Gordon McGregor, Belinda Littleton and Anthony Pygram have been reappointed to the Committee on Fuel Poverty (CFP).
Caroline Flint has been reappointed to the Committee on Fuel Poverty (CFP) in the role of Chair. This reappointment took effect from 31 January 2025 and will last for 3 years.
Belinda Littleton, Anthony Pygram and Gordon McGregor have also been reappointed to the Committee. Gordon McGregor’s reappointment takes effect from 17 May 2025 for 2 years. Belinda and Anthony’s reappointments each take effect from 3 May 2025 for 3 years.
The Committee on Fuel Poverty advises on the effectiveness of policies aimed at reducing fuel poverty and encourages greater co-ordination across the organisations working to reduce fuel poverty.
Biographies
Caroline Flint
Caroline has a wealth of experience in politics as a Labour MP for Don Valley, from 1997-2019. She was the first woman MP for Don Valley and a Minister in 5 government departments, developing legislation and leading major policy initiatives, before serving in Her Majesty’s Opposition Shadow Cabinet from 2010 to 2015. During her significant political career, she led the Smoke Free England legislation, led Opposition strategy on energy market reform and climate change, has contributed to multiple All-Party Parliamentary Groups and committees, including the Commons Public Accounts Committee and Intelligence and Security Committee.
Caroline was appointed chair of Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust in 2021 and has been re-appointed for a second term. She was a member of the UK Commission on COVID Commemoration which reported to the government on how our collective experience of the pandemic should be remembered. Caroline is an Advisory Board member for the thinktank Reform, works with Dods delivering training on how government and Parliament works and is a broadcaster and commentator on news and current affairs. She won Celebrity Mastermind in 2021 with her specialist subject the movie ‘Alien’ raising money for the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA). She lives in Doncaster.
Belinda Littleton
Belinda Littleton works for National Grid and is currently Head of Asset Engineering Assurance, Electricity Transmission. She is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Belinda’s work at National Grid has included:
leading a team of specialists to deliver appropriate system upgrades that provide value to the consumer during the clean energy transition
focusing on enabling a net zero future that doesn’t leave anyone behind
setting out National Grid’s strategic perspective on the decarbonisation of transport
Previously working as an economist at Ofgem, Belinda looked at the impact of the smart meter rollout on vulnerable customers.
Belinda has also previously worked at PwC. During this time she worked with the former Department of Energy and Climate Change to develop their Household Energy Efficiency Strategy considering the carbon reduction contribution that could be made by households.
Belinda is passionate about designing inclusivity into future policy that delivers against net zero commitments within the UK.
Anthony Pygram
Anthony Pygram is a regulatory expert. He was the Director of Conduct and Enforcement at Ofgem (where, amongst other things, he oversaw the development of Ofgem’s Consumer Vulnerability Strategy). He was subsequently a specialist adviser to the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee for its Ofgem and net zero inquiry, and more recently a Senior Manager at the Payment Systems Regulator.
Anthony is Lay Vice President and a member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, a Lay Member of the Regulatory Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, and the independent Chair of the Code Change Committee for the non-household water market.
Gordon McGregor
Gordon has worked for over 3 decades in the energy and utilities sector. He has a depth of experience working in retail, distribution, generation and corporate management. Most recently, he has helped lead a number of highly innovative companies that have a strong focus on energy efficiency, renewables and clean technology.
Gordon was a founding member of the Electricity Association Taskforce on Fuel Poverty, working on how energy regulation and industry structures could improve energy efficiency and affordability. Throughout his career, he has helped design energy efficiency programmes, developed affordable payment approaches, created social action initiatives and has helped design tariffs that help priority and vulnerable customers. He has also been involved in market design and managed the implementation of regulations to support new renewable targets. As a director of a vertically integrated utility, he helped lead the transition from a largely fossil fuel based portfolio towards a lower carbon alternative.
Gordon is Chief Sustainability and Digital Officer for Sweco UK & Ireland, a leading European engineering and architecture consultancy. Gordon also sits on the Natural Environmental Research Council and is a member of the UKRI Advisory Board for Building a Green Future.
Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Geneva, 18 March 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is implementing essential structural adjustments at its Geneva headquarters and globally to align with the unavoidable financial realities following an unprecedented 30 per cent reduction in estimated donor funding for the year, including a major decrease in U.S. funded projects worldwide.
The reduction in funding has severe impacts on vulnerable migrant communities, exacerbating humanitarian crises and undermining vital support systems for displaced populations. Further, this adjustment includes scaling back or ending projects affecting over 6,000 staff members worldwide and implementing a structural realignment at headquarters, reducing headquarters staffing by approximately 20 per cent (more than 250 staff).
These measures aim to ensure that IOM can continue delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance to migrants and vulnerable communities worldwide, driving solutions for displaced populations, and supporting governments around the world in managing migration for the benefit of societies and migrants.
IOM operates under a project-based funding model, established by its Member States, which allows for flexibility, agility, and responsiveness to global humanitarian needs. When funding for specific projects ends, the impacts can be far-reaching, particularly for vulnerable communities who often have very few other options for support. Necessarily, the financial resources to support staffing at headquarters and in our country missions also ends.
The Organization’s priority is to serve vulnerable populations worldwide despite the constrained funding environment. To deliver on this mission in the most efficient way possible, the Organization is moving positions into lower cost regional offices and country missions, streamlining staffing, and identifying opportunities to better coordinate our work with other humanitarian actors. These decisions have been communicated to our Member States and were built on the historic budget reform efforts passed by our Council in 2022. We expect that these changes will save costs as well as enable us to extend greater support globally to provide essential humanitarian assistance in crises worldwide.
These necessary adaptations will also enable the Organization to develop new funding, continue essential oversight and accountability, and streamline operations as IOM evolves to overcome current challenges and build on our proud history. Throughout this process, IOM has prioritized mitigating risks to both staff and operations by ensuring that reductions are applied strategically and in consultation with the leadership of the affected teams and that frontline assistance remains protected, while we work to strengthen long-term sustainability.
We recognize the necessary impact these decisions will have on colleagues who have dedicated years to IOM’s mission, many of whom will lose their jobs. We deeply value the dedication and service of our staff, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to support migrants and displaced communities worldwide. We know that our staff share our commitment to serving some of the world’s most vulnerable populations around the globe at a critical moment in time. Quite simply, IOM staff represent the best of public service. We are deeply sorry to lose them.
At a time when conflict, climate-induced disasters, and economic instability are driving record levels of displacement, migration is not a peripheral issue, it is central to global security, stability, and sustainable development. The world is witnessing historic displacement levels, yet funding to address the root causes of displacement is shrinking.
The international community must not sideline migration governance. Addressing forced displacement, climate-induced disasters, and mobility is not only a humanitarian imperative but also essential to future global stability.
Despite these challenges, IOM remains committed to its mission and to ensuring that migration and displacement remain at the center of global policy discussions. The world cannot afford to look away as needs grow and resources diminish.
IOM will continue working closely with Member States, donors and partners to sustain essential humanitarian operations, advocate for long-term solutions, and ensure that migration remains a priority in the global response to today’s crises.
The Chief Executive has specified that the general election for the eighth-term Legislative Council will be held on December 7.
The Government said the announcement takes into consideration relevant electoral legislation and practice adopted in past elections.
The Election Committee Subsector By-elections, which must be held before the LegCo General Election, will take place on September 7.
The polling date for the general election will be published in the Government Gazette on March 21.
In addition to liaising closely with the Electoral Affairs Commission, the Government said it will prepare for the two polls in accordance with relevant electoral legislation and actual circumstances, to ensure that they are conducted smoothly in a fair, just, honest, safe and orderly manner.
Full details of the electoral arrangements will be announced later this year.
When Marlena Edmonson, a social worker and elementary school counselor from Indiana, considered running for political office, she thought she needed to be an expert in economics or political science if she wanted to throw her hat into the ring.
Joshua Levin ’25 (MSW), a student at the UConn School of Social Work, had toyed with the idea of running for office, but felt like he needed more information on how to actually run an effective campaign.
Also a student at UConn, Quinn Meehan ’26 (MSW) is passionate about making things like political social work, campaigning, and being involved in politics more accessible for those living with disabilities.
And Kashmir Flood, a Master of Social Work student at the Columbia University School of Social Work, sees herself incorporating political work and social work practice together in some way – whether by running for office herself or supporting candidates in the future.
For many of the 130 social workers and students who traveled to Hartford on the first weekend in March and spent two days in a chilly, windowless conference room at the Downtown Marriott hotel in Hartford, the idea of launching, running, or participating in a campaign for political office had seemed like a daunting task.
How do you get started?
Why are the rules so complicated?
And, if I run for office, will I really have to call people on the phone to ask them for money?
But travel they did, from 20 different states and the District of Columbia – some coming from as far as California, New Mexico, Iowa, and Arkansas – to take part in the 29th iteration of the Campaign School for Social Workers, presented by the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work and to learn, step-by-step, the ins and outs of running a political campaign at any level of government.
Founded in 1995 by the late former UConn School of Social Work dean, Nancy A. Humphreys, her namesake institute works to increase the political participation and power of social workers and the communities they serve.
Since 1996, the Campaign School has trained thousands of social workers, students, and faculty from both the U.S. and abroad on what it’s like to get involved in politics as volunteers, staff, advocates, and candidates; to navigate systemic barriers; and to uphold the social work profession’s values and code of ethics while participating in the political process.
Charles Lewis, founder and director of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy in Washington D.C.; Kimberly Hardy, second vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party and president of the Society for Spirituality and Social Work; Connecticut State Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey; and Tanya Rhodes Smith, outgoing director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work at UConn, speak at a panel during Humphreys Institute Campaign School, held on March 7 and 8, 2025. (Thomas Rettig/UConn Photo)
Despite the typical public perception of what social workers do, notes the Humphreys Institute’s outgoing director Tanya Rhodes Smith, social work was founded as a political profession and has always been committed to not only working with individuals, but also to working on solutions to the complex issues impacting the communities that they serve.
And a big part of that is, and always has been, the profession’s active and visible role in the political process.
“Democracy reflects the priorities of those who show up,” Rhodes Smith told the participants on the first day of this year’s Campaign School, “and hint: it’s a small group of people. So, it matters who votes, who holds office, who works on campaigns, and who donates money.”
The skills that make someone a great social worker, Rhodes Smith explained, also make someone a great candidate, and learning how to take part in politics and campaigning is as much about developing leadership skills as it is figuring out financing rules and putting out yard signs.
She also warned that Day One of campaign school would be “like drinking out of a firehose.”
“But we’re going to teach you to live your life as a candidate, so that you will be ready when you decide or are asked to run or serve by others,” Rhodes Smith said.
Have a Plan. Write it Down.
“Close your eyes,” ordered Kate Coyne-McCoy, the person who’s been holding that proverbial firehose at nearly every Campaign School.
“Imagine you’re back in grade school, and you take the bus to your friend Susie’s house, and you go in, and you call your mother, and you say, ‘Mom, I’m at Susie’s and I just invited myself to dinner.’ If you’re like my mother, there’s an audible gasp. You don’t invite yourself to dinner,” Coyne-McCoy continued.
“Now, open your eyes. It’s 2025. You’re not just going to invite yourself to dinner. When you get there, you’re going to ask for money.”
Coyne-McCoy is a social worker who has trained more than 9,000 individuals to run for elected office, is a former Congressional candidate herself, and served as the chief trainer for the Harvard Square to the Oval Office program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School.
And fundraising, she told the participants, is the barrier to most candidacies – the thing you don’t want to do more than anything.
“You cannot get elected to anything if you don’t have the money to communicate with the people you need to,” Coyne-McCoy said. “I know that 90 percent of you are sitting here saying, ‘Nope.’ You can – you all can. But are you willing to do it?”
Though this year marked Coyne-McCoy’s final Campaign School training, she didn’t try to ease the water pressure from her firehose of information. Day One was a nonstop onslaught starting with becoming a candidate, ending with volunteer recruitment, and covering everything in between.
The depth and breadth of the material was surprising to some of the attendees.
“I was afraid it would be more local, and not enough of the others,” said Edmonson, who is interested in running for federal office. “But I feel like I got what I needed.”
You cannot get elected to anything if you don’t have the money to communicate with the people you need to. I know that 90 percent of you are sitting here saying, ‘Nope.’ You can – you all can. But are you willing to do it? — Kate Coyne-McCoy
“I didn’t think it was to be this amount of information at this level of expertise,” Meehan said. “I didn’t think it was going to be complete experts in the field, from so many different organizations, and so, that was really what impressed me.”
Early on in the day, Coyne-McCoy – who spent all of Day One on her feet, roaming around the room while barreling through her training materials and engaging the participants as they peppered her with questions and hypothetical scenarios – explained that it doesn’t matter what office someone is running for: They need to a have a campaign plan and write it down.
That plan needs to include details on their campaign team, their fundraising and budget, messaging, research, and their timeline.
Over the rest of the day, she’d periodically quiz the participants on these essentials.
“What’s the most important part about campaign planning?” she’d call out.
As the day went on, the chorus of voices that responded grew stronger and louder as they’d answer back.
“Have a plan. Write it down.”
The day also included a messaging component where the participants worked to craft their own personal story, a 90-second pitch that explained why they were running and why someone should vote for them – something not just valuable on a campaign, but also in their lives and as social workers.
“Telling your story is about you,” Coyne-McCoy explained. “It’s the thing you should do when you walk into a job interview. It’s what you would do when you walk into a legislator’s office.”
A few participants shared their stories, including a young woman who beat addiction and wants to see those who lack access to health care find the services they need.
And a teacher who saw the lack of resources her students experienced and saw how it made them feel – as though they didn’t matter.
And a social worker and teenage mother who wants her peers to join her in consistently upholding the values and ethics of the social work profession.
That code of ethics – a set of standards set forth by the National Association of Social Workers – was a consistent theme of this year’s Campaign School, Rhodes Smith said, because whether seeking to serve in local, state, or federal office, the code can be applied to help social workers navigate all types of challenges, including conflicts with values that might occur in politics.
“Politics and campaigns exist in a partisan context, but the code rises above party,” she said, “and it’s our superpower and guide through every sticky situation or ethical dilemma.”
‘Any one of you could do it’
The firehose of Day One gave way to a quieter, more thoughtful approach on Day Two, where discussions started a day dedicated to processing everything learned the day before and figuring out how participants might apply it in their own lives.
In-depth discussions with social workers serving in various elected offices were encouraging but realistic about what it means to both run for and hold office.
“We need to demystify how to run for office,” said Justin Roias, a city councilor in Providence. “It feels complicated, and that feels intentional. There’s a lot of things hidden that you need to learn yourself. But once you do, you’ll get there.”
“When I think about local politics, I think about cultivating future leaders,” said Kai Belton, a state representative from Middletown. “And then, I’m looking in this room full of social workers, and I’m like, oh my god, this is amazing. I can’t tell you how many of my colleagues up at the legislature say, ‘Kai, we need more social workers up here.’
UConn Social Work Student Jacob Pierce – with Tanya Rhodes Smith, outgoing director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work – at the Humphreys Institute Campaign School on March 7, 2025. (Thomas Rettig/UConn Photo)
“There are so many people who want to see you win, and you will have the support that you need. I think that this looks intimidating, but it’s really not, and I think that any one of you could do it.”
Discussions with community organizers and panelists looking to navigate power imbalances and improve representation in politics stressed the importance of perseverance.
“Embrace the long game,” encouraged Katrina Huff-Larmond, a city councilor in Randolf, Massachusetts. “We have to understand that what we are fighting for is not going to happen tomorrow. And there’s so much work we need to do in the community, it’s going to take time. We can’t give up.”
The day concluded as participants revisited their personal stories – with some choosing to share and present them while standing at the podium before their peers – and with a challenge from Rhodes Smith: To share what their next step would be when they left campaign school.
Edmonson plans to get in touch with a local official to talk about her potential future campaign.
Meehan wants to work with a co-organizer to help mobilize people with disabilities and help them register to vote, especially people living in institutions.
Others plan to attend local board or city council meetings, volunteer, get involved.
For Flood, the weekend helped her find the connection and encouragement that she needed.
“I knew it would make me want to think about ways that I could find myself in social work and politics,” Flood said, “but it just really solidified for me that, ok, this is really what I want to do. And I didn’t think I could have any more fire in my belly than I do now. So, I’m so happy and really excited.”
And Levin, who said he plans refer back to his notes from the weekend for a while to come, said anyone considering committing the time to go to Campaign School should, “Do it.”
“It’s so easy to convince ourselves to not do something,” Levin said. “There’s always going to be 1,000 reasons to not do something, but that one reason is definitely more important.”
Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE
Headline: Bureau members from the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration meet with Representatives of States parties
The Bureau of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration at its meetings in Vienna, on 10 and 11 March 2025 (OSCE Congress Centre, Hofburg). From left to right: Prof. Verica Trstenjak, Justice Mats Melin, Prof. Christian Tomuschat, Anne Ramberg, Prof. Vasilka Sancin, Vice-President Erkki Kourula, and President Emmanuel Decaux (OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration) Photo details
President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration (CCA) Emmanuel Decaux, Vice-President Erkki Kourula, Justice Mats Melin as well as Professors Christian Tomuschat, Vasilka Sancin, Verica Trstenjak, and Anne Ramberg held an information meeting with Representatives of States parties to the Convention on 10 March in Vienna.
The purpose of the meeting was for members of the Bureau of the Court to provide first-hand information to representatives of States Parties to the Stockholm Convention. The meeting addressed the timely institutional topic of the election of the next President and other members of the Bureau in September this year. The meeting also provided an opportunity for participants to become acquainted with the specific features of each of the procedures provided for under the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE.
Ambassador Anna Olsson Vrang opened the meeting with a welcome on behalf of the Depositary State of the 1992 Stockholm Convention. In his opening remarks, President Decaux noted the dual nature of the Court, created “within the OSCE”, as its name suggests, but with a life of its own as a multilateral treaty with 34 States parties today. He recalled that the preamble to the Convention referred to OSCE commitments and principles. Its procedures were consequently open to other participating States on a voluntary basis, at any time, he underscored.
“We have endeavoured to raise the profile of the Court within the OSCE and to make it part of the Chairmanship-in-Office’s toolbox. We must therefore insist on the complementarity of institutions and mechanisms within the OSCE,” President Decaux concluded.
With regard to the specific features of conciliation, Professor Tomuschat, former President of the Court and member of the Bureau, spoke of its flexibility and the straightforward process for setting up of a conciliation commission.
“The parties enjoy almost complete freedom as to the choice of the members of any such Commission. There is no predetermined bench like in the case of the permanent international tribunals operating on the European level,” he said.
Professor Sancin, member of the Bureau, talked about the function of an arbitral tribunal, the outcome of which is legally binding on the parties. The meeting concluded with an overview of the various stages of the election procedure for the President of the Court and the members of the Bureau that will be launched in September this year. It was presented by the Registry of the Court by Christa Allot, who emphasized that the conciliators and arbitrators eligible to vote were acting in their individual capacity.
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/396 concerning restrictive measures in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas of Ukraine.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government announces Race Equality Engagement Group to break down barriers to racial equality
The views of ethnic minority people are being placed at the heart of government decision making following the establishment of the Race Equality Engagement Group (REEG).
New Race Equality Engagement Group (REEG) to help government’s plans to seize opportunities and remove barriers to racial equality
Group to be chaired by Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, who will lead partnerships with communities, stakeholders, and delivery partners
The REEG will aim to better understand the lived experience of ethnic minority people and ensure their views are represented in government decision making
Chaired by Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, the group will work with equalities ministers to better understand ethnic minority people’s lived experience and make sure it is represented in government’s 5 missions.
The group will also partner with ethnic minority communities, stakeholders and delivery partners. This collaborative approach will ensure that the government’s Plan for Change is informed by people from a diverse range of backgrounds, and works for everyone across the country.
Minister for Equalities, responsible for race and ethnicity policy, Seema Malhotra MP, said:
People across the UK still experience barriers to opportunity at work and in society because of their race. We are determined to change this so that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
The Race Equality Engagement Group will play a vital role in understanding everyday barriers to opportunity and hear voices from across the country so that together we can more actively address racial inequality and enable everyone to be supported in achieving their aspirations.
Chair of the Race Equality Engagement Group, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, said:
It’s an honour to chair the newly-established Race Equality Engagement Group, which will ensure government decision-making is informed by the lived experience of ethnic minority people.
I look forward to leading the group and working with a diverse range of communities to create a more inclusive society, with increased opportunity for all.
The government is committed to ensuring equality is at the heart of every mission. Through the 5 missions, everyone will be able to achieve their ambitions in work and beyond, no matter their background.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Chancellor and fintech bosses to slash ‘duplicative and burdensome rules’
Chancellor hosts Fintech CEOs in No. 11 as the Treasury streamlines regulation to boost growth as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
Chancellor and CEOs discussed the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, following the Prime Minister’s pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter.
The Chancellor also delivers on her Mansion House commitment to reform capital markets regulations and boost the attractiveness of the UK’s capital markets.
This morning (18 March), the Chancellor hosted senior representatives from the Fintech sector in No. 11 Downing Street to discuss the biggest growth opportunities for Fintechs and new draft legislation to streamline regulation and boost the attractiveness of our capital markets.
This new legislation will deliver reforms to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) rules, which were inherited from the European Union, and will enable the FCA to scrap any rules which are duplicative and unnecessarily hold UK firms back by designing a new regulatory framework that supports economic growth, this government’s number one mission.
The Chancellor committed to reforming these rules at her Mansion House speech in November to ensure that they work better for UK companies and they deliver for investors, firms, and support growth across the UK.
This will mark the next milestone in delivering the government’s wholesale market reforms and will boost the attractiveness of the UK’s capital markets.
This forms part of the Chancellor’s radical action plan to cut red tape, boost growth, and create a more effective regulatory system, delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
We are taking action to make our rulebook more competitive to support growth, the number one mission for our Plan for Change, and have asked the FCA to reform the regulatory structure around capital markets to make it work better for UK firms. This will ensure they can grow and invest across the economy, kickstarting growth and getting more money in people’s pockets.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Chancellor to press on with DIGIT to boost investment
This morning (18 March), the Chancellor hosted top Fintech CEOs in No. 11 and confirmed the next steps to test distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the UK gilt market.
The Chancellor confirmed the start of the procurement process for Digital Gilt Instrument (DIGIT), which will test the demand for and use of DLT – which has the potential to modernise financial markets by increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing security.
The financial services sector is being invited to help shape DIGIT to support continued innovation and growth of this important sector.
This will help cement the UK as a global financial centre by boosting investment and supporting innovation in this cutting-edge technology.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:
The UK is leading the way on digital innovation, and the creation of DIGIT will help to transform our world-leading capital markets sector and drive economic growth.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2025: impact assessment – RPC statement of lateness
RPC statement about the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) late submission of the impact assessment relating to the regulations
The Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) produces opinions of impact assessments (IAs) to help departments ensure that the evidence and analysis in them is sufficiently robust. We provide an independent opinion to assist ministerial decision making and parliamentary scrutiny of regulatory proposals. We publish these to assist parliamentarians and to ensure that they are available to external stakeholders. Government departments are expected to submit IAs to the RPC in time for the RPC to issue an opinion before the relevant legislation is laid before Parliament.
The Persistent Organic Pollutants (Amendment) Regulations 2025 were laid before Parliament on 11 March 2025. The same day, DEFRA submitted an IA for RPC scrutiny. The RPC is currently reviewing the IA and will produce an opinion when its scrutiny has been completed. This will be made available to the Government and Parliament and published on the RPC’s website, when this statement will be updated.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
New non-executive directors join Defra board
Sachin Jogia and Indro Mukerjee appointed to the departmental board
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today (18 March 2025) announced the appointment of two new non-executive board members – Sachin Jogia and Indro Mukerjee.
Non-executive board members are senior figures from outside government, appointed to provide challenge to government departments. All non-executive board member appointments are made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
Sachin and Indro begin their appointments today, with their terms lasting for three years.
The Defra board provides strategic, corporate leadership to the department and has particular responsibility for monitoring performance and delivery.
Biographies
Sachin Jogia
Sachin Jogia has a technology and product leadership background across global organisations, most recently as Group Director of Technology Strategy and Transformation at Sky.
Previously, he was Chief Technology Officer at Ofcom, overseeing innovation across the areas they regulate including online safety, broadcasting and telecoms. Before that, he spent nine years at Amazon in the UK and USA, most recently as General Manager for Alexa Smart Home International.
Sachin was the founding Chairman of the British Heart Foundation’s Technology Advisory Group and has championed initiatives supporting disadvantaged communities, including Amazon Future Engineer. He is a Trustee and non-executive director at City Year UK, a founding member of the Corporate Advisory Board at Save The Children UK and has mentored Imperial College students and senior leaders with BeTheBusiness.
Indro Mukerjee
Indro was CEO of Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, for three and half years until September 2024.
He is a highly experienced business leader, with CEO experience across technology and industrial businesses from multinationals to startups and private equity-backed ventures.
With a global career spanning Asia, the US, and Europe, Indro has led innovation, fast growth, spinouts, M&A, and business transformation across many different business situations. He has been strongly committed to supporting skills development, including co-founding and chairing the UK Electronics Skills Foundation.
He has an engineering degree from Oxford University, a graduate of the Wharton Advanced Management Program, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and an elected Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Mass cancellation of government credit cards in crackdown on wasteful spend
The Cabinet Office instructs departments and their agencies to freeze almost all of around 20,000 Government Procurement Cards as part of plans to cut spending
Thousands of government credit cards will be cancelled, cracking down on wasteful spending in government in favour of delivering the Plan for Change.
Departments and their agencies will be instructed to freeze all cards this week, with a tough new application process to cut the numbers in circulation by at least 50%.
Spending on the cards has quadrupled in four years.
Move follows PM’s intervention last week to go further and faster to reshape the state and make it deliver for working people.
Thousands of government credit cards will be cancelled under plans to cut spending and ensure every pound of taxpayer money is targeted at delivering for the public.
The Cabinet Office will instruct departments and their agencies to freeze almost all of the around 20,000 Government Procurement Cards in circulation this week, with Civil Service cardholders forced to reapply and justify that they really need them – if they don’t the cards will be cancelled by the end of the month.
Only a minority of cards, used for specific operational purposes such as by diplomatic staff working in unstable environments, will be exempt from the mass freeze.
A strict new application process will be introduced, with departments told to approve the minimum number of new cards possible. It is expected the number of cards will be reduced by at least 50%.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat Mcfadden said:
We must ensure taxpayers’ money is spent on improving the lives of working people.
It’s not right that hundreds of millions of pounds are spent on government credit cards each year, without high levels of scrutiny or challenge. Only officials for whom it is absolutely essential should have a card.
Our clampdown on government credit cards will deliver savings that can be used to drive our Plan for Change – securing our borders, getting the NHS back on its feet and rebuilding Britain.
This follows the Prime Minister’s intervention last week where he said the Government must go further and faster to reshape the state and make it work for working people.
The move is part of a civil service wide efficiency drive to cut down on wasteful spending across government, which includes making it quicker and easier to remove poor performers from post.
It will ensure resources are targeted at delivering the Government’s Plan for Change – ending hospital backlogs, putting police back on the beat and securing the country’s borders.
While some credit cards are operationally necessary to deliver services, the amount spent on them has more than quadrupled in the past four years with spending in the last financial year reaching over £600 million in central departments and core agencies.
The move aims to reduce the money spent on Government cards, redirecting business critical spend into more appropriate procurement routes that deliver better value for money.
Tighter new spending controls will also be introduced, with the maximum spend for hospitality – often needed for officials working in trade or diplomatic roles – slashed from £2500 to £500, and any spend over £500 requiring Director General approval.
Civil servants will also be banned from using cards where there is either a departmental or cross-Government procurement route. These procurement routes deliver better value for money by procuring at scale for common goods and services, like booking official travel, training, or office supplies.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden ordered a review of the cards after examples of unnecessary spending were highlighted.
Departments have been asked to review spending on Government Procurement Cards by their officials. Where they identify examples of spending on cards found to be incompatible with guidance they have been told to take action, including disciplinary action and the revocation of the card in question.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Update on Lay Members on the Security Vetting Appeals Panel
An update on the term of four Lay Members who sit on the Security Vetting Appeals Panel.
Four Lay Members on the Security Vetting Appeals Panel (SVAP) have had their terms extended until 31st March 2027.
The Lay Members are Claire Stokes, James Barron, Nicholas Griffin and Sally Berlin, whose terms were due to finish on 31st March 2025. Their terms have been extended for continuity of board expertise.
The Security Vetting Appeals Panel reviews decisions to refuse or withdraw National Security Vetting and the process involved. You can find out more about what the Panel does here.
The Panel currently has 15 sitting members: a Chair, a Deputy Chair and 13 Lay Members.
There are no statutory limits on the number of terms a Lay Member can serve. However, the Governance Code for Public Appointments sets out that no individual should serve in a single role for more than two terms or ten years.
Claire Stokes was Risk Management Lead Partner for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and is currently an Independent Contractor with PwC Global.
James Barron is a former senior civil servant and prior to retirement was Chief Executive of the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Nicholas Griffin QC founded the QEB Hollis Whiteman Public Law Group and is the head of Chambers’ Business and Human Rights Group. He is Trustee of Anti-Slavery International; UK Anti-Doping board member and Former Assistant Commissioner for the Boundary Commission for England.
Sally Berlin is Director of Casework Operations at the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Reappointment of Ex-Officio Member to the Senior Salaries Review Body
Zoë Billingham CBE has been reappointed as Ex-Officio Member.
Zoë Billingham CBE has been reappointed as Ex-Officio Member of the Senior Salaries Review Body following the end of her term on 31 January 2025.
She has been reappointed to the role for another term of 3 years, starting on 1 February 2025. She will serve as Ex-Officio Member until 31st January 2028.
The Senior Salaries Review Body is an independent body which provides advice to the Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for Health and the Home Secretary on the pay of Senior Civil Servants, the judiciary, senior officers of the armed forces, certain senior managers in the NHS, Police and Crime Commissioners and chief police officers.
Read more about the Senior Salaries Review Body here.
The board currently has 8 members. The Governance Code for Public Appointments sets out that no individual should serve in a single role for more than two terms or ten years.
Zoë was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of the Security Industry Authority in December 2021, and Chair of the Police Remuneration Review Body and the National Crime Agency Remuneration Review Body in January 2022.
She was appointed temporary ex-officio member of the Senior Salaries Review Body in March 2024.
Zoë brings years of experience of working in policing, having previously served as HM Inspector of Constabulary.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Reappointment of Non-Executive Director to the Crown Commercial Service
Dr Manuela Gazzard has been reappointed as Non-Executive Director.
Dr Manuela Gazzard has been reappointed as Non-Executive Director of the Crown Commercial Service following the end of her term on 31st January 2025.
She has been reappointed for another term of 3 years, starting on 1st February 2025. She will serve as Non-Executive Director until 31st August 2027.
The Crown Commercial Service is an Executive Agency and Trading Fund of the Cabinet Office.
It is responsible for managing the procurement of common goods and services, increasing savings for the taxpayer by centralising buying requirements, and leading on procurement policy on behalf of the government.
You can read more about the Crown Commercial Service here.
Dr Manuela Gazzard is currently Group Director of Regulatory Services at BSI. She has over 20 years of leadership experience in the global life sciences sector including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotech, and other related fields.
She has held positions as Managing Director, NovaPrep and Lab Services at Novacyt; Group Commercial Director, Johnson Matthey/Macfarlan Smith; and Director positions at Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Boehringer Ingelheim.
Further enhancing protections for social housing tenants.
Social housing residents in Scotland will be given greater protection against issues of disrepair in their homes such as damp and mould through the introduction of Awaab’s Law.
Awaab’s Law is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who died in 2020 after being exposed to mould in his home in Rochdale.
The Scottish Government intends to introduce amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will broaden Ministers’ powers to impose timeframes on social landlords to investigate disrepair and start repairs, through regulation, following engagement with the sector.
The regulations will build on provisions already in the Bill on strengthening tenants’ rights and Scotland’s existing legal protections for social tenants such as the Scottish Housing Quality Standard and the Right to Repair Scheme.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:
“Introducing timescales and expectations for repairs aims to make sure this never happens to a child or their family ever again.
“Everyone in Scotland deserves the right to live in a warm, safe and secure home, free from disrepair. We already have a strong set of rights and standards that have been improving in Scotland.
“However, these measures will go even further and give power and confidence to tenants that any issues identified and repairs started in a timely manner, so any issues do not have a detrimental impact on their health.
“Our Housing Bill already contains proposals to improve tenants’ rights, and these measures will strengthen those even further to make sure their home is safe for them and their families.”
Registered social landlords are required to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS) which requires housing to be free from rising or penetrating damp, to have satisfactory ventilation and meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Just like the social rented sector, the Scottish Government is committed to and will consider how to implement Awaab’s Law for private tenants, using existing powers, after engagement with the private rented sector.
From April 6, 2025, UKHSA requires medical professionals to report 8 more diseases, while labs must report 10 new pathogens to boost surveillance.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has expanded the list of notifiable diseases and pathogens that registered medical professionals and diagnostic laboratories in England must report.
The updated Health Protection Notification Regulations (HPNR) requirements, which come into effect from 6 April 2025, will strengthen local and national surveillance and improve outbreak response capabilities for infectious diseases.
Medical professionals will now be required to report 8 additional conditions, including Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and zoonotic influenza strains. Likewise, laboratories processing human samples in England must report ten new causative agents.
These changes are the result of a public consultation and assessment conducted jointly by UKHSA and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to enhance surveillance capabilities for current and emerging infectious diseases.
Aside from existing infections, registered medical professionals will be required to report suspected cases of:
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
Influenza of zoonotic origin
Chickenpox (varicella)
Congenital syphilis
Neonatal herpes
Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) or acute flaccid myelitis (AFM)
Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
Diagnostic laboratories testing human samples in England will also be required to report an additional 10 pathogens, including:
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Non-human influenza A subtypes
Norovirus
Echinococcus spp
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)
Toxoplasma (congenital toxoplasmosis)
Trichinella spp
Yersinia spp
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Candidozyma auris
Dr William Welfare, UKHSA Director of Health Protection Operations said:
These expanded reporting requirements will strengthen our ability to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks quickly and effectively. Robust disease surveillance is vital for effective public health response and the data gathered through this system is crucial for developing and implementing timely public health interventions and protecting communities across England.
When registered medical practitioners report certain diseases, UKHSA’s Health Protection Teams will take action. This might include giving antibiotics to people who’ve been in contact with patients, offering vaccines, or advising people to self-isolate. For other diseases, the reports help UKHSA track how illnesses spread and how effective interventions are.
UKHSA recently introduced an electronic NOIDs system, allowing medical professionals to submit notifications online. This digital system is faster than the old paper-based method, helping UKHSA respond more quickly to health threats and reducing the burden of reporting for healthcare professionals.
All shared information is confidential and protected under the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). UKHSA only uses this information to track and prevent the spread of diseases.
Fundamental changes to Armed Forces processes to better support Women in UK Defence
As part of a series of changes to eradicate unacceptable behaviours in the military a new Tri-Service complaints unit for the Armed Forces has been announced.
New initiatives to tackle unacceptable behaviours in the military to be introduced at pace.
Changes include a new specialist Tri-Service team for taking the most serious complaints, such as bullying, discrimination and harassment, outside the single Service chain of command.
MOD creates a central Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, to drive cultural improvements
Progress comes as Armed Forces Commissioner Bill continues through Parliament as part of the Government’s Plan for Change
As part of a series of changes to eradicate unacceptable behaviours in the military, and step-up support for women across UK Defence, a new Tri-Service complaints unit for the Armed Forces has been announced.
The new team will be independent of the single Service chain of command to provide individuals with greater confidence and help ensure that the most serious complaints are dealt with quickly, fairly and in a standardised way across the Armed Forces. Building on the change in 2022 when complaints were taken out of the direct chain of command, providing greater independence and confidence.
The change will see Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination related service complaints dealt with by a team outside the commands of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
This builds on the successes of the tri-service approach to sexual offending, within the Defence Serious Crime Command which was set up in 2022.
In addition, the Ministry of Defence will set up a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce, led centrally by Minister Carns to cohere and drive the work to change culture from the heart of the department. Minister Carns will be supported by a network of regional champions who will help raise awareness of and tackle violence against women and girls across the military, and a Defence Voices Panel – a challenge group made up of service personnel and civil servants to provide honest feedback and lived experiences.
The Minister for Defence People and Veterans Al Carns will set out these new measures before the House of Commons Defence Select Committee later today. He will give evidence alongside Service chiefs.
Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns said:
This government was elected on a manifesto of change, and we are delivering for Defence. I am personally committed to ensuring that we do everything within our power to root out unacceptable behaviour and ensure that the Armed Forces is a place where everyone can thrive.
Women in the armed forces play a vital role in our keeping our nation safe. This is not just a matter of basic justice and equality, it is essential to military effectiveness.
Our people have spoken, and we have listened. We are moving at pace to create a new Tri-Service Complaints team to take the most serious complaints out of the chain of single Service command for the first time and to launch a central taskforce to give this issue the attention and focus it deserves.
The MOD’s VAWG Taskforce will include regional support network, trained on topics including domestic violence and sexual offending. These roles will use a network of multidisciplinary experts to support Armed Forces personnel, including healthcare providers, social workers, and HR advisors and will link into the Victim Witness Care Unit. These measures are part of the government’s commitment to improving Service life and renewing the contract with those who serve and have served and support this government’s foundation of strong national security.
The government introduced the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill in November – the first ever independent champion for serving personnel and their families. The Bill has passed through the House of Commons and is now in Committee Stage in the Lords. The Commissioner will be a direct point of contact for serving personnel and their families to raise issues which impact Service life. They are expected to be appointed by the end of 2025. With powers to visit Defence sites unannounced and commission reports, the Commissioner will hold Defence to account and drive improvements to Service life.
The government is committed to standing up for those who serve the nation. At the end of July, the Armed Forces received the largest pay rise in over 20 years, and in December the MOD struck a landmark deal to bring the military housing estate back into public ownership to enable additional investment into homes for military families and deliver savings for taxpayers.
Charter committing to openness, transparency and accountability
Welsh public organisations pledge new approach focused on the bereaved and survivors of public tragedies.
Organisations across Wales have signed a charter which commits them to responding to public tragedies with openness, transparency and accountability.
The Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy calls for a cultural shift in public bodies’ engagement with bereaved families, ensuring the lessons of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath are learned to prevent those who are affected by public tragedy in the future from having the same experience.
Organisations across Wales – including Welsh Government, local authorities, police forces, Welsh Ambulance Service, fire and rescue services, and the Mining Remediation Authority – have all signed up to support bereaved families and the community in the aftermath of a major incident, with a clear commitment to people and to providing services that meet their needs before, during and after an event.
A launch event will be held in Merthyr Tydfil today (Tuesday 18 March 2025), attended by Bishop James Jones KBE, who wrote the charter as part of his report on lessons from the Hillsborough tragedy.
He will be joined by the bereaved and survivors of public tragedies, including Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower, Manchester Arena and Aberfan, which stands only a few miles from the launch.
Bishop Jones said:
Today the nation of Wales is leading the way with more than 50 of its public bodies signing the charter. In doing so the culture of the organisations has begun to change and there is a renewed commitment to public service and to respecting the humanity of those we are called to serve.
The charter represents a promise that after any future tragedy no one will be left to navigate their grief and survival alone. That no one will endure again the ‘patronising disposition of unaccountable power’.
This is a pivotal moment in the life of the nation as we embrace the principles of the charter and pledge to respect the humanity of all its citizens which should be at the heart of all public service.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, chair of the Joint Emergency Services Group in Wales, said:
We recognise that co-operation when supporting families affected by public tragedy is vital for ensuring the wellbeing and resilience of our communities.
By working together we can use our collective expertise and resources to provide meaningful support to those in need during times of crisis and beyond.
South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Travis added:
By signing the charter, each and every organisation is making a public statement to learn the lessons of the Hillsborough disaster and other tragedies to ensure that we never lose sight of the perspective of bereaved families and ensure that they are treated with care and compassion, not only at the time of emergency and tragedy but in the weeks, months and years after.
While today is a landmark, the real challenge is to embed the charter into our training and culture to ensure it becomes an integral part of our response to any public tragedy.
The involvement of the bereaved and survivors of public tragedy has been a driving force in bringing about today’s momentous step forward.
Julia Draycon, Environment Director at the Mining Remediation Authority, said:
As a 24/7 emergency response organisation, with staff across Great Britain ready to respond to incidents, we are proud to sign up to the charter For Families Bereaved Through Public Tragedy and we’re committed to upholding the principles within it.
We act with integrity, respect and empathy; we take pride in the way we are dedicated to delivering for the communities we serve.
For media enquiries contact the community response team
UK aviation flying high with new tech funding for security
Funding will strengthen UK’s security standards and ensure passengers can continue to fly with ease of mind.
new funding to develop smart airport technology will enable the UK to stay ahead of potential security threats and reduce delays at airports
pioneering projects will solve complex aviation security challenges and will support jobs and skills across the country
with the aerospace and air transport sector worth £20 billion to the UK economy, investment will bolster economic growth and deliver on the government’s Plan for Change
Passengers are set to benefit from smoother journeys thanks to funding for smart airport technology, announced today (18 March 2025) by the Department for Transport (DfT).
Six successful British tech companies will receive a share of £450,000 to develop the smart screening technology of the future, enhancing UK security and reducing delays at airports.
Based across the country – from Tewkesbury to Cambridge and Nottingham – each of the companies will develop scanning equipment to improve threat detection and reduce the number of false alarms and manual checks, speeding up screening processes and reducing inconvenience to passengers.
With the sector worth £20 billion to the UK economy, continued investment will ensure the long-term future of aviation, keeping the UK competitive internationally.
The programme will also build local jobs and skills that will kickstart economic growth across the country and break down barriers to opportunity.
Alongside grant funding, the programme will provide tailored business support workshops delivered by experts at the Connected Places Catapult in collaboration with the department. These workshops will provide advice and mentoring on issues ranging from technical matters, corporate finance, regulation, trial design, customer needs and more.
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:
Safety is our top priority and this funding will strengthen the UK’s already rigorous security standards, bolster our competitiveness internationally and ensure that passengers can continue to fly with ease of mind.
As part of our Plan for Change, we are turbocharging investment in the aviation sector and going further and faster with expansion plans to kickstart economic growth and deliver high-skilled jobs across the country.
Connected Places Catapult is the delivery partner for the programme and has already successfully led a number of schemes for the department, including the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) programme, which aims to drive scientific and technological progress across UK transport.
Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places Catapult, said:
Making transport efficient, inclusive and safe is a key priority for Connected Places Catapult. By supporting innovators with ideas to further strengthen security at airports, not only are we helping to improve the passenger experience, but we are also supporting companies to develop and scale here in the UK.
Sam Pollock, Iconal Director, said:
DfT’s HADeS innovation grant funding is a great example of government working with SMEs such as ourselves to accelerate the development of cutting edge technologies, supporting the UK’s world class aviation security industry.
Ambitions are high as UK celebrates a year in Horizon Europe
Hundreds of researchers, business leaders and academics gather at the Oval in London to mark a year of UK success in Horizon – and plan for much more.
Hundreds of researchers, business leaders and academics gather at the Oval in London to mark a year of UK success in Horizon – and plan for much more
£80 billion Horizon Europe programme is the world’s largest international research endeavour, and an important part of the UK’s relationship with Europe
International research collaboration is a key driver of economic growth, and the government’s Plan for Change
More than 500 of the UK’s leading researchers, businesspeople and scientists will gather at London’s Oval today (Tuesday 18 March) to celebrate the successes that have already been delivered since the UK associated to the Horizon Europe programme, last year. They’ll also hear advice from industry experts, European diplomats, and leading academics on how to seize the opportunities for funding and collaboration that Horizon offers, with £80 billion up for grabs through the programme.
Initial signs suggest UK association is trending in the right direction. Recent ERC Synergy Grants saw awards made to 18 UK-hosted projects, the second highest number. Horizon is giving British researchers and innovators access to funding, so they can tackle some of the biggest issues facing society, from breakthroughs in healthcare, to putting AI to work across the economy. All of this stands to unleash growth and create jobs in high-potential new industries, all of which supports the growth goals at the heart of the government’s Plan for Change.
In 2025, the government is doubling down on its efforts to help the UK’s brightest minds access the opportunities on offer through Horizon, through a new PR blitz, networking events in Italy, Germany and Spain for British businesspeople and researchers, and grants to help cover the businesses cover the cost of attending R&D events across Europe.
Science Minister Lord Vallance, who will speak at today’s Showcase, said:
Science is stronger when we work together with others, and as new technologies like AI develop rapidly international collaboration on research is more important than ever before.
Investing in R&D unlocks the door to more productive businesses, highly skilled and paid jobs, economic growth, and innovations that improve our lives and health. We need to go even further to seize the opportunity our association to Horizon represents and then reap the benefits.
Besides Lord Vallance’s keynote, attendees at the Showcase will also hear from UKRI’s International Champion Professor Christopher Smith, DSIT’s Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Chris Johnson, and Cyril Robin-Champigneul from the EU’s delegation to the UK. That will be supplemented by sessions with experts from the UKRI on how to build the best bids for Horizon grants, and networking opportunities.
DSIT Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Chris Johnson said:
Over the last year we’ve seen some initial green shoots of recovery when it comes to UK participation in Horizon Europe. Events like today are an important chance to build on that positive momentum, and learn from the experience of those who’ve already been successful in building bids for funding.
In 2025 and beyond, we want more researchers and businesses to seize the benefits of Horizon, to accelerate the discoveries that will boost our economy, and deliver new technologies that will improve all our lives.
UKRI International Champion Professor Christopher Smith said:
Today’s gathering at the Oval is a testament to the extraordinary progress we’ve made since associating to the Horizon Europe programme. The collaboration and innovation fostered through Horizon Europe are driving breakthroughs that will shape our future, from healthcare advancements, to climate monitoring, to AI integration across industries.
As we look ahead, it’s crucial that we continue to leverage these opportunities to work collaboratively with our international partners, advancing research, fostering innovation, and supporting our vibrant research community.
Businesses up and down the country are already carrying out cutting-edge R&D thanks to Horizon backing, as well as building consortia with partners in countries ranging from Canada to South Korea, and beyond.
We know from recent history that the UK can be a leader in this area. We have 4 of the top 10 universities in the world, and the second-highest number of Nobel prize winners globally. A quarter of projects in which the UK participated, funded through Horizon Europe’s predecessor, were UK-led.
Further information, including practical support on how to apply, is available on the Horizon Hub – found on Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation websites. UKRI also host regular events that help guide businesses and researchers through the opportunities on offer and the application process.
Potential applicants can find Horizon Europe calls (funding opportunities) open to UK-based applicants using the European Commission’s funding and tender opportunities portal. They can apply for Horizon Europe funding through the European Commission’s funding and tenders portal, where the original funding call is found. More information on how to submit applications are available on the European Commission’s website.
Waste company prosecuted for ignoring audit at Notts site
A Midlands-based waste company and a partner in the business have been prosecuted for failing to comply with a demand for information about materials accepted.
Droitwich-based business ordered to pay total of £52,405.05 for failing to provide details of metals processed
Partner in firm to pay total of £7,996.05 for his part in running Welbeck Colliery operation
Case heard at Worcester Magistrates Court on 14 March 2025
At Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday 14 March, Tetron Welbeck Limited Liability Partnership pleaded guilty and were fined £44,800 and ordered to pay costs of £5,605.05.
The Partnership was also ordered to pay the victim surcharge of £2,000. In total the Partnership has to pay £52,405.05.
Edward Seekings, a designated member of the Partnership, also pleaded guilty and was fined £1,708.
Seekings, 41, of Bridge Lane Court, Bawtry, Doncaster, was also ordered to pay costs of £5,605.05 and the victim surcharge of £683, coming to a total of £7,996.05.
The court was told that the Partnership, whose office is at Hadzor Court, Hadzor, Droitwich, Worcestershire, had an environmental permit since 2013 to operate a site at Welbeck Colliery near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. It was stated that the business changed hands around 2020.
The Partnership failed to comply with a formal information notice served on it after it failed to provide information requested by the Environment Agency.
The information was required to allow the Environment Agency to conduct an audit of the site to ensure waste within the correct category was being accepted.
The deadline in the notice for the receipt of the information was the 15 June 2023. No information was received.
Seekings sent a work plan on 15 June 2023 but it did not include the required information. He engaged with the Environment Agency but did not provide the information required.
Further attempts by the Environment Agency to obtain the relevant information failed.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
We welcome this sentence which should act as a deterrent to others considering flouting the law.
As a regulator, the Environment Agency will not hesitate to pursue any person failing to provide information requested.
The Environment Agency served a formal legal notice in this case requiring information to be provided. It is a criminal offence to fail to comply with a notice requiring information.
>If anyone is suspicious of waste activities they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
The Charge
Tetron Welbeck LLP (Company Number OC366746) failed without reasonable excuse by 15 June 2023 to furnish to the Environment Agency information required by a Notice in writing dated 15th May 2023.
This was served on it pursuant to section 71(2) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, contrary to section 71(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The offence was committed with the consent or connivance of, or was attributable to any neglect on the part of Edward Seekings, contrary to Section 157(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Art of Protest has installed the first phase of new nature-inspired artwork in Acomb, ahead of the mural reveal and celebration event later this month.
Each of the 8 wooden benches have been transformed with a unique design to reflect links to nature. Each bench is painted with a leaf design from the local woodland.
This follows an extensive programme of engagement events and workshops where Art of Protest gathered the views and ideas of the local community and gained an understanding of what people would like to see.
Alongside the benches, Art of Protest is also working on a new mural which aims to capture the spirit and sense of community in Acomb. This final piece of artwork is set to be unveiled at the celebration event later this month.
The event will take place on Front Street on Saturday 22 March from 4.00pm, with a chance to see the new mural, meet the artists and join in with some creative spray paint activities. The event will continue from 6.00pm at Rise Bluebird Bakery café, where there will be a DJ set and community art exhibition.
This art project is part of the wider scheme to improve Front Street and create a more accessible, vibrant, people-friendly space. The council received £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Funding to deliver these phase 2 improvements, which include new seating and planters, improved Blue Badge parking, wide and level pedestrian crossings, wayfinding signs and upgraded public toilets.
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member with responsibility for Finance and Major Projects, said:
This is an incredibly exciting part of the project and it is great to see even more improvements take shape on Front Street.
“This scheme is funded through the government’s UK shared prosperity fund and is helping to create a more accessible and attractive space for people to live, work, shop or visit.
“The newly painted benches are a very welcome addition and do a fantastic job of brightening up the area. The designs for both the artwork and wider phase 2 improvements are based on significant engagement with the local community, so it will be great to be able to celebrate the progress with local people this weekend.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing the finished mural and would encourage those who live or spend time in Acomb to come along and get involved.”
Jeff Clark, Creative Director at Art of Protest said:
It was great to see the evolution of the project, taking the community on the journey and developing local talent through the Street Art Academy and a local artist.
“The feedback was inspirational and there is so much love and pride in the community.
“We are celebrating the return of local trees and a wonderful idea of each bench having a local leaf emblem, so visitors to the area can say ‘see you at the oak bench’.
“Each bench also has a carved out leaf emblem so they are accessible and engaging. The return of the oaks is then incorporated into the mural design.
“We are so grateful to the local community, the support and great ideas. Please come and celebrate as this is your hard work.”
A compelling case for creating a new Greater Norwich Council has been set out as part of the biggest overhaul of local government in half a century.
The new report, which will be considered by councillors at a meeting this evening (18 March), sets out the case for why there is a need to create a new Greater Norwich Unitary Council as part of a three-unitary model to cover the whole of Norfolk.
Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “Greater Norwich is unique within Norfolk, a distinct urban entity with different needs, challenges and opportunities to its largely rural hinterland. Its economy and demography are unlike any other part of the county.
“It is the economic and cultural capital of the region and it drives growth. That is why Greater Norwich needs its own single council, where people who live and work here, who understand the city, and who really know their local communities, can represent the interests of their residents.
“A single unitary council for Greater Norwich would coordinate all key services and ensure better outcomes for citizens, to improve their lives, including coordinated improvements in education, social care, children’s services, and housing, and coordinating with the local NHS. In this way, it would be better able to tackle inequalities, improve educational attainment, develop workplace skills, improve health, and ensure better life opportunities for citizens, all of which would improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.
“It would also be able to adopt an integrated transport plan to make getting into and around the city easier, coordinating all modes of transport so that they work together better for people.”
The new report is based around four interdependent pillars – economic ambition, enhancing public service delivery, financial resilience and connectivity. It also demonstrates the ambition of being a stable, sustainable and effective 21st century local council which can deliver from day one – and for the next 50 years.
Further details show Greater Norwich to be a high growth city, home to 31 per cent of Norfolk’s businesses and with a diverse and increasing talent pool. Greater Norwich is a £9.9 billion economy, supporting 158,000 jobs and 10,500 businesses.
The case for a Greater Norwich follows on from work across all seven of Norfolk’s district council partners which set out why a three-unitary model is the best solution for Norfolk.
Other benefits of a Greater Norwich Unitary Authority:
secure strategic economic growth, based around Norwich’s distinct dynamic, productive, and inclusive economy, while supporting the wider region of Norfolk to prosper
harnessing the city’s unique opportunities for regeneration and renewal to build a thriving net zero economy
promoting the city centre as a hub for innovation and creativity
be a sustainable authority, able to transform and deliver high-quality public services
be strongly positioned to create public services that are not only fit for today’s challenges but will last into the future
prioritise creating access to high-quality, health-promoting jobs
capitalise on Norwich’s unique strengths, including the academic excellence of its universities, through joint working with the city’s education institutions, cultural heritage, and strong local networks
allow a future Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral Combined County Authority to capitalise on powers and funding, accelerating the rate of delivery and powering up the region
A full proposal will be developed and submitted to Government by 26 September.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The natural and historical parks “Serebryany Bor” and “Moskvoretsky” invite those who know how to see beauty and bring it to life on screen. Now filmmakers have the opportunity to book picturesque locations for filming by submitting an application through platform “Moskino”. Parks can be used to create film projects that combine the beauty of nature, the memory of historical heritage and modern technologies.
Previously, film producers sent requests to the Moskino film commission or contacted the owners of the sites themselves to conduct filming. Now, thanks to a specialized online service — the Moskino film platform — it is possible not only to submit an application to the film commission, but also to view a catalog of available filming locations, get advice, and much more.
Picturesque landscapes
Serebryany Bor has always attracted creative people: artists, poets, musicians. Today the park offers three filming sites available for online booking. One of them is a forest area (4th line of Khoroshevsky Serebryany Bor). The artificial island “Serebryany Bor” was formed after the construction of the Khoroshevsky shipping canal in 1937. The forest is connected to the city by a bridge built according to the design of architect Iosif Fridlyand and engineer Apollon Belogolovy.
The island reserve (Tamanskaya Street, Building 55, Block 5, Building 5) is located on an area of about 328 hectares. Its territory is divided into several zones: walking, recreational, administrative and security. Here you can find rich flora and fauna, as well as picturesque landscapes.
In the depths of Serebryany Bor on the bank of the Moskva River is the Veteran Park (Tamanskaya Street, Building 110), created in the mid-1950s on the site of drained swamps. Today it occupies about 10 hectares. Such quiet areas attract Muscovites and guests of the capital with the opportunity to relax from the city noise. The Great Victory Day is also traditionally celebrated here.
The Moskvoretsky Natural and Historical Park is located on the banks of the Moskva River. This place is suitable for both active recreation enthusiasts and those who want to enjoy the silence. Comfortable infrastructure here is combined with a variety of landscapes – from spacious meadows to tennis courts in the forest and picturesque coastlines.
In addition, the site “Park Zvezd” (between Krylatskaya Street and Marshal Zhukov Avenue) is available for booking on the website of the film platform “Moskino”. In 1999, famous actors, musicians and cultural figures planted trees along the right bank of the Moscow River, naming them in their honor. On the territory of Park Zvezd there are both convenient pedestrian and bicycle paths, as well as paths winding among majestic old pines. Wooden decks with viewing platforms and picturesque views are perfect for location filming.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Opened after major renovation office“My Documents” of the Arbat district. It is located at the address: Sivtsev Vrazhek lane, house 20. In the renovated premises it has become even more convenient to receive government services.
“We strive to make the process of receiving government services as comfortable as possible for every Moscow resident. Today, after a major overhaul, another government services center was opened. The updated office in the Arbat district has become more spacious and bright due to a modern approach to organizing space, a corporate style in the interior and new furniture. A separate office for informal marriage registration and a play area for visitors with children have appeared here. The center has been improved for the comfortable stay and movement of people with limited mobility,” said Alexander Grebenkin, Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Security of Moscow Government Services Centers.
For people with disabilities, there is a lifting platform at the entrance, an adapted reception area and an extended reception window.
“As part of the major repairs at the public services center, the roof and facade were repaired, the stained glass windows were replaced, through which more natural light will enter the premises. The space was also zoned, which allowed for a more rational and comfortable placement of employees, and due to this, the width of the passages was increased, which will provide evacuation routes that meet fire safety standards. The entrance groups were put in order: new doors were installed, the railings and handrails at the ramp for people with limited mobility were replaced, which is lined with non-slip tiles, and the canopies over the central porch and emergency exit were updated. In addition, as part of the work to adapt the center for people with limited mobility, a vertical platform was installed for wheelchair users,” said the First Deputy Head of the Moscow City Department of Major Repairs.
In the office, city residents can not only fill out the necessary documents, but also use computers with free access to receive electronic services and other additional services. For example, take photos for documents, print them or make a copy, make payments, including state fees, using terminals in the hall or at the reception window.
In the comfortable waiting area, visitors can fill out an application, charge their phone, drink coffee and relax. In the book exchange area, anyone can leave their book and take another one or scan QR codes with links to interesting works by popular authors.
The My Documents government services center in the Arbat district is open daily from 08:00 to 20:00.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Almost three thousand units of new modern equipment will appear in 51 schools that will open this year after modernization under the city program “My school”. Digital microscopes, mini-farms, 3D printers and much more will be supplied to educational institutions. This was reported by the capital’s Department of Education and Science.
“The large-scale modernization program “My School” is ongoing in Moscow. This year, another 51 renovated buildings will open, where more than 35 thousand children will study. At the same time, not only the infrastructure and appearance of the buildings will change, but also their content. The schools will have modern equipment: 11 types of new educational equipment will be delivered, including laser engravers, CNC machines and digital microscopes,” the press service of the capital reported.
The capital’s schools, which will be updated by the beginning of the next school year, will have digital and stereoscopic microscopes that will allow studying microorganisms and cells. The learning process will become more visual, and children will develop an interest in biology and chemistry from an early age. Several such devices are already in School No. 1190, which opened after modernization in 2024. Using them, children conduct experiments, get acquainted with living organisms, and can even document their discoveries with photos and videos.
The updated buildings will also feature kits for assembling quadcopters and robots. In this way, children will master the basics of electronics, mechanics and programming. For example, they are already used by students of School No. 281, which was modernized last year. During lessons and additional classes, children learn the basics of programming, prototyping and 3D modeling, as well as develop logical thinking and learn to solve technical problems. Schoolchildren not only assemble robots, but also program them.
The guys who are interested in engineering will use laser cutting and engraving machines, as well as 3D printers and scanners. With their help, schoolchildren will create three-dimensional models and work with various materials, such as wood, plastic, fabric and fiberglass. This will help develop spatial thinking and creativity, and will also introduce young Muscovites to modern technologies that are used in industry and design.
“After modernization, our school got a laser engraver and a CNC milling machine. Thanks to them, kids learn to create products from wood, plastic and steel in technology classes. Children’s imagination is limitless, and such equipment is best suited for implementing the most original ideas. My students create plywood boxes, other three-dimensional objects, souvenirs and crafts,” said Maria Kuznetsova, a technology teacher at School No. 281.
To make biology lessons even more interesting, mini-greenhouses will be installed in classrooms, allowing flowers to be grown both traditionally and without soil. Students will be able to observe plant growth, analyze the influence of various factors on their development, and conduct their own research. With the help of digital geography laboratories, children will study the atmosphere, soil, water environment, and climate processes. For example, they will be able to measure humidity levels, air temperature, and other parameters.
The implementation of the largest modernization project in the history of the capital, “My School”, began in 2024. As part of the Moscow Mayor’s program, school spaces are being updated: they are becoming more modern and functional. Work has already been completed in four buildings. These are schools No. 1514 on Akademika Chelomeya Street (building 6a), No. 1190 on Pyatnitskoye Shosse (building 25, building 3), No. 281 on Kominterna Street (building 4, building 1) and No. 37 on Michurinsky Prospekt (building 42). The city plans to update up to 100 educational buildings annually.
Providing schools with modern high-tech equipment helps to optimize the educational process and meets the objectives of the project “All the best for children” of the national project “Youth and Children”.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In 2024, more than 4.5 thousand trees were planted on 24 major Moscow highways. Almost the same amount of work is planned for this year. One of the main greening sites will be Leninsky Prospekt, said Sergei Sobyanin in his blog.
“Green walls of trees protect city residents from dust and noise coming from the roadway. Large spreading lindens and elms, apple and bird cherry trees, oaks and birches give a unique charm to any, even the most ordinary street. That is why we are actively landscaping the outbound highways and other major streets of Moscow, where until recently there was a clear lack of greenery,” the Moscow Mayor noted.
The straight and wide Leninsky Prospekt stretches for 14 kilometers — from the Garden Ring to the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD). It is quite difficult to green it in one year. In addition, the metro is currently being built in the middle part of the highway. Nevertheless, from 2021 to 2023, almost 1.6 thousand trees were planted on Leninsky Prospekt, mainly in areas closer to the MKAD.
In 2025, they plan to carry out comprehensive landscaping of the historical part of Leninsky Prospekt — between the Garden Ring and Gagarin Square, where over 400 trees will be planted. Most of them will appear on wide sidewalks and create a green wall between the roadway and the facades of residential buildings. Some of the trees will decorate Kaluga Square and Gagarin Square, which will become more comfortable thanks to this.
“For Leninsky Prospekt, we chose mature trees aged 20–35 years, four to eight meters high: linden trees “Pallida” and elms “Novy Gorizont”. They adapt perfectly to the peculiarities of the Moscow climate: they steadfastly endure harsh winters and hot summers, and are resistant to strong winds,” Sergei Sobyanin emphasized.
Planting work began about two weeks ago. You will be able to admire the result quite soon.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Almost three thousand students from Moscow colleges have undergone in-depth training in in-demand industrial specialties in the innovative educational space “Rudnevo”. At the unique site, students can practice their skills in conditions as close to real ones as possible. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.
“Our goal is to train specialists in Moscow colleges who will be able to perform real tasks immediately after completing their studies. To do this, together with our partner employers, we are replacing outdated equipment, updating educational programs and creating new sites for practical training of students. The flagship center “Rudnevo”, opened in October last year, has become an important part of this work. The site conditions are as close as possible to production. Moreover, it is located in an industrial park where operating enterprises are located. During the operation of the center, almost three thousand students have been trained here, and this is only the beginning. Students from several colleges at once can practice practical skills here,” noted Anastasia Rakova.
The flagship center for practical training of Moscow colleges “Rudnevo” is a high-tech educational and production complex, which is part of the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”. On an area of more than nine thousand square meters there are 21 workshops and laboratories equipped with modern equipment.
Students can develop skills needed for work in such areas as mechanical engineering, electronics, industrial automation, aviation industry and unmanned aircraft systems. The unique educational platform allows for practical classes to be held simultaneously for students from several colleges.
The center has all the conditions for studying: each student has their own work place, and a coworking space is equipped for group projects. The territory has a canteen with free hot meals for students on a budget form of education and a cafe where dishes are prepared by students of the capital’s food colleges.
Practical classes are conducted by 42 masters of industrial training from Moscow colleges and 40 specialists from industrial enterprises. Large companies are participating in the development of training programs, in particular the capital’s machine-building plants Avangard and Skorost, the joint-stock company Kronshtad, the developer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles and software for their autonomy Gaskar and many other organizations.
The center also cooperates with the country’s leading engineering universities, including the Moscow State Technological University “Stankin” and the Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman. This allows students to obtain relevant knowledge and skills that meet the requirements of the modern labor market.
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