NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Edition 40: News from the Adjudicator

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Edition 40: News from the Adjudicator

    Read the latest newsletter from the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA).

    I am pleased to be updating you about recent news from the GCA, including the commencement of a statutory investigation, the publication of the 2025 survey results and the launch of registration for my 2025 annual conference.

    Amazon investigation

    On 20 June 2025, I launched a targeted investigation into whether Amazon has delayed payments to suppliers, in breach of Paragraph 5 of the Groceries Code. I decided to launch the investigation based on the range of evidence I had seen from multiple sources.

    Delays in payment can significantly harm suppliers, potentially exposing suppliers to excessive risk and unexpected costs and affecting suppliers’ ability to invest and innovate.

    The investigation will cover the extent to which paragraph 5 of the Code may have been breached; any impact of Amazon’s conduct on suppliers; and the root causes of any issues.

    The call for evidence closes on 8 August 2025, so there’s still plenty of time for direct suppliers and other stakeholders to confidentially respond and provide information about your experiences with Amazon. Thank you to those who have already provided evidence.

    For further information, including on how to respond and the confidentiality that applies to all responses, please view the Notice of Investigation.

    Survey results

    I also published my 2025 survey results last month.

    The survey is an important tool for understanding perceptions of Code compliance across the 14 large designated retailers and tackling the most prevalent issues. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey at the beginning of the year.

    I am pleased that the results show improved Code compliance across the sector. The number of suppliers suffering Code issues fell from 33% in 2024 to 30% in 2025. The average perceived Code compliance across the retailers rose from 91% to 93% with improvements at the five retailers with the perceived lowest Code compliance in 2024. For the first time at least 90% of suppliers perceived that 13 retailers were Code compliant all or most of the time.  

    There was also a fall in the number of suppliers experiencing several issues. Some of the standout improvements include:

    • delays in payments (11% of suppliers from 14% in 2024)
    • inadequate processes and procedures to enable invoice discrepancies to be promptly resolved (17% of suppliers from 21% in 2024)
    • undisputed invoices not paid according to agreed terms (9% of suppliers from 12% in 2024).

    You can find further detail in the information pack published on the GCA website.

    I have recently begun my regular round of meetings with each of the Code Compliance Officers. I have asked each of them to explain at the meetings how they will respond to their individual survey results. I will hold the large retailers to account to ensure that they deliver changes that resolve issues and improve Code compliance.

    YouGov carried out the survey and is now conducting a series of deep dive interviews with suppliers to provide further detail about their experiences. YouGov will present their findings at my conference, details below.

    Conference

    Registration is now open for the GCA Annual Conference 2025 which will take place on Tuesday 30 September.

    The conference will bring together the 14 large retailers, suppliers and industry experts to reflect on changes to the groceries sector, ongoing challenges, support available for suppliers and future priorities. To register, please visit the GCA website.

    I look forward to meeting many of you and hearing your views and questions in September.

    Annual Report and Accounts

    I published my Annual Report and Accounts on Friday 18 July. The report covers the GCA’s work during 2024/25 to ensure that the designated retailers treat their suppliers fairly and lawfully.

    Find out more on the GCA website.

    Statutory review

    The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a consultation as part of its fourth statutory review of the GCA. DBT seeks evidence, including about how the GCA has performed its statutory obligations from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.

    The consultation closes on 5 August 2025. Find out more and respond to the consultation.

    Further information 

    Getting in touch 

    If you would like to get in touch with me and the GCA team confidentially, please email enquiries@groceriescode.gov.uk or report issues anonymously 24/7 via telltheGCA.co.uk.

    Mark White

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Portadown People’s Park to host free Family Fun Day

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Portadown People’s Park are excited to welcome families for a fantastic day of fun and celebration. Join us for a free family fun day packed with activities for children and families to enjoy, taking place on Saturday 9th August 2025. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with local support organisations in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

    The event is all about bringing people together to interact, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity. It’s a great chance to build new friendships and enjoy a fun and welcoming environment that encourages families to spend time together and take part in community activities.

    Looking forward to the event, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Alderman Stephen Moutray commented:

    “I am delighted to welcome you all to our upcoming family fun day, a fantastic day to enjoy a vibrant programme of free activities. It’s a great way for everyone to come together and celebrate the community spirit that makes our borough so special.”

    Event Details:

    Location: Portadown People’s Park

    Date: Saturday 9th August 2025

    Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm

    Free admission

    This initiative is supported through The Executive Office District Council Good Relations Programme.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester Day this weekend – everything you need to know!

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester’s favourite day of the year is back this weekend with a fantastic day of free music-themed family fun on Saturday (26 July) to help celebrate the city’s homegrown musical talent and this year’s big summer of live music in the city.

    Inspired by what is proving to be a sensational summer of music in Manchester, expect pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics and banging beats throughout the city’s streets and squares as the whole city comes together for Manchester Day 2025.

    The council has worked with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme for the day this year that is full of surprises and promises lots of free fun all with a musical twist.

    The day kicks off with a mini parade at 12 noon from St Peter’s Square, that will make its way along Deansgate and on to the Cathedral.  Led by two fantastical creatures, and with over 400 participants, including live bands, dancing birds, plenty of drummers and some of Manchester’s many community groups dancing and performing their way along the route in a riot of colour and sound, it’s definitely one not to miss.

    From English National Opera and Walk the Plank teaming up with football fans and community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, a hip-hop wrestling ring, plus two musical cats and a larger-than-life canary all in a giant birdcage, the day will see non-stop surprises throughout. 

    Expect sparks to fly as the world’s largest dhol drum rolls into town, opening up to reveal dancers and drummers, whilst award-winning dance company Levantes will be dressed to impress at their ‘High Tea with a Twist’, in New Cathedral Street. 

    Throw some shapes and bust some moves over on the Deansgate dancefloor where Moroccan trance music and Bhangra dance will be the order of the day, whilst French street theatre company Stoptoï will be combining dance, drumming and juggling in a brand-new, high-energy show on St Mary’s Gate.

    Enjoy music and performance from some of Manchester’s finest groups including the Bridgewater Hall Singers, or kick back and relax with a drink at the Capri Beach bar, before having a wander around one of the city-wide music trails, exploring Manchester’s musical heritage and hotspots. 

    Don’t miss the Perfect Pitch Three O’clock Kick-off, or the show-stopping grand finale in Cathedral Gardens combining opera singing and football chants at 4:30 pm in Cathedral Gardens, where a main stage will feature a fantastic programme of music throughout the day, The Urban Playground Team will perform Zoo Humans, a parkour performance piece that blends movement and storytelling.

    The day will also see a whole host of free have-a-go activities for youngsters of all ages to join in with from circus skills, drumming workshops, and ukulele introduction sessions, to music-themed craft activities and the ever-popular sport pop-ups.

    Manchester Day visitors are also invited this year to join Manchester Opera House for an exclusive free behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic venue, with the chance also to take part in special performance-themed workshops, or to try their hand at crafting band posters from recycled show posters.

    And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled throughout the day for a majestic lion, a cheeky gorilla, giant seagulls and a host of marvellous bees and butterflies – just a few of the weird and wonderful walkabout acts waiting to surprise people on the day.

    Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “We’ve got a fantastic Manchester Day lined up for everyone this year which is going all out to celebrate the music our city and our fabulous communities make.  We’ve got an absolute ton of stuff going on for families and people of all ages on Manchester’s favourite day of the year. So shake your maracas, slip on your dancing shoes, prepare to make some noise, and come on down and join us!”

    Manchester Day has been created in collaboration with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank who have also worked with community groups across the city to put together what is set be a vibrant and lively mini parade.

    Liz Pugh, Creative Producer, Walk the Plank, said: “The mini parade celebrates the wonderful creativity and diverse traditions of our modern city and highlights the contribution of some of our newest communities.  We’re bringing the talents of some of Manchester’s finest carnival artists, and will be welcoming back groups like Keep Manchester Tidy and the School of Samba, as well as some exciting newcomers.”

    Manchester Day 2025 is sponsored by Manchester Airport Group, with activations across the city on the day by Red Bull, Capri Beach Club, Shaken Udder, Just My Look, Manchester Originals, and The Cut & Craft.  The event is also backed by Redgate and Department, and partners Great Northern Warehouse and The Opera House, as well as through long-standing partnerships with Biffa and Manchester Evening News.

    Activities run throughout the day on Saturday 26 July from 12 noon to 5 pm.

    Here’s the full lowdown on what’s happening and where throughout the day:

    MINI PARADE
    Fantastical winged creatures, a Phoenix, and beautiful birds of paradise will feature in this year’s mini parade which involves over 20 community groups and bands and more than 400 participants.

    Two playful inflatable Griffins will lead the parade whilst the Queen Bee sits atop her Gondola made from recycled cutlery, repurposed into a beautiful vessel that sails through the streets, and Walk the Plank’s giant Dhol Drum beats out Punjabi rhythms as it makes its way along Deansgate.

    Dancers from the Filipino Anglo Club of Greater Manchester and Colibri Dance bring the traditions of the Philipines and Mexico to Manchester, whilst the Hong Kong Cultural community takes part for the first time with a Phoenix kite-bird and Lo Ting a character who is half-human, half-fish and according to legend is the ancestor of Hong Kong’s people.

    Manchester’s Lithuanian Association will be bringing a Lithuanian legend to life with their Queen of Serpents who changed her children into trees, and the Guangxi Cultural Association will be performing traditional Chinese dance in full costumes.

    Parade highlights also include Manchester Airport Group with their planes, traffic controllers, and dancing chandeliers, and more dance from Ad Hoc Dance, one of the longest running community dance groups, as well as hip hop from young street dancers from FreshSkillz.

    With the Irish pipes of Fiana Phadraig Pipe Band from Wythenshawe, drummers from the Manchester Dhol Players, the Brazilian-inspired brass of Jubacana, two samba bands, and singers from the Perfect Pitch collaboration with English National Opera, it promises to be a loud and lively start to the day. 

    The mini parade leaves St Peter’s Square at 12 noon, travelling along Peter Street to Deansgate, then along the length of Deansgate before ending at the Cathedral at approximately 1 pm.

    CATHEDRAL GARDENS
    Enjoy main stage performances from Baked a la Ska, who will be serving up original tunes along with playful ska-infused covers of your favourite hits, alongside synth pop star Michael Aldag and world music from Manchester International Roots Orchestra.Be transported to the sunny shores of the Caribbean by steel band, Arthur’s Class Act.

    The Urban Playground Team will perform Zoo Humans, a parkour performance piece that blends movement and storytelling. Keep your eyes peeled for a surprise performance later on it the afternoon.

    Plus listen out for chart-topping hits played on ukuleles and a stunning PERFECT PITCH mass choir finale from 4:25 pm featuring football fans, community choirs, internationally acclaimed soprano Camilla Kerslake and some extra surprises. 

    Look out also for pop-up performances from Cocky Robins, beautiful Butterflies, Giant Seagulls, and a pair of post-match footballers who aren’t afraid of getting down in the dirt and a Three o’clock kick-off penalty shoot-out like no other.

    ST ANN’S SQUARE
    Join us in our wrestling ring stage – hosted by Trans Creative’s Kate O’Donnell – for West End showtunes from Sam Buttery, mind boggling magic from Fay Presto, music from rapper OneDa, an acoustic performance from viral sensation Michael Aldag, and opera with a twist from Flat Pack Music, plus hula hooper extraordinaire Danielle de la Wonk, and wrestling demos from Future Shock Pro Wrestling, 

    Marvel at the larger-than-life Birdcage Stage where a giant canary and two musical cats will defy the laws of gravity to try and outwit each other in cartoon capers full of slapstick silliness. Who will end up inside the cage at the end?
    And look out for a lion on the loose and a mischievous stowaway from Borneo.

    DEANSGATE
    Watch the mini parade snake its way along Deansgate between 12 noon and 1 pm, led by two giant fantastical griffins, followed by live bands, dancing birds, drummers and some of Manchester’s many community groups in a riot of colour and sound.

    Marvel as sparks fly when the world’s largest dhol drum rolls into town, opening up to reveal the Nachda Sansaar dancers and drummers.

    Get on down to live acts on the Deansgate dancefloor, including Moroccan trance music, Bhangra dance, Kemoy and the KYSO Collective, and the Soul Beats dance troupe.

    Seasoned cyclists or complete beginners are all invited to join the Manchester Day Pedal Party. Hop onto a balance bike, try out an e-cargo bike, or test a top of the range road bike. There’ll also be accessible, adapted bikes that can be ridden.

    NEW CATHEDRAL STREET
    New Cathedral Street will be alive with the sound of music, as the Bridgewater Hall Singers serenade crowds with songs from across the decades, and ukulele orchestras play chart-topping hits.

    Enjoy High Tea with a Twist with Levantes Dance, who will be dressed to impress and performing daring dance and acrobatics above a tastefully laid tea table, plus hilarious street theatre heroes delivering a sizzling mix of slapstick comedy, and the world’s only mobile football stadium.

    MARKET STREET
    Visit Circus House to learn a whole new set of circus skills.

    Discover the finest regional produce at the Manchester Day Craft Market by Manchester Markets, selling everything from home-made bakes and locally sourced honey, to hand dipped candles and artisan doughnuts.

    ST MARY’S GATE
    Don’t miss French street theatre company Stoptoï combine dance, drumming and juggling in a high-energy show full of rhythm and imagination.

    Get your blood pumping at the 60m, pop up athletic track supplied by GLL, or dive into the fast and furious world of The Hundred, a turbo charged version of traditional test cricket.

    Try batting, bowling, and catching in a special area, meet players from Manchester Originals, and be in with the chance of winning prizes.

    Enjoy astounding acrobatic performances and master a new skill with the folks from Circus House.  

    OPERA HOUSE 
    Take a free, guided, behind-the-scenes tour of this iconic Manchester venue on Quay Street, craft a band poster from recycled show posters, or take part in a performance themed workshop.

    KING STREET
    King Street turns into Guitar Street as the Music for the Senses art trail takes over the city centre, with amazing artworks and interactive installations that celebrate Manchester’s legendary music scene. In association with Wild in Art.

    EXCHANGE STREET
    Make some noise with Manchester Libraries and craft a harmonica or tambourine to take home.  

    MCR LIVE ’25 HUB
    Roll with it at the city’s newest destination on Piccadilly Gardens to help celebrate the mammoth summer of live music in Manchester.

    Grab a drink at the bar, sample some of the North West’s best street food or catch a free DJ or live music act on the outdoor stage. 

    Locations and activities may be subject to change. Find out the most up-to-date information 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Drumgeith Community Campus Delivering Community Benefits 

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    The new £100 million Drumgeith Community Campus is delivering significant community benefits by providing jobs, training and projects to improve the lives of local people. 

    Community benefits are additional requirements added to major contracts designed to help to boost local employment and skills development, support community initiatives and deliver economic benefits to support local business and supply chains. 

    Dundee City Council and Robertson Construction are working in partnership to deliver these benefits. To date, over £57 million has been retained within the local economy through using local subcontractors and suppliers, representing 76% of the total subcontract project spend. The project has created 40 employment opportunities, 11 new apprenticeship opportunities, and supported 38 existing apprenticeships through this building programme. 

    In addition, 40 work experience opportunities have been created, including 13 for school based young people and a further 27 placements through employability programmes run by Dundee and Angus College and other employability providers. 

    Over 70% of the work force on this site has come from the local area, defined as being within a 40-mile radius of the site. 

    Set to open in August 2025, the campus will serve as a modern and vibrant central hub for the north and east of the city for both pupils and the community to use. It will provide specialist pupil support provision, citywide music and performing arts, as well as community, library, leisure, and sports facilities for use by the wider community. 

    Fair work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Convener Steven Rome said: “The economic and social benefits of our flagship £100 million community campus are being felt across the city. 

    “Over £57 million has been invested directly into the local economy. This investment has generated 40 employment opportunities, including 23 new start-up opportunities for previously unemployed or redundant individuals. 

    “We have partnered with Roberston Construction Tayside to deliver a comprehensive Community Benefits programme which has had wide ranging benefits. These include initiatives to inspire girls to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) as well as providing training opportunities for women attending Tayside Council on Alcohol (TCA) to help them build their confidence and resilience. 

    “I would like to express my gratitude to council officers and Roberston for their efforts in maximising these community benefits.” 

    Robertson Group Chief Executive, Elliot Robertson commented: “We have been working closely with Dundee City Council for a number of years and continue to be a trusted delivery partner of choice. However, our working relationship goes beyond just delivering high-quality projects, it’s also about the lasting legacy that we leave in the local community. 

    “Drumgeith Community Campus is an outstanding facility which is set to benefit the wider community when it opens later this year, but the benefits of the project are already being felt. From creating jobs and apprenticeships to supporting young people into training and working with local suppliers, community wealth building is an intrinsic part of what we do, and we are committed to supporting the people and places where we operate.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Counting the climate costs of abandoned shopping trolleys

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Neill Raath, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing, University of Warwick

    Richard Johnson/Shutterstock

    Despite the steady growth of online shopping, a majority of the UK public still prefers to buy groceries at the supermarket.

    Shopping trolleys can help us lug our purchases back to the car, but some shoppers are evidently taking them further afield. In 2017, 520,000 trolleys were reported as abandoned in the UK. Sunderland in north-east England alone reported 30,000 abandoned trolleys between 2020 and 2022. Likewise, 550 trolleys were collected in a single day in western Sydney, Australia.

    Supermarkets employ a range of methods to stop trolleys leaving their premises, including coin slots, vertical bars (to stop trolleys leaving the shop floor), wheel-locking mechanisms and car park wardens. Despite these efforts, abandoned trolleys still blight the landscape and need to be collected.

    Many supermarkets use commercial collection services, such as Wanzl TrolleyWise or TMS Collex. These companies typically use diesel vans to survey suburban areas, collect trolleys and return them to supermarkets. They also offer to refurbish weathered or damaged trolleys, sometimes by applying a zinc-based coating to protect against corrosion – a process known as regalvanisation.

    We are researchers at the University of Warwick who wanted to understand the environmental impact of trolley abandonment. So, we set out to investigate it.

    Collecting versus manufacturing

    How does the environmental impact of using vans to rescue abandoned trolleys compare with losing these trolleys to excessive damage or corrosion and having to make new ones?

    Our study used a standardised methodology known as life-cycle assessment to analyse the potential environmental impact of collecting and handling abandoned shopping trolleys within an area of Coventry, a city in the English West Midlands, which includes our university campus.

    We spoke to trolley suppliers, who told us trolleys used at the supermarket in Coventry were most likely made in Spain. This was incorporated into our model.

    A trolley discovered by the author, abandoned in a bush near a car park.
    Neill Raath

    Through conversations with our university’s estates department and commercial collection services, we established that approximately 30 trolleys were collected a week on average in the area surrounding the Tesco supermarket in the Cannon Park shopping centre.

    Our model assumed that a bulk transport of 50 trolleys is sent twice each year to be refurbished, in a round trip of 220km between Coventry and a refurbishment facility based in the UK that was noted on stickers placed on refurbished trolleys.

    Vans collecting 520,000 abandoned trolleys in a year could emit the equivalent of 343 tonnes of CO₂ (the annual equivalent of driving 80 petrol cars). If we imagine that 10% of these 520,000 trolleys have been left outside too long and need to be regalvanised then the total global warming impact increases by 90% to the equivalent of 652 tonnes CO₂ (roughly the same as 152 petrol cars being driven for one year).

    This is quite a surprising increase for such a small number of trolleys. It suggests that the real problem lies with the environmental impact of manufacturing.

    Most of the emissions can be avoided

    We found that one trolley would have to be collected 93 times by a diesel van to have the same environmental impact as manufacturing a new one.

    Our results showed that the emissions incurred during the diesel van collection phase were only 1% of the manufacturing impact, and the regalvanisation stage was only 8%. We might wonder whether switching to electrically powered collection vans might help. While the emissions would be reduced, the impact of using diesel vans is still minuscule compared to that of making new trolleys.

    We found that the highest environmental impact stemmed from manufacturing, which was mainly attributed to making and replacing the steel frame of the trolley.

    These results reinforce the benefits of following the circular-economy principle of keeping trolleys in use for as long as possible, and avoiding manufacturing to replace abandoned ones.

    Would anything change if we switched to plastic trolleys? Other researchers have investigated the effect of changing trolley materials and have found that trolleys made of polymers have many benefits compared with steel: they use less material, are less dense (a benefit for collection vans that emit less by driving around lighter products) and do not require protective coatings, which themselves have an environmental impact.

    Blast furnaces at conventional steelworks are very carbon-intensive.
    Pedal to the Stock/Shutterstock

    However, if these polymer trolleys were to be sent to landfill (or left to deteriorate in the environment), they could release carcinogenic chemicals, as well as microplastics, as they break down. This leads us back to the importance of keeping products in use.

    Abandoning trolleys is bad for the environment, with a potential global warming impact equivalent to 0.69 kg CO₂ for collecting one trolley and returning it to a supermarket. If we multiply this by the potential 520,000 abandoned trolleys a year, this figure becomes quite big.

    Preventing trolley abandonment should be a priority not just for supermarkets, but for the general public as well. However, once a trolley is abandoned, it is far better to collect and refurbish it than to let it fall out of use and manufacture a new one, as 92–99% of the environmental impact can be avoided.

    While it is unlikely that we can ever stop trolleys being abandoned, we hope that next time people see a trolley in an alley or park bush, the potential environmental impact of losing this trolley to service would be apparent.

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

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

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Counting the climate costs of abandoned shopping trolleys – https://theconversation.com/counting-the-climate-costs-of-abandoned-shopping-trolleys-258500

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Physically restricting mental health patients can often harm them – my new study suggests compassion could change that

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel Lawrence, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, Cardiff Metropolitan University

    Restrictive practices in mental health settings – such as physical restraint and seclusion – are meant to be a last resort, used only when patients pose a risk to themselves or others.

    In 2021 and 2022 alone, NHS England reported that 6,600 mental health patients were subjected to physical restraint, and 4,500 to seclusion. Figures such as these have led numerous experts and policymakers to conclude that restrictive practices are overused in mental health inpatient settings.

    The consequences can be devastating. Restrictive practices are associated with trauma, worsening mental health, and even death. For decades, clinicians, researchers and policymakers have called for their reduction. Progress, however, remains painfully slow.

    For the past five years, I have been researching the use of restrictive practices in mental health services and exploring how to reduce them. My new research demonstrates the importance of using compassion to support staff to promote the dignity and wellbeing of patients as a priority.

    Restrictive practices have a long history that predates the development of asylums and psychiatry as a medical discipline. The use of legislation to detain people on the basis of their mental health in England, for example, dates back to at least the 14th century. Early examples of restrictive practices included patients being bound and beaten with rods in order to “restore sanity”.

    During the first three decades of the 19th century, mechanical restraints such as straitjackets, chains and restraint chairs and confining patients in locked rooms were widely accepted methods of controlling violent people in British asylums. But in the 1830s, some clinicians recognised the moral and ethical problems with using such practices, and a campaign began to abolish them.

    The UN has long recognised restrictive practices in mental healthcare as a human rights issue. In 2008, the UN’s special rapporteur on torture stated that methods such as solitary confinement violate articles 14 and 15 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which protect against arbitrary detention and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

    This stance was reaffirmed in 2021 when the UN declared that restrictive practices breach the fundamental rights of patients. This underscores the urgent need for reform in mental healthcare systems worldwide.

    Harmful effect

    Research shows that restrictive practices may not only harm patients but contradict the goals of mental healthcare. Many mental health problems stem from traumatic experiences that leave people feeling powerless, unsafe and distressed. Using methods that reinforce these feelings can worsen the very issues services aim to address.

    In extreme incidents, people have died as a result of restrictive practices use.

    In my research, I have developed a theoretical model identifying core factors that perpetuate the use of restrictive practices in mental health services. These include the emotional challenges faced by staff working in high-stress environments, and how these challenges influence their decision-making.

    Mental health wards can be highly stressful environments, with frequent incidents of aggression. In such settings, staff can often feel anxious and hyper-vigilant, which can make it harder for them to respond to patients with compassion.

    Research shows that threat-based emotions like fear and anger are linked to a greater likelihood of using restrictive measures. So, this cycle perpetuates the use of these harmful practices.

    Compassion may hold the key

    Using restrictive practices to control or remove people who are perceived as a threat can provide staff with a sense of immediate safety, which may inadvertently reinforce their use. To address this, I wanted to explore whether supporting staff to manage their emotions more effectively could reduce their reliance on restrictive practices, and foster a more compassionate approach to care.

    As part of my research, I introduced compassion-focused support groups for staff in several forensic mental health wards, advocating for a more empathetic and patient-centred approach. These groups tried to equip participants with skills to better manage challenging emotional experiences while fostering greater compassion for both themselves and the people in their care.

    The aim was to help staff cultivate an inner sense of safety, reducing their reliance on restrictive practices as a means of managing their own feelings of threat. This intervention was encouraging, leading to reductions in the use of restrictive practices in some conditions – demonstrating the potential of using compassionate care for these purposes.

    My study was the first of its kind – bur these initial results highlight the need for further research into how the emotional management of staff influences care decisions. The journey toward change is slow, but it is possible. Compassion may hold the key to addressing a deeply entrenched issue that has shaped the treatment of mental health patients for centuries.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Daniel Lawrence is affiliated with the Labour Party.

    – ref. Physically restricting mental health patients can often harm them – my new study suggests compassion could change that – https://theconversation.com/physically-restricting-mental-health-patients-can-often-harm-them-my-new-study-suggests-compassion-could-change-that-244782

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Grandparent care: women from poorer backgrounds help out most with childcare

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Giorgio Di Gessa, Lecturer in Data Science, UCL

    szefei/Shutterstock

    Grandparents play a pivotal role in family life. They are often a vital part of the childcare puzzle, stepping in to look after their grandchildren while parents are at work or busy. And there’s a lot of grandparent care taking place.

    In England, around half of all grandparents provide care for their grandchildren when the parents are not around. And the percentage of grandparents providing care is even higher when they have grandchildren aged 16 and under, who are more likely to require supervision, care, and support from an adult when the parents are busy at work or unavailable. In this case, 66% of grandparents help out.

    I used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, to analyse the caring roles of over 5,000 grandparents. I used data collected in 2016-17 to assess how often grandparents looked after their grandchildren, the activities they did with them, and why they helped out. I also discovered that there are clear gender and socioeconomic patterns. Further analysis of data from 2018-19 showed that providing care as a grandparent can affect wellbeing.

    I found that in England, among grandparents who looked after grandchildren, 45% of grandparents spent at least one day a week looking after their young grandchildren. They did so consistently throughout the year, with 8% doing so almost daily. Approximately one in three grandparents provided care to their grandchildren during school holidays.

    Around 25% of grandparents who looked after their grandchildren were still working. Most grandparents reported having overall good physical health.

    And most grandparents who cared for their grandchildren also lived relatively close to them – less than half an hour away from their closest grandchild – and had at least one grandchild aged under six years old.

    Most of the grandparents in the study who cared for grandchildren – 80% – mentioned that they played or took part in leisure activities with their grandchildren. Around half said that they frequently cooked for them and helped with picking them up and dropping them off from schools and nurseries. And although it was less common, grandparents also helped with homework and taking care of their grandchildren when they were not feeling well.

    About three grandparents in four (76%) said that their motivation for helping out was to give their grandchildren’s parents some time out from childcare responsibilities. A similar percentage – 70% – said they wanted to provide some economic support, either by offering financial assistance or by allowing parents to go to work.

    Just over half of grandparents (52%) said that being able to provide emotional support was what drove their motivation to provide grandchild care: they wanted to feel engaged with young people and help their grandchildren develop. But 17% say that they felt obliged to help out, and found it difficult to refuse.

    The grandmother’s role

    But while we tend to talk about “grandparents” as a group, grandmothers and grandfathers often experience and approach caregiving in distinctly different ways.

    In particular, when examining the specific activities undertaken with their grandchildren, there are clear gender distinctions. I found that grandmothers were more likely than grandfathers to engage in hands-on tasks: preparing meals, helping with homework, caring for grandchildren when they are sick, and doing school pick-ups.

    Grandfathers were less likely to do hands-on caring activities, such as school pickups.
    Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

    Grandfathers, while also involved, tended to participate less in these activities. This is the case even among grandparent couples who lived together and jointly cared for their grandchildren.

    The role of wealth

    The extent and nature of grandparental care is also closely linked to grandparents’ socioeconomic status. For example, grandparents with fewer financial resources tended to offer childcare more regularly than their wealthier counterparts.

    Socioeconomic disparities also shape the nature of caregiving tasks. Less affluent grandparents were more likely to engage in hands-on activities, such as cooking meals and taking their grandchildren to and from school. In contrast, grandparents with more education were more likely than those with less education to help with homework frequently.

    The reasons for providing care also varied according to grandparents’ socioeconomic status. Grandparents with greater financial resources and higher levels of education were more likely to report providing childcare to help parents manage work and other responsibilities, as well as to offer emotional support to their grandchildren. Conversely, those with fewer financial resources were more likely to feel obliged to help or to struggle to refuse caregiving duties.

    Grandparent wellbeing

    What grandparents do with their grandchildren and why they have an active role in caring for them can also affect their wellbeing in complex ways. Grandparents who often took part in fun or enriching activities with their grandchildren, such as leisure activities or helping with homework, tended to report higher wellbeing compared to their peers who did not look after grandchildren.

    However, grandparents who cared for their grandchildren when they were sick or who had them stay overnight without parents tended to report, over time, lower wellbeing.

    Motivations also matter for grandparents’ wellbeing. Grandparents had a higher quality of life if they cared for their grandchildren because they wanted to help them develop as people, or to feel engaged with young people. However, grandparents who felt obliged to help, perhaps due to family pressure or lack of alternatives, experienced lower wellbeing.

    In short, these findings remind us that behind the broad label of “grandparenting” lies a diverse world of individuals whose involvement in caring for grandchildren – how often they care, what they do, and why – is closely linked to and varies with gender norms and socioeconomic status.

    Also, the meaning behind grandparenting and the type of interactions shared with grandchildren seems to matter for grandparents’ wellbeing. Overall, these insights suggest that these caring responsibilities may contribute to the reinforcement or even deepening of existing gender, socioeconomic and health inequalities among older adults.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

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

    – ref. Grandparent care: women from poorer backgrounds help out most with childcare – https://theconversation.com/grandparent-care-women-from-poorer-backgrounds-help-out-most-with-childcare-253168

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM call with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 22 July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM call with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 22 July 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday evening.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday evening.

    The two leaders looked ahead to today’s International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, where their Defence Ministers have taken the next step towards signing a multi-billion-pound export deal of UK-built Typhoon jets to Türkiye. 

    The Prime Minister added that once fully finalised, this enhanced military co-operation will strengthen NATO’s collective defences and keep us safer during uncertain times, as well as sustaining 20,000 UK jobs and driving growth. 

    Turning to the Middle East, they discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza and underlined the urgent need for more aid and an urgent ceasefire, in order to pave the way for a two-state solution and a secure future for Palestinians and Israelis.

    They reiterated their concern about the recent violence in Syria, and agreed that the ceasefire must hold.

    The Prime Minister thanked the President for Türkiye’s convening role in the upcoming talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul today, as well as the discussions due to take place on Iran’s nuclear programme later this week.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Byers Gill Solar development consent decision announced

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Byers Gill Solar development consent decision announced

    The Byers Gill Solar application has today been granted development consent by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

    Byers Gill Solar

    The application will consist of a proposed solar farm with over 50MW capacity, Solar PV modules and associated mounting structures, inverters, transformers, switch gear and control equipment, a substation, energy storage equipment and underground on and off-site cabling. 

    The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by RWE Renewables UK Solar and Storage Limited on 9 February 2024 and accepted for examination on 8 March 2024.  

    Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 23 April 2025.   

    This is the 96th energy application out of 160 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.   

    Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.   

    The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.  

    The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.  

    This decision was made by Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh on behalf of the Energy Secretary’s legal authority. 

    Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:   

    Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government unveils updates to Private Fund Regime and Sound Business Practice Policy23 July 2025 The first two initiatives which will help to protect and grow Jersey’s financial services sector have been announced. The Jersey Private Fund, JPF, regime has been modernised to be better aligned with… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    23 July 2025

    The first two initiatives which will help to protect and grow Jersey’s financial services sector have been announced. 

    The Jersey Private Fund, JPF, regime has been modernised to be better aligned with the needs of international professional investors. 

    Proposals to simplify the Sound Business Practice Policy, SBPP, have been published which, once approved, will streamline its application whilst a more comprehensive review of this framework is undertaken. 

    Both initiatives are part of the Competitiveness Programme and were unveiled at its launch event. 

    Jersey Private Fund 

    The Minister with responsibility for Financial Services, Deputy Ian Gorst, has signed a Ministerial Order to update the JPF. 

    Effective from 6 August 2025, the revised JPF Guide and a new statutory instrument, the Collective Investment Funds (Jersey Private Funds) Order, will come into force. 

    These changes will: 

    • remove the 50-offer / investor cap; 
    • expand the definition of professional investor; 
    • permit the listing of interests in JPFs with the Jersey Financial Services Commission’s consent; and 
    • introduce a 24-hour authorisation process for JPF applications submitted by registered Designated Service Providers.

    Jill Britton, Director General of the JFSC, said: “The updated JPF regime is a significant step, keeping Jersey’s fund offering evolving with the needs of industry. JPFs continue to be a regulated product that investors can have confidence in – these changes streamline the regime and, together with our commitment to faster authorisation, we are underscoring our commitment to excellent service.” 

    Joe Moynihan, CEO, Jersey Finance, said: “Since its launch in 2017, the JPF has become Jersey’s fastest-growing fund category, particularly well-suited to private equity, venture capital and real asset strategies. As private capital continues to evolve globally, these updates will further increase Jersey’s appeal to managers and professional investors seeking flexible and well-regulated fund solutions.” 

    Deputy Gorst said: “These revisions follow industry engagement and reflect a broader global movement toward bespoke, efficient private fund vehicles for professional investors. They provide certainty for fund promoters and reinforce Jersey’s appeal as a jurisdiction of choice for private capital.” 

    Sound Business Practice Policy 

    The SBPP, jointly developed by Government of Jersey and the JFSC, identifies ‘sensitive activities’ which require additional information or scrutiny before the JFSC consents to them. The Codes of Practice for investment business, funds service business, certified funds and trust and company businesses all require registered persons to have due regard to the SBPP. 

    The SBPP has served Jersey well in understanding and managing risk, but updates are required to ensure it remains fit for modern-day business. 

    The proposed amendments simplify its scope of application, reducing potential business frictions and delays. The “Repeal of the Control of Borrowing Framework”, recently published by the Government of Jersey, includes a review of the SBBP framework with a view to establish a more flexible risk-based approach in the medium-term. 

    Jill Britton said: “This is about modernising regulation while taking a progressive stance against financial crime. Refining the SBPP removes unnecessary complexity and enables firms to focus on what matters, identifying and managing real risk. It’s a shift toward more intelligent regulation, where the emphasis is on outcomes and accountability, not just process”. 

    Joe Moynihan added: “We welcome the simplification of the SBPP, which should have a material impact on Jersey’s competitiveness as an IFC that is very much open for high quality business. These changes, which are in response to industry feedback, are another good example of our agility as an IFC and the positive collaborative relationship there is between industry, the Government of Jersey and the JFSC.” 

    Deputy Gorst said: “This change will enable businesses to do what they already do well: determine the risk of their activity and to act accordingly. Jersey has a mature and sophisticated financial services sector, and this change acknowledges that. The simplification of the SBPP does not reduce Jersey’s commitment to combatting financial crime but rather acknowledges that the industry understand risk and allows them to take greater responsibility for managing it.” 

    Competitiveness Programme 

    The Competitiveness Progamme has brought together government, the regulator and industry with the goal of protecting Jersey’s current economic strength, while unlocking new pathways for growth over the next ten years. 

    The programme is organised around four strategic workstreams, with each designed to address a key dimension of Jersey’s competitiveness: 

    • International Tax Strategy – focusing on creating a tax framework that keeps Jersey competitive and compliant in a fast-changing global landscape. 
    • Business and Regulatory Environment – delivering practical, quick-impact improvements to ease of doing business and regulatory efficiency, while also shaping longer-term reforms. 
    • External Growth Strategy – comparing Jersey’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, against global trends and competing jurisdictions, this stream will offer data-driven insights and targeted investment opportunities to fuel long-term, realisable international growth. 
    • Future Competitiveness and Regulation – bringing together a high-level panel of global experts to synthesise and prioritise the findings from across the workstreams, producing an independent report for Ministers. 

    At the end of this process of research and reflection, the Government will publish a final report and action plan in 2026 that will shape Jersey’s strategy into the next decade.

    These efforts align closely with other major initiatives such as Jersey Finance’s Vision2050 and the JFSC’s registry and strategic reviews, which ensures that workstreams are not happening in silos, but as part of a broader, coordinated vision. 

    For more on the Financial Services Competitiveness Programme, please see: Financial services competitiveness programme​​.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New fence installed at Silksworth wheeled sports park to boost safety and community use

    Source: City of Sunderland

    A brand-new fence has been installed around the wheeled sports park at Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope, providing a significant boost to safety and enjoyment for local families and young people.

    The improvements come as part of a project costing £15,690 funded by Sunderland City Council’s West Area Committee. The fencing works were completed over a four-week period, and a new gate has also been installed to fully complete the improvements.

    The wheeled sports park has long been a popular hub of activity and enjoyment for the Silksworth community, attracting hundreds of users each week. However, the removal of the original fence around five years ago, due to damage and safety concerns, left the area exposed. In the years since, rising levels of motorcycle disorder and general antisocial behaviour had made the park feel unsafe, particularly for younger users and their families.

    The installation of the new fence marks a major step forward in reclaiming the space for safer community use. These improvements should provide peace of mind for parents and encouraging more children and young people to enjoy the wheeled sports park as a safe, inclusive place to play, exercise, and socialise.

    Councillor Joanne Laverick, chair of the West Area Committee at Sunderland City Council said: “We listened to the concerns of residents, and this fence is a direct response to those calls for action. By improving safety and deterring antisocial behaviour, we’re making sure the park remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

    “Hopefully the installation of the new fence will not only attract former users of the wheeled sports park to come back and enjoy it again but attract new users too.”

    The West Area Committee is one of the five area committees across Sunderland. Made up of local councillors, these provide residents with a greater say by working closely with their communities and drawing on local knowledge to identify priorities for their area. They also create Area Plans to support the City Plan, focusing on local needs. These plans help fund and deliver projects in partnership with local voluntary and community sector organisations.

    The new gate will further support the long-term management of the site, helping to ensure the park continues to serve as a vibrant and valued community facility.

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member of Communities, Culture and Tourism at Sunderland City Council said: “The wheeled sports park is a valuable community asset that brings together young people and encourages healthy, active lifestyles.

    “By making this a safer place for everyone to enjoy once again, I’d like to welcome residents to get the most out of this wheeled sports park.”

    The installation of the new fence has been welcomed by riders who regularly use the sports park. Jonathan Dobson, a Sunderland resident and BMX rider for 16 years said: “The new fence has made a huge difference to the sports park. Before it was installed, you’d often find rubbish and smashed glass around the park making it unusable. But now its cleaner and I know my bag will be safe while I’m riding as there’s only one entrance.”

    Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope is one of Sunderland’s most distinctive recreational destinations, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and leisure facilities managed by Everyone Active. Home to one of the UK’s few dry ski slopes, the park also features a large lake, walking trails, sports pitches, a children’s play area, and wide green spaces.

    Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope is popular with families and fitness enthusiasts alike and is a key community asset in the west of the city. The park plays an important role in promoting outdoor activity, wellbeing, and social connection throughout the year.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reading and much more at Leicester Libraries this summer!

    Source: City of Leicester

    FREE games, crafts, workshops and performances are on offer at all of Leicester’s libraries over the summer holidays.

    It’s all part of Story Garden, the summer reading challenge which rewards children for regular reading. Across the city, every Leicester library will host a free family fun session, which will include a range of accessible games and crafts, predominantly aimed at primary age children, but where all are welcome.

    A full rundown of where and when the fun days take place can be found at www.leicester.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge – or you can ask at your local library.

    As well as the fun days, children can book a place on a free workshop at some libraries, with themes including Lego coding, space (in conjunction with the National Space Centre) and the environment.

    And there are free and low-cost shows at local libraries too, including:

    Check out the What’s On listings for a full rundown of what’s on where, or ask at your local library.

    Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for libraries and community centres, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer lots of free or very low cost activities across the city and throughout the summer, suitable for children and young people of all ages.

    “Our summer reading challenge is always very popular, with thousands of local children getting involved – more than 6,000 children took part in the challenge last year.

    “Ebooks and audio books are included in the challenge too, so however you like to borrow books, you can take part.”

    Find out more at leicester.gov.uk/libraries.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump has fired the head of the Library of Congress, but the 225-year-old institution remains a ‘library for all’ – so far

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex H. Poole, Associate Professor of Information Science, Drexel University

    The main reading room is seen at the Library of Congress on June 13, 2025, in Washington. Kevin Carter/Getty Images

    Carla Hayden, the 14th librarian of Congress, who has held the position since 2016, received an unexpected email on May 8, 2025.

    “Carla, on behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately. Thank you for your service,” wrote Trent Morse, deputy director of presidential personnel at the White House.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later explained that Hayden, who was the first woman, Black person and professionally trained librarian to oversee the Library of Congress, had done “quite concerning things,” on the job, including “putting inappropriate books in the library for children.”

    Democratic politicians sharply criticized Hayden’s termination, saying the firing was unjust. It was actually about Trump punishing civil servants “who don’t bend to his every will,” New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said.

    An information science scholar, I have written extensively about the history of libraries and archives, including the Library of Congress. To fully understand the role Hayden played for the past nine years, I think it is important to understand what the Library of Congress does, and the overlooked and underappreciated role it has played in American life.

    Carla Hayden, the recently fired librarian of Congress, attends an event in March 2025 in Washington.
    Shannon Finney/Getty Images

    The Library of Congress’ work

    The Library of Congress is an agency that was first established, by an act of Congress, in 1800. The act provided for “the purchase of such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress at the said city of Washington, and for fitting up a suitable apartment for containing them.” Its chief librarian is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

    The library has six buildings in Washington that hold a print and online collection of nearly 26 million books, as well as more than 136 million other items, including manuscripts, maps, sheet music and prints and photographs.

    It also houses historic documents, like Thomas Jefferson’s rough draft of the Declaration of Independence and James Madison’s notes on the 1787 Constitutional Convention.

    The library is the property of the American people. Anyone over the age of 16 with a government-issued photo identification can enter its buildings and read or view its materials on-site. The Library of Congress was partially designed as a research institution to suit the needs of members of Congress, and only Congress members can borrow items from the library and take them home.

    The Library of Congress has an annual budget of about US$900 million, with a staff of 3,263. In 2024, the library’s staff helped acquire 1,437,832 million new items, issue nearly 69,000 library cards and answer more than 764,000 reference requests, among other tasks.

    The library’s deep roots

    The library has evolved alongside the U.S. itself. Five years before the Constitutional Convention of 1787, future president James Madison called for a library to provide materials to help inform Congress and its members. In 1800, President John Adams signed a bill that established the institution, which began with a $5,000 government appropriation, equivalent to more than $127,000 today.

    The library’s first collection included 152 works in 740 volumes imported from England. It occupied a space in a Washington Senate office that measured just 22 feet by 34 feet.

    The British army torched the infant library and its collection that had grown to 3,000 books in 1814, during the War of 1812. In response, former president Thomas Jefferson sold his personal collection of 6,479 books to the library, which he called “unquestionably the choicest collection of books in the U.S.”

    Tragedy struck again in 1851, with a fire that incinerated two-thirds of the library’s 55,000 volumes, including most of Jefferson’s personal collection.

    The organization rebounded in the next few years, as it purchased the 40,000-volume Smithsonian library in 1866, among other new acquisitions.

    Ainsworth Spofford, the sixth librarian of Congress, boosted the library’s national image in the late 1800s when he tried to centralize the country’s patchwork copyright system.

    Spofford also successfully lobbied Congress to pass the Copyright Act of 1870, which stipulated that any party registering a work for copyright needed to deposit two copies of that work with the library.

    A growing place in American life

    As its collections burgeoned in both scale and scope in the latter part of the 19th century, the library assumed an increasingly visible role and became known by some as “the nation’s library.” By 1900, it had nearly 1 million printed books and other materials.

    The opening of a new library building in 1897, offering services to blind people with a designated reading room containing 500 raised character – or braille – books and music items, epitomized the library’s new status.

    President Theodore Roosevelt said in 1901 that the library was “the one national library of the United States” and that was “a unique opportunity to render to the libraries of this country – to American scholarship – service of the highest importance.”

    The library’s work, and global approach, continued to grow during the 20th century.

    By the late 1900s, the library held materials in more than 450 languages.

    It continued to add remarkable items to its collection, including a Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed in Europe from movable metal type, a kind of printing technology, in 1455.

    Documenting the evolution of democracy, the library also assumed stewardship of 23 presidents’ official papers, from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge, during this time frame.

    A public service

    While primarily designated a research institution for Congress, the library has also catered to a diverse range of patrons, including by mail and telephone.

    As one Science Digest writer noted in 1960, reference staff members fielded questions ranging from “What was the color of a mastodon’s eye?” to “How many words are there in the English language?” and “Could you suggest a name for twins?”

    The library’s register of copyrights received similarly diverse and even humorous inquiries. One older woman seeking to publish her poetry wrote in 1954 to request “a poetic license” to ensure her work conformed to the law.

    In the late 20th century, the library focused on a new democratic national and international mission, as it embraced a new role. Daniel Boorstin, the librarian from 1975 to 1987, termed that role a “multimedia encyclopedia.”

    A congressional resolution marking the Library of Congress’s bicentennial in 2000 noted that it was “the largest and most inclusive library in human history,” as it digitized its collections to extend its reach still further with the growth of the internet.

    As the library marks its 225th year, it continues to represent, as David Mearns, chief of the library’s manuscript division, said in 1947, “the American story.”

    The Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress is seen on June 11, 2025, in Washington.
    Kevin Carter/Getty Images

    A library for all

    Following Hayden’s dismissal, Trump appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former personal lawyer, as acting librarian of Congress.

    Hayden has contended that her dismissal, which occurred alongside other firings of top civil servants, including the national archivist, represents a broad threat to people’s right to easily access free information.

    “Democracies are not to be taken for granted,” Hayden said in June. She explained in an interview with CBS that she never had a problem with a presidential administration and is not sure why she was dismissed.

    “And the institutions that support democracy should not be taken for granted,” Hayden added.

    In her final annual report as librarian, Hayden characterized the institution as “truly, a library for all.” So far, even without her leadership, it remains just that.

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

    – ref. Trump has fired the head of the Library of Congress, but the 225-year-old institution remains a ‘library for all’ – so far – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-fired-the-head-of-the-library-of-congress-but-the-225-year-old-institution-remains-a-library-for-all-so-far-257508

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Analysis Function resources

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Analysis Function resources

    Resources to learn more about and promote the Strategy for analysis in government 2025 to 2028

    On this page you will find:

    • A campaign in a box to containing resources to help you promote the Strategy for analysis in government 2025 to 2028
    • Slide templates for use in presentations about the Strategy for analysis in government 2025 to 2028

    Campaign in a Box – Strategy for analysis in government 2025 to 2028

    MS PowerPoint Presentation, 33.5 MB

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email analysis.function@ons.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Presentation – Strategy for analysis in government 2025 to 2028

    MS PowerPoint Presentation, 12 MB

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email analysis.function@ons.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Welsh Crown Estate Devolution Bill a step closer to becoming law

    Source: Party of Wales

    Plaid Cymru urge UK Government to reconsider its stance ahead of the Bill’s third reading in the Lords

    A Bill that would transfer responsibility for the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh Government has passed the report stage in the House of Lords without opposition and is now set for its third reading.

    The Crown Estate (Devolution to Wales) Bill, introduced by Plaid Cymru peer Dafydd Wigley, seeks to ensure that Welsh natural resources – including seabed rights and offshore wind developments – are managed from Wales and for the benefit of the people of Wales.

    The Bill draws on precedent set by the UK Government in devolving the Crown Estate to Scotland via the Scotland Act 2016. In 2023–24, Scotland benefited by £113 million in revenue from its devolved Crown Estate. In contrast, the Crown Estate in Wales remains reserved to Westminster, and Senedd Cymru receives no such direct benefit.

    During the debate on the Bill’s Committee stage, Lord Wigley highlighted the overwhelming political and civic support for the move, noting that all of Wales’s 22 local authorities – across a range of political parties – have passed resolutions calling for the devolution of the Crown Estate.

    Plaid Cymru urged the UK Government now to support Dafydd Wigley’s Bill when it returns to the House of Lords for its third reading after the summer recess, which would then allow it to be transferred to the House of Commons.

    The party’s energy spokesperson, Llinos Medi MP, said it gave “new momentum” to Plaid Cymru’s campaign to devolve the Crown Estate.

    The UK Labour government rejected Plaid Cymru’s calls for control over the Crown Estate to be given to ministers in Wales in February, with Labour MPs – including those from Wales, voting against an amendment by Llinos Medi MP to the government’s Crown Estate Bill. 

    Plaid Cymru Peer, Dafydd Wigley said:

    “Wales has a history of exploitation of our natural resources, whether it is coal or other minerals, or our water resources, on which Birmingham and London now increasingly depend. We likewise see the exploitation of our energy potential – wave, sea currents, estuarial waters and wind on shore and in the seas around our coast.

    “My Plaid Cymru colleagues and I want to see the maximum possible benefit from such projects coming into the Welsh economy; we want to see that happen in a planned manner that recognises the financial benefit that should rightly come to those who invest in such projects, but also to the communities in which they are based.

    “Given this Bill has passed its Report Stage unopposed in the Lords, given the unanimous support of all Welsh councils towards the principle of the Bill, as well as the support of the Welsh Government, the UK Government should reflect on this issue and support my Bill when it returns for its Third Reading after the summer recess, and subsequently when it comes to the Commons, to make time available for MPs to discuss it further.”

    Plaid Cymru Energy spokesperson, Llinos Medi MP, added:

    “The passing of this Bill’s Report Stage in the House of Lords gives new momentum to the campaign to devolve the Crown Estate. Combined with the unanimous support across all Welsh councils, it’s clear that the UK Government must now reconsider its stance.

    “The UK Government can no longer justify keeping these powers in Westminster. If Scotland can control its own natural resources, then Wales deserves nothing less. This is about fairness, accountability, and empowering Welsh communities to shape their own future.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens propose holiday homes tax to protect Gaelic language

    Source: Scottish Greens

    22 Jul 2025 Housing

    Holiday homes are increasing house prices out and hollowing out communities

    More in Housing

    The Scottish Greens have unveiled new plans to protect Gaelic-speaking communities by increasing taxes on holiday homes and Airbnb-style short term lets. The move is designed to tackle the acute housing crisis in Gaelic communities and to support young people who want to stay in the areas they have grown up in.

    The party’s finance spokesperson, Ross Greer MSP, intends to force a vote on the proposals when Holyrood considers amendments to the Housing Bill in the autumn. His amendments would allow ministers to levy a special surcharge on those buying holiday homes or other additional properties in areas with high numbers of Gaelic speakers, such as Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

    Average house prices in Skye are £60,000 higher than the national average and one local councillor recently estimated that almost 60% of local properties were either holiday homes or short term lets. This is forcing many young people off the island and putting Gaelic’s survival as a community language at risk. Lack of available housing is commonly cited as a key reason why Gaelic is now on the edge of extinction in its historic communities.

    Greer’s proposals follow the Scottish Parliament recently passing the Scottish Languages Act, which allows for communities where Gaelic is widely spoken to be designated as “Areas of Linguistic Significance”. The additional charge on holiday homes purchases the Scottish Green MSP has put forward would apply in the areas with this designation.

    Ross Greer said:

    “Gaelic is an essential part of Scottish culture and national identity, but it is on the verge of extinction as a living language. We need to take bold action immediately, or the decline will be impossible to reverse. The Languages Act is a good starting point, but we know that one of the biggest threats to the language is the housing crisis in areas like Skye.

    “Young Gaelic speakers are being forced out of the last communities where it is still the spoken language because holiday homes and Airbnb-style short term lets have driven up house prices to levels they cannot hope to compete with. As a result, they are forced to move to areas where they cannot use Gaelic in their everyday interactions. This is one of the biggest threats to Gaelic’s continued existence. 

    “My proposals would make it harder for wealthier people to buy up second homes and short-term lets in Gaelic-speaking communities and in turn make it easier for locals, especially first-time buyers, to secure their own home.

    “Changes to Council Tax already delivered by Scottish Green MSPs reduced the number of second and holiday homes across Scotland by 2,500 last year, freeing up more properties for people who need a home to live in. We can build on this success with further targeted actions and ensure that our Gaelic-speaking communities can thrive rather than be treated purely as holiday parks for tourists and the super-rich.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inspection report published: An inspection of the Home Office’s use of age assessments (July 2024 – February 2025)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Inspection report published: An inspection of the Home Office’s use of age assessments (July 2024 – February 2025)

    The Independent Chief Inspector, David Bolt CBE, comments on the inspection report on the Home Office’s use of age assessments, and the Home Office’s response, following its publication yesterday.

    My report on the Home Office use of age assessments was published yesterday (22 July 2025). The report was sent to the Home Secretary on 20 May 2025, so publication fell just outside the agreed 8-week target timescale. I made eight recommendations designed to improve training, guidance, assurance, resources and communication and I am pleased that all were accepted.  

    When a young person claims asylum in the UK, the Home Office must determine whether they will be treated as an adult or as a child while their claim is being processed. The focus is on chronological age, reflecting the fact that immigration and other relevant legislation is framed around 18 years as the bright line between childhood and adulthood. However, the binary nature of the determination and the absence of a foolproof ‘test’ of chronological age mean that the Home Office will sometimes get it wrong. This is clearly a cause for concern, especially where a child is denied the rights and protections to which they are entitled.

    This inspection examined initial age decisions based on appearance and demeanour made by the Home Office when first encountering young people who claim asylum, in particular those arriving by small boat. It also examined subsequent age assessments, including those conducted by the National Age Assessment Board (NAAB), which sits within the Home Office and since 2023 has been assisting local authorities by conducting Merton-compliant age assessments on their behalf.

    Inspectors set out to understand how far the Home Office went to ensure that its assessments were sufficiently mindful of the difficulty of getting it right and of the consequences of getting it wrong. Inspectors looked for evidence that processes were methodical, fairly and consistently applied, and child-sensitive; that decisions were balanced and reasonable; and that those involved were open to learning from others and from their mistakes.

    Inspectors found that many of the long-standing concerns about policy and practice, especially in respect of initial age decisions, remain unanswered, and for small boat arrivals some of these concerns had increased. Yet there was a surprising lack of curiosity about decisions that were subsequently disputed and overturned, and a prevailing view that there was no learning to take from these later assessments as the processes were too dissimilar.

    For those disputing their initial age decision, the greater reliance on qualified social workers, whether employed by local authorities or by the NAAB, the recognised Merton ‘standard’, and the fact that there is more time to probe and reflect, made for a more careful and thorough process, though still not guaranteed to get it right. Here there was a need to improve information sharing (with local authorities regarding age disputed individuals dispersed to their area) and capacity (especially of the NAAB to meet the demand it had generated for its services), along with record-keeping, data and quality assurance. 

    Previous inspections have raised concerns about the Home Office’s ability to identify vulnerable adults and respond effectively. In focusing on determining chronological age the Home Office needs to take care that it is not deflected from making a more holistic assessment of individual needs, since a young person who is assessed correctly to be over 18 may nonetheless be vulnerable and at risk if placed with other adults. 

    Underlying my eight recommendations the overall message is that the Home Office should look to work more closely and collaboratively with external stakeholders, including local authorities in England and Wales and their equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland, Strategic Migration Partnerships, Non-Governmental Organisations, and should involve others (interpreters, social workers, experts and practitioners in supporting and providing services for children and young people) as much as possible in designing and delivering its processes.

    Home Office policies and practice in relation to age assessments will always be hotly contested, not least because of what is at stake. But a more open and inclusive approach will make it easier for the Home Office and its critics to maintain a constructive dialogue about how to ensure that the best interests of children are served. Committing to better communication, engagement and collaboration would be a start.

    Yesterday, the government also issued a written ministerial statement regarding the use of scientific methods to help determine age. As no scientific methods are currently in use, this was out of scope for this inspection. However, the ICIBI will no doubt wish to return to age assessments at some point to follow up on its recommendations, and this will also be an opportunity to inspect any new methods that are in use at that time.

    David Bolt CBE, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration

    23 July 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ASC commissions: letters to Lord Hanson

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    ASC commissions: letters to Lord Hanson

    Letters from the Chair of the Animals in Science Committee to the Lords Minister about timescales and scope for commissioned advice.

    Documents

    Timescales for ASC commissions: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible)

    HTML

    Timescales for ASC commissions: letter to Lord Hanson

    PDF, 114 KB, 2 pages

    Refining the scope for commissioned advice: letter to Lord Hanson (accessible)

    HTML

    Refining the scope for commissioned advice: letter to Lord Hanson

    PDF, 123 KB, 2 pages

    Details

    Dr Sally Robinson, Chair of the Animals in Science Committee, wrote to David Hanson, Lords Minister, on 27 June 2025.

    She provided an update on the committee’s progress with commissioned advice and requested an extension to the deadlines for the commissions on strengthening leading practice, and strengthening the functioning of Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Bodies (AWERBs) and the Named Information Officer (NIO).

    On 8 July 2025, she followed up with proposals for the refined scope of the commission on strengthening the functioning of AWERBs and the NIO.

    Lord Hanson has agreed these changes to the timescales and scope.

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Gaza: As starvation spreads, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away – joint statement

    Source: Amnesty International –

    As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.

    Exactly two months since the Israeli government-controlled scheme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating, 109 organisations are sounding the alarm, urging governments to act: open all land crossings; restore the full flow of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel through a principled, UN-led mechanism; end the siege, and agree to a ceasefire now.

    “Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?” said one agency representative. 

    Massacres at food distribution sites in Gaza are occurring near-daily. As of July 13, the UN confirmed 875 Palestinians were killed while seeking food, 201 on aid routes and the rest at distribution points. Thousands more have been injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly two million exhausted Palestinians with the most recent mass displacement order issued on July 20, confining Palestinians to less than 12 per cent of Gaza. WFP warns that current conditions make operations untenable. The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. 

    Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them. The Government of Israel’s restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death. An aid worker providing psychosocial support spoke of the devastating impact on children: “Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food.” 

    Doctors report record rates of acute malnutrition, especially among children and older people. Illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration. Distributions in Gaza average just 28 trucks a day, far from enough for over two million people, many of whom have gone weeks without assistance.

    The UN-led humanitarian system has not failed, it has been prevented from functioning. 

    Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale. But, with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams. On July 10, the EU and Israel announced steps to scale up aid. But these promises of ‘progress’ ring hollow when there is no real change on the ground. Every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses. Children starve while waiting for promises that never arrive. 

    Palestinians are trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, waiting for assistance and ceasefires, only to wake up to worsening conditions. It is not just physical torment, but psychological. Survival is dangled like a mirage. The humanitarian system cannot run on false promises. Humanitarians cannot operate on shifting timelines or wait for political commitments that fail to deliver access.

    Governments must stop waiting for permission to act. We cannot continue to hope that current arrangements will work. It is time to take decisive action: demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions; open all land crossings; ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza; reject military-controlled distribution models; restore a principled, UN-led humanitarian response and continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organisations. States must pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition. 

    Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, serve as a smokescreen for inaction. They cannot replace states’ legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale. States can and must save lives before there are none left to save.

    Signatories: 

    1. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
    2. A.M. Qattan Foundation
    3. A New Policy
    4. ACT Alliance
    5. Action Against Hunger (ACF)
    6. Action for Humanity
    7. ActionAid International
    8. American Baptist Churches Palestine Justice Network
    9. Amnesty International
    10. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
    11. Associazione Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS)
    12. Bystanders No More
    13. Campain
    14. CARE 
    15. Caritas Germany
    16. Caritas Internationalis
    17. Caritas Jerusalem
    18. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
    19. Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    20. CESVI Fondazione
    21. Children Not Numbers
    22. Christian Aid
    23. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
    24. CIDSE- International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations
    25. Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS)
    26. Council for Arab‑British Understanding (CAABU)
    27. DanChurchAid (DCA)
    28. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
    29. Doctors against Genocide
    30. Episcopal Peace Fellowship
    31. EuroMed Rights
    32. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
    33. Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e.V.
    34. Gender Action for Peace and Security
    35. Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
    36. Global Witness
    37. Health Workers 4 Palestine
    38. HelpAge International
    39. Humanity & Inclusion (HI)
    40. Humanity First UK
    41. Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
    42. Insight Insecurity
    43. International Media Support
    44. International NGO Safety Organisation
    45. Islamic Relief
    46. Jahalin Solidarity
    47. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
    48. Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals (KAMMP)
    49. Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
    50. MedGlobal
    51. Medico International
    52. Medico International Switzerland (medico international schweiz)
    53. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
    54. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
    55. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
    56. Médecins du Monde France
    57. Médecins du Monde Spain
    58. Médecins du Monde Switzerland
    59. Mercy Corps
    60. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
    61. Movement for Peace (MPDL)
    62. Muslim Aid
    63. National Justice and Peace Network in England and Wales
    64. Nonviolence International
    65. Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC)
    66. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
    67. Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
    68. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
    69. Oxfam International
    70. Pax Christi England and Wales
    71. Pax Christi International
    72. Pax Christi Merseyside
    73. Pax Christi USA
    74. Pal Law Commission
    75. Palestinian American Medical Association
    76. Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
    77. Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS)
    78. Peace Direct
    79. Peace Winds
    80. Pediatricians for Palestine
    81. People in Need
    82. Plan International
    83. Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
    84. Progettomondo
    85. Project HOPE
    86. Quaker Palestine Israel Network
    87. Rebuilding Alliance
    88. Saferworld
    89. Sabeel‑Kairos UK
    90. Save the Children (SCI)
    91. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
    92. Solidarités International
    93. Støtteforeningen Det Danske Hus i Palæstina
    94. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
    95. Terre des Hommes Italia
    96. Terre des Hommes Lausanne
    97. Terre des Hommes Nederland
    98. The Borgen Project
    99. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    100. The Glia Project
    101. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
    102. The Institute for the Understanding of Anti‑Palestinian Racism
    103. Un Ponte Per (UPP)
    104. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
    105. War Child Alliance
    106. War Child UK
    107. War on Want
    108. Weltfriedensdienst e.V.
    109. Welthungerhilfe (WHH)

     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: As mass starvation spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away

    Source: Amnesty International –

    As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.

    Exactly two months since the Israeli government-controlled scheme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating, 109 organisations are sounding the alarm, urging governments to act: open all land crossings; restore the full flow of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel through a principled, UN-led mechanism; end the siege, and agree to a ceasefire now.

    “Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?” said one agency representative. 

    Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?

    Humanitarian agency representative in Gaza

    Massacres at food distribution sites in Gaza are occurring near-daily. As of July 13, the UN confirmed 875 Palestinians were killed while seeking food, 201 on aid routes and the rest at distribution points. Thousands more have been injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly two million exhausted Palestinians with the most recent mass displacement order issued on July 20, confining Palestinians to less than 12 per cent of Gaza. WFP warns that current conditions make operations untenable. The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. 

    Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them. The Government of Israel’s restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death. An aid worker providing psychosocial support spoke of the devastating impact on children: “Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food.” 

    Doctors report record rates of acute malnutrition, especially among children and older people. Illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration. Distributions in Gaza average just 28 trucks a day, far from enough for over two million people, many of whom have gone weeks without assistance.

    The UN-led humanitarian system has not failed, it has been prevented from functioning. 

    Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale. But, with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams. On July 10, the EU and Israel announced steps to scale up aid. But these promises of ‘progress’ ring hollow when there is no real change on the ground. Every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses. Children starve while waiting for promises that never arrive. 

    Palestinians are trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, waiting for assistance and ceasefires, only to wake up to worsening conditions. It is not just physical torment, but psychological. Survival is dangled like a mirage. The humanitarian system cannot run on false promises. Humanitarians cannot operate on shifting timelines or wait for political commitments that fail to deliver access.

    Governments must stop waiting for permission to act. We cannot continue to hope that current arrangements will work. It is time to take decisive action: demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions; open all land crossings; ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza; reject military-controlled distribution models; restore a principled, UN-led humanitarian response and continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organisations. States must pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition. 

    Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, serve as a smokescreen for inaction. They cannot replace states’ legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale. States can and must save lives before there are none left to save.

    Signatories: 

    1. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
    2. A.M. Qattan Foundation
    3. A New Policy
    4. ACT Alliance
    5. Action Against Hunger (ACF)
    6. Action for Humanity
    7. ActionAid International
    8. American Baptist Churches Palestine Justice Network
    9. Amnesty International
    10. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
    11. Associazione Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS)
    12. Bystanders No More
    13. Campain
    14. CARE 
    15. Caritas Germany
    16. Caritas Internationalis
    17. Caritas Jerusalem
    18. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
    19. Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    20. CESVI Fondazione
    21. Children Not Numbers
    22. Christian Aid
    23. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
    24. CIDSE- International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations
    25. Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS)
    26. Council for Arab‑British Understanding (CAABU)
    27. DanChurchAid (DCA)
    28. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
    29. Doctors against Genocide
    30. Episcopal Peace Fellowship
    31. EuroMed Rights
    32. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
    33. Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e.V.
    34. Gender Action for Peace and Security
    35. Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
    36. Global Witness
    37. Health Workers 4 Palestine
    38. HelpAge International
    39. Humanity & Inclusion (HI)
    40. Humanity First UK
    41. Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
    42. Insight Insecurity
    43. International Media Support
    44. International NGO Safety Organisation
    45. Islamic Relief
    46. Jahalin Solidarity
    47. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
    48. Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals (KAMMP)
    49. Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
    50. MedGlobal
    51. Medico International
    52. Medico International Switzerland (medico international schweiz)
    53. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
    54. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
    55. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
    56. Médecins du Monde France
    57. Médecins du Monde Spain
    58. Médecins du Monde Switzerland
    59. Mercy Corps
    60. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
    61. Movement for Peace (MPDL)
    62. Muslim Aid
    63. National Justice and Peace Network in England and Wales
    64. Nonviolence International
    65. Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC)
    66. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
    67. Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
    68. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
    69. Oxfam International
    70. Pax Christi England and Wales
    71. Pax Christi International
    72. Pax Christi Merseyside
    73. Pax Christi USA
    74. Pal Law Commission
    75. Palestinian American Medical Association
    76. Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
    77. Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS)
    78. Peace Direct
    79. Peace Winds
    80. Pediatricians for Palestine
    81. People in Need
    82. Plan International
    83. Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
    84. Progettomondo
    85. Project HOPE
    86. Quaker Palestine Israel Network
    87. Rebuilding Alliance
    88. Saferworld
    89. Sabeel‑Kairos UK
    90. Save the Children (SCI)
    91. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
    92. Solidarités International
    93. Støtteforeningen Det Danske Hus i Palæstina
    94. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
    95. Terre des Hommes Italia
    96. Terre des Hommes Lausanne
    97. Terre des Hommes Nederland
    98. The Borgen Project
    99. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    100. The Glia Project
    101. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
    102. The Institute for the Understanding of Anti‑Palestinian Racism
    103. Un Ponte Per (UPP)
    104. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
    105. War Child Alliance
    106. War Child UK
    107. War on Want
    108. Weltfriedensdienst e.V.
    109. Welthungerhilfe (WHH)

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA proposes action to drive more competition on mobile platforms

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    CMA proposes action to drive more competition on mobile platforms

    Measures designed to boost the UK’s app economy, unlocking global success and ensuring UK consumers aren’t left behind.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is today proposing to designate Apple and Google with ‘strategic market status’ (SMS) in each of their mobile platforms and has published separate roadmaps of potential actions to improve competition.

    The UK app economy

    The UK has a vibrant app developer community, representing Europe’s largest app economy by revenue and app developer count. In total, the UK app economy generates an estimated 1.5% of the UK’s GDP and supports around 400,000 jobs here. App-led innovation has powered the success of strategically important sectors for the UK, like financial services and gaming. Fintech stands out, attracting over £18 billion in inward investment over the past 3 years. Meanwhile, gaming contributes £6 billion to the UK economy, with mobile gaming alone bringing in nearly £2 billion a year. UK developers are also behind many of the apps that make modern life work – helping millions of people work, shop, bank, travel, game, consume content and stay connected.

    UK mobile platforms

    Apple and Google’s mobile platforms hold an effective duopoly, with around 90 – 100% of UK mobile devices running on Apple or Google’s mobile platform. The CMA’s investigation has heard concerns affecting businesses and consumers in the UK. These differ across Apple and Google but include:

    • inconsistent and unpredictable app review processes can create uncertainty for developers, meaning delayed or failed launches
    • inconsistent app store search rankings may favour apps owned by the firms
    • up to 30% commission on some in-app purchases, as well as restrictions on developers ‘steering’ customers outside of their app stores, for example towards other ways to pay or subscribe, which could make some business models unviable, reduce consumer choice, and chill innovation
    • restrictions on developers’ access to features and functionality including between smartphones and wearable technology (such as smart watches) may be impeding innovation
    • ‘Choice architecture’ (like default settings, pre-installation, prominence, prompts, and friction) may favour the firms’ own services, limiting competition and genuine choice for users.

    It is essential the digital economy works well to power the success of businesses across the UK economy. More competition and choice will unlock opportunities for UK businesses to invest, innovate and grow, as well as allowing UK consumers to benefit from the latest innovations, high quality experiences and more choice.

    A proportionate, pro-innovation approach

    The UK’s new digital markets competition regime can help unlock opportunities for innovation and growth, by promoting competition in digital markets while protecting UK consumers and businesses from unfair or harmful practices. To support pace and provide greater predictability for Apple and Google and other market participants, the CMA has published roadmaps outlining how it would prioritise actions taken during the first half of any designation period. Measures outlined in the roadmaps focus on areas including:

    App stores

    • Ensuring a fair and transparent app review process and app store rankings to give UK app developers certainty
    • Allowing the ability to ‘steer’ users out of app stores, for example to make purchases. Potentially driving innovation and financial savings for developers

    Interoperability

    • Ensuring UK app developers have interoperable access to key Apple functionality to create innovative products and services
    • Addressing Apple restrictions on digital wallets to ensure UK FinTech can compete, and enabling connected devices like smartwatches and gaming headsets to seamlessly connect with smartphones

    Consumer choice

    • Ensuring consumers have a genuine choice over the services they use on their devices

    AI services

    • Exploring the factors likely to be important for the development of AI services like voice assistants on mobile devices to ensure a level playing field in this rapidly advancing sector

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

    Apple and Google’s mobile platforms are both critical to the UK economy – playing an important role in all our lives, from banking and shopping to entertainment and education. But our investigation so far has identified opportunities for more innovation and choice.

    The targeted and proportionate actions we have set out today would enable UK app developers to remain at the forefront of global innovation while ensuring UK consumers receive a world-class experience. Time is of the essence: as competition agencies and courts globally take action in these markets, it’s essential the UK doesn’t fall behind.

    The CMA welcomes views on its proposed designation decisions and accompanying roadmaps. A final decision on both SMS designations will be made by 22 October 2025.

    More information about these investigations is available on the Apple and Google case pages.

    Read more on today’s announcement in this blog.

    Notes to editors

    1. On 23 January 2025 the CMA launched two separate SMS investigations – one into Apple and another into Google – to assess these firms’ position in their respective ‘mobile ecosystems.’ The investigations are exploring the impact on people who use mobile devices and the businesses developing services or content for these devices. The CMA is today publishing proposed decision reports and roadmaps as part of these parallel investigations.
    2. The CMA will be consulting with affected businesses and consumer groups widely over the coming months. The CMA expects to begin consulting on a first set of priority interventions from shortly after any designation decision and will publish an updated roadmap addressing our approach to the more complex issues the CMA has identified in the first half of 2026.
    3. The issues covered by the proposed designations are being scrutinised around the world and the CMA recognises that any proposed action taken must fit with decisions being taken elsewhere.
    4. In line with the CMA’s prioritisation principles and the strategic steer from government, the CMA’s roadmaps consider targeted measures where it can make a difference in the UK, and which fit with steps taken, or proposed, in other jurisdictions such as the EU and US.
    5. A finding that Google/Apple has SMS does not imply that it has acted anti-competitively. If the CMA designates Google and/or Apple as having SMS, it would then be able (subject to a legal framework that includes further public consultation and showing that measures are proportionate) to introduce interventions (including as set out in the roadmap) to unlock competition, increase innovation, and protect consumers.
    6. FinTech figures from: Innovate Finance FinTech Investment Landscape reports
    7. For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jobs unlocked as first wave of hydrogen projects sign contracts

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Jobs unlocked as first wave of hydrogen projects sign contracts

    10 projects from the first phase of the government’s flagship hydrogen programme can begin construction.

    • Spades in the ground as 10 of the UK’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects sign contracts, boosting growth as part of Plan for Change
    • homegrown, green hydrogen to fuel range of British business and industry with clean power, from tissue manufacturing and waste disposal to breweries and bus services
    • projects to unlock more than 700 good jobs across Britain in the clean energy industries of the future, while delivering on clean energy mission and industrial strategy

    Skilled jobs will be created in Britain’s industrial heartlands, as the first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects in the country sign long-term contracts to fuel heavy industry with clean, homegrown energy. 

    In an update to the hydrogen market, the government has confirmed that 10 projects from the first phase of its flagship hydrogen programme – Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) – can begin construction, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.   

    This means spades can now enter the ground across the country in a major boost to the UK’s hydrogen industry, creating highly skilled jobs in industrial cities and regions such as South Wales, Bradford (North West), North Scotland and Teesside (North East).  

    These projects will support British industry to move away from using fossil fuels towards domestically-produced low-carbon hydrogen, reducing emissions heavy industry – such as steel, glass and heavy transport – ensuring decarbonisation is a route to reindustrialisation. 

    The HyMarnham project in Newark, Nottinghamshire has already started construction. The project is transforming the old High Marnham coal-fired power station into a clean energy hub by using hydrogen to decarbonise waste disposal operations.  

    Cromarty Hydrogen Project in Northeast Scotland is another of the 10 projects. The project’s 3 5MW electrolysers – which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen – will power local industrial users, including distilleries. 

    Taken together, the projects are expected to create over 700 jobs, including roles for apprentices, graduates, pipefitters and engineers. They are also expected to bring in over £400 million of private capital investment which has been committed between 2024 and 2026 – driving economic growth and British innovation through the Plan for Change. 

    The update comes as Andrex and Kleenex producer Kimberly-Clark announces that it will be the first major consumer goods company in the UK to make a significant commitment to green hydrogen. Kimberly-Clark, together with energy partners HYRO, Carlton Power, and Schroders Greencoat, will invest a combined £125 million into HAR1 projects at two plants in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and Northfleet, Kent.

    Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, said: 

    This government is rolling out hydrogen out at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon.  

    Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Neil McDermott, Chief Executive of Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), said: 

    LCCC is proud to have signed the UK’s first Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreements, supporting the development of projects under the Hydrogen Production Business Model.  

    These agreements provide revenue stability for producers, and a clear signal that low-carbon hydrogen has a key role to play in the UK’s future energy system.  

    We look forward to working closely with project developers to bring these projects into operation.

    Dan Howell, Managing Director at Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland said:  

    We are delighted to be the first UK consumer goods manufacturer to really embrace green hydrogen, showing that manufacturing industries can take the lead and overcome the technical challenge and adopt green hydrogen at scale. This initiative builds on the investments and progress we’ve already made with innovative technologies for our business, our consumers and our customers.

    Today’s announcement follows the Spending Review which saw an extra £500 million confirmed for the first ever hydrogen transport and storage network as part of Britain’s industrial renewal, connecting hydrogen producers with vital end users, including power stations and industry for the first time. 

    The government has also announced that it will consult on transmission-level hydrogen blending – assessing the economic and technical feasibility for hydrogen to be blended into the networks that are the backbone of Britain’s gas system, before it is safely transported into homes and businesses. 

    Hydrogen transmission blending has the potential to reduce costs for hydrogen production projects and the wider energy system, and the consultation will also gather evidence to assess whether hydrogen blending could lower consumers’ energy bills. 

    Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:  

    Signing these contracts demonstrates the confidence and commitment of both the government and industry in building a sustainable hydrogen sector.   

    Our members are at the forefront of this transition, and their projects will play a vital role in meeting the UK’s net-zero targets while driving economic growth and job creation.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said:  

    This announcement marks a significant and encouraging milestone for the UK’s hydrogen sector.   

    The signing of contracts for 10 projects under HAR1 provides vital momentum and confidence for industry and investors alike.   

    We look forward to seeing these projects move into the next phase, helping to scale up the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

    Pierre de Raphélis-Soissan, CEO of Hynamics UK who are developing the Tees Green Hydrogen project, said:  

    We are delighted that Tees Green Hydrogen has successfully signed a contract as part of the Hydrogen Allocation Round.   

    We are committed to advancing low carbon hydrogen solutions that not only support the UK’s energy transition but also contribute to a sustainable future for our communities.   

    This achievement marks a significant milestone in the journey towards industrial decarbonisation within the Tees Valley region.

    Gareth Mills and Kevin Selleslags, on behalf of Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen (BLCH) said: 

    Signing our contract to take the largest HAR 1 project forward is a significant step.  

    Thanks to the government’s investment, we’re able to continue to progress our plans to transform Birkshall from a former fossil fuel gas site powering Bradford’s homes and businesses to a flagship low carbon hydrogen production facility and fuelling station.  

    The scheme will not only help the area decarbonise with cleaner fuel but will vitally create around £120 million and support 125 jobs in the regional economy.

    Alistair Collins, Director at HyMarnham Power, said:   

    As one of the first HAR1 projects now commissioning electrolyser systems, we’re proud to demonstrate what government support can unlock, real infrastructure, green hydrogen production and a tangible contribution to the UK’s net zero and energy security goals.

    Lucy Whitford, RES’ Managing Director, UK&I, said:  

    Green hydrogen, created using British low carbon energy, will revolutionise how we power industry, helping the UK to build a globally competitive, zero carbon economy in the process.  

    We are proud of the success of HYRO’s Northfleet project, which will show how we can make green hydrogen a reality.

    Notes to editors

    HAR1 projects are expected to access over £2 billion over 15 years in revenue support from the Hydrogen Production Business Model and over £90 million in capital expenditure support via the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund. 

    Further details of the 10 projects which have signed to HAR1 are detailed in the table below, with contracts available on the LCCC registry. 

    Government is working collaboratively with the project developer of the final HAR1 project to ensure they are ready to sign the Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement as soon as possible. 

    See the transmission blending consultation.

    Project name Developer Constituency Summary
    Cromarty Hydrogen Project Scottish Power & Storegga Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Cromarty Green Hydrogen Project is located in northeast Scotland and is being developed by Scottish Power and Storegga. The project will use electricity from nearby wind farms produce hydrogen that could be sold to local industrial offtakers, including distilleries.
    Bradford Low Carbon Hygen Bradford East Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen is located within the city centre of Bradford, Yorkshire and is being developed by Hygen in partnership with Ryze. The project will use renewable electricity to produce hydrogen for use in a range of offtakers in the mobility sector. JCB and Wrightbus are key potential customers.
    West Wales Hydrogen Project Morgen & Trafigura Mid and South Pembrokeshire West Wales Hydrogen Project is located in Milford Haven, West Wales, and is being developed by MorGen and Trafigura. The project will produce hydrogen could be sold to local industrial offtakers including Natural Gas facilities to decarbonise their operations.
    High Marnham JG Pears & GeoPura Newark HyMarnham is located on the site of an old coal power station in the East Midlands and is being developed by JG Pears and GeoPura. Hydrogen produced is expected to be used by GeoPura to supply their remote power generation units and by JG Pears as part of their waste disposal operations.
    Whitelee Green Hydrogen Scottish Power Kilmarnock and Loudoun Whitelee Green Hydrogen is located in central Scotland, 14 miles south of Glasgow and is being developed by Scottish Power. The project will use electricity from Whitelee Wind Farm to produce hydrogen to be sold to local distilleries and transportation companies to decarbonise their operations.
    Green Hydrogen 3 HYRO Gravesham Green Hydrogen 3 is located in Northfleet, South east, and is developed by HYRO. Electricity will be sourced through a renewable Power Purchase Agreement and aims to be used to produce hydrogen for use in a paper mill to power industrial boilers.
    Trafford Carlton Power Stretford and Urmston (Greater Manchester) Trafford Hydrogen Project is located in Trafford, Manchester and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project will produce hydrogen to be sold to a range of local industrial offtakers.
    Barrow   Barrow-in-Furness (Cumbria) Barrow Hydrogen is located in Cumbria and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project could provide low carbon hydrogen to the neighbouring Kimberly Clark tissue manufacturing site.
    Langage   South West Devon (Plymouth) Langage green hydrogen is located in Plymouth and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project will supply hydrogen to companies located in Langage Energy Park which could utilise Hydrogen in place of gas in industrial processes such as minerals processing.
    Tees Green EDF/Hynamics Redcar (Teesside) The Tees Green hydrogen project is located in Teeside. Low carbon hydrogen will be produced from electricity generated in the Teesside Offshore Wind Farm for use in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, helping decarbonise the aviation industry in the future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Summer ready: MHRA issues updated guidance on medicines and medical devices during holiday season

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Summer ready: MHRA issues updated guidance on medicines and medical devices during holiday season

    As the UK enters the heart of summer – with temperatures rising and families holidaying – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reinforcing essential safety advice for anyone using medicines or medical devices.

    As the UK enters the heart of summer – with temperatures rising and families holidaying – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is reinforcing essential safety advice for anyone using medicines or medical devices. The aim is to help everyone enjoy the summer safely, while ensuring their healthcare routine stays effective. 

    Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, commented: 

    “When the sun comes out and the thermometer rises, it’s easy to forget that heat can affect medicines and medical devices, and that some treatments can change how you respond to sun and heat. These refreshed summer tips are vital to help people stay safe and well throughout the summer.” 

    1. Store medicines below 25oC 

    • Avoid leaving medicines in direct sun, hot cars, travel bags, or on sunny windowsills – temperatures can easily exceed safe storage limits and degrade tablets, inhalers, insulin, EpiPens and more.  

    • If you spot changes in smell, colour, texture, or performance of your medicines, consult a pharmacist.  

    • While travelling, keep your medicines in a cool bag or stay in temperature-controlled environments. 

    2. Check your medicines and devices in the heat 

    • Even well-sealed medical devices – like blood glucose monitors – can misread if exposed to excessive heat or humidity.   

    • Stay cool, keep devices dry, and run periodic control checks. 

    • Be alert during heatwaves: some medicines can worsen dehydration or impair temperature regulation, including diuretics, blood pressure drugs, diabetes treatments, antipsychotics, and stimulants.  

    3. Prioritise hydration and heat awareness 

    • Heatstroke and dehydration can happen fast. Watch for dizziness, confusion, headaches or dark urine, especially if you’re on medication that affects fluid balance, such as a diuretic. 

    • Drink water regularly, find shade or cool spaces, and avoid peak sun.  

    4. Be sun-smart with sun-sensitising medicines 

    • Several medicines – such as methotrexate, certain antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants, acne or eczema treatments, and even painkillers like ibuprofen –can increase sun sensitivity, leading to severe sunburn and blistering.  

    • Use a high-SPF sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid midday sun (11 am – 3 pm). 

    5. Hay fever alert – stay informed   

    • Avoid unlicensed treatments like Kenalog hay fever injections, which are licensed as a medicine for other conditions, but not for the treatment of hay fever. The benefits of using it to treat people with hay fever have not been shown to outweigh the risks.     

    6. Be aware of implanted medical devices when travelling 

    • For those with implants (e.g. pacemakers), carry your implant ID card at airport security. Most body scanners are safe, but be aware of hand-held wands and device-specific device advice.  

    7. Report safety issues via the Yellow Card scheme 

    • If exposure to heat, sun, or medications seems to have affected your medicine, report it via the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme – the UK system for flagging medicine/device safety concerns. 

    • Prompt reporting helps the MHRA identify adverse reactions early and act to protect public health.  

    Notes to editors  

    1. Report any concerns through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, which can be accessed at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ 

    2. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.  

    3. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.  

    4. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tailored support for Aberdeen oil and gas workers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Tailored support for Aberdeen oil and gas workers

    Around 200 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be offered tailored support to seize clean energy job opportunities.

    • Around 200 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be offered tailored support and funding to help unleash the North Sea’s clean energy future
    • new skills pilot will support a fair and prosperous transition by giving workers the tools and support to move into the thousands of high-quality jobs being created in growth industries like offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen – delivering on UK Government’s Plan for Change
    • backed by £900,000, the pilot will be delivered in partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland

    Around 200 Aberdeen oil and gas workers are set to benefit from a tailored skills programme launched today (Wednesday 23 July), which will support them to take advantage of the high-quality job opportunities in Scotland’s growing clean energy sector.   

    The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, backed by £900,000 of UK Government funding, will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to make Britain a clean energy superpower as part of the government’s Plan for Change. 

    The programme is open to current and former oil and gas workers who live in or are employed in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire, and are interested in moving into roles within clean energy, to take advantage of the thousands of high-quality jobs being created in the clean energy growth industries of the future.

    Successful applicants will receive careers advice and funding towards training courses – supporting local people into opportunities in sectors such as offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, which could include roles in welding, electrical engineering, and construction.

    This underscores the government’s commitment to unleashing the North Sea’s clean energy future and putting workers, communities, families and trade unions at the heart of a prosperous and sustainable transition for oil and gas.     

    Aberdeen is a key growth region for clean energy and is the headquarters of Great British Energy, alongside a thriving offshore wind and carbon capture industry. It is estimated that the offshore wind sector could support up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Great Britain by 2030, with many jobs expected to be generated in other growth areas.  

    The programme will be delivered in partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland. 

    Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said:

    Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture.  

    This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen’s workforce.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

    It’s great news that this vital skills training in Aberdeen is now going live. We are absolutely committed to supporting Scotland’s world-class oil and gas workers as we transition to clean energy.  

    This pilot will ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future.

    Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: 

    The North East of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy. 

    This new Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government’s Regional Skills Pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland. 

    Through initiatives such as the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the North East’s transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.

    Skills Development Scotland Chair Frank Mitchell said:

    Scotland’s oil and gas workforce possesses a broad range of skills and experience which is vital to the continued growth of the renewable energy sector. 

    The shift to sustainable energy generation and transmission represents a generational opportunity, and this funding will assist workers in making the most of their expertise in that growing sector. 

    Our careers advisers are available for anyone who needs support in considering their options, or whether applying for the fund is right for them.

    This builds on previous government action to drive investment and deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers, including: 

    Oil and gas workers are also benefitting from the Energy Skills Passport, in collaboration with industry and Scottish Government, which helps workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance. This will also be expanded to include more clean energy sectors over time. 

    The Aberdeen pilot is part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Regional Skills Pilots. Funding has already been given to Cheshire West and Chester, North and North East Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire to identify skills support that is needed in their area. These areas will be considered for further funding for targeted measures. The Aberdeen pilot did not receive funding as part of Phase 1 of the Regional Skills Pilot as extensive skills mapping for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has already been undertaken. 

    Sue Ferns OBE, Senior Deputy General Secretary at Prospect union said:

    This is an important announcement which recognises the vital need for more support for workers transitioning away from carbon-intensive jobs. 

    We will only be able realise the government’s ambitious decarbonisation agenda through investing in the workforce in the energy sector, and the progression of these skills pilots is a welcome signal of intent to better support workers to re-skill. The transition will be different for different workers, so it is welcome that this intervention offers flexibility in what training courses will be funded. 

    As the sector continues with the transition it is vital employers are also held to account for helping their workers gain the necessary skills and training, and unions will be working with the Government to ensure employers step up to the plate and provide further support to transitioning workers.

    Katy Heidenreich, Director of Supply Chain and People at Offshore Energies UK said:

    Aberdeen’s integrated energy workforce has the expertise that’s essential for the offshore energy we need today and for the roll out of renewable energy alongside it.  

    The UK’s energy workers have a proud heritage and hold high value jobs in oil and gas, which the nation needs for decades to come.  

    This world-class expertise is essential for building a low carbon, high growth energy future and it’s critical government and industry work together to secure it.

    Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: 

    The North East of Scotland will be the engine room for the UK’s energy transition. As we pivot from oil and gas to renewables and new technology it’s vital that our workforce is leading that process – not left behind.  

    We welcome investment in the skills needed to unlock the opportunity ahead. Matching these skills with sustainable career paths will depend upon a strong future pipeline of projects, a stable policy landscape and a clear consensus between industry and government on the direction of travel.

    Case study

    Many oil and gas workers have already made the transition. Aishawarya Lakshmanann started as an electrical engineer in oil and gas in Aberdeen, before moving into clean energy and is now working for Ocean Winds on an offshore wind farm. She said: 

    Being able to lead a sustainable life has always been my dream and is what drove me towards the renewables sector.  

    As an engineer I worked in the oil and gas sector from 2018, and it made me rethink how we use our natural energy resources. The UK’s thriving renewable energy sector aligns perfectly with my life and career goals.  

    My transition from oil and gas into renewables has been hugely beneficial for me, allowing me to build a more sustainable life and make a positive impact on the issues we face globally.  

    The idea of creating a carbon neutral world fascinates me as an engineer and working for a major offshore wind company is providing a great place to learn and grow alongside brilliant minds. It’s great to see the funding announcement from UK government to support others to make the transition.

    Notes to editors

    The Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Regional Skills Pilot was announced in January.

    The Regional Skills Pilot comes from the Office for Clean Energy Skills Fund and has been awarded to the following regions: 

    • North and North East Lincolnshire-Midlands Net Zero Hub hosted by Nottingham City Council 
    • Cheshire West and Chester – North West Net Zero Hub – overseen by Local Enterprise Partnerships and Combined Authorities in the North West 
    • Pembrokeshire – Welsh Government  *Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire- Scottish Government. 

    To be eligible, applicants must be resident or work for an employer in the oil and gas sector with an office in the Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire area or have worked in the oil and gas sector within the last 2 years. 

    Further information regarding eligibility and how to apply can be found at: Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund.

    Up to 100,000 jobs supported by offshore wind in Great Britain by 2030: This includes direct and indirect jobs. Information on the methodology underpinning this estimate can be found here: Job estimates for wind generation by 2030: methodology note. 

    North Sea oil and gas production is in natural decline, with a 72% reduction in production occurring between 1999 and 2023, so embracing clean energy is the route to the jobs and investment of the future.  

    This natural decline of oil and gas in the North Sea is already having an impact on jobs and will continue to do so. ONS figures show that direct jobs in oil and gas extraction fell by around a third between 2014 and 2023, despite ongoing domestic licensing and production.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pilot to support oil and gas workers in the North East

    Source: Scottish Government

    Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund launched.

    Oil and gas workers in the North East will be able to access tailored support to help them transition into the sustainable energy sector thanks to a new programme launched today. 

    The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will enable successful applicants to access careers advice and funding for training to move into sectors such as offshore wind, onshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture. 

    It is expected to support around 200 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to build the skills needed to access sustainable energy jobs and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, working in partnership with UK Government’s £900,000 Regional Skills Pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The fund will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland and has been supported by an additional £40,000 from the Scottish Government.

    Through initiatives such as the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government has already invested over £120 million into transitioning the North East to net zero by creating green jobs, supporting innovation, and securing the highly skilled workforce of the future.

    Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: 

    “The North East has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the valuable expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of the transition to new fuels and sustainable energy.

    “This new Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government’s Regional Skills Pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland.

    “I am determined to ensure a positive impact and powerful legacy of Scotland’s clean energy revolution which benefits communities across the North East of the country.”

    Skills Development Scotland Chair Frank Mitchell said:

    “Scotland’s oil and gas workforce possesses a broad range of skills and experience which is vital to the continued growth of the renewable energy sector.

    “The shift to sustainable energy generation and transmission represents a generational opportunity, and this funding will assist workers in making the most of their expertise in that growing sector.

    “Our careers advisers are available for anyone who needs support in considering their options, or whether applying for the fund is right for them.”

    UK Government Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said:

    “Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture.  

    “This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen’s workforce.” 

    Background 

    Further information on eligibility and how to apply can be found at: https://transitiontrainingfund.scot/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Final days to take part in Local Government Reorganisation survey 23 July 2025 Final days to take part in Local Government Reorganisation survey

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Time is running out for Island residents to take part in a key survey that could help shape the future of local government across the region.

    The Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) survey closes this Sunday (27 July), and residents are being encouraged to share their views before the deadline.

    The Isle of Wight Council, in partnership with neighbouring councils, is asking for feedback on how local services should be delivered in the future.

    The ‘Our Place, Our Future’ survey explores local identity and how services can better reflect the needs of communities. 

    Thanks to community feedback, the survey has been simplified since its launch, making it quicker and more user-friendly to complete.

    Councillor Phil Jordan, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “We’re really grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share their views so far. If you haven’t yet taken part, please do so before Sunday.”

    While most of Hampshire operates under a two-tier structure, with services split between county and district or borough council, the Isle of Wight already functions as a unitary authority, delivering all local services directly.

    Under the proposals being considered, the Isle of Wight would remain a unitary authority. Meanwhile, the mainland councils are exploring the creation of four new unitary councils to replace the existing 15-council structure.

    The survey is being run independently, and responses will help shape the proposals submitted to government later this year.

    You can take part online, or if you’d prefer a different method, such as a paper copy or a telephone interview, this can be arranged:

    • send an email to ourplaceourfuture@thinksinsight.com; 
    • call 020 7845 5880 — opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm;
    • pick up a paper copy from any council library.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: There’s plenty of work behind the festival scenery

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Margaret Graham looks ahead to August and champions the behind-the-scenes efforts in today’s Edinburgh Evening News.

    As I approach the first summer in my new role, it has been very informative meeting many of the people responsible for making our summer festivals happen.
    It has also focused my mind on the issues residents have brought to my attention regarding the impact it has on their lives.

    We are getting ready, not just to host our 2025 summer festivals, but to show the world what our city can achieve. Teamwork and dedication run deep behind the scenes of our world class events management.

    Edinburgh in August is a city like no other, as our residents and visitors enjoy access to thousands of outstanding shows and events. With careful planning and efficient management, working closely with our partners, we welcome the world while keeping our city running smoothly for everyone.

    With so many more people in the city, we need to keep public transport moving and manage busy areas throughout the city to keep everyone safe.

    The Edinburgh Festivals contribute £407 million to the local economy and 8500 FTE jobs. This figure represents the total economic impact, including spending by visitors and participants, as well as the wider effects on local businesses and jobs.

    This year we are enjoying a summer of music too. Robbie Williams performed at Murrayfield in May, the Castle concerts enjoyed beautiful weather and the very successful Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival has just come to a close.

    We are looking forward to welcoming rock legends Oasis and AC/DC in August for sell-out shows along with the Summer Sessions at the Royal Highland Centre.

    With the city’s population effectively doubling during August, we will once again have a series of summertime street closures in the city centre to make our streets and pavements easier and safer to navigate.

    There will be extra trains, trams, and buses to accommodate concert goers, along with those attending our summer festivals. With this in mind our advice to all is to please plan-ahead as we expect both the city centre and Murrayfield area to be very busy.

    We endeavour to work hard to understand and balance the needs of residents, visitors and businesses while enabling the summer festivals and major events to take place successfully within the city.

    Our role in this is a real source of pride for the council.

    Published: July 23rd 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Welsh Secretary heads to US and Canada to boost trade and investment

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Welsh Secretary heads to US and Canada to boost trade and investment

    This visit comes as Aston Martin resume exports to the US, protecting 600 jobs in St Athan.

    Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens with Aston Martin apprentices in St Athan in May 2025

    • The deal negotiated with the US protects thousands of car making jobs and supports growth in the Welsh aerospace industry.
    • Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, in Toronto and New York to drive further inward investment to Wales

    Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens is this week (22-25 July) travelling to the United States and Canada on a mission to boost trade and investment in Wales. The two countries are among the most significant markets for Welsh exports, with goods and services worth over £2 billion destined for the US and Canada each year. 

    Trade and investment between Wales and North America supports over 50,000 Welsh jobs. With the significant economic links between the countries, the US and Canada provides Welsh businesses with great opportunities to grow and prosper. The visit follows the signing of the UK’s economic prosperity deal with the US in May, protecting businesses and securing jobs across the country, and boosting key sectors in Wales like steel, aerospace, car making and life sciences.

    Car manufacturer Aston Martin, which has a base in St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan employing at least 600 people, resumed exports to the United States following the successful trade deal. The Welsh Secretary will visit the new Aston Martin showroom in New York City and meet executives.

    Jo Stevens’ visit to North America comes after the UK Government’s publication of its Industrial Strategy and aims to highlight Wales as a key destination for inward investment into the UK.

    During the visit the Welsh Secretary will raise awareness of this December’s Investment Summit in Wales, encouraging North American business leaders and investors to participate in the event.

    Driving investment into Wales is the Welsh Secretary’s primary goal, with high profile business facing events and roundtable meetings with industry leaders and investors in Toronto and New York.

     Her programme includes: 

    • Hosting a reception for business at Aston Martin’s new showroom in New York City

    • Meeting key Canadian businesses with an interest in Wales – including from manufacturing and other sectors – at a roundtable meeting in Toronto.

    • A business breakfast with investors in sport real estate in the UK in New York. 

    Speaking ahead of the visit, Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    There are strong and important economic and cultural ties between Wales and North America and it is fantastic to be able to promote these and help strengthen them further.

    The UK Government has made economic growth our key mission and our new trade deal with the United States delivers fantastic benefits for our key businesses like Aston Martin and for working people across Wales.

    I want to build on this progress and while I am in the USA and Canada I will be discussing further opportunities for investment in Wales with companies like Aston Martin.

    My message is very clear – Wales is open for business.

    Deputy Trade Commissioner for North America, Alan Gogbashian said: 

    From sports economy firms to the automotive industry, Wales plays a key role in the UK economy, and has strong trade and investment ties with Canada and the United States.

    It’s fantastic to host the Secretary of State for Wales in New York and Toronto this week to engage with current transatlantic businesses including Aston Martin, and to connect with potential investors ahead of the Investment Summit in Wales later this year.

    The Welsh Secretary’s itinerary also includes a reception in Toronto with business and cultural groups with interests in Wales and meetings with individual investors in Wales like Vale Mining. 

    The Welsh Secretary travels to Toronto on Tuesday, 22 July and then onto New York City before returning to the UK on 25 July.

    ENDS

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nick Park to Join Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for The Harris Reopening – Public Invited to Take Part in Special Celebration

    Source: City of Preston

    The Harris, Preston’s iconic Grade I listed building, will reopen to the public on Sunday, 28 September 2025 following a major transformation.

    Oscar-winning animator Nick Park, creator of Wallace & Gromit and proud Prestonian, will join The Mayor of Preston and Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture to officially cut the ribbon and welcome visitors back into the building after its ambitious refurbishment.

    To mark the occasion, ten local residents will have the unique chance to meet Nick Park in person and take part in the opening day festivities. The Harris is now calling for nominations from the public to put forward someone who deserves this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

    Councillor Anna Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said:

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Nick Park to The Harris to celebrate this momentous day. This is more than a reopening, it’s a new chapter for a space that belongs to the people of Preston. We want local residents to be right at the heart of it.”

    Meet Nick Park – How to Nominate

    Nominations open on Wednesday, 23 July and will close on Monday, 1 September 2025.
    Anyone with a Preston postcode (PR) can be nominated, and a short explanation of why they deserve the opportunity must be provided.

    Forms will be available online via The Harris – Nominations to Meet Nick Park, and in person at the library.

    Ten winners will be selected at random and will:

    • Meet and greet with Nick Park.
    • Join Nick Park and The Mayor of Preston during the official ribbon-cutting on Sunday, 28 September.

    Free Public Tickets for Opening Day

    The Harris will open its doors to the public on Sunday 28 September following the 10am ribbon-cutting ceremony.

    To manage crowds, entry will be free but ticketed, with timed slots available throughout the day. Tickets will be available to book online from Monday, 1 September 2025.

    Plan your visit

    ‘Wallace & Gromit in A Case at the Museum’ will run from Sunday, 28 September 2025 to Monday, 5 January 2026 at The Harris. For more information see The Harris Announces Reopening Exhibition: ‘Wallace & Gromit in A Case at the Museum’.

    About The Harris

    Opened in 1893, the Grade I listed building is owned and managed by Preston City Council. Based in Preston, Lancashire, The Harris is one of the leading museums, galleries and libraries in the region and an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation. Host to art collections of national significance, exciting activities and events for all ages and an award-winning contemporary art programme, The Harris is Preston’s landmark cultural hub.   

    Currently delivering Harris Your Place project, made possible with National Lottery Heritage Fund; UK Government Towns Fund; Preston City Council; Lancashire County Council; the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal; DCMS; Arts Council England, public donations and a wide range of Trusts and Foundations including Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, The Harris Charity, Harris Trust and Friends of the Harris.  

    The magnificent Grade I Listed building is poised to reopen on Sunday, 28 September 2025. To learn more about The Harris, please visit: The Harris.

    About Aardman

    Aardman is an employee-owned company, based in Bristol (UK) and co-founded in 1976 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton. An independent, multi-Academy Award® and BAFTA® award winning studio, it produces feature films, series, advertising, games and interactive entertainment. Current animated productions include series 7 of Shaun the Sheep and a third series of The Very Small Creatures. 

    Its productions are global in appeal, novel, entertaining, brilliantly characterised and full of charm reflecting the unique talent, energy and personal commitment of the Aardman team. The studio’s work – which includes the creation of much-loved characters including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Morph – is often imitated, and yet the company continues to lead the field producing a rare brand of visually stunning, comedic content for cinema, broadcasters, digital platforms and live experiences around the world. Recent celebrated projects include the brand-new Wallace & Gromit film Vengeance Most Fowl which premiered on BBC One on Christmas Day 2024 and was released on Netflix globally on the 3rd of January 2025.  The BAFTA® nominated feature film Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Academy Award® nominated short film Robin Robin, International Emmy® award winning Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, BAFTA® nominated preschool series The Very Small Creatures and the recent CGI comedy series for kids Lloyd of the Flies.

    The studio runs the Aardman Academy, its world-class training facility delivering excellence in film and animation training and mentoring for students around the world. The Aardman Academy offers a variety of courses from intensive one-day workshops to its flagship seven-month In-Studio Stop Motion course. All courses are delivered by industry-leading tutors and mentors with decades of experience. The Aardman Academy is an integral part of the business, representing the studio’s inclusive ethos and commitment to nurturing the animation talent of the future.

    In November 2018 it became an Employee-Owned Organisation, to ensure Aardman remains independent and to secure the creative legacy and culture of the company for many decades to come.

    Visit Aardman for more information.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: STEP talks fusion energy careers with local students

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    STEP talks fusion energy careers with local students

    Students explored careers in fusion energy as STEP partnered with Bassetlaw District Council for Jo White MP’s Summer School in Worksop and Westminster.

    Jo White MP talks to Summer School participants. Image credit: UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd.

    Young people got hands-on with the future of clean energy last week, as the STEP team hosted a workshop, in partnership with Bassetlaw District Council, to kick off Bassetlaw MP Jo White’s Summer School. 

    Hosted at The Bridge Skills Hub and Fusion Energy Café in Worksop on Friday, students got the chance to explore the ongoing transformation of the West Burton site, ask big questions about fusion energy, and meet the people already helping to deliver the STEP programme. 

    The students heard directly from STEP employees about their own career journeys into the industry, from engineering and science to communications and project management, and discussed how a project like STEP will require people of all talents and backgrounds to succeed. 

    Then on Monday the students started their week in Parliament, as part of Jo White’s Summer School, where they took part in a mock Select Committee session. 

    They put their questions to STEP’s Head of Communications Ben Bradley, alongside representatives from government and industry, grilling them on the progress of the STEP Programme and the opportunities it will create locally, as well as the wider clean energy sector. 

    STEP Head of Communications Ben Bradley said:

    Part of STEP’s mission to develop our prototype fusion energy power plant is about the benefit we can bring to communities and economies across North Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands, so it was great to engage with talented young people and discuss the opportunities of the programme.

    We hope that some of these local young people will be part of the future workforce that delivers the mission to commercialise fusion energy at STEP – and changes the world!

    The event at the Fusion Energy Café and The Bridge Skills Hub was hosted by Bassetlaw District Council and marks a growing relationship between STEP, based at West Burton in North Nottinghamshire, and surrounding local communities.

    Bassetlaw MP Jo White said:

    When I stood for election, my commitment to local people was that I would resurrect the summer school that former MP John Mann ran for 11 years. I saw for myself the difference it made with young people.

    It gave them an idea of what they wanted to do with their lives. Parents and grandparents told me that their children went down [to Parliament] as children and came back as adults because they were shown new opportunities and aspirations they would never have otherwise dreamed of.

    Notes to Editors

    The first of its kind, STEP is the UK’s major technology and infrastructure programme to build a prototype fusion power plant that will demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance.  This will pave the way for the potential development of a fleet of future fusion power plants around the world and the commercialisation of fusion energy.

    We’ll achieve this by producing a prototype tokamak power plant – in an innovative spherical shape – that will demonstrate net energy. That’s why the programme is called STEP: it stands for ‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’.  But STEP is about more than tokamak technology – it’s a huge endeavour encompassing design, site development and construction, alongside supply chain logistics and industry. Fusion research and development has the potential to catalyse new ideas and technologies that will benefit multiple industries and help secure our future on this planet.

    By fusing government and business, inspiration and pragmatism, theory and practice, UK-expertise and international impact, we’re going to realise the step-change that will secure humanity’s bright future. A recent report by AMION, commissioned by local authorities, set out the economic potential of the STEP programme.

    Social media coverage and images from the Bassetlaw workshop event

    To sign-up for updates about STEP, visit: step.ukaea.uk or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –