NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: All aboard for Leicester’s Riverside Festival!

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER’S Riverside Festival returns next month – and this year it’s bigger than ever, with more locations, more free activities and an exciting new collaboration with De Montfort University (DMU).

    Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, the family-friendly festival on and around the River Soar’s Mile Straight will offer a packed programme of activities both on and off the water, with boat rides, kayaking sessions, dragon boat racing (Sunday only), live music and performance, international street food, licensed bars, craft markets and even a pop-up art gallery.

    Little ones and their families should head for the dedicated family zone in the Bede Park tipi, where they’ll find mini discos, bubble parties and children’s entertainment from 12-2pm on both days, while Ride Leicester has teamed up with Danny Butler to bring his jaw-dropping mountain bike skills to DMU’s campus in a display that visitors of all ages will enjoy.

    The Piazza Stage will feature live music from local talent – with a programme curated by HQ Recordings, EAVA FM, 2 Funky Arts, Soft Touch Arts and Leics Introducing – while there’ll be a more relaxed vibe in Castle Gardens, with acoustic sessions around the maypole from 1pm and a chill-out area where everyone is welcome.

    And for those who want to explore the history of the area, there’s an opportunity to travel back in time to 1645, with a 17th century living history camp and a thrilling live skirmish – complete with muskets and loud cannons – that will recreate the drama of the Siege of Leicester.

    Hidden Histories Heritage Events’ spectacular – but safe – re-enactment will bring the past to life, with battles taking place on The Newarke from 2pm to 3pm on both days.

    DMU’s heritage sites will be open too, with free entry to Leicester Castle’s Great Hall, Trinity Chapel, the Herb Garden and the DMU Museum, while the incorporation of DMU’s Cultural eXchanges festival into the event will bring an electrifying mix of performances and workshops to this year’s Riverside Festival.

    Organised by students in the final year of their Arts and Festivals Management degree, the Cultural eXchanges programme will feature dance, performance and workshops at DMU’s Campus Centre from 12 noon on both days.  

    Jill Cowley, pro vice chancellor skills & training and dean of faculty of arts, design & humanities at De Montfort University, said: “DMU is thrilled that its annual Cultural eXchanges festival is now part of the hugely popular Riverside Festival.  We’re proud to partner with the city council to help put on this fabulous event and look forward to welcoming visitors to our campus on June 7th and 8th.”

    DMU’s campus is one of a number of Riverside Festival locations this year. As well as the Mile Straight, activities will also be taking place at Bede Park, Castle Gardens, Western Boulevard and – for the first time – The Newarke.

    Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for leisure and culture, said: “The Riverside Festival is Leicester’s largest free festival, attracting thousands of visitors to the city each year.

    “This year, it’s bigger than ever, thanks to our collaboration with De Montfort University.

    “Like all our festivals, the aim of the Riverside Festival is to bring people together – and from 7-8 June, we want to invite as many people as possible to join us in celebrating Leicester’s waterways, exploring the city’s heritage, and discovering De Montfort University’s stunning campus.

    “It’s also a chance to showcase the diversity of our communities and enjoy the food, music, dance and arts that make Leicester so special.

    “I hope that the weather will be kind to us and we can look forward to a fun-packed Riverside Festival that will offer something for everyone.”

    The Riverside Festival runs from 12 noon until 6pm on Saturday 7 June and from 12 noon until 5pm on Sunday 8 June. A full festival programme is available to download at visitleicester.info/festival/riverside-festival/

    Anyone who can muster a crew of 10 enthusiastic rowers and would like to take part in the dragon boat races on Sunday 8 June should email rob@prostaid.co.uk

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement on Community Managed Libraries

    Source: City of Derby

    Following extensive negotiations and a thorough review of proposed working models, Derby City Council has withdrawn from the process of appointing Sporting Communities, a not-for-profit organisation, to run Derby’s ten community libraries.

    Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Communities said:

    The formal evaluation process was devised with the express aim of identifying a partner who would support our long-term ambition to deliver a sustainable future for our library services and the people of Derby. 

    While negotiations with the preferred bidder began with considerable optimism and a shared desire to find an optimal solution, it has become clear during this detailed phase that outsourcing is not the best approach to protect our libraries.

    The decision to withdraw from negotiations means the Council will continue to run the libraries. I want to reassure public, staff and volunteers that we remain committed to the future success of our libraries and our manifesto commitment to protect them.

    We will continue to deliver an efficient, high-quality public service and aspire to improve that service to a standard that is truly fit for the people of Derby.

    I’d like to thank our dedicated staff and invaluable volunteers who have continued to provide an excellent standard of service throughout this period of review. Their commitment and hard work are deeply appreciated.

    We will continue dialogue with Sporting Communities on how we can work together to deliver quality services for our citizens.

    We will now take time to assess next steps which will be discussed in detail at a future Cabinet meeting.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Highly deceptive’ fraudster secured Covid loan funds under his wife’s name and claimed innocent member of the public was his boss

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    ‘Highly deceptive’ fraudster secured Covid loan funds under his wife’s name and claimed innocent member of the public was his boss

    Bounce Back Loan fraudster also produced false invoice to liquidator

    • Shohid Ahmed applied for three Bounce Back Loans using his wife’s name, receiving £100,000 his Indian restaurant was not entitled to 

    • An invoice claiming to show £15,000 of the loan was spent on refurbishing the restaurant was revealed to be false during Insolvency Service investigations 

    • Ahmed also filed false documents with Companies House to suggest an innocent member of the public had taken over his business  

    A Bradford fraudster who secured £100,000 in Covid loan funds he was not entitled to and claimed an innocent member of the public was the director of his company has been jailed. 

    Shohid Ahmed used his wife’s name to apply for three maximum-value Bounce Back Loans on behalf of Red Square Restaurants Limited, an Indian restaurant on Huddersfield Road in Mirfield. 

    The 40-year-old received £100,000 of the £150,000 he fraudulently applied for in May and June 2020, with one of the applications refused. 

    Ahmed then used the personal details of a woman who rented a house from his father without her knowledge to create the illusion that she was the director of the company and had taken over the business. 

    He also produced invoices claiming to show the legitimate use of the Bounce Back Loans, one of which Insolvency Service investigators found to be fabricated. 

    Ahmed, of Bardsey Crescent, Bradford, pleaded guilty to offences under the Fraud Act 2006, Companies Act 2006 and Insolvency Act 1986 earlier this year. 

    He was sentenced to two years in prison at Bradford Crown Court on Tuesday 27 May. 

    Ahmed has repaid £5,000 of the Bounce Back Loans he illegally secured. The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the remaining fraudulently obtained funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. 

    David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Shohid Ahmed’s actions were highly deceptive and involved a range of serious offending. 

    He not only obtained two Bounce Back Loans for the restaurant he earlier had said was no longer trading, but implicated a totally innocent member of the public by creating the false impression that she was now the director of the company. 

    The Insolvency Service will not hesitate to prosecute Covid fraudsters such as Ahmed who have stolen from the public purse and caused harm to others.

    Red Square Restaurants, which traded as Ruby’s Lounge, was incorporated in May 2018, with Ahmed’s wife as the sole director. 

    Ahmed himself was only officially director of the company for one day, being appointed and then resigning on 10 February 2020. 

    Despite not being the named director of the company, Ahmed made three Bounce Back Loan applications for Red Square Restaurants in the name of his wife as she had a better credit history than him. 

    Ahmed also claimed that the company was trading at the beginning of March 2020, to meet the requirements of the scheme. 

    That claim was contradicted by an application signed by Ahmed to strike the company off the Companies House register in early April 2020. 

    In the strike-off application, Ahmed said that the company had not traded in the previous three months. 

    Money from the Bounce Back Loans was also not used for the economic benefit of the business, as it should have been under the scheme. 

    Ahmed claimed that an invoice of £15,000 showed that money was spent on an interior redesign of his restaurant using a firm based in Stockton-on-Tees. 

    However, investigators found that the address for the design company Ahmed claimed to have used was actually a cafe which had been trading for 37 years. 

    Neither the cafe which occupied the unit or the landlord who manages the building had ever heard of the firm of interior designers. 

    A liquidator was appointed to wind-up Red Square Restaurants in July 2020. 

    Shortly before this, Ahmed filed false documents with Companies House claiming that a new director had been appointed on New Year’s Day in 2020. 

    Insolvency Service investigators spoke to the listed director who confirmed that she had no association whatsoever with Red Square Restaurants and had simply rented a house from Ahmed’s father. 

    However, Ahmed falsely claimed that she was the manager of the business who ran it day-to-day and had the power to recruit and dismiss members of staff. 

    Ahmed also falsely claimed that she had taken out both Bounce Back Loans and had access to the bank accounts where the money was deposited.  

    He added that he was a waiter and drew a salary of only £12,000. 

    Ahmed was disqualified as a company director for 11 years in December 2021 for his misconduct at Red Square Restaurants. 

    A restaurant under a different name now operates from the same address that Red Square Restaurants traded from. Shohid Ahmed is not a director of this company. 

    Further information 

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What I’ve learned from teaching philosophy in prisons

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jim Chamberlain, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Sheffield

    zapomicron/Shutterstock

    Of all the subjects that could be taught in prisons, philosophy might seem a strange choice. You might think that we should address the educational basics first, since, according to a House of Commons report, 57% of prisoners in England “have English and Maths levels at or below those expected of an eleven-year-old”. You might also expect prison education to focus on the skills needed for employment after release.

    In the UK, many people think that prisons should harshly punish offenders, and perhaps see philosophy courses as an unjustifiable luxury for those who have broken the law.

    However, we are in a period of potentially significant change for the UK prison system, which has been overcrowded and in poor condition for years.

    In my three years of running philosophy courses in prisons, I have witnessed what can be achieved with this kind of education. I have found that philosophy courses can make a big difference to the lives of prisoners and prison culture, often in unexpected ways.

    Working with colleagues at the charity Philosophy in Prison and the University of Sheffield, I have led philosophy courses in several English prisons, and found that philosophy is particularly well-suited to prison education. Unlike most topics, philosophy can be taught purely in conversation, without textbooks or technology.

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    There are many good reasons for engaging in philosophical conversations with people in prison. Conversations allow almost anyone to get involved, regardless of their levels of literacy. Philosophical conversations can give male prisoners a rare opportunity to relax the rigid norms of masculinity that prisons implicitly enforce.

    But one of the biggest benefits I have seen is the effects of these conversations on people’s attitudes towards disagreement. Prisons are overcrowded and often dangerous places, where disagreement can all too easily lead to conflict. Fortunately, philosophy provides an excellent opportunity for constructive dialogue.

    Getting philosophical

    One of the most intriguing things about philosophy is that nobody knows the answers to the questions it asks of us. Think about questions like, “what makes you the same person you were ten years ago?”, “what is a good life?” or “what is knowledge?”

    Such questions get to the heart of what it is to be human, and they have puzzled people for centuries. They require everyone, from the most experienced philosopher to the complete newcomer, to question why we think as we do. They also sharpen our interest in what others have to say.

    Take the first of these questions, for example. Perhaps you think that your memories of your past make you the same person that you used to be. But we cannot remember being asleep, and we are presumably not different people when we sleep. So, you might suggest instead, we had the same bodies ten years ago. Except that every part of a human body changes over time – over ten years, every cell in our bodies might be replaced. Now, with just four sentences, the puzzle has been set, and a conversation begun.

    Many of the questions we discuss in prison courses originally come from the world of classical philosophy (such as the three mentioned above). And our conversations often explore the ideas of ancient and historical philosophers – whether Aristotle or Bentham has a better understanding of the good life, for example.

    In any philosophical conversation, we will quickly realise that disagreement need not involve confrontation: it can be progressive, exciting, even fun. Philosophy helps people develop and practice the conversational norms – and the confidence – needed for positive disagreement. In my experience, prisoners often enter philosophy courses with little expectation that they will have anything to contribute.

    Many prisoners “have limited or negative experiences of education and therefore a limited belief in the potential of learning”. But philosophy courses can radically improve people’s confidence, and so help them to rethink what education might mean for them.

    One of our course participants summarised this point as follows: “With philosophy, people care about what I think. Nobody listens when you’ve been in prison. Everything you think is wrong, rubbish, you’re nothing.” Another was even more direct: “Hated school, dropped out at 11, can’t read, can’t write. But I can do this.”

    Transforming prison culture

    Evidence shows that participation in education can significantly reduce the likelihood of reoffending. Yet, as the recent Independent Sentencing Review highlights, the rise in the UK prison population has led to finite resources being diverted away from such programmes.

    Philosophy courses can facilitate transformations in prison culture, at relatively little cost. An inspection report into one of the prisons that I have worked in for several years noted that prisoners who took the philosophy courses “reported that their mental health and wellbeing had improved and that they enjoyed the opportunity to participate”.

    Moreover, I have seen philosophy courses influence a whole prison wing, as people continued their conversations after we left. One participant said that “being in a room with inmates I didn’t know but ended up talking to went a long way to understanding each other… I now talk to more people on the wing”.

    No matter what prisoners may have done, they share in our common humanity. By engaging in philosophy with prisoners, we can address this with very positive results – potentially both in and after prison.

    Jim Chamberlain receives funding from The University of Sheffield and from BA/Leverhulme grants to fund philosophy courses in prisons. As well as working for the University of Sheffield, he is a Trustee of the charity Philosophy in Prison. Jim is also a member of the Green Party.

    – ref. What I’ve learned from teaching philosophy in prisons – https://theconversation.com/what-ive-learned-from-teaching-philosophy-in-prisons-253796

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Lord Mayor set to celebrate communities

    Source: City of Coventry

    Cllr Rachel Lancaster has been named Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry 2025/26.

    Cllr Lancaster represents Holbrook Ward, she grew up there, going to John Shelton and President Kennedy schools, She is the second female in her family to serve as a Councillor in Coventry.

    Cllr Lancaster has served in many roles during her 17 years on the Council, including holding the portfolio of Cabinet Member for Public Services, Charing Scrutiny Boards and as Chair and Deputy Chair of Licensing Committee.

    Her children, daughter Meridith and son Lawrie, will share the role of Lord Mayor’s Consort.

    Outside the Council, her professional life has seen her work in strategic management positions for charities across the city, including as a Director of Coventry Independent Advice Services and Coventry and District Credit Union.

    The Lord Mayor said: “The city of Coventry and the Council that serves it have always been such important parts of my life.

    “We have created a remarkable city by working together as a community, and in my year I will celebrate that work and the people and organisations that make it possible.

    “I feel extremely proud that I have been given the opportunity to serve Coventry in this way, and I’m looking forward to meeting some of the many people out there who help to make it home.”

    The Lord Mayor has chosen the Heart of England Community Foundation as her charity for the year, focusing on community organisations and women’s charities

    People can show their support by donating via the Council’s online payment system. Please make sure you select ‘Council and democracy’ and then ‘Lord Mayor Charity donations 24/25’ from the drop-down list. You can send a cheque payable to ‘Coventry City Council’ to The Lord Mayor’s Office, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry CV1 5RR.

    The new Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Coventry has been named as Cllr Roger Bailey.

    Wednesday, 28th May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Attorney General celebrates UK-Irish relations during visit

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Attorney General celebrates UK-Irish relations during visit

    The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC visited Dublin where he engaged with the Irish legal community and government ministers to strengthen UK-Irish relations.

    Attorney General Lord Hermer KC and Attorney General Rossa Fanning

    The Attorney General Lord Hermer KC travelled to Dublin where he met with his counterpart, Attorney General Rossa Fanning.

    The two Attorneys General spoke about the UK and Ireland’s close geography, shared culture, and joint commitment to the rule of law.

    Over the two-day trip, between 22 and 23 May 2025, the Attorney also met with the Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan.

    Lord Hermer KC held meetings with leading Irish legal figures, including the President of High Court David Barniville and representatives from the Irish Supreme Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Director General of Law Society of Ireland, and Chairperson of Bar Council of Ireland’s Public Affairs Committee.

    Attorney General Lord Hermer KC and Deputy Head of Mission, Dublin, Elin Burns.

    The Attorney also engaged with the Irish legal professions with a reception at the King’s Inns – Ireland’s oldest law school – and a visit to Four Courts, home to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, High Court, and the Dublin Circuit Court.

    Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:

    The UK and Ireland share the strongest of ties, with a close geography, shared culture, and joint commitment to the rule of law. 

    On the back of the historic UK-Ireland Summit in March, I made clear the opportunities available to strengthen the partnership between UK and Irish legal sectors – a chance to deliver growth and prosperity in both our countries.” 

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Warning on oak processionary moth issued ahead of hatching season

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Warning on oak processionary moth issued ahead of hatching season

    Public and construction trade vigilance needed as oak processionary moth (OPM) growth higher at start of greatest risk period

    Image credit: Henry Kuppen

    The public are being urged today (Wednesday 28 May) to be vigilant for any sightings of oak processionary moth caterpillars, a tree pest which can strip oak trees of their foliage and leave them susceptible to disease.

    The caterpillars – predominantly found in South East England – descend down oak trees in head-to-tail processionary form, occasionally taking the form of an arrow shape, earning them their name. They feed on the leaves as they migrate causing the leaves to sometimes drop off which negatively impacts their growth. This can weaken the tree and leave it more vulnerable to other stresses, such as drought and further diseases. 

    The warning has been issued today by the Forestry Commission who are urging the public to report any sightings via the TreeAlert portal or by email to opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

    Oak processionary moth was first identified in London in 2006 after being accidentally transported over from Europe in trees for planting. It has since spread to surrounding counties in the South East, and last July, a small outbreak of the caterpillars was found at a site designated free from the pest.

    OPM caterpillars and their nests, which are made of distinctive white silken webbing, contain hairs that can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritation and should not be touched under any circumstances. The nests can be found in the trunk or branches of oak trees, and fade to a light brown over time. The public are urged never to try and dispose of the nests themselves. 

    Forestry Commission Oak Processionary Moth Programme Manager Dr Edward Straw said: 

    “The warm weather in spring has led to oak processionary moth growing quicker than in previous years. We’re already receiving reports of homeowners being affected by the caterpillars, coming out in painful rashes, and it is important those living and working in areas affected by oak processionary moth remain vigilant about the health risks they pose.

    “The Forestry Commission has a whole host of information online that can be used to identify the moth, simply visit managing oak processionary moth in England. If you spot the pest, report the sighting via our TreeAlert portal . Alternatively, you can email opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk.”

    The Forestry Commission continues to undertake a rapid management response and extensive surveillance work is in place to monitor the area and continue to direct appropriate control measures to prevent the potential spread of OPM.

    Professor Nicola Spence, UK Chief Plant Health Officer, said: 

    “Oak trees are an iconic and much-loved part of our British landscape. By reporting any sightings of the oak processionary moth to the Forestry Commission, we can all minimise the pest’s spread as well as reduce their impact on tree health. 

    “I would advise that members of the public living in London, the surrounding areas and Derbyshire, avoid any contact with the caterpillar and its nests, as this can cause irritation.”

    By identifying threats such as pests and diseases, we protect the benefits plants provide to the public, to wildlife, the environment, and our economy. More information can be found on the Plant Health Action.org website. 

    How to identify Oak processionary moth caterpillars 

    • Nests are typically dome or teardrop-shaped, averaging the size of a tennis ball. They are white when fresh, but soon become discoloured and brown. The caterpillars have black heads and bodies covered in long white hairs which contain proteins which can cause itchy rashes, eye, and throat irritations. They can also occasionally cause breathing difficulties in people and pets, so should not be touched under any circumstances. 
    • A public information leaflet covering how to identify OPM and methods to control is available,
    • There is also a document outlining species commonly confused with OPM which can be found here.
    • For more information, visit ‘Managing Oak Processionary Moth in England’. 

    Contact with Oak Processionary Moth

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update – Serious crash at Gawler Belt

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A rider has been taken to hospital in a serious condition following a crash at Gawler Belt this afternoon.

    Just before 2.30pm on Wednesday 28 May, police were called to the intersection of Horrocks Highway and Thiele Highway at Gawler Belt after reports a Holden station wagon and Husqvarna motorbike collided.

    The rider, a 66-year-old man from Evanston Park was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the car, a 53-year-old woman from Morgan was taken to hospital for minor injuries and mandatory blood analysis.

    Major Crash Investigators have attended the scene and investigations are ongoing.

    The road was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

    Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Business workshop targets growth during challenging times

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    In the current economic landscape, profitability and growth have become major hurdles for local businesses. Recognising these challenges, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland, is inviting businesses to attend a targeted Lean Productivity Workshop.

    The workshop will take place on Tuesday 10th June, from 9:30am to 2:00pm at Craigavon Civic Centre. Designed specifically for businesses involved in the creation and delivery of goods and services, this half-day session will guide participants through reviewing and improving their operational processes.

    Ideal for those who are involved in manufacturing, logistics, food production, and services, this workshop will offer practical help to improve. By systematically addressing inefficiencies, businesses can unlock productivity improvements of up to 25%, increasing their competitiveness in a demanding market.

    Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Sarah Duffy, said: “Our local businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to supporting them through practical and impactful initiatives like the Lean Productivity Workshop. This event will equip businesses with the tools they need to enhance performance and ultimately improve their bottom line. I encourage all eligible businesses to attend and take advantage of the expert guidance available.”

    Delivered by operational excellence experts from Invest NI, the workshop will cover:

    • Tools and techniques to analyse cost structures
    • Practical steps to streamline operations
    • Strategies to improve efficiency and boost sales

    Attendees will also have the opportunity to sign up for one-to-one mentoring sessions, offering tailored support to tackle their specific business challenges.

    Spaces are limited, and early registration is advised. You can book a free place here: https://bit.ly/3SnqGLW

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy coming to York

    Source: City of York

    Published Tuesday, 27 May 2025

    Ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the newly-revealed trophy will be coming to York on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 of June.

    As part of the ‘Trophy Tour’ this summer, a fully branded Land Rover Defender will bring the new trophy into the city, for members of the public to see.

    On Sunday 1 and Monday 2 June the trophy will be displayed on Parliament Square, and during the evening of 2 June it will be taken to York Rugby Club from 6pm to allow local sports teams and organisations to enjoy the visit.

    Welcoming the trophy to the city, Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said:

    We’re thrilled to be hosting several exciting games as part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup later this summer.

    “Supporting this leg of the Trophy Tour is a great way to continue our amazing year of sport, and a great opportunity to celebrate the recent news that York is one of England’s most active cities. Our residents have shown how much love and support they have for sport, from grassroots all the way through to professional and international level competition”.    

    Interested residents and visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the trophy don’t need to book a space, just turn up at Parliament Square between 10:30am and 3.30pm on 1 June, or between 10am and 3pm on 2 June.

    During August and September York Community Stadium will host six matches, including USA Vs Australia, South Africa Vs Italy and New Zealand Vs Spain.

    Anyone interested in watching any of the Women’s Rugby World Cup games can find more information, and buy tickets, at www.rugbyworldcup.com/2025/en.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Increase in affordable housing across city

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Work is continuing to increase Aberdeen’s housing supply with the completion of more affordable homes and fewer empty properties across the city.  

    Councillors from the Communities, Housing and Public Protection Committee yesterday (27 May) received an update on the delivery of Aberdeen City’s Affordable Housing Delivery Supply Programme and the Bi-Annual Report from the Housing Board.   

    Communities, Housing and Public Protection convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “ I am pleased to see 459 affordable houses being delivered through the city, in partnership with the Scottish Government and the city’s Registered Social Landlords.  

    “This is a huge achievement and builds on the success of the past few years delivering more affordable houses in the city.” 

    Vice-convener Councillor Dell Henrickson said: “The reduction in void Council properties has been crucial in ensuring that more homes are made available, and by turning these empty properties into homes, we are ensuring that more residents can benefit from affordable housing.” 

    Through the affordable housing delivery programme, 459 homes were completed in Aberdeen over the past year, with a further 472 homes expected to be completed in 2025/26.  

    It was also noted that a review by the Housing Board found that in March 2025 there were 418 fewer homes unoccupied council properties (voids) than the previous year.  

    Aberdeen City Council was allocated £12.5 million in 2024/25 through the Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply programme to make these homes available to move into.   

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 900 years of Edinburgh’s historic treasures to be celebrated in new digital exhibition

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    A new online exhibition launched by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Museums & Galleries, Libraries and Archives services brings together 900 years of objects relating to Edinburgh.

    From Greyfriars Bobby’s collar to the National Covenant, visitors to a digital exhibition can see all kinds of fantastic objects and artworks and find out more about their stories.

    Edinburgh 900: Objects from Nine Centuries of City Life is hosted on the Capital Collections website. It showcases not only some of the treasures viewable in museum and gallery venues around the city, but also many items that have never been fully shared with the public before. These include a 19th century record of petty criminals, a rare Hearts and Hibs football programme, beautiful contemporary silver and ceramics and historic documents from as early as the 12th century.

    The exhibition launched on Friday 23 May with the first 20 objects, with new objects being released each month between May and September, when the City’s Edinburgh 900 celebrations officially conclude.

    The team behind the exhibition have not only been photographing and researching these amazing treasures, they’ve also been engaging with community groups across the city to capture their responses to them. Groups including MindRoom who work with neurodiverse young people and dementia-friendly group Art In the City, have been connecting with the objects and having their responses recorded for display in the digital exhibition. This work is in partnership with the Open University who have provided the interactive digital app technology to capture community responses.

    Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:

    Edinburgh 900 is a year-long celebration of our city’s rich history, culture, and bright future. It’s incredible to see the diversity of historic objects cared for on behalf of the city all viewable together online. I’m sure viewers are going to really enjoy seeing the tiny historic details the photographs reveal, as well as diving into the background stories and responses from the community. It’s a real celebration of Edinburgh’s past and present.

    A small display in the City Art Centre foyer showcasing some of the objects included in the online exhibition will open in the Summer.
     

    Published: May 28th 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Resetting our relationship with the third sector

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Council Leader Jane Meagher writes in the Evening News today about the need to support Edinburgh’s third sector.

    With our population growing and more people struggling with the cost of living, Edinburgh’s third sector is in a precarious position.

    According to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, seven in 10 charities now cite financial trials as their biggest challenge, up significantly in just two years. Traditional funding streams from the public sector, which provide vital grants to allow charities to operate in our local communities, are under growing pressure too.

    Echoing these concerns, a report to the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee late last year made it clear that short-term funding cycles are creating financial instability for charities, diverting time and resources away from what’s important – delivering valuable services for vulnerable people.

    This predicament came into sharp focus for Edinburgh earlier this year when the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) – which oversees health and social care spend in the city – had to make difficult decisions to help it make necessary savings of close to £30m. Dozens of local projects and charities have seen their funding pulled as a result.

    Immediately, councillors united to intervene and see what could be done to prevent the devastating closures and redundancies these cuts could bring. Thankfully, we’ve been able to step in to provide emergency £2m funding, providing short term relief for 46 projects.

    Yesterday at Policy and Sustainability Committee, we also agreed how to spend a contingency fund worth £273,473 to further support primarily small, local projects and organisations in our communities which have lost EIJB funding. Grants of £10,000 will be made available this autumn to help with the resilience of the sector.

    Yet, the fact remains that the council also faces significant financial challenges. We remain the worst funded council in Scotland and plugging this gap will be difficult in future years. To that end, we need to find a longer-term sustainable way forward for this sector which provides so much good. Tackling poverty is one of our city’s top priorities and we cannot achieve this without the support of projects which focus on prevention.

    To get ahead of this, we’ve engaged the Edinburgh Partnership to conduct a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations in Edinburgh, and to ultimately find solutions for improving funding certainty in future years. This includes how grant funding and commissioning is delivered, how third sector organisations monitor and report on their work, and what in-kind support is provided.

    We want to hear about how we can make it simpler, provide more stability, and collaborate to help those who need this sector’s support most. You can share your views through our Consultation Hub webpage, or by attending a workshop from now until Thursday 5 June. Results will be shared with those who take part and with the wider third sector, and will be reported to our next Policy and Sustainability Committee in August.

    In a successful city like Edinburgh, it is unacceptable that 80,000 people are living in poverty–  including close to a quarter of all children – which makes tackling inequality and preventing poverty one of the biggest challenges facing the capital.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public urged to report suspected waste crime as new heatmaps published

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Public urged to report suspected waste crime as new heatmaps published

    New maps published showing nearly 17,000 reports of waste crime across England in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating offending is rife

    Amid a government clampdown on rogue waste operators to clean up Britain’s streets, the Environment Agency has today (Wednesday 28 May) published new heatmaps showing the densest areas of waste crime reports in England.   

    Across England, 16,773 reports of suspected waste crime were submitted from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. The maps show the highest number of reports were concentrated in the West Midlands (2,008 reports), Yorkshire (1,791 reports) and East Anglia (1,678 reports). 

    With the data demonstrating that criminals blighting towns, cities and countryside are active across the country, the Environment Agency is urging the public to report more suspected offending as it looks to shut rogue operators out of the waste industry for good. 

    Waste criminals cost the economy an estimated £1 billion every year. Estimates suggest a staggering 34,000 million tonnes of waste is illegally managed annually, enough to fill Wembley Stadium 30 times over or 4 million skips – but the true scale of offending is likely far greater due to under-reporting of incidents. 

    Under their Plan for Change, the government has confirmed rogue operators caught transporting and dealing with waste illegally will face up to five years in prison under new legislation. Longer prison sentences for rogue waste operators and new powers for councils to crush vehicles involved in waste crime will act as a strong deterrent and ensure the full force of the law comes down hard on those trashing the nation’s communities. 

    Emma Viner, Enforcement & Investigations Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

    Waste crime is toxic. Criminals steal business from legitimate operators, trash local communities, harm the environment, and avoid paying taxes which fund public services. 

    As a nation, we must stand united against criminals, working together to stop them. We can all play our part by taking steps to keep waste away from criminals in the first place and reporting any suspected wrongdoing.

    Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

    Through our Plan for Change, this government will crack down on the waste cowboys, seize and crush fly-tippers’ vans, and clean up Britain. 

    We will not stand idly by while organised crime groups profit from an avalanche of rubbish burying our communities and undercutting legitimate business.

    The Environment Agency’s National Waste Crime Survey shows just 25% of all waste crime incidents are thought to be reported. Every piece of information the Environment Agency receives is crucial in helping them to bring offenders to justice. The earlier an incident is reported to the regulator, the quicker it can deal with it and prevent an escalation. 

    To do so, the public can submit reports via the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or to Crimestoppers via their website or by calling 0800 555 111, which is always 100% anonymous. 

    To prevent criminals getting their hands on waste in the first place, the public is urged to use only waste carriers listed on the public register to take away their rubbish. 

    Jacob Hayler, Executive Director of the Environmental Services Association, said:

    Waste crime harms the environment, damages communities and threatens legitimate waste services.  

    As citizens, we each have a duty of care, not only to stop our waste from falling into the wrong hands, but to report suspected illegal handling and dumping of waste when we see it – helping the regulatory authorities to catch and punish those responsible.

    Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs at CIWM, said: 

    Waste crime at all levels continue to cause misery and anxiety to people and communities across the UK. Importantly, it also restricts the opportunities for local economies to thrive, as well as often causing real environmental harm.  

    We’ll continue to work with CIWM members, local authorities, and regulators to promote best practice and deploy all available resources in the ongoing pursuit of high-quality environments enabling thriving local economies for businesses and communities.

    The publication of the heatmaps comes amid the Environment Agency’s ongoing #WasteCrimeWednesday social media campaign, which targets the public, the waste industry, and waste criminals themselves as the regulator looks to stop waste crime for good. 

    As the environmental regulator for waste businesses operating in England, the Environment Agency uses an intelligence-based approach with its partners to bring waste criminals to justice through tough enforcement action and prosecutions. Its investigations helped secure numerous convictions in relation to waste crime in 2023 and 2024.

    Case studies

    West Midlands

    • In September 2023, a Worcestershire-based director and his company were ordered to pay nearly £110,000 following a case brought by the Environment Agency for the unlawful storage, treatment and disposal of waste without an environmental permit. Environment Agency officers found evidence the G R Shorthouse Ltd site in Hopton Wafers was being used for the storage of scrap metal, burning of wood waste, and unauthorised use of construction and demolition waste, offending described by the sentencing judge as an intentional and flagrant breach of the law aggravated by previous convictions and financial motivation. 
    • In March 2025, a Droitwich-based business was made to pay more than £52,000 after failing to comply with a demand for information about the materials they accepted. The information was required from Tetron Welbeck Limited Liability Partnership to allow the Environment Agency to conduct an audit of the site to ensure waste within the correct category was being accepted. 

    Yorkshire 

    • Following a successful prosecution by the Environment Agency, Stuart Bedford was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for running waste operations in Bradford and Doncaster without the required environmental permit and keeping waste at the sites in a manner likely to pollute the environment or harm human health, while Vicky Bedford was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement for her involvement. 
    • Elsewhere, in June 2023, an East Yorkshire man received a suspended sentence and was ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation and costs, after illegally storing hazardous waste and running an illegal waste site in Aldbrough. An investigation by the Environment Agency found Stephen Coates was storing abandoned corroding chemical drums, intermediate bulk containers, shipping containers, old tyres and flooring materials appearing to contain asbestos on his land next to a residential house during a five-period from March 2017 to March 2022. 

    East Anglia

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ministers appoint Nigel Railton as permanent Post Office Chair

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Ministers appoint Nigel Railton as permanent Post Office Chair

    Nigel Railton confirmed as permanent Chair of Post Office Limited following his appointment as Interim Chair in May last year.

    The Government has today (Wednesday 28 May 2025) confirmed the reappointment of Nigel Railton as Chair of Post Office Limited following a year in post as interim chair. 

    Since being appointed in May 2024, Nigel Railton has provided stable and considered leadership as the Post Office seeks to right to wrongs of the Horizon IT scandal and works to transform vital services for millions of customers. 

    This includes announcing his vision to deliver a New Deal for Postmasters, which aims to increase overall annual postmaster remuneration by £250 million, give a greater role to postmasters in the day-to-day operations of the business and provide an enhanced package of support from Post Office such as training and systems support. 

    To recognise the ongoing transformation and the importance of stable leadership at the Post Office, ministers have appointed Railton on a permanent basis with his contract set to run until May 2028. 

    On confirming the appointment, Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said:  

    Nigel Railton has been a steady hand guiding Post Office over the last year, providing a clear direction for the future of the organisation and certainty to postmasters.  

    I’m pleased to see him appointed on a permanent basis and I look forward to working closely with him and the leadership team to deliver a better Post Office for customers and postmasters alike.

    Nigel Railton, Post Office Chair, said: 

    I feel honoured to have my tenure as Chair of the Post Office extended. In the past year, we have begun the necessary work to transform this vital national institution and deliver a ‘New Deal for Postmasters’.  

    I look forward to collaborating with my Board colleagues, many of whom have recently joined and have brought expertise in the fields of technology, government, and organisation transformation, as well as two new serving Postmaster Non-Executive Directors.

    Together as a Board, working closely with the new CEO and Executive team at the Post Office, I am determined to deliver increases to postmaster pay and strengthen their voice at the centre of decision-making at the Post Office.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Police to crush vehicles used antisocially in 48 hours

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Police to crush vehicles used antisocially in 48 hours

    Consultation launched on fast-tracking disposal of vehicles seized for antisocial behaviour.

    Photo: Getty Images

    Communities blighted by off-road biking in public parks and intimidating street racing are set to benefit from new police powers to crack down on antisocial behaviour and deliver safer streets through the Plan for Change.

    Perpetrators of antisocial driving face having their cars, e-scooters or off-road bikes seized and destroyed after 48 hours under stronger powers proposed by the government.

    Currently, police must wait 14 days before being able to dispose of a vehicle, making it easier for offenders to reclaim their vehicles and with a limited deterrent to repeat offending.

    The measure to fast-track the disposal of vehicles comes alongside additional proposals to give police stronger powers to seize any vehicles involved in antisocial behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing them.

    Combined, these new powers will help tackle the scourge of vehicle-driven antisocial behaviour by sending a clear message to would-be offenders and local communities that swift justice will be delivered and this behaviour not tolerated.

    The changes are also expected to have a wider impact on tackling more serious crime with e-scooters and e-bikes often used to facilitate drug dealing, organised acquisitive crime and serious violence.

    Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said:

    Antisocial and reckless driving brings misery to communities across the country, from dangerous street racing to off-road bikes tearing through local parks.

    By enabling police to seize and dispose of these vehicles within just 48 hours, we’re giving our officers the tools they need to deliver immediate results and providing communities the swift justice they deserve.

    As part of our Plan for Change, these new powers send a clear message that antisocial behaviour, whatever form it takes, will not be tolerated in our local communities.

    In a public consultation published today, the government is reviewing the statutory fees for removing, storing, and disposing of vehicles in England and Wales. This will help make sure police can afford to keep removing antisocial and illegal off-road bikes and other vehicles from our streets.

    The crackdown on antisocial behaviour continues implementation of the government’s Plan for Change and Safer Streets Mission which will see new Respect Orders targeting persistent perpetrators of antisocial behaviour.

    In April this year, the Prime Minister set out new measures as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee to restore neighbourhood policing to local communities, including every force having a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead to tackle the specific challenges each area faces.

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Jo Shiner, said:

    We welcome the consultation announced by the government. Antisocial use of a vehicle, such as street racing, street cruising or off-road use is more than a matter of noise pollution. It can have long-term effects on a neighbourhood, with the criminal damage of roads, other vehicles and surrounding property.

    Drivers and riders also risk injuring themselves, other road users, cyclists and pedestrians as they do not have full control of their vehicle and their full attention on their surroundings.

    As with all forms of transport, we know they can potentially be exploited for criminal use, antisocial behaviour or cause danger when used inappropriately.

    We know that driving or riding in this way can also be used as a form of intimidation, either to other road users or the community. Loud noise from engines or music, and deliberately creating large amounts of exhaust or tyre smoke can also be seen as an aggressive act.

    Officers are committed to preventing harm and keeping our communities safe and will continue to take necessary action against those who use transport illegally. Officers having the ability to quickly seize, remove, store and dispose of vehicles used in an antisocial behaviour setting will help keep road users safe and protect our communities.

    Policing will take appropriate action against those who commit offences using existing legislation whilst also raising awareness through engagement.

    Edmund King, AA president, said:

    Illegal car meets and street racing are not just antisocial, but also present road safety problems which have resulted in needless injuries and fatalities.

    This is a positive step that should make people think again before joining illegal car cruises.

    Sandra Bauer, Neighbourhood Watch Head of Policy, Partnerships and Projects and Deputy Chief Executive said:

    We’re so used to seeing powerful vehicles on our roads that it’s easy to forget just how dangerous and noisy they can be, especially when they are being used antisocially.

    Our members tell us that the impact on a community or neighbourhood can be huge, creating safety risks, noise disturbance and intimidating people.

    This initiative sends a strong message that activities like off-road biking in public parks and street racing are not harmless, but very dangerous and damaging.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024

    Source: Scottish Government

    An Official Statistics publication

    The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2024 was published today. This Official Statistics publication details statistics on the employment, production and value of shellfish from Scottish shellfish farms. It is structured to follow trends within the common mussel, Pacific oyster, native oyster and king scallop species sectors. Some statistics are given for the 10-year period 2015-2024. 

    Some key figures from this publication are:

    • Table production tonnage of common mussel increased by 13% from 10,311 tonnes in 2023 to 11,690 tonnes in 2024. This is the highest level of common mussel production ever recorded in Scotland.
    • During 2024, 2.4 million Pacific oyster shells were produced for the table market, a decrease of 38% from the 2023 total.
    • Employment decreased by 2% from 2023, with 241 full-time, part-time and casual staff being employed in 2024.
    • Overall estimated first sale value for all shellfish species was calculated to be approximately £14 million in 2024, a decrease of 1% on the 2023 value.

    Background

    Scottish Shellfish Farm Survey 2024 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    1. The survey is compiled from data collected directly from authorised shellfish farming businesses.
    1. Official statistics are produced by professionally independent staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: Producing Official Statistics – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council launches Westminster Climate Fund to help cut emissions  | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Westminster City Council is launching the latest Westminster Climate Fund, a grant scheme supporting local businesses, cultural institutions, and community organisations to reduce their carbon emissions and generate clean energy.

    Opening for applications today, the fund will support projects that empower communities and businesses to build a sustainable and resilient environment in Westminster, which fosters a healthier and greener way of life.

    The council aims to hold two funding rounds in 2025/26, with circa £6 million available in total.

    Grants will focus on key areas including city-wide decarbonisation, community-led energy projects, and behaviour change programmes promoting greener living. 

    This funding is collected through the council’s carbon offsetting policy, as part of our city plan. Last year, the council increased its carbon price as part of the retrofit first policy, to encourage new buildings that use little or no operational carbon in their operations.

    To date, the fund has supported projects that deliver carbon emissions reductions across Westminster. These include a grant of £120,000 to install solar panels on Soho Hospital, as well as a grant of over £250,000 to install LED lighting across St Marylebone School. 

    Cllr Ryan Jude, Cabinet for Climate Action, Ecology, Culture and Air Quality said:  

    This funding represents a major opportunity for Westminster organisations to save money, reduce their carbon emissions, and play a role in creating a sustainable future.  

    “Our net-zero target shows how serious the council is, but I hope we can build on initiatives like the sustainable city charter to bring organisations big and small along with us on this journey. “ 

    Applications will open on 28th May and will close on 18th July. More information about the fund and application criteria can be found on the council’s website:  Westminster Climate Fund | Westminster City Council

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Young people access FREE fun and fitness with Youth Takeover

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 28th May 2025

    A successful programme offering free weekly fitness activities for young people at the Wallace Centre is now running every Friday.

    The Youth Takeover expansion follows a successful launch event on Friday 25 April – which 70 young people attended.

    Delivered in partnership with 10 Count Boxing and Stoke City Community Trust, the sessions engage young people in Stoke-on-Trent to be more active, whilst having fun with people their own age.

    There is a mix of activities lined up each week for those age 11-16 (some activities will be opened up to younger participants). These include dance, circuits, football, table tennis and boxing.

    The event will also explore exciting food and enrichment workshops throughout the coming weeks, which will provide further opportunities for young people to have fun and learn new things.

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “The Youth Takeover event in April was a resounding success and I am so pleased that as a result of this, it will become a weekly session for our young people to enjoy.

    “Regular exercise and physical activity play an important part in our overall health and wellbeing. This is a great opportunity for young people to interact and socialise with others in their community, while enjoying the range of activities available.

    “It’s fantastic to see local organisations coming together to make this happen.”

    Youth Takeover is held at The Wallace Centre every Friday between 4pm – 6:30pm.

    For more information, email wallace.centre@stoke.gov.uk or call 01782 233555. 

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Artist’s impressions on new look Sloughbottom Park released

    Source: City of Norwich

    Published on Tuesday, 27th May 2025

    Artist’s impressions on the Sloughbottom Park revamp including refurbished pavilion, a new sports hub and new all-weather pitch, and a new play park area, have been released by Norwich Council.

    The images are designed to give resident’s an early idea of how the upgrade could look.

    Councillor Carli Harper, cabinet member for major projects and finance, said: “These images will help show local residents what they can expect when this fabulous project is completed – namely fantastic facilities for local youngsters and the whole family to make the most of their park and get involved in sport all year round, whether it’s football, BMXing, or simply having a stroll around the beautiful park.”

    The Sloughbottom project is funded by £7.6mil from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and £850,000 from the Greater Norwich Growth Board.

    Councillor Sue Holland, Chair of the Greater Norwich Growth Board, said: “This exciting project is a great example of the benefits of the Greater Norwich partnership. By working together, we can ensure that infrastructure projects, both large and small can be delivered, improving the quality of life of our residents.”

    Andrew Dernie, Chair of Norwich Town Deal Board said: “It’s great to see this project moving forward. Investing in Norwich parks and open spaces is pivotal to increasing the well-being of city residents.”

    The funding will be spent on new and improved facilities including:

    • A new all-weather football pitch
    • A new sports hub – including league-standard changing rooms 
    • Multi-purpose Pavilion including café, public toilets, and community room
    • Accessible Play Area
    • BMX track
    • Modular storage facilities at the BMX track
    • Car park, signage, and lighting
    • Cycle Highway connections

    Officers from Norwich City Council will engage with the local community on detailed designs later this year.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Husband-and-wife directors banned after taking payments for singing waiters when company was insolvent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Husband-and-wife directors banned after taking payments for singing waiters when company was insolvent

    The company continued to take deposits and full payments when it was insolvent

    • Frederick and Claire Reeves hired people who would burst into song at social events such as weddings 

    • The husband-and-wife allowed their company, Solfan1 Limited, to trade when they knew it was in serious financial trouble and on the verge of liquidation 

    • Couples continued to pay deposits or payments in full when Frederick and Claire Reeves knew there was no reasonable expectation the company could provide the services it offered

    A husband-and-wife team who ran a business which provided surprise singing waiters at weddings have been banned as directors after taking payments from customers when the company was insolvent. 

    Frederick Reeves, 49, also known as Jamie Reeves, and his wife Claire Reeves, 41, ran Solfan1 Limited, which traded as The Best Singing Waiters. 

    The company provided performers who would blend in at weddings by pretending to be waiters before bursting into song at an agreed time. 

    However, the couple continued to take deposits, or payments in full, from 43 customers across the UK when they knew their company was unable to pay the debts it owed. 

    The couple, of Dickens Place, Wigan, have now been banned as company directors for eight years. 

    Solfan1 went into liquidation with liabilities of more than £700,000 and assets of just over £168,000. 

    Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Couples were left heartbroken after finding out the singing waiters they had paid to perform at their weddings would not show up. 

    Several of the customers who lost out financially were even offered discounts by the company to make their payment in full at the time of the booking. 

    The serious misconduct that both Frederick and Claire Reeves displayed falls short of the standards we expect of company directors which is why they have both been disqualified until May 2033.

    Solfan1 was incorporated in November 2015. Claire Reeves was appointed as director in April 2018. 

    Frederick Reeves was never officially listed as director of the company but did not dispute that he acted in the capacity of a director when accepting his disqualification following Insolvency Service investigations. 

    The company was in financial difficulties in early 2024, having been served a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs for tax debts of more than £200,000 at the start of February. 

    Following discussions with a private insolvency practitioner, the couple agreed on 28 March that Solfan1 should be placed into liquidation. 

    However, from then until the company went into liquidation on 1 May 2024, they continued to take deposits and full payments from new customers. 

    Analysis by investigators revealed that an estimated 43 customers made payments totalling £43,590 to the company during that period. 

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted disqualification undertakings from Frederick and Claire Reeves, and their bans both started on Wednesday 28 May.  

    The undertakings prevent them from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Further information

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £30M Boost for Farmers Leading the Way in Nature Restoration

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £30M Boost for Farmers Leading the Way in Nature Restoration

    Thousands of farmers will get a payment boost for restoring habitats and protecting landscapes.

    Thousands of farmers will benefit from a £30 million boost to payments received for nature-friendly farming practices under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme. This uplift recognises and rewards the vital role farmers play in restoring habitats and protecting England’s iconic landscapes. 

    From 1 January 2025, payment rates for 157 HLS options will rise, rewarding farmers already delivering for nature – particularly in uplands and other sensitive areas where they protect rare species, restore habitats, and maintain traditional countryside features.

    Farming Minister, Daniel Zeichner said: 

    Farmers are the backbone of our countryside, and they’re leading the charge to restore nature. 

    This £30 million uplift in HLS payments recognises their essential role in protecting our environment – work that’s crucial for long-term food security, boosting productivity, and tackling climate change. 

    By backing them with fairer rewards, we’re investing in a stronger and more sustainable future for British farming, helping to drive growth in rural communities as part of our Plan for Change.

    Following the Environment Secretary, Steve Reed’s, pledge at the NFU Conference, this funding brings the HLS payment rates closer to those offered under our Environmental Land Management schemes. 

    This builds on a record £5 billion investment into farming, as well as the appointment of former NFU President Baroness Minette Batters to recommend new reforms to boost farmers profits. 

    We also have a record number of farmers enrolled in farming schemes, with more money being paid to farms than ever before. 

    Payments will be automatically increased, landing from December 2025.The government is committed to targeting public funds wisely, making farming more profitable and sustainable for decades to come as we deliver on the Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-South America partnership to help prevent cocaine smuggling

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK-South America partnership to help prevent cocaine smuggling

    Security Minister signs agreement with Ecuador to affirm international commitment to crackdown on organised criminal gangs.

    The UK will be better protected from deadly cocaine as the government strengthens crucial partnerships with Colombia and Ecuador to tackle drug smuggling at source.

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis struck a co-operation agreement as part of the first ever visit by a security minister to the 2 countries.

    Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer while Ecuador has emerged as a key smuggling route, with organised crime groups targeting UK borders.

    As part of efforts to tackle the trade upstream, Home Office International Operations, Border Force officers and UK law enforcement have been stationed in Colombia and Ecuador. Officers have provided training, equipment and support to enhance the capabilities of South American law enforcement – better preventing cocaine from reaching British borders.

    This UK law enforcement presence has had a significant impact on cocaine seizures. Of the 64 tonnes seized by the ports and airports division of anti-narcotics police in Colombia, 50.5 tonnes can be attributed to activity supported by Home Office International Operations. In Ecuador, Home Office International supported the seizure of nearly 95 out of the 300 tonnes seized by police last year.

    During his visit, Minister Jarvis signed a memorandum of understanding with Ecuador, cementing both countries’ commitment to dismantling and disrupting violent criminal networks, which threaten the safety of communities in Britain and South America alike.

    On behalf of the UK, Minister Jarvis donated further equipment to Ecuador’s law enforcement unit to aid their operations to disrupt illegal activity. 

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

    We will not tolerate criminal gangs exploiting international routes and bringing harmful drugs into our communities. That’s why this government is deepening our security partnerships with Colombia and Ecuador to strengthen our frontline fight against organised crime.

    Our agreement marks a step forward in our international efforts to prevent drugs reaching the UK. We are making strong progress on this with cocaine seizures by Border Force in England increasing by 75% since last year.

    As part of our Safer Streets Mission, we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to prevent cocaine from crossing our border and strengthening our security, a cornerstone of this government’s Plan for Change.

    In a speech, Minister Jarvis recognised the sacrifices and bravery of frontline officers in South America to disrupt and dismantle organised crime gangs. Officers are continuing to protect their local communities but also communities across the world as the war on drugs continues. The UK, Colombia and Ecuador all remain resolute in their commitment to tackling illegal drug smuggling.

    In Colombia, Border Force officers provided bespoke training to a team who had previously seized only 14kg of cocaine destined for UK ports last year. Following a 2-week training course in March this year, the team have already prevented 1.4 tonnes from reaching the UK.

    This international action comes as cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023. As part of the Plan for Change, the government is committed to making streets safer by driving down drug misuse and harms through prevention and treatment.

    UK Border Force are also taking action to prevent cocaine from reaching the UK border and harming communities. In January 2025, Border Force’s National Deep Rummage team seized 1.5 tonnes of cocaine on a ship travelling from Ecuador, with an estimated street value of just under £60 million.

    There have also been record seizures of cocaine in recent years, with over 26 tonnes seized by Border Force in England, a 75% increase compared to the year before.

    Updates to this page

    Published 28 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Household Support Fund is available to support residents in Preston

    Source: City of Preston

    Preston City Council has secured additional funding through the Household Support Fund to continue supporting local residents, following its conclusion of the sixth round of funding in March 2025. This vital fund has been in place for several years to assist those most affected by the ongoing rise in living costs.

    Applications for the latest round will open Monday 27 May, and close on 31 March 2026 or until the funds have been exhausted.

    Councillor Peter Kelly, cabinet member of communities, social justice and night-time economy, said:

    “We’re delighted that we can continue this scheme and help those who need help and support to Preston residents. I would urge all eligible residents in need of help and assistance with energy and water bills, food and essential items to apply.”

    The Household Support Fund is designed to help the households in greatest need, particularly families with children, older residents and anyone facing hardship with essential living costs such as food, energy and water bills. Special consideration will be given to supporting low-income households with energy costs during this period.

    The Household Support Fund has helped keep the Food Banks/Hubs in Preston operating and has helped through each round of the scheme.

    The scheme can provide short-term assistance with essential living expenses, including food, utility bills, essential household appliances and more. Where larger items like fridges or washing machines are needed, these will be purchased through the fund and delivered directly to the applicant.

    In addition to direct support, as part of our preventative support, the scheme offers guidance and referrals to other local services, ensuring residents receive the assistance they may need including help with finances, debt, and welfare benefits to improve longer-term financial security.

    To apply, applicants must live within the Preston City Council area with only one application per household will be considered. The fund is open to anyone vulnerable or struggling to cover essential costs.

    It’s important to note you do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify for help through this fund — and any payments received will not affect existing benefits.

    For full details on how to apply and eligibility, see Household Support Fund.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cowes Library to reopen its doors following refurbishment 28 May 2025 Cowes Library to reopen its doors following refurbishment

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    There’s good news for book lovers in Cowes.

    The town’s much-loved library is set to reopen its doors at 10am on Monday, 2 June, following a period of building works.

    Thanks to a successful bid to Arts Council England’s Libraries Improvement Fund, Cowes Library has undergone essential repairs and upgrades to its facilities.

    The improvements mark the beginning of a new chapter for the library, which has long been a cornerstone of the local community.

    Once reopened, the library will return to its regular opening hours. While the current phase of works is nearing completion, further enhancements are planned for later in the year, including the installation of a fully accessible toilet.

    Library staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors back and say it won’t be long before the usual programme of events and activities is back in full swing.

    In the meantime, visitors are advised that toilet facilities will not be available until the next phase of work is complete. Updates will be shared via the Cowes Library website and Facebook page.

    During the closure, a temporary ‘pop-up’ library service was kindly hosted at the Beckford Centre by the Cowes Heritage and Community Group. The initiative proved a great success, attracting nearly 2,000 visitors over the eight-week period.

    The pop-up library will close at 1pm on Friday, 30 May, and will not reopen on Saturday 31 May, to allow staff time to prepare the main library for reopening on Monday.

    Library Supervisor, Adam Gaterell, said: “We were really grateful to be able to continue serving our customers at the Beckford Centre throughout the building works.

    “Now we can’t wait to get back into the newly improved library, resume our full service, welcome back regular customers — and hopefully join up some new ones!”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council issues information on changes to Building Control Regulations

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Council issues information on changes to Building Control Regulations

    28 May 2025

    Council advises that anyone involved in the Construction Industry should note that an update in Building Control regulations from the Department of Finance has now come into effect, since May 6th.

    The updates and two new regulations have been added to the Building Regulations (NI) 2012 legislation in Part E. Regulation 37A relates to the provision of fire safety information while Regulation 37B relates to Automatic fire suppression systems.

    Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Director of Environment and Regeneration, Karen Phillips, said all building professionals should be aware of the changes. “I would really encourage contractors, architects and other professionals involved in the building industry to take time to familiarise themselves with the changes introduced by the Department, particularly as they relate to Fire safety,” she stressed.

    “Neglecting to introduce any recommended changes to current practice could mean a breach of the relevant regulatory requirements or result in causing risk or injury. If anyone has any questions about the changes they can contact a member of Council’s Building Control team for further information.”

    Further details on these changes can be found on Council’s website at www.derrystrabane.com/services/building-control/recent-changes

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor extends thanks to everyone who supported her ‘One Big Weekend, One Big Cause’ event

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mayor extends thanks to everyone who supported her ‘One Big Weekend, One Big Cause’ event

    28 May 2025

    The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has expressed her overwhelming gratitude to everyone who supported her ‘One Big Weekend, One Big Cause – Revved Up and Ready to Rock for Bud Club’ fundraising extravaganza.

    The spectacular Bank Holiday weekend celebration on 24th and 25th May raised funds for the Bud Club, a vital organisation supporting young people with additional needs across the district.

    “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible response from our community,” said Mayor Barr. “The generosity and spirit shown by everyone who attended has been truly humbling. What we witnessed was our city and district at its absolute best – a community coming together to support those who need it most.”

    Supercar Saturday in Guildhall Square drew crowds throughout the afternoon to see Gary and Stephen McCaul’s stunning collection of 35 luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and McLarens. Popular entertainer Micky Doherty kept spirits high despite the inclement weather.

    Saturday evening’s star-studded concert at the Guildhall was a resounding success, with local favourite Ritchie Remo getting the crowd on their feet, comedian Black Paddy delivering laughs throughout his set, and the Mindbenders bringing the house down with their Ultimate Yacht Rock Show featuring timeless hits from the 70s and 80s.

    The weekend concluded on Sunday with an electric Afrobeats night at St Columb’s Hall, where music lovers danced to infectious rhythms celebrating culture, unity, and community spirit. Adding to the night was Miss Africa-Ireland who brought an incredible exhibition of African fashion along for the audience to enjoy.

    “Every single person who bought a ticket or came out to enjoy the festivities has made a real difference in the lives of young people with additional needs,” the Mayor continued. “The funds raised will directly support Bud Club’s incredible work, providing life-changing opportunities for some of our most vulnerable young citizens.”

    Mayor Barr added: “As I near the end of my term in office, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to conclude this incredible year. This weekend embodied everything I’ve tried to champion – bringing our community together and ensuring we lift up those who need our support. To everyone who made this weekend special – from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Make sure you’re ‘scam aware’ this summer

    Source: City of York

    Published Tuesday, 27 May 2025

    Council leaders are warning residents to be wary of doorstop sellers, and potential scams over the coming months.

    With the weather improving we’re likely to see an increase in doorstep selling during the summer. Doorstop selling refers to someone who visits properties to sell goods or services in the home, or on the doorstep. These can include salespeople visiting homes offering a range of services, from garden makeovers to driveway repairs, double glazing and more.

    These sellers can sometimes offer a convenient option, and home visits from sales teams can be a technique used by many business. However, doorstop selling also comes with some risks, including people being pressured to buy goods or services they don’t want, being sold things for much more than their value, or paying for goods or services that never appear.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for the Environment at City of York Council, said:

    Sadly, each year some residents are pressured into schemes or purchases by doorstop sellers and end up in difficult situations.

    “Our teams work very hard to try and keep the residents of York safe from scams or rogue traders, but we always encourage residents to be cautious, check for third party recommendations and take their time deciding on any major projects or works they’re planning.”

    To help residents avoid any issues, City of York Council are sharing some top tips to help make sure you’re buying from legitimate businesses, and ways to keep yourself safe. These include:

    • Be confident – if you don’t want to buy goods or services, you have every right to say no, ask for more time to think about it, shop around and get other quotes or discuss the purchase with someone else
    • Check the facts – any reputable business should be happy to provide you with all their details. Try to think about what you know about them, do you know about their training and experience, have they given you all the information you need for a quote, do you understand the rights and obligations of any contracts and are they offering any kind of warranty?
    • Be cautious – it’s sensible to shop around for any projects you might want doing, getting multiple quotes, talking to other people who’ve had the same work done and taking your time makes you a smart customer. Don’t forget, if something sounds too good (or too cheap) to be true, it probably is.

    Residents are also being reminded of their legal rights when it comes to doorstop selling. In most situations if you sign a contract worth more than £42 with a trader in your house, you usually have 14 days to change your mind and cancel, providing the right to cancel is given to your in writing.

    Different contracts will have different terms and conditions but some include ‘cooling off periods’ and cancellation fees. If you do want to change your mind and cancel a project, you should get in touch with the trader as soon as possible, and try to keep a copy of the cancelation in writing as proof. This could include emails, or even recorded delivery or proof of postage.

    Anyone looking for more advice on their rights, or to report a trader to trading standards, can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 2231133, or by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scamsadvice.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grisly gadget is sure to get museum visitors talking

    Source: City of Leeds

    A gruesome contraption used centuries ago as a brutal punishment for gossiping has gone on display in Leeds.

    The draconian device, known as a scold’s bridle, is among a selection of objects newly on show at Leeds City Museum capturing some of the fascinating, lesser-known chapters in the story of Leeds.

    Used in English towns and cities as early as 1574, scold’s bridles were employed to discourage individuals, usually women, who were judged to have spoken rebelliously, inappropriately or out of turn.

    Also known as a brank, or witch’s bridle, the grisly object, believed to date from the 17th Century, has gone on show in the museum’s Leeds Story gallery as a sad reminder of a less enlightened age, having been originally collected by Morley historian Norrison Scatcherd.

    When in use, the infamous implement’s solid iron frame would encase its unfortunate victim’s head, with a roughened iron plate located near the mouth.

    The plate would then be placed in the mouth so the victim could not move their tongue without discomfort and the wearer would then be led through the streets on a chain held by one of the town’s officials.

    In some towns, wearers would even be chained to a pillory, whipping post or market cross.

    Kitty Ross, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of social history, said: “It’s difficult to imagine a device as brutal and cruel as the scold’s bridle being used in towns and cities around the country, and it’s very clearly a relic from a time when the concepts of both human rights and equality were very different to what they are today.

    “Displaying these types of objects is an important, tangible reminder of how far society has come as well as an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by people who lived during an age when such an inhumane contraption was seen as an acceptable form of punishment.

    “Adding objects to the Leeds Story gallery is always rewarding too, because it gives visitors a chance to find out more about famous people, places and events alongside aspects of the city’s hidden history which they may never have heard before.”

    The scold’s bridle is one of a number of exhibits recently added to the Leeds Story gallery, which tells the story of the city through the centuries.

    A silver cup made by ill-fated Leeds goldsmith turned counterfeiter Arthur Mangey has also been put on display in the gallery, alongside a set of his coin clipping shears which were already on show.

    Once an esteemed craftsman, commissioned to make a stunning silver gilt mace by Leeds City Council in 1694, Mangey was accused of forgery and, after being found guilty at trial, was hanged in York in 1696.

    Other exhibits newly on display include a Pudsey peace jug, purchased with support from The Friends of Leeds City Museums and made by local potter John Sugden in 1801 to mark Napoleon Bonaparte’s signing of the Concordat of 1801 with Pope Pius VII.

    Also on display is the impressive bell which once hung in the city’s Coloured Cloth Hall in 1758. Once the largest building in Georgian Leeds, the building was used as offices and housed the Council Chamber of the Trustees.

    In 1889 the Leeds Corporation paid £66,000 for the hall so they could clear it and make way for what is today City Square and the General Post Office building.

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “The story of Leeds is completely unique and includes so many surprising and intriguing chapters which have each in their own way played their part in creating the city we know today.

    “It’s remarkable that we have so many objects on display to help tell that story and ensure visitors can learn more about the different aspects of our local heritage.”

    For more information about visiting Leeds City Museum, including opening hours, please visit: Leeds City Museum | Leeds Museums and Galleries | Days out and exhibitions

    ENDS

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public consultation launches to improve travel choices on A6110 Ring Road and A643 Elland Road

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds City Council is proposing to introduce new measures along the A6110 and A643 Elland Road which will make it safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

    The A6110 Ring Road, and A643 Elland Road form key routes in Leeds, connecting south Leeds to the city centre. It is a popular route with over 38,000 people using it daily. Since 2019, a total of 26 collisions have been recorded, resulting in 31 casualties – 1 fatality, 10 serious injuries, and 20 slight injuries, highlighting the need for these improvements.

    The proposed scheme aims to address longstanding issues along the route, including high collision rates, congestion, limited pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and poor connectivity to surrounding areas.

    The council is inviting businesses, residents, and those who use the route to share their views on the proposals, which include:

    • New and upgraded crossings along the route, making it safer for people walking, wheeling and cycling to cross the road
    • A new busway, for buses only, on A643 Elland Road (South) for quicker and more reliable bus journey times
    • Upgraded bus stops to create a more welcoming environment for bus users
    • A segregated two-way cycle lane along key sections of the route providing enhanced safety and better connection to surrounding areas of Beeston, Holbeck, Leeds City Centre, Morley, and White Rose Shopping Centre, linking easily with existing cycling provision

    The proposals include minimal changes to Millshaw roundabout as this is one of the potential options for tram proposals connecting Leeds City Centre and South Leeds. The council is working closely with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to make sure the proposals complement the potential tram line. This will ensure that any works will not need revisiting if the line is delivered on this route. Once the tram route has been confirmed, any necessary changes to the roundabout will be developed and consultation undertaken at that stage.

    The A6110 and A643 proposals align with Leeds City Council’s broader goals of reducing carbon emissions, promoting active travel, and supporting Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries in Leeds by 2040.

    Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:

    “This scheme is a vital step towards creating safer, more accessible routes for active travel through Leeds. This initiative is part of our commitment to make our city more inclusive, healthy, and sustainable, and we urge everyone that uses this route—whether you walk, cycle, drive, or take the bus—to share your views and help shape the future of this area.

    “Your input is essential to ensure these changes meet community needs.”

    Cllr Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

    “It’s an exciting time for transport in West Yorkshire and plans like this can play a big part in creating a modern, joined-up network.

    “By making roads safer and improving facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users, we are helping more people choose greener and healthier ways to travel.

    “We want to hear from everyone that uses this route to help us build a better-connected region that works for all.”

    Have your say before 11.59pm on Tuesday 8 July:

    1. Find out more and complete a short survey
    2. Attend a drop-in event, see the proposal boards, chat to a member of the team and fill in an online or paper survey. There are two drop-in events:
    • Thursday 19 June 2025, 3pm-6pm, Churwell Community Centre, LS27 7SY
    • Thursday 26 June 2025, 12pm-3pm, Cottingley Community Centre, LS11 0HJ
    1. Request a paper survey and freepost it back to us. Email or phone us for a paper survey on connectingleeds@leeds.gov.uk or 0113 336 8868. 

    Notes to editors

    The scheme would be funded in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, subject to business case approvals. A condition of the funding means any changes must make it easier and safer to walk, cycle and use public transport.

    For further information on proposals for trams connecting communities between Leeds City Centre and South Leeds and Leeds to Bradford visit wymasstransit.com.

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