Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government teams with parking giants to ensure drivers can use preferred apps in all car parks
British Parking Association will develop and run the ‘national parking platform’, providing drivers with a more flexible parking experience.
huge step forward for simpler parking as industry delivers ‘one app fits all’ parking platform
government collaboration paves the way for British Parking Association to spearhead new parking platform – at no cost to the taxpayer
backing drivers, this government is investing £4.8 billion to deliver new roads and £1.6 billion to fix potholes, helping to get the country moving through the Plan for Change
Drivers are set to benefit from simpler parking nationwide, as industry delivers a ‘one app fits all’ parking platform at no cost to the taxpayer, following government-backed trials.
The government has today (21 May 2025) confirmed that, following successful collaboration with the sector, the British Parking Association will now take forward the development and running of the National Parking Platform (NPP).
The platform will enable drivers to pay for parking in all participating car parks on their preferred app – ending the scramble to download multiple apps and encouraging a more flexible parking experience. The government intervened to make sure it can be delivered by a consortium of industry leaders, including Ringo, JustPark and PayByPhone and led by the British Parking Association (BPA).
Currently, drivers face inconsistent parking rules, clunky user experiences and unnecessary barriers to something that should be simple. The National Parking Platform fixes this, connecting participating car parks to a shared platform, through which drivers can pay using any approved app – cutting confusion, reducing the chance of fines and opening up the parking market to fairer competition.
Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said:
This government is on the side of drivers and dedicated to giving everyone simpler, more flexible parking. I’m delighted that this fantastic project is being taken on by the parking sector with no extra cost to taxpayers.
This is public infrastructure done right: built by government, shaped with councils and now delivered by the sector that knows it best, at a time where we’re investing a record £1.6 billion through our Plan for Change, to mend our pothole-ridden roads that damage cars and £4.8 billion to deliver new road infrastructure that will better connect people.
The new agreement will see the parking sector working with councils to run the platform on a not-for-profit basis. It will operate under clear terms to ensure transparency, sustainability, and public value. The government will maintain oversight of the platform by monitoring the sector’s compliance with these terms.
So far, the platform has been rolled out in 10 local authorities and now handles over half a million transactions a month. Today’s announcement means drivers nationwide will benefit from a simpler, more seamless experience.
Andrew Pester, BPA Chief Executive, said:
Today’s announcement marks the result of 6 years of dedicated work by our parking sector to make paying for parking easier. We’ve strongly supported the National Parking Platform from the start, so we’re thrilled with this outcome and excited to collaborate with the Department for Transport and the new NPP company to create a better parking experience for all drivers.
As part of their next steps, the new consortium will be onboarding more local authorities imminently to ensure that easier, simpler parking is rolled out to more drivers as soon as possible.
This announcement comes as the government invests £1.6 billion to tackle the scourge of potholes and deliver national renewal through investment in vital infrastructure that will drive growth and put more money in working people’s pockets and deliver the Plan for Change.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’
Grangemouth workers receive ‘training guarantee’ to benefit from clean energy jobs.
Over 260 workers have received 1:1 skills support from Forth Valley College to support their transition into new, high-skilled jobs, with 184 workers already beginning training
signals swift delivery of the Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘training guarantee’ to secure a future for workers, as part of the Plan for Change
Energy Secretary and Energy Minister join Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy in first Grangemouth Investment Taskforce meeting today to discuss securing private investment and a long-term future for Grangemouth – backed by £200 million from the UK government, and £25 million from the Scottish Government
Petroineos refinery workers at Grangemouth are being actively supported through the Prime Minister’s commitment to a ‘training guarantee’ to help secure new well-paid work, as part of the UK and Scottish Governments’ pledge to secure a future for those affected by the closure of the oil refinery.
The government took swift action to protect workers after Petroineos confirmed their plans to close the refinery, including announcing up to £10 million to provide new skills support that will help the site’s workers into good clean energy jobs, as well as supporting new energy projects in the region. This also included a commitment from the Prime Minister in February to deliver a “training guarantee”.
This guarantee is now being delivered, with 184 out of 300 workers having now engaged in retraining activity with the majority of the remaining workforce registered for training.
Workers have been offered a wide range of training opportunities, including renewable energy upskilling courses and wind turbine engineering courses, paid for and supported by the UK and Scottish Governments. This will provide them with the vital skills needed to secure new jobs, including in the clean energy sector – which currently supports more than 42,000 jobs in Scotland.
Every Petroineos worker affected by the decision to close the oil refinery has now been provided the opportunity for 1:1 interviews with careers specialists at Forth Valley College.
These will help identify their skills, qualifications and training needs to create a programme of bespoke courses that will ensure their smooth transition into new roles – supporting the next generation of good jobs and driving economic growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
It comes as the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin and Energy Minister Michael Shanks join the Office for Investment, Scottish Enterprise, National Wealth Fund and Scottish National Investment Bank for the inaugural Grangemouth Investment Taskforce meeting today where they will discuss securing private investment in the future of the site – with 66 enquiries received so far.
Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said:
The workforce at Grangemouth is highly skilled with significant transferrable experience which our training commitment recognises by providing tailored support for workers into new employment opportunities.
As well as continuing to work to secure the site’s long-term industrial future, we want to ensure no worker is left behind and that they are equipped with the skills they need to secure good jobs. This is our Plan for Change in action.
Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said:
The Scottish Government’s immediate focus has rightly been on supporting workers who have lost their jobs. We committed up to £450,000 to ensure that they are supported and assisted to secure other employment and to contribute their valuable skills to Scotland’s green economy.
That is why we are also working to secure Grangemouth’s role in that future and create an investible industrial strategy for the site. It’s clear that real progress is being made on the findings from Project Willow. We are working closely with Scottish Enterprise – who are already assessing nearly 70 inquiries aligned to the full range of technologies set out in the report – and we are determined to ensure we realise the full potential for the site’s transformation.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:
We know this is a worrying time for workers and their families at Grangemouth. I am pleased more than 260 highly skilled workers have already received support from Forth Valley College thanks to funding from the UK government as part of the £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal package.
By offering bespoke training in renewable energy and wind turbine engineering, we’re not just supporting individual workers but also helping Scotland lead the way in clean energy jobs. We are determined that Grangemouth will have a green energy future and have committed £200 million through the National Wealth Fund toward that.
Kenny MacInnes, Principal of Forth Valley College, said:
The College continues to work extremely hard to make sure that all the Petroineos employees affected by the refinery closure, are able to access the support they need as they begin their transition into new training, careers and jobs.
We are making learning work in our Forth Valley communities and beyond, and we want to assure everyone that we will continue to be there for them as they take the next steps in their careers and their studies.
Steven Bell, former Hazardous Areas Technician at Petroineos Grangemouth Refinery, said:
The support I received from Forth Valley College with retraining during the redundancy process has been exceptional.
From my 1:1 meetings discussing courses that I would be interested in and what my future career path might be, right through to getting booked onto the courses I had selected, nothing was too much trouble.
All in all, I can say I am absolutely delighted with what Forth Valley College have provided for me during this process.
The training support has helped workers enter new employment. For example, former Hazardous Areas Technician Steven Bell took part in a range of courses that enabled him to renew his Electricians Grade Card, as well as courses in working in hazardous areas which will support him in his new role as a Compliance Supervisor with a company involved in the pharmaceutical and distillery sector.
It follows the publication of a feasibility report ‘Project Willow’ that provided nine proposals for Grangemouth, backed by £200 million from the UK government and £25 million from the Scottish Government, which will support jobs, unlock investment and drive growth.
The report sets out various options for the site, including plastics recycling, hydrogen production and other projects that could create up to 800 jobs by 2040. This will help to grow the economy and deliver on both governments’ shared ambition to secure a long-term future for Grangemouth – with Scottish Enterprise already receiving a high level of interest from potential investors.
The UK government is unlocking Scotland’s clean energy potential and recently awarded £55.7 million to the Port of Cromarty Firth to develop and manufacture new floating offshore wind farms in Scotland. It has also launched a Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority announce Strategic Place Partnership
New partnership reinforces the Agency’s commitment to housing and regeneration across the South West
Eamonn Boylan, CEO of Homes England and Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) have today signed a Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) in support of delivering locally-led housing and regeneration ambitions in the region.
The partnership, announced today at UKREiiF, a national investment conference, signals a long-term commitment to deliver locally-led goals and unlocks new opportunities for investment and delivery across the Mayoral Combined Authority region. Homes England and the MCA will work on a shared plan to accelerate growth in the West of England while advancing their existing partnership projects, like Bristol Temple Quarter, with a renewed focus.
Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, centred around a revitalised Bristol Temple Meads station, a grade I listed building. The ambitious programme aims to deliver 10,000 new homes, 22,000 new jobs, and improved sustainable infrastructure and public spaces across 135 hectares of brownfield land in central Bristol. It’s already an example of a project that thrives through public sector partnerships: jointly led by Bristol City Council, Homes England, the MCA, and chair Lyn Garner, the development is backed by £95 million of government support.
During the last financial year, Homes England provided £700,000 of funding support to schemes across the MCA and its constituent authorities, with future funding for new projects planned following the announcement of the Strategic Place Partnership.
Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:
Our new Strategic Place Partnership with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority demonstrates our long-term commitment to the region. We’ll work side-by-side with the Mayoral Combined Authority through our strengthened partnership to deliver ambitious housing and regeneration programmes that speak to regional priorities.
The Agency now has eight Strategic Place Partnerships with various Mayoral Authorities across England, with each partnership clearly focused on the goal of empowering local leaders to drive growth in their own communities, supported by Homes England.
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, said:
Across the West of England, we must invest to tackle the housing crisis and regenerate brownfield land. This new Strategic Place Partnership will ultimately help us build more affordable homes for local people.
Working with Homes England and local council leaders to deliver the right homes in the right places, with the services and infrastructure that people need and deserve.
I am determined to improve our transport links to help get the West of England moving – whether it’s better buses or five new train stations in three years – and connect new homes to jobs and opportunities, culture and leisure, and nature.
Alongside Bristol Temple Quarter, Homes England and the MCA will accelerate delivery on key projects including the West Innovation Arc, with South Gloucestershire Council. The Arc will be integral to the emerging West of England Local Growth Plan.
Working alongside Bath & North East Somerset Council, Homes England and the MCA are already supporting the acquisition of strategic land and planning work to unlock up to 6,000 new homes along the Bristol to Bath strategic growth corridor. Following £8 million of initial investment from the MCA, Homes England has committed £36 million into brownfield sites in central Bath to deliver a further 1,000 homes.
Notes to editors:
The strengthened relationship between Homes England and the Mayoral Combined Authority follows the publication of the government’s English Devolution White Paper in December 2024, which details the plan to empower local leaders and deepen devolution across England.
The white paper highlights Homes England’s work on SPPs and the important part they play in devolution.
About Homes England
We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.
We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story
UK and Chile sign MoU on Cooperation in Gender Equality
Signing of this MoU marks an important milestone in both countries’ commitment to a foreign policy agenda focused on women’s rights.
Baroness Chapman, Minister for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean and Chile’s Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Gloria de la Fuente González.
As part of the visit of Chile’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Gloria de la Fuente to the United Kingdom, and the UK and Chile’s shared commitment to promoting human rights and gender equality, the UK and Chile signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Gender Equality on 2 May. The MoU, with the aim of establishing sustained mutual cooperation in this area, was signed by the Minister for Latin America, Baroness Chapman, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gloria de la Fuente, in London.
The MoU, the first of its kind that the United Kingdom has signed, marks an important milestone in both countries’ commitment to a foreign policy agenda focused on women’s rights and reflects a shared determination to move towards more equitable, inclusive and respectful societies.
Baroness Chapman, Minister for International Development, Latin America and the Caribbean, said:
Chile is a vital partner in our shared efforts to promote equality for women and girls.
The MoU establishes mechanisms for cooperation, political dialogue and best practices in key areas, such as the promotion of participation in international affairs and the political empowerment of women and girls.
Louise de Sousa, British Ambassador to Chile, said:
The signing of this memorandum strengthens bilateral ties between the United Kingdom and Chile and establishes cooperation to deliver equality for women and girls around the world.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in BMJ Open looks at the association between herpes simplex virus type 1 and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Sheona Scales, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK:
“There’s an increasing amount of evidence that suggests our body’s response to certain viruses could put us at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in later life.
“These recent findings from a large study using US health records propose that infection with HSV-1 – a common virus that causes cold sores – may be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers also state that taking medicines to treat HSV-1 infections could reduce the risk, but this is still very early work and needs more investigation.
“Despite the large sample size, this research has limitations partly due to only using health records and administrative claims data. Most people infected with HSV-1 don’t have any symptoms so some infections might not have been recorded. Infections predating the information recorded are also not available. Although cases were matched with controls, diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stages, remains a challenge.
“The study authors found that some people receiving medicines to treat HSV-1 infections had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, however a lot more work is needed to unpick this.
“We know there are 14 established risk factors for dementia, and there’s not enough evidence to include infections in this list. This study doesn’t tell us if infections are causing the risk, it only shows an association. Further research is needed to understand what the underlying biology around this is.”
Prof Cornelia van Duijn, Professor of Epidemiology at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, said:
“Again a carefully conducted study adding to the growing evidence that various common viruses may determine the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, in particular in the elderly (70+ years).
“Matching Alzheimer’s patients carefully with controls in the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus claims database, the study further shows that treating those with an active herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) infection with antiherpetic medication reduces the risk and postpones the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Smaller but significant effects are also seen for HSV-2 and varicella zoster virus (VZV). With many GPs and the population being unaware of the dementia related benefits of treating HSV infections and preventing VZV activation through vaccination, it is time to call for actions informing those working in primary care as well as the population at large.”
Dr David Vickers, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada, said:
“Declining HSV-1 rates in the U.S. since the late-70’s challenge the authors’ claim that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) will surge without intervention. This pharma-funded research exaggerates the role of HSV-1, failing to appreciate its absence in 99.56% of AD cases. The observed 17% hazard reduction with antiherpetic drugs translates to a mere nine-month delay in AD onset, offering no meaningful relief to the US$305 billion costs for treatment.
“The study’s data source makes its findings ungeneralisable, and it overstates a minor infection as a ‘public health priority’ to justify unnecessary treatment.”
Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, said:
“This study reports that diagnosis of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is associated with increased risk of diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Scientists examined data from almost 700,000 people in a medical insurance claims database and found that in addition to an increased proportion of people with Alzheimer’s disease having a diagnosis of HSV-1, people with HSV-1 who were treated for the viral infection with “antiherpetic” medication were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who did not have treatment.
“This is a well-conducted study adding to strong data in the field linking HSV-1 and other viral infections to increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but it is important to note that HSV-1 infection, which is extremely common in the population, is by no means a guarantee that someone will develop Alzheimer’s.
“Why viral infections may increase risk of dementia is not fully understood, but the most likely explanation is that infections increase inflammation in the body and contribute to age-related brain inflammation. More research is needed to understand the best way to protect our brains from Alzheimer’s disease as we age, including a better understanding of links between viral infection and Alzheimer’s risk.”
Dr Richard Oakley, Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“This study adds to the growing interest in a possible link between the virus that causes cold sores and Alzheimer’s disease. Results from this observational study suggested that people with recorded cold sore infections were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, and interestingly those prescribed antiviral drugs had a slightly lower risk.
“But this doesn’t prove that cold sores cause Alzheimer’s disease, or that antivirals prevent it. The data came from insurance records, often based on self-reported symptoms which may miss or misclassify infections, and didn’t track how often people had cold sores or how consistently they took medication.
“Much more research is needed to explore exactly how viruses might be involved and before we can draw firm conclusions. It is critical we explore every avenue to understand the complex causes of the diseases which cause dementia – infections are a growing area of interest.
“If you are worried about a cold sore or your general health, be sure to seek the appropriate help from a health professional.”
From the Spanish SMC:
Prof Alberto Ascherio, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (United States) and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, said:
“This is a high-quality study that stands out mainly for its sample size. The results confirm previous findings that people with a history of cold sores have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and that this risk appears to be reduced in people who receive antiviral treatment.
“This is an observational study based on electronic data of varying quality, so the conclusions cannot be considered definitive. For example, the vast majority of cold sore episodes are not reported in medical records, so the study’s conclusions apply to a highly selected subgroup of individuals with clinical episodes of cold sores, perhaps due to clinical severity or the presence of other factors. For this reason, it would be premature for people with cold sores to worry about having an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is growing evidence that viral infections may affect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and it is important to initiate more definitive research.”
From the Australian SMC:
Prof Ashley Bush, Clinical Lead Mental Health Mission at The Florey, Australia, said:
“This is an important, large, case-control epidemiology study that shows that people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease or with other Alzheimer-like dementia (e.g. fronto-temporal dementia) are substantially (about 80%) more likely to have been infected with the viruses that cause cold sores, genital herpes, chicken pox or shingles. Further, people who were taking antivirals for cold sores were 17% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease over a 15 year period.
“These findings come in the wake of another recent report1 that showed that shingles vaccination decreased the probability of a new dementia diagnosis during the follow-up period of 7 years by 2%. Some scientists like Prof Ruth Itzhaki in Manchester and the late Rob Moir at Harvard have proposed that dementias like Alzheimer’s are provoked by viral infection. Herpes virus lives dormant in nerve cells, and it is thought that the pathology of the dementia is brought about by a defence to these infection gone wrong.
“It is unlikely that viral infection can explain all causes of dementia, but these recent papers implicate the infections are playing a role in accelerating these diseases. It certainly encourages more research in this direction and as to whether lifelong antivirals should be considered as preventive therapy for people who have had one of these infections.”
1(Pomirchy M, Bommer C, Pradella F, Michalik F, Peters R, Geldsetzer P. Herpes Zoster Vaccination and Dementia Occurrence. JAMA. 2025 Apr 23; Epub 2025 Apr 23)
Prof Brenda Gannon, Professor of the Health Economics of Ageing at the University of Queensland, said:
“This research provides further evidence for the link between the common cold sores from HSV1 and Alzheimer’s Disease. The study now proposes that people with HSV who are treated with anti-viral medicine are less likely to develop AD. Using large scale administrative data from the US, the findings are suggestive of a protective effect of anti-viral treatment. This could be beneficial for Australians who suffer from the common cold sores and who would benefit from anti-viral treatment for their cold sores. It does not mean it could reduce the probability of AD.
“Further research would be required to ensure the study is more widely representative, since the authors note that not all populations are included in the data, e.g. those over 65 who receive free health care (Medicare). The study does not provide detail on who may benefit, for example does it help disadvantaged groups more, and who does it work together with other non-pharmacological treatments for lifestyle improvement.
“Overall, the study indicates some potential, but much more research would be required to determine if the anti-viral therapies for people with cold cores, is in fact going to reduce their probability of getting Alzheimer’s disease.
“As the authors state, it does not indicate cause and effect, but they do find it a potential avenue to explore further.
“The study did not include public involvement – but inclusion of the public, even on an advisory capacity would be useful, to help design the research questions and relevant factors included in the study.
“From a health economics perspective, it is unlikely that anti-viral therapy would be funded for the Australian population, until further evidence on effectiveness in prevention and then cost-effectiveness overall, including additional use of health care resources, is provided. More details on the health and socio-economics status of individuals are also warranted, to help determine who may benefit from the therapy.”
‘Association between herpes simplex virus type 1 and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a retrospective case control study’ by Yunhao Liu et al. was published in BMJ Open at 23.30 on Tuesday 20 May.
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093946
Declared interests
Cornelia van Duijn: “I receive funding from GSK (related to VZV vaccination) and NovoNordisk (unrelated to virus treatment/prevention), and have received funding from JNJ/Jansen Pharmaceutics (unrelated to virus treatment/prevention).”
David Vickers: “I have no interests or conflicts, financial or otherwise, to declare.”
Tara Spires-Jones: “I have no conflicts with this study but have received payments for consulting, scientific talks, or collaborative research over the past 10 years from AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Scottish Brain Sciences, Jay Therapeutics, Cognition Therapeutics, Ono, and Eisai. I am also Charity trustee for the British Neuroscience Association and the Guarantors of Brain and serve as scientific advisor to several charities and non-profit institutions.”
Ashley Bush: “I have no relevant conflicts.”
Brenda Gannon: “No COI”
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
Press release
Record 81 criminal investigations launched into water companies under Government crackdown
New crackdown is the largest criminal action against water companies in history.
A record 81 criminal investigations into water companies have been launched in England since the election, as part of the Government’s crackdown on sewage dumping.
A new operation spearheaded by Environment Secretary Steve Reed amounts to the largest criminal action against water companies in history.
The number of inspections carried out by authorities into sewage pollution has skyrocketed by nearly 400% since last July.
The record number of Environment Agency spot checks at water company premises and rivers has revealed widespread law-breaking. Over 80 criminal investigations have been launched against water companies over the last nine months, a surge of 145% since the election.
Following these investigations, water bosses could be jailed for five years and water companies fined hundreds of millions of pounds.
This will act as a powerful deterrent, focussing water bosses’ minds on investing to upgrade water infrastructure to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. Water companies will also spend a record £104 billion and cut sewage discharges by nearly half over five years.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed:
Water companies have too often gone unpunished as they pump record levels of sewage into our waterways. No more.
A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into law-breaking water companies – which could see bosses behind bars.
With this Government, water companies who break the law will finally be punished for their disgraceful behaviour so we can clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said:
This milestone is testament to our determination to hold water companies to account and achieve a cleaner water environment.
Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches.
This is just the beginning – we are on track to deliver 10,000 inspections next year, using our tougher powers gained through the Water (Special Measures) Act alongside more officers and upgraded digital tools to drive better performance across the water sector.
When a water company breaks the rules of its environmental permit, that is a criminal offence—for example, releasing excessive pollution into a river or failing to carry out water quality monitoring.
The Environment Agency follows up on every offence they find. The most serious offences, like illegal sewage spills, trigger a criminal investigation that could see water company fines and criminal prosecution for water bosses. The Environment Agency have also taken a zero-tolerance approach to identify and resolve over 1000 minor issues last year like unclogging pipes to deliver immediate improvements to local communities and the environment.
To drive forward this surge in action, the Environment Agency has hired 380 additional regulatory staff to carry out inspections and other enforcement activity.
New powers, delivered by the Government’s landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, also mean water executives who cover up or hide illegal sewage spills can now be locked up for up to two years.
The Environment Agency are also currently carrying out their largest ever criminal investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water companies at over 2000 sewage treatment works.
Seven cases against water companies are going to court over the next few months following criminal investigations by the Environment Agency.
Police investigate serious pedestrian crash near Bridgewater
Wednesday, 21 May 2025 – 7:33 am.
Police are investigating a serious pedestrian crash near Bridgwater last night. About 6:15pm on Tuesday 20 May 2025, a 12-year-old girl was struck by a motor vehicle on the East Derwent Highway, Bridgewater. Initial reports suggest that the young girl, while crossing the road, ran into the path of the vehicle, travelling east on the highway. The vehicle, a grey Toyota Kluger, only contained the driver. Police and Paramedics attended the scene immediately and the victim was quickly transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition, where she remains receiving treatment. The driver of the vehicle was subjected to mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Crash investigators and Forensic Services attended the scene and conducted a thorough examination. Any witnesses who saw the incident or drove past the area and have dash-cam footage are asked to call Crimestoppers. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
Met Police officers have secured significant banning orders against two prolific shoplifters as part of their continued crackdown on retail crime.
Local officers worked with retailers in Greenwich to identify and arrest Winston Wright who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods from stores in the area over four months, banning him from every Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op in England and Wales.
In a separate investigation, officers in Haringey secured an order to ban Patrick Verry from every Greggs store in England and Wales after he targeted a store seven times.
Across London the Met is prioritising neighbourhood policing by putting more officers into local teams to tackle issues such as shoplifting.
Officers are working with business owners to target the most prolific offenders who cause fear to retail workers and have a negative impact on communities.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for tackling retail crime, said:
“The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Wright and Verry. They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.
“We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”
Winston Wright, 44 (08.04.81), of Lewisham, pleaded guilty to eight counts of shoplifting and one count of commercial burglary at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
As well as being given a Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from entering any Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op in England and Wales for three years, he’s also been banned from entering the Royal Borough of Greenwich for three years, jailed for three months and fined £200.
During the course of the investigation officers gathered CCTV from various stores which helped identify Wright as the offender. As a result he was stopped in Deptford High Street on Thursday, 20 March by a PCSO who recognised him.
Patrick Verry, 33 (02.04.92), of no fixed address, was caught in the act by officers at the store in Wood Green High Road on Thursday, 15 May. He pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from the same store at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May.
Golar LNG Limited (the “Company”) advises that the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Company was held on May 20, 2024 at 10:00 am (Bermuda time) at 2nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 were presented at the Meeting.
The following resolutions were passed:
To set the maximum number of Directors to be not more than eight.
To resolve that vacancies in the number of Directors be designated as casual vacancies and that the Board of Directors be authorized to fill such vacancies as and when it deems fit.
To re-elect Tor Olav Trøim as a Director of the Company.
To re-elect Daniel W. Rabun as a Director of the Company.
To re-elect Carl E. Steen as a Director of the Company.
To re-elect Niels G. Stolt-Nielsen as a Director of the Company.
To re-elect Lori Wheeler Naess as a Director of the Company.
To elect Benoît de la Fouchardiere as a Director of the Company.
To elect Mi Hong Yoon as a Director of the Company.
To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP of London, England as auditors and to authorise the Directors to determine their remuneration.
To approve remuneration of the Company’s Board of Directors of a total amount of fees not to exceed US$2,000,000.00 for the year ended December 31st, 2025.
Golar would like to thank Georgina Sousa and Thorleif Egeli who retired from Golar’s Board of Directors today after two decades of combined service to the Company. Their contribution to the governance and transformation of Golar from a shipping company to a pure play FLNG business has been invaluable and we wish them well.
Following their election today as Directors, Golar also welcomes Benoît de la Fouchardiere and Mi Hong Yoon to its Board. Both have already contributed to Golar’s success – in the case of Benoît, through his part in contracting FLNG Hilli in Cameroon; and in the case of Mi Hong – through her role as Company Secretary. The Company looks forward to benefiting from their relevant and extensive experience as it seeks to grow its leading FLNG offering.
Hamilton, Bermuda May 20, 2025
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
Australia’s school system – and whether it is doing its job – is often under the microscope from politicians, experts and parents.
The most recent NAPLAN results in 2024 triggered a wave of heated discussions after about one in three students were not meeting literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
Education Minister Jason Clare is among those who also have serious concerns about rates of students who complete Year 12. In 2024, the retention rate of students between Year 7 and Year 12 was 79.9%. For government school students, it was 74%.
But what do students themselves think about their schooling? Our new study asked recent school leavers about their experiences.
Our research
Our study draws on a 2023 survey as part of the Life Patterns research program, which follows different generations of young Australians after school.
We surveyed more than 4,000 young people recruited from a diverse sample of 100 government, Catholic and independent schools in urban and regional areas of Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
These young people completed high school in 2023 and were asked to comment on their school experiences.
Students in the study were from public and private schools. pio3/Shutterstock
Students are mostly satisfied, but …
The participants rated their overall impression of school on a five-point scale, from very satisfied to very dissatisfied. About 60% of them were “quite satisfied” or “very satisfied”.
Despite this broadly positive picture, many of them also expressed concerns about their education, feeling its current content did not prepare them for life after school.
As one female student from a capital city told us:
I feel like school doesn’t prepare us for the real world at all and it freaks me out.
This sentiment was echoed by another female student from a regional city:
School seems extremely disconnected from either knowledge or experience that will help with jobs, or life skills that will assist in becoming a good, productive, happy person.
For many, this disconnect between the education on offer and the education they wanted contributed to a disengagement from school. A male student from a regional city said:
I am committed to my education and a dedicated student, but find it hard to connect with some of the information we are learning as it seems outdated and irrelevant. I want to learn things that are going to improve my life.
Students also spoke about schools focusing on issues that do not matter to young people, such as students wearing the “correct” uniform or whether or not they have their phone at school.
As one female student commented:
Focus on more real issues. The debates about phones allowed at school or uniforms at school seem almost irrelevant when you compare them to the everyday common hardships and problems young people face.
Too much stress
A strong theme in young people’s responses was the amount of stress they faced with their studies. These feelings were often linked to heavy workloads (particularly in Year 11 and 12) and the pressure they felt to achieve certain grades.
A male student from a country town said:
[…] the pressure and the expectations to do well in school is so high and caused a lot of stress and anxiety.
Another male student from a capital city also felt:
There is so much pressure on high school and how one exam can change the course of your future which isn’t true.
This echoes other studies that query the focus on a single score (the ATAR) and supports alternative approaches to measuring education outcomes at the end of Year 12.
Students said they faced too much stress in their senior years of school. GillianVann/Shutterstock
More mental health support
Amid ongoing reports of young people struggling with their mental health, mental health also emerged as a major concern in students’ responses.
A male student from a capital city told us young people were “battling every day” and they needed more free, accessible resources and support from school staff.
They also saw a connection between the pressures of schooling and mental health concerns. As one female student told us:
There is too much expected from students at school, leading to burn out and mental illnesses.
What next?
Our study shows many young people care deeply about their education. But they also feel it isn’t working for them or preparing them for life beyond school.
This suggests government institutions and schools need to be doing more to include young people’s perspectives as they design and implement curricula.
By recognising young people as active stakeholders in schools,
education shifts from something happening to them to something happening with them. This approach can foster a stronger sense of belonging, ownership and engagement with learning.
Jun Eric Fu works on the Life Patterns research program, which is funded by the Australian Research Council.
Julia Cook receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
The UK continues to call on North Korea to end grave human rights violations: UK statement at the UN General Assembly
Statement by Archie Young, UK Ambassador to the UN General Assembly, at the UN General Assembly meeting on Human Rights Abuses and Violations in North Korea.
I thank the briefers for their brave testimonies and tireless advocacy. It is essential that we continue to shine a light on the grave human rights situation in the DPRK, about which the UK remains deeply concerned.
Human rights abuses against North Koreans remain widespread and systematic. Those who perpetrate these abuses remain unaccountable.
The regime refuses to acknowledge or act on the 2014 Commission of Inquiry report, which illustrates the multiple human rights violations committed in DPRK.
And the DPRK has repeatedly rejected UN resolutions which set out the many concerns shared by the international community, including the operation of prison camps and forced labour, violations of freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights.
North Koreans are denied freedom of movement, and many workers are sent overseas, often into modern slavery.
We urge the DPRK to cease these practices without delay.
Those wishing to leave do so clandestinely, at huge personal risk. We call on all Members to respect the principle of non-refoulement and not return escapees to DPRK.
On 7 November last year, the UK issued several recommendations to the DPRK as part of the Universal Periodic Review process, including ratifying the UN Convention against Torture and to reform the judicial system to ensure respect for the right to a fair trial.
We are pleased that the DPRK engaged with the Universal Periodic Review in November and encourage them to implement recommendations.
We need DPRK to make real and lasting change for the people of the DPRK.
We have repeatedly made it clear that the primary cause of the DPRK’s humanitarian and food crisis is their continued development of their illegal weapons programme, representing multiple breaches of Security Council resolutions.
Indeed, we have heard clearly today also the links between the human rights situation in DPRK and their support for Russia in its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine in brazen disregard towards UN sanctions.
We condemn these and call on the DPRK to prioritise the well-being of the people in North Korea.
We strongly encourage the DPRK to grant access to the Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights in the DPRK and accept technical cooperation from UN human rights mechanisms, and to enable the return of UN agencies, to ensure help reaches those who are most vulnerable.
The UK continues to call on DPRK to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept offers of dialogue.
We believe diplomacy and negotiations are the best way to secure peace and stability and improve the lives of all North Koreans.
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“We understand how stressful and financially straining it can be for anyone who’s moving, graduating, or starting a new chapter in their lives,” said David Kim, Chief Revenue Officer at Verizon Value. “Total Wireless is always in your corner, offering affordable home internet that fits your life. Whether it’s our $35 Total Wireless Home Internet plan or access to the fast, 100% fiber network of Fios, now also available in select Total Wireless stores, customers can enjoy even greater value during life’s big transitions.”
Total Wireless Home Internet empowers customers to stay connected with loved ones, stream their favorite shows and movies, and work or study from home effortlessly. Experience fast, reliable internet with Total Wireless, with connectivity for all your needs.
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For more information on Total Wireless, visit one of its exclusive storefronts across the country, or check out TotalWireless.com.
*$15/mo discount when bundled with Total 5G Unlimited or Total 5G+ Unlimited plans; additional $10/mo Auto Pay discount upon enrollment. Auto Pay discount applies the month after you enroll.
**$15/mo savings on Verizon Fios Home Internet plans when combined with any eligible Total Wireless mobile phone plan and $10/mo Auto Pay on Fios Home Internet plan. Separate enrollment required for Fios Home Internet plans and Auto Pay on Fios Home Internet plans required. Discount will be removed if you do not maintain service on an eligible phone plan or Fios Home Internet plan, or if you do not maintain Auto Pay on Fios Home Internet plan. Fios availability, coverage, and speeds may vary based on your address.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
PM call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 20 May 2025
The Prime Minister spoke to President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy this evening.
The Prime Minister spoke to President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this evening.
The leaders began by reflecting on their meeting in Tirana, Albania, on Friday before discussing the UK’s latest package of sanctions on Russian military, energy and financial sectors announced today.
It was vital to keep the pressure on Russia while they continued their illegal invasion of Ukraine, the leaders agreed.
Looking ahead to further peace talks, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine and said he was steadfast in his commitment to helping Ukraine secure a just and lasting peace.
As part of city-wide funding to transform Manchester’s green spaces, Wythenshawe Park has undergone development for park-goers.
The Clean, Green Safer Manchester Investment, which is worth £157,000, has been put towards the work taking place in the popular park and surrounding areas to make it more accessible for families with pushchairs, wheelchair users and cyclists.
The south Manchester park has had potholes repaired on two pathways off the main entrances and the pathway to the tennis courts will also undergo resurfacing.
With Manchester holding the proud title of the European Capital of Cycling, the national cycling route which runs through Wythenshawe Park will now be able to welcome thousands of avid cyclists who pedal through the area each year on safer surfaces.
Manchester City Council understands the power of movement and its ability to encourage communities to come together and prioritise active lifestyles to truly thrive. And so, the Wythenshawe Park Cycle Hub will also benefit from the investment, ensuring cycle-lovers have somewhere to meet and connect to before setting off on their journeys or taking a stop to recharge.
For park-goers, after a long day of activity, there is an option to take a rest stop on one of the many benches installed through the park and around the surrounding areas.
By the spring, there will be a total of 7 Age Friendly Benches in total placed in Wythenshawe Park to Northenden giving older commuters in particular a chance to enjoy the scenery or enjoy some lunch while recharging.
Park visitors using public transport can also expect to see sixteen new benches in total near Wythenshawe Park tram and bus stops on the way to Wythenshawe Park as they embark on their journeys.
As well as near to Wythenshawe Tram stop to the park and Moor Rd tram stop to the Altringham Rd retail park.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “It’s terrific to see the long-term investment into Wythenshawe Park and surrounding areas as part of our commitment to make spaces in Manchester cleaner and greener.
“We want to ensure all visitors to the park, whether in a wheelchair or on a bike, are made to feel welcome and safe as they enjoy our green spaces.
“From the national cycling route to new benches near your local tram stop, there is something for everyone through this newest investment.”
Further information about the investment into Wythenshawe park, can be found out through Cllr Lee-Ann Igbon who has given her insight into the project.
NARCO and Park Cycling Group said: “Nacro Outdoor Learning/Wythenshawe Nacro Community Cycling Hub (WyNCCH) are pleased to see the resurfacing works around Wythenshawe Park. This includes the paths, roads and trails.
“The resurfacing work that has recently been completed has made a huge difference for all our participants that access our provision. This includes our school groups as some have mobility difficulties, our cyclist at (WyNCCH) who recently became Manchester Sport Club of the year. One of our recent cyclist club hub members commented on the recent improvements around the park.
“This is a brilliant improvement and investment” Nacro Outdoor Learning/WyNCCH would like to thank Manchester City Council for the recent work that has been completed. Nacro WyNCCH has several events for 2025 for walking/cycling. This investment at Wythenshawe Park improves operating activities safely for all, including accessibility for the wider community and the general park users.”
A Transport for Greater Manchester Active Travel spokesperson said: “It’s the perfect space to teach people to ride as it is built for that purpose, the surface improvements have made a great difference. The number of attendees at our sessions shows that it is meeting a local need and is supporting those who want to cycle more for leisure or function journeys to do so.”
BOSTON – A Georgia woman was sentenced on May 14, 2025 in federal court in Boston for her role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that trafficked narcotics from Mexico into the United States.
Brooke Logan Paniagua, 28, of Dalton, Ga., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 48 months of supervised release. In January 2025, Paniagua pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
On Sept. 25, 2022, the DTO informed a confidential source that a female courier would be transporting 12 pounds of methamphetamine from Georgia to Massachusetts. On Sept. 27, 2022, Paniagua called the confidential source to coordinate the time and location to meet to complete the sale of the methamphetamine. Paniagua informed the confidential source that the methamphetamine was hidden inside a 50-pound bag of dog food.
On Sept. 27, 2022, Paniagua arrived at the agreed-upon location and notified the confidential source that she had arrived at the location. During a search of her person, a .22 caliber Ruger handgun loaded with eight rounds of ammunition was located in Paniagua’s back pocket. A search of Paniagua’s vehicle resulted in the recovery of a large, partially opened bag of dog food that contained five plastic containers filled with 12.3 pounds of 97% pure methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, and the Natick, Newton and Waltham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
The UK government has announced the continuing rollout of the provision of mental health support teams in schools in England, with the intention of providing six in ten pupils with this support by March 2026.
One in five children over the age of eight has a probable mental health condition in England today. Mental health support teams are needed to support children and young people early with their mental health and wellbeing to help prevent problems escalating.
Mental health support teams are made up of experts who work with a number of schools in their local area. They collaborate with school staff, provide group or one-to-one sessions for pupils, parents and carers, and help schools create a culture that promotes mental health and wellbeing.
With colleagues, I work on research investigating mental health in schools. This has involved assessing the early progress of the mental health support teams – the first ones were created between 2018-19 as part of the then Conservative government’s trailblazer initiative, which aimed to test out approaches and solutions to complex societal problems in specific regions.
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Our research looked in particular at one of the key purposes of the mental health support teams – to help schools set up or improve a “whole school” approach to mental health support.
A whole school approach means that all areas of the school or college work together to put mental health and wellbeing at the heart of their school community. This contrasts to standalone mental health activities that aren’t grounded within the everyday school culture. For instance, a school might hold an assembly on wellbeing but continue to implement a behaviour policy that heavily relies on punishment and therefore risks affecting children’s wellbeing.
School culture
Well-designed and implemented whole school approaches can have positive effects on children and young people’s wellbeing and contribute to the prevention and reduction of mental health problems. We also know that children are more likely to achieve at school if they feel like they belong, can participate and have autonomy, all fostered by the whole school approach.
An example of a whole school approach is identifying and supporting children and young people early with mental health support. It can include “global learning”, where learning about mental health and wellbeing becomes a core part of schools’ assemblies, clubs and project-based learning. However, these are just some of a number of combined approaches to a whole school approach.
In our research, children and young people in schools and colleges where mental health support teams had helped put whole school approach activities in place, told us that they were visible and felt seen. Teachers reached out to them about their wellbeing, either in classrooms through emotional check-ins, or through special lessons focused on mental health attached to curriculum teaching.
Feeling like there was somewhere to go, someone to talk to, and be heard, made a clear difference to children and young people.
However, we found that some schools were not including children and young people in their development of whole school mental health strategies. In one of the participating schools, mental health support team work was only known about by the child who had experience of the team. In this school, there was no discernible whole school work being undertaken in addition to direct support.
The key missing ingredient to really support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing is for them to feel that they have agency – some input – into the activities that help them.
Feeling that they have agency and input into decisions that affect them is good for children’s wellbeing. Nadya Lukic/Shutterstock
Also, involving children in developing activities like this can help them to feel valued and included. This in itself is good for mental health.
Creating together
With my colleagues at The University of Birmingham’s Institute of Mental Health Youth Advisory Group and National Children’s Bureau, we worked with children and school staff to put together England’s first guide to creating a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing in schools with pupils. The set of resources include a structured classroom activity, introductory video and practical guide.
The classroom activity prompts a creative conversation with children about what wellbeing means to them, how their school supports their wellbeing, and what more the school could do. The guide includes practical suggestions about how to talk to pupils about mental health and wellbeing at school in a safe, supportive and inclusive way. It also offers ideas about how to use the information from the classroom activity to support pupils.
The activity itself asks children to reflect on where and how their wellbeing is supported at school, alongside a focus on the people, places and practices that might help them. The overall aim is to develop a child-centred, whole school approach, one which focuses on the things that matter most to children about their emotional wellbeing.
Whole school approaches could provide schools with a more holistic way of supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Involving them in all areas of design and implementation could help to keep wellbeing and mental health at the heart of schools.
Gemma McKenna receives funding from University of Birmingham, Impact Fund.
Affiliations include: Health Services Research UK ,HSR UK, https://hsruk.org/
TONIBOBANDLOU CIC https://www.tonibobandlou.com/
When Keir Starmer said: “If you want to live in the UK, you should speak English”, it laid bare an assumption – that English is the only language that counts in the UK.
This view not only overlooks the UK’s rich linguistic diversity, but also runs counter to the language policies being developed across the devolved nations.
While the UK government’s latest proposals on immigration treat English proficiency as the main pathway to integration, governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are taking different approaches.
Immigration is a matter controlled by Westminster. But integration, including language education, is devolved. That means each UK nation sets its own direction.
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England
Despite frequent political emphasis on English language learning and testing as key to integration, England does not have a national strategy for migrant or refugee integration. It also does not have an England-wide policy for teaching English for speakers of other languages (Esol).
Instead, decisions about language classes are made locally but provision is uneven. In some areas, support is well-organised and accessible. In others, it’s barely there.
Despite the lack of national leadership, the Esol sector in England has long benefited from grassroots activism. Organisations like the National Association for Teaching English and Community Languages to Adults and English for Action have been vocal in campaigning for better funding. Researchers and teachers also continue to call for a joined-up strategy for migrant and refugee integration.
Wales
By contrast, the Welsh government has made language education a core part of its progressive integration policies. Its ambition to become the world’s first “nation of sanctuary” is backed up by practical measures. This includes a dedicated language education policy for migrants, focused primarily on Esol – the only one of its kind in the UK.
The first national Esol strategy was published in 2014, revised in 2018, and will be updated this year following a review.
The introduction of Welsh as an element of migrant language education is helping to build a more inclusive, multicultural society too. It shows learners that all languages, including their mother tongue, have a role to play in a modern, multilingual nation.
Scotland
Since 2014, Scotland has implemented three refugee integration strategies. The new Scots refugee integration strategy has been internationally recognised as a model of good practice. It adopts a multilingual, intercultural approach, emphasising that language learning should include home languages and the language or languages of the new community, which may include Gaelic, Scots and English.
Scotland had two successive adult Esol strategies from 2007 to 2020. These were developed in consultation with Esol learners and detailed clear progression routes into further training, education and employment. But they were discontinued in favour of a broader adult learning strategy in 2022 which covers all adult learners rather than just the needs of migrants.
It was a decision criticised by some due to concerns about losing focus on the specific needs of Esol learners, and reducing the voice of Esol learners and teachers in Scotland.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, there is no dedicated migrant language policy yet. But its draft refugee integration strategy does at least acknowledge the importance of language in helping migrants feel “valued and respected”.
In 2022, the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act granted official status to the Irish language, and to Ulster-Scots as a minority language. Nevertheless, the Northern Ireland refugee integration strategy focuses solely on English language classes as the primary language education provision.
Welsh for speakers of other languages.
What all UK nations share, however, is chronic underfunding. Adult education, where Esol funding sits across all four nations, now faces yet more cuts meaning many language learners will continue to face long waiting lists for classes.
But how language education for migrants, especially migrants seeking sanctuary in the UK is perceived, organised and provided is critical to fostering inclusion, promoting integration and bestowing a sense of belonging. Developing competency in the dominant language or languages of the host nation can enable migrants to navigate health, housing or social security systems. It can help them cope with the needs of daily life and to use their skills and knowledge to enter work or education.
Many people seeking sanctuary have experienced trauma from undergoing forced migration. This makes it vital that language provision is trauma-informed and recognises a learner’s existing multilingual skills. It’s also important that it is shaped around their needs, not just on externally imposed assessments of English proficiency.
The value of multilingualism
Multilingual education is more than just a nice thing to have.
There is growing evidence that valuing the languages refugees already speak, and recognising their linguistic skills as assets, improves wellbeing, builds confidence and enhances social inclusion.
Too often in the UK, language learning is treated as a condition for acceptance, rather than a right that can enable belonging. That risks undermining the very integration that policymakers claim to support.
If the UK is serious about being a modern, inclusive and multicultural state, it must embrace the reality that it is also multilingual, and that different nations may choose different routes to welcome those seeking sanctuary.
The authors wish to thank their respective universities for the support they have received in researching this issue. They would also like to thank their co-researchers Sylvia Warnecke and Mel Engman and their co-authors on their recently published policy briefing.
Gwennan Higham and Sarah Cox do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed the closer co-operation between the UK and the EU following a series of new agreements but said not involving the Scottish Government in any negotiations was “an affront to devolution”.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Mr Robertson said the removal of obstacles to food and agricultural exports, greater support for energy trading and the UK rejoining the Erasmus exchange scheme for students, were all positive aspects of the UK-EU agreement.
But Mr Robertson criticised the lack of consultation with the Scottish Government on key aspects of the deal, particularly on fishing.
He said:
“The Scottish Government welcomes the agreement as it represents long-overdue momentum in rebuilding our relationship with the European Union. But no agreement can deliver the economic, social and security benefits we lost with Brexit in 2020.
“We argued for an ambitious package in the interests of people and businesses across Scotland, and there are some positive indicators here, including the agriculture, food and drink agreement which will reduce market barriers; and enhanced cooperation on energy and climate, and a clear intention to rejoin the Erasmus exchange programme.
“The fact that this agreement – not least on fisheries – was reached without the explicit engagement of the devolved governments on the negotiation detail is not just an affront to devolution, it has put at risk, and will continue to put at risk, the benefits of any commitments for the people of Scotland.”
He added:
“We still believe Scotland’s best future lies as an independent country within the European Union but we will engage constructively and positively in the next phase of negotiations. We also hope to see the UK Government work collaboratively with devolved governments in developing its priorities – as the EU does with its Member States.”
New laws passed to improve transparency and accountability of the sector.
New laws to modernise and improve the way legal services are regulated in Scotland has been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill will improve how legal services are regulated and introduce a more flexible and consumer-focused system that provides clearer and swifter redress for complaints through greater transparency and accountability.
The Bill benefits the legal profession by simplifying regulatory structures and promoting innovation and competition, intended to increase access to justice. Also, by removing restrictions on third sector bodies, it aims to help charities better support the most vulnerable in society.
The legislation ensures regulation remains independent and fair by empowering The Lord President to better oversee and improve the functions of legal services within Scotland, upholding the high standards of Scotland’s legal community
Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said:
“Scotland’s legal sector plays an integral role in maintaining the rule of law and upholding justice. From individuals seeking advice in family law matters to businesses navigating complex commercial disputes, there will always be a need and demand for accessible, efficient and accountable legal services.
“The Bill is about improving the everyday experience of people who need legal help and ensuring that legal services are delivered in a way that is fair, equitable and accessible for all and making it better equipped to serve the people of Scotland in an ever-evolving legal landscape.
“The journey of this Bill has been a rigorous and collaborative process, involving extensive consultation, including with the legal sector and consumers, to ensure it reflects the interests of all those who interact with the legal system.”
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
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Washington, D.C. – At a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, questioned HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the proposed elimination of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
During the Q&A, Secretary Kennedy committed to funding LIHEAP if appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.
At the urging of Senator Collins, HHS released more than $400 million in FY 2025 funding for LIHEAP earlier this month. Maine has received $41.6 million in FY 2025 LIHEAP funding.
Q&A with Secretary Kennedy:
Senator Collins:
The LIHEAP program, which we’ve talked about, is absolutely vital for thousands of older Mainers and low-income families. It helps them avoid the constant worry of having to choose between keeping warm, buying essential foods and medications, and other basic necessities.
Now, I was pleased to see the release of the rest of the Fiscal Year 2025 funds, but the Administration’s new budget seeks to eliminate what is truly a critical program.
Will you work with this Committee in trying to restore LIHEAP so that we can avoid, literally, seniors and low-income families not being able to keep warm in the winter?
Secretary Kennedy:
Yeah, absolutely, and I’m from New England myself. My brother, for 40 years, has run Citizens Energy, which provides low-cost home heating oil to families in New England. And so many people have come to me over the years and said to me, thank you, your brother saved my life because I didn’t have to choose between food and heat.
I was on the Navajo reservation three weeks ago, and Navajo President Buu Nygren said to me, at this point, if we cut LIHEAP, Navajo will die from it. So, I understand the critical historical importance of this program.
President Trump’s rationale and OMB’s rationale is that President Trump’s energy policies are going to lower the cost of energy so that everybody will get lower cost heating oil, and in that case, this program would simply be another subsidy to the fossil fuel industry.
If that doesn’t happen, and Congress chooses to appropriate the money, I, of course, will spend it. I’ve already directed the spending of $400 million in this year’s budget. Do that, and I will work with you to make sure that those families do not suffer in that way.
Birmingham City Council is proud to announce that Councillor Zafar Iqbal has officially taken office as the new Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
Councillor Iqbal brings with him over five decades of dedication to the city – a journey that began when he arrived in Birmingham as a young child from the small village of Boha, Chakswari in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. Since then, Birmingham has been the place where he built a life, raised a family, and served his community with compassion and determination.
His inspiring personal story, from learning English as a newcomer to the UK while overcoming the challenges of acute dyslexia, to eventually earning qualifications in management and health and social care, is a testament to his resilience and commitment to lifelong learning.
In his professional life, Councillor Iqbal has worked across a range of sectors – from labouring and factory work to delivering meals on wheels and supporting people with visual impairments. His enduring commitment to public service was further recognised in 2009 when he was awarded an MBE by the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to education.
Councillor Iqbal was elected to Birmingham City Council in 2012 and has since played an active role in the Authority, chairing key scrutiny committees and contributing to the West Midlands Fire & Rescue Authority.
Beyond his civic duties, Councillor Iqbal has been a passionate fundraiser and community champion, undertaking formidable challenges such as walking the Great Wall of China and completing the Inca Trail to raise funds for vital causes.
Speaking on his appointment, the new Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal said:
“It is the greatest honour of my life to serve as Lord Mayor of Birmingham – a city that welcomed me, shaped me, and gave me every opportunity to grow. I hope my journey can inspire others to believe in themselves and in the power of perseverance, education, and community. Birmingham is a city of opportunity, compassion, and strength, and I look forward to promoting everything that makes it truly exceptional.”
Councillor Iqbal, a proud supporter of Birmingham City Football Club, celebrates 45 years of marriage this year with his wife and Lady Mayoress, Farooq Akhtar. They are proud parents and grandparents, and family remains at the heart of his values.
As Lord Mayor, Councillor Iqbal will serve as the First Citizen of Birmingham, representing the city in his ambassadorial role at civic and ceremonial events both at home and abroad, and championing charitable and community causes across all of Birmingham’s diverse neighbourhoods.
Ross Greer demands SNP call in Flamingo Land decision
The Scottish Greens have described Planning Minister Ivan McKee’s refusal this afternoon to stop Flamingo Land mega-resort application as a ‘hammer blow’ to Loch Lomond’s world-famous natural environment and to the local community in Balloch.
In response to the Planning Minister’s claim that it would be ‘inappropriate’ to comment on a live planning application, Mr Greer raised the example from 2008 when Scottish Ministers, not civil servants, intervened to overrule Aberdeenshire Council and grant permission to Donald Trump’s golf course at Menie.
Speaking in response to a topical question in Parliament from Scottish Green MSP and Save Loch Lomond campaigner Ross Greer, Mr McKee stated, “I do not intend to recall this appeal.”
This comes following the announcement on Friday that Scottish Government officials have overturned the unanimous decision of Loch Lomond and the Trossach National Park’s board to reject the mega-resort application and will instead grant it permission, subject to a new agreement being signed.
Flamingo Land’s plans would see two hotels, a waterpark, over a hundred woodland lodges, 372 parking spaces, a monorail and more crammed onto land beside Loch Lomond at Balloch.
The application was unanimously rejected by the National Park’s board following a public hearing in September 2024. Shortly before Christmas, the developer lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government, seeking to overturn that rejection.
Ross Greer said:
“This cowardly decision by Scottish Ministers is a hammer blow to Loch Lomond and the community in Balloch. They have the power to intervene and stop Flamingo Land’s destructive mega-resort from going ahead, but will not do so.
“Ministers were happy to step in when it helped an American billionaire trash the Menie dunes for the sake of a golf course, but when it comes to protecting our world-famous natural environment, they refuse to act.
“The Flamingo Land application was opposed by experts, including the Scottish Government’s own environment watchdog and the National Park’s planning team. It flies in the face of our efforts to tackle the climate and nature crisis and would heap more misery on local residents with the huge amount of additional traffic it would cause.
“It is absolutely staggering that officials overturned the Park board’s decision, but it is so much worse that Ministers are backing them up. This is a Scottish Government willing to step in to help American billionaires, but not when Scotland’s world-famous natural environment needs protection.
“Our campaign to save Loch Lomond from Flamingo Land continues. The Scottish Government still has time to change course. Add your voice to the campaign at www.greens.scot/LochLomond”
The Scottish Government must urgently restore ambition on climate, say Scottish Greens.
These comments come following the publication of the Scottish Government’s 5th Annual Statutory Monitoring Report for the Updated Climate Change Plan.
The report revealed that out of 43 climate policy indicators, only 16 are on track, while 17 are off track and 10 are deemed ‘too early to say’. This is worse than last year’s report, when 18 were on track, 15 were off track, and 10 were too early to say.
Stalled progress was reported on emissions from transport, energy efficiency in homes, transport, energy efficiency in homes, and peatland restoration – amongst others.
This monitoring report comes the day before UKCCC publishes advice to the Scottish Government ahead of setting new carbon budgets later this year.
Commenting further, Patrick Harvie, net zero and energy spokesperson, said:
“This is a damning report card for the Scottish Government.
“But the problem isn’t just that they have fallen further behind on climate over the last year; it’s that they have spent that year diluting, delaying and ditching climate positive policies they previously agreed to.
“Unless we see a change in direction, next year’s report card will be even worse – with people and planet left to deal with the consequences.
“The next few months will be an important test of this Government’s commitments to climate action. We cannot afford another year of delay on decisions that should have been made years ago.
“We need decisive action to make our homes warmer and cheaper to heat cleanly. We need proper investment in cheap public transport to reduce car traffic. And we need a Government that’s brave and bold enough to champion climate action – not just offer warm words.”
Global action is needed to tackle the growing threats that face our seas, people and shared prosperity: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on maritime security.
The United Kingdom, like Greece, has a long maritime history and is deeply committed to global maritime security.
And global action is needed to tackle the growing threats we now face to our seas, our peoples and our shared prosperity.
That is why the United Kingdom is strongly committed to our partnership within NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, and with wider friends and partners, as a means to contribute to our collective security.
That includes working together with States across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to address threats wherever they occur.
Our Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific is a sign of our commitment to work with our partners in a region of fundamental importance to global peace and prosperity.
In the Black Sea, we are supporting the protection of Ukraine’s maritime Black Sea corridor along with our partners.
We are also leading the Maritime Capability Coalition alongside Norway, supporting Ukraine’s defence of its sovereign waters.
That’s alongside efforts to confront the so-called shadow fleet operation.
In the Middle East, we have acted to prevent Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, including through Operation Prosperity Guardian with the United States and others.
Our European colleagues have joined these efforts through Operation ASPIDES.
We thank Greece for its leading role, including the hosting of the command from Larissa.
We also call for collective efforts to ensure that the arms embargo as set out in resolution 2216 is upheld, and to support Yemen’s Coast Guard.
We equally need to ensure the implementation of the arms embargo off the coast of Libya, and we call for the renewal of the mandate this month for Operation Irini.
More broadly, our partnership with Greece is an example of how cooperation can protect our countries from maritime threats, including illegal migration and drug smuggling.
Alongside this, we are delivering legal changes at home to tackle people-smuggling rings and starve them of income.
And the UK also remains strongly committed to upholding freedom of navigation and the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
President, in the face of such diverse threats, we must redouble our shared efforts, including by broadening collaboration on strategic challenges within the International Maritime Organisation, which the UK is proud to host.
And as we look to the future, we must strengthen our work together, both in this Council and through our bilateral partnerships, to secure our seas for future generations.
In recognition of their lifetime achievements in global health, specifically in malaria elimination and beyond, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has given his Award for Global Health this year to Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck and Professor Sir Brian Greenwood.
The Director-General’s Award for Global Health, established in 2019, was conferred during the High-Level segment on Tuesday, 20 May, at the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly and this year included an honorary lifetime achievement award to each recipient.
“Their invaluable contributions have helped to alleviate the burden of malaria and other vaccine-preventable diseases and to build sustainable health system capacity in Africa,” said Dr Tedros.
Noting Professor Coll Seck’s achievements, Dr Tedros said, “While serving as Senegal’s Minister of Health, Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck led landmark reforms, expanded universal access to care and integrated disease control programmes.”
In addition to making significant contributions to scientific literature, Professor Coll Seck was, from 2004–2011, the Executive Director of the Roll Back Malaria (RMB) partnership, where she mobilized political will to accelerate malaria interventions in low-income countries.
She has also been active on several high-profile boards and advisory groups, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, PATH, and other international NGOs and initiatives working on health financing, vaccines, and health system strengthening. She is currently the President of Forum Galien Afrique.
Professor Coll Seck was born in Senegal and trained as a physician with a specialization in infectious diseases. She earned her medical degree from the University of Dakar and pursued further specialization in bacteriology and virology in France.
“I’ve had the privilege of contributing to notable progress but I’ve also borne witness to ongoing challenges and emerging emergencies whether they be in terms of climate, demography or technology. This prize is all the more important in that it symbolizes trust in the values that I defend: solidarity between peoples, science in the service of humanity and the leadership of women in the health system,” said Professor Coll Seck.
Professor Greenwood is best known for his pivotal work in malaria control. He has also played a central role in shaping global health policy and research strategies, serving on numerous advisory boards, including those of WHO.
“Over the last five decades, Professor Sir Greenwood performed pioneering research and made major contributions to infectious disease control. His work on malaria has been instrumental in shaping modern approaches to control this devastating disease. His contributions range from the introduction of insecticide-treated bed nets to groundbreaking trials for the RTS,S malaria vaccine, the first vaccine to be recommended for widespread use,” said Dr Tedros.
Professor Greenwood’s early career focused on infectious disease research in Nigeria and The Gambia, where he lived for decades and led a multidisciplinary programme targeting diseases like malaria, pneumonia, measles, and HIV2. In The Gambia, he demonstrated the effectiveness of insecticide-treated nets in reducing child mortality and morbidity and contributed to malaria control through seasonal antimalarial drug administration.
In 1996, Professor Greenwood returned to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, continuing his research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He contributed to the successful use of the MenAfriVac vaccine in the African meningitis belt, which helped stop epidemics in Chad. He also advocated for combining seasonal vaccination with seasonal malaria chemoprevention.
Reflecting on his career, which began in Nigeria as a young doctor about 60 years ago, Professor Greenwood said, “The pediatric wards were full of measles, meningitis, malaria, polio, there were still even occasions with smallpox coming to hospital. The under-5 child mortality was about 400 per thousand in parts of west Africa. So, how that’s changed in one person’s lifetime. Many of those diseases are not gone but are much reduced and there has been a dramatic improvement in under-5 child mortality. In The Gambia where I also worked, that’s now 40, a 10-fold drop.”
Ambulances parked near a hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine
Hospitals need to learn lessons from Ukraine and Syria as they increasingly become targets for military activity during times of conflict, according to research carried out by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and published by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The 96-page guidance document for underground shelters in hospitals, informed by research led by Dr Nebil Achour, is the first of its kind ever published and is based on the experiences of 617 Ukrainian hospitals during the ongoing war and other international health facilities in warzones.
The research draws on lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine as well as Syria, and cites an urgent need for renovations, structural upgrades and adherence to standards in hospitals across the world.
Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented more than 2,300 attacks on health care facilities across Ukraine, severely disrupting the delivery of services and endangering the lives of patients and staff.
Despite the shelling, damaged infrastructure, and lack of essential equipment, health professionals have continued to provide care under emergency conditions.
Many hospitals have been forced to repurpose older underground shelters, many built during the Cold War, as makeshift health-care facilities to continue serving the population amidst the conflict.
While the majority (82%) of hospitals in Ukraine have shelters, approximately 70% of hospitals have 20 or fewer beds in their shelters, therefore giving them very limited capacity and ability to deal with mass casualties.
A quarter of shelters had modifications such as new ventilation systems, water and power supply networks, and showers and toilets. A total of 57% reported minor modifications such as flooring, painting and furniture, and 19% did not report any work at all.
Findings suggest that there are many difficulties facing the renovation and improvement of shelters, such as shortage of human resources, time, know-how and finance.
Irina Stanislavovna Tkachenko, medical director at Mykolaiv Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital, stated in the report: “One of our biggest challenges has been converting our old Soviet-era basements into makeshift shelters. These shelters were not originally intended for such use, so we had to quickly adapt them – cleaning out debris, installing water supplies, and creating spaces for incubators and medical equipment.
“The situation became even more complicated when people from the nearby community sought refuge during air raids. While we couldn’t turn them away, we simply didn’t have enough room to accommodate everyone.”
Iryna Dyuzhnyk, Deputy Director of General Affairs at Children’s Hospital #5 in Zaporizhzhia, said: “When the war began, we quickly realized that while we had a functioning shelter, it was not in a condition to handle the demands of this situation. We had to act swiftly.
“With support from international partners and funds allocated by our city council, we were able to transform it into a fully autonomous anti-radiation shelter. Now, it’s supported by a diesel-powered generator, a ventilation system, patient rooms, an operating theatre, sanitary facilities and a stockpile of necessary medical supplies.”
The WHO report provides actionable steps and a detailed checklist for repurposing existing structures and operating shelters to maintain health services during challenges such as structural damage, infectious diseases, cases of radiation poisoning and significant increase in patient numbers.
“With political uncertainty growing across the world, this first-ever guidance of its kind is timely. Even countries such as the UK should be prepared to learn lessons from Ukraine and Syria during these times.
“Our research is designed to assist hospitals and health authorities in enhancing and expanding their underground shelters to offer protection and maintain health services during crises, including those involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear events.
“Hospital shelters are very important in a world of turbulent political environment and high risk of conflicts. These must be designed and operated according to stricter resilience standards to allow health services to continue.
“Hospital staff, no matter of their professions and hierarchical level, also need to be trained to deal with disasters of all types, natural and manmade.”
Dr Achour, Associate Professor in Disaster Mitigation at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
We had always committed to reviewing the licensing scheme after it had been operating for a year and we did that last summer. We made some improvements to our policy at the beginning of year, following feedback from residents and the industry, and this is the final change agreed at Committee. The intention is to make our scheme as fair and reasonable as we can for residents, visitors and operators.
I will also be writing to the Scottish Government’s Minister of Housing to ask for greater clarity on short term let licensing condition MC13 (planning permission), which some residents and short term let operators find confusing, and to see how this might be addressed.
Foster carers with over 700 years of fostering experience between them looking after some of our most vulnerable children and young people, have been recognised by the city council at Manchester’s annual Foster Carer Awards.
The awards included recognition for some of the city’s longest serving foster carers along with a number of special awards made to individual foster carers for their fostering achievements.
The awards included recognition for more than 30 foster carers who have each recently reached significant milestones in terms of the number of years they have been fostering for – with awards going to all those who had reached five years, ten, fifteen, and twenty years’ service. Foster carer Maymuna Mohamed was one of three amazing foster carers recognised for having devoted themselves to fostering for the last 20 years.
Five long-serving foster carers who have retired from fostering this year were also honoured with awards to thank them for the difference they made during their decades as carers, and for the dedication and commitment they showed towards the children they looked after.
These included Sheila Locke who has fostered for 25 years, and Joy Selley who has just retired from fostering after looking after some of the city’s most vulnerable children and young people for an incredible 34 years.
In addition to these awards, a number of special individual awards were also made on the night, recognising different aspects of fostering.
Nine such awards were made in total including a ‘Foster Carers Choice’ award decided by foster carers themselves, which went to fostering couple Chris and Michael Smith.
Chris and Michael were praised by their peers for their unique qualities and work in supporting other foster carers and their children over and beyond expectations, helping them all feel heard and supported.
Foster carer Michelle Skinner was the recipient of the Rising to the Challenge Award which recognises carers who support our children and young people to be cared for in emergencies.
Winners of the special Unsung Hero Award were Stephanie Jozefczyk and Scott Adams, whilst the Lifetime Achievement Award went to inspirational foster carer Jackie Penton.
Other special awards made on the night included the Children’s Champion award, Going the Distance, Rising Star, Road to Success, and Short Break Carer of the Year.
The annual foster carer awards are made as Manchester continues its journey to become a UNICEF recognised Child Friendly City – a place where children’s rights are understood, actioned and embedded into everyday life in the city, making Manchester the best place possible for a child or young person to grow up in.
Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member Early Years, Children and Young People, Manchester City Council, said: “At a time when the city is working hard to embed the Rights of the Child into everything we do as we work towards becoming a UNICEF Child Friendly City, we’re more acutely aware than ever about the important role our foster carers have in providing a home together with the love, support and guidance our children and young people both need and have a right to.
“Our foster carers provide much more than just a safe place to stay. They offer stability, love, and hope, and guide our children through the most difficult of times. Helping them feel seen, valued and believed in through the kind of care that really does transform lives.”
Leader of Norwich City Council, Councillor Mike Stonard announced a fresh re-shuffle of the authority’s cabinet at this afternoon’s full council meeting.
Cabinet functions as the executive body of the council and is where the majority of the authority’s key decisions are made. Its members are appointed by the leader and then given areas of responsibility called portfolios where they collectively oversee the delivery of public services to local residents.
Cabinet has seven positions in total, with Councillor Gurpreet Padda joining the cabinet for the first time, taking on the Equalities and Social Justice portfolio.
“Whilst it’s critical that the council’s leadership remains stable, the time is now right for us to bring in people with fresh ideas. That’s why I’m pleased to welcome Councillor Padda to the cabinet and I look forward to working with her on our ambitious plans for the future of Norwich.
“I’m particularly proud that this new cabinet reflects the diversity of our city – with strong representation of women and the appointment of our first cabinet member from an ethnic minority background, who will lead on equalities and social justice. The average age of the cabinet has also fallen to around 44, bringing a new and energetic perspective to our leadership team.
“Additionally, our new cabinet will ensure we are better equipped to deal with both the challenges and the opportunities of local government reorganisation and our vision of a three-unitary model for Norfolk.”
Norwich City Council’s cabinet:
Leader – Mike Stonard
Deputy Leader and Climate and Environment – Emma Hampton
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Steel signing celebrated at Lower Derwent Valley NNR
A ceremony has taken place to mark progress made on the construction of Lower Derwent Valley NNR’s new volunteer, community and nature recovery science hub.
Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve
Wintering birds, such as whooper swan, wigeon, pintail and lapwing, who are departing the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve (NNR) for their epic 4000Km journeys will see a big change on their return next winter.
A new volunteer, community and nature recovery science hub featuring a wildlife watch tower, a laboratory and meeting space is currently under construction as part of essential research into the reserve’s birdlife, which are of European significance.
The new facility will include overnight bunk accommodation for visiting research groups and university students. It will also host training courses aimed at boosting learning and development in conservation. Natural England staff and volunteers hope the building will encourage wider public involvement in nature recovery, positioning the reserve as both a biological hotspot and a hub for environmental action.
In addition to its conservation and scientific roles, the hub will be used by the NHS to support health and wellbeing initiatives. Research shows that connecting with nature, even through simple actions like listening to birdsong or watching insects, can improve mental wellbeing and reduce anxiety.
To mark construction progress and to coincide with NNR week, a steel signing ceremony took place on Monday 19 May. Staff and volunteers from the reserve, alongside the project’s contractor Britcon, signed one of the steel beams as a way of recognising how far the project has come and the people contributing to its success.
Steel signing at Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve. L-R: Nick Mobbs (Senior Site Manager Britcon), Craig Ralston (Senior Reserve Manager at Natural England) Justina Edge (RLB) Matt Searston (Commercial Director Britcon)
The building’s design and materials have been chosen to complement the surrounding environment, with biodiversity net gain measures in place to enhance local habitats.
A new reedbed has also been created as part of a sustainability volunteering day which saw Brtitcon staff and their families plant more than 20,000 reeds. The event was organised in memory of Ashley Kent who was Britcon’s Commercial Manager, a wonderful soul, someone that always put themselves forward to help other people. He was a champion of mental health awareness, a cause that was close to his heart. He died after a short illness in October 2024 aged just 32.
Craig Ralston, Senior Reserve Manager at Natural England, said:
The Lower Derwent Valley NNR is as important for its grassland and breeding and wintering grounds for birds as York Minster and its Roman walls are to York’s history. Both the built heritage of York and the internationally important floodplains of the Lower Derwent Valley are up there on the world stage, and this investment will help us build and grow upon that to help nature recover.
This new facility is a unique opportunity to research, restore and protect nature, both within the reserve and across the wider landscape, by working closely with our partners and local communities.
We know that growth will be even better for people if it’s nature positive. The new volunteer, community and nature recovery science hub will be a powerful tool with multiple benefits. Once completed, it will break down research barriers for the reserve’s birdlife, which are of European significance, and build sustainable growth for future visitor numbers. This will ensure that that local communities have easy access to the opportunities and benefits that come from a healthy natural environment.
Don Stewart, Strategic Director at Britcon, said:
We’re incredibly proud to have been appointed as the main contractor for this important research project at the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve.
As a regionally based, certified carbon neutral business, Britcon is fully committed to supporting biodiversity gains. Through our award-winning Britcon Zero strategy, we will continue to promote sustainable construction techniques and maximise social value outcomes by prioritising local supplier selection and community engagement.
It’s a privilege to help create a space that will support nature recovery, facilitate important scientific work, and deliver health and wellbeing benefits for many visitors and stakeholders.
The Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve covers more than 600 hectares of species-rich floodplain meadows along the River Derwent in Yorkshire. It supports nationally and internationally important populations of breeding, migrating and wintering birds, as well as highly valuable wet grassland habitats.
Britcon and Natural England are working with partners Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK) that are providing services including NEC Project Management & Supervisor, Principal Designer (including Building Regulations) and overall Project Coordination for the nature reserve volunteer, community, nature and science hub.