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Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vigilance urged as potato industry faces Colorado beetle threat

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Vigilance urged as potato industry faces Colorado beetle threat

    Animal and Plant Health Agency calls for Colorado beetle vigilance from home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers who grow potatoes

    Home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers have been urged today (Monday 19 May) to be vigilant for the presence of Colorado beetle, a major threat to potato crops, following recent sightings.

    The Colorado beetle has the potential to have a significant economic impact on the potato industry without action being taken. Adult beetles and larvae feed on the foliage of potatoes and several other plants, including tomatoes, aubergines and peppers, and can completely strip them of their leaves if they are left uncontrolled.

    Colorado beetle larvae were confirmed in a potato field in Kent following laboratory diagnosis of samples in 2023. There were outbreaks in the 1930s, 1950s and 1970s but the pest was swiftly eradicated due to inspections and public vigilance.

    The beetles have been known to be imported into the UK as ‘hitchhikers’ on plants, such as leafy vegetables, salad leaves, fresh herbs, grain and frozen vegetables, and APHA is urging people to keep an eye out when handling these items.

    Professor Nicola Spence, Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

    “The Colorado beetle poses a significant threat to plants and the wider potato industry.

    “The public have an important role to play in helping us take swift and effective action to protect UK biosecurity. The public are urged to be vigilant and report suspected sightings to the Animal and Plant Health Agency with a photo and location details.”

    APHA Interim Chief Executive Dr Jenny Stewart said:

    “Public vigilance was key to eradicating the beetle in the 1970s, and we really need home gardeners, allotmenteers and farmers to step up again, and identify and report suspected sightings to protect potato crops.

    “Our surveillance capabilities protect UK borders from a wide range of plant pests and diseases, including the Colorado beetle, but we cannot do this without the help of the public.”

    How to spot a Colorado beetle:

    • The beetle’s body is yellow or cream with 10 black stripes and it has an orange head with irregular black spots.
    • It is usually between 6 to 11mm in length and 3mm in width. Its larvae are a pinkish red or orange colour, with black spots along each side and a black head and are up to 15mm in length. 
    • They are distinctive in appearance, however, there are several beetles that are frequently mistaken for them.

    APHA is exhibiting at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show to raise awareness of the impact this pest can have on UK food security and the potato industry

    Visitors to APHA’s Chelsea Flower Show exhibit can engage with interactive graphics and a multimedia experience highlighting how the beetle attacks plants and how to identify signs of the pest.
    The exhibit (location GPA004) will also showcase how to report suspected findings to APHA in an effort to protect the British potato industry.

    Additional information:

    • If you find a Colorado beetle in England and Wales, please do not let it go – capture it in a secure container and report any suspected sightings to APHA as soon as possible by telephoning 0300 1000 313 or by emailing the planthealth.info@apha.gov.uk mailbox. All sightings should include a photograph and location details.
    • For Scotland, contact the Scottish Government’s Horticulture and Marketing Unit: Agricultural crops contact the local RPID officer: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Agriculture/AOcontacts/contacts For non-agricultural crops, email: hort.marketing@gov.scot 
    • For Northern Ireland, contact the DAERA Plant Health Inspection Branch: Tel: 0300 200 7847 Email: planthealth@daera-ni.gov.uk Web:  [https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/plant-and-tree-health] 
    • The Colorado beetle does not represent a risk to human health.
    • The Colorado potato beetle plant pest factsheet provides more information about the beetle’s life cycle and provides information on how to differentiate it from some of our native beetle species.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM secures new agreement with EU to benefit British people

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    PM secures new agreement with EU to benefit British people

    UK secures new agreement with the European Union to support British businesses, back British jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.

    • UK secures new agreement with the European Union to support British businesses, back British jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.
    • Package will help make food cheaper, slash red tape, open up access to the EU market and add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040.
    • Prime Minister hails agreement as ‘good for jobs, good for bills, and good for our borders’.

    The Prime Minister has today confirmed a new agreement with the European Union which will deliver on his core mission to grow the economy, back British jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.

    Extensive negotiations over the last six months have led to the third major deal struck by the government in as many weeks, following the US and India – which the Prime Minister says will be “good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders”.

    As part of the deal, a new SPS agreement will make it easier for food and drink to be imported and exported by reducing the red tape that placed burdens on businesses and led to lengthy lorry queues at the border. This agreement will have no time limit, giving vital certainty to businesses.

    Some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely, allowing goods to flow freely again, including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Ultimately this could lower food prices and increase choice on supermarket shelves – meaning more money in people’s pockets. 

    The EU is the UK’s largest trading partner. After the 21% drop in exports and 7% drop in imports seen since Brexit, the UK will also be able to sell various products, such as burgers and sausages, back into the EU again, supporting these vital British industries.

    Closer co-operation on emissions through linking our respective Emissions Trading Systems will improve the UK’s energy security and avoid businesses being hit by the EU’s carbon tax due to come in next year – which would have sent £800 million directly to the EU’s budget.

    Combined, the SPS and Emissions Trading Systems linking measures alone are set to add nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040, in a huge boost for growth.

    British steel exports are protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, through a bespoke arrangement for the UK that will save UK steel £25 million per year.  

    The UK will enter talks about access to EU facial images data for the first time, on top of the existing arrangements for DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration data. This will enhance our ability to catch dangerous criminals and ensure they face justice more quickly. 

    British holidaymakers will be able to use more eGates in Europe, ending the dreaded queues at border control. Pets will also be able to travel more easily, with the introduction of ‘pet passports’ for UK cats and dogs – eliminating the need for animal health certificates for every trip.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer will say:

    It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people.

    We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home.

    So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation. Building the relationships we choose, with the partners we choose, and closing deals in the national interest. Because that is what independent, sovereign nations do.

    Today will also see the agreement of the new Security and Defence Partnership, which will pave the way for the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s proposed new £150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund – supporting thousands of British jobs and boosting growth.

    At a time of increasing global uncertainty and volatility, this will formalise UK-EU co-operation on defence to ensure Europe’s safety and security.

    Minister for European Union Relations and lead Government negotiator, Nick Thomas-Symonds said:

    Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK.

    Since the start of these negotiations, we have worked for a deal to make the British people safer, more secure and more prosperous. Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders. Today is a day of delivery. Britain is back on the world stage with a Government in the service of working people.

    The UK and the EU have also agreed to co-operate further on a youth experience scheme – which could see young people able to work and travel freely in Europe again. The scheme, which would be capped and time-limited, would mirror existing schemes the UK has with countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

    The Prime Minister is clear that bringing down migration remains an absolute priority for him, which is why today’s agreement also majors on further work on finding solutions to tackle illegal migration – including on returns and a joint commitment to tackle channel crossings.

    The UK and EU have also reached a new twelve year agreement that protects Britain’s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas with no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters, providing stability and certainty for the sector. The UK will also back coastal communities by investing £360 million into our fishing industry to go towards new technology and equipment to modernise the fleet, training to help upskill the workforce, and funding to help revitalise coastal communities, support tourism and boost seafood exports. The British fleet will also benefit from the SPS agreement which slashes costs and red tape to help exports.

    This agreement meets the red lines set out in the government’s manifesto – no return to the single market, no return to the customs union, and no return to freedom of movement.

    The UK will continue to hold talks with the European Union on the details of each commitment.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Professor Nick Webborn has been appointed as Chair of UK Sport.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Professor Nick Webborn has been appointed as Chair of UK Sport.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Professor Nick Webborn as the Chair of UK Sport for a term of four years, which will commence on 22 May 2025

    Professor Nick Webborn 

    Professor Nick Webborn CBE DL has a lifetime’s experience in high performance sport as an athlete, medical director, clinician, researcher and most recently as Chair of the British Paralympic Association. 

    As a world leading expert in sport and exercise medicine, Nick has worked on 13 Paralympic Games and has decades of experience in providing performance support to British athletes. He was also Chief Medical Officer for Paralympics GB at the London 2012 Paralympics and for the Invictus Games 2014. In the former role, Nick helped develop the winning bid for London 2012 and played a critical role in the delivery of athlete healthcare services for the Games. 

    Since then, Nick has gone on to become one of the UK’s most prominent sport administrators. As Chair of the BPA, Nick played a critical role in leading the organisation through a period of change as they delivered a new 10 year strategy which sustained Paralympics GB’s position near the top of successive Paralympic medal tables, whilst embedding social impact as a cornerstone of their work. Nick is also incredibly experienced in the world of international sport, having served on the Medical and Anti-Doping Committees of the International Paralympic Committee.

    In 2016, Nick was awarded an OBE for services to Paralympic Sports Medicine and the British Paralympic Association and a CBE in the 2022 New Years Honours List for services to Sport and Sports Medicine.

    Nick is delighted to have been appointed as Chair of UK Sport and looks forward to leading the organisation to deliver the next phase of its Strategic Plan, ensuring the positive future of Olympic and Paralympic sport and major sporting events in the UK.

    Nick continues to practice in the field of Sport and Exercise Medicine and has published over 100 peer reviewed articles and book chapters.

    Nick Webborn said:

    “It is a great honour to be appointed as Chair of UK Sport and to have the opportunity to continue the work of my predecessor, Dame Katherine Grainger, who I have had the privilege to work alongside over the last eight years. 

    Having spent much of my life in high performance sport, I know how much the UK public value the Olympic and Paralympic success that our wonderful sports and athletes have achieved over the last 25 years and how much the UK is respected as a host of sporting events.

    However, I also know that our sporting success is not guaranteed in the face of mounting global competition. I therefore look forward to working with the incredibly talented people we have across the UK sporting system to deliver continued success on the field of play and to unite, inspire and excite people all across the nation.”

    Sally Munday, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said:

    “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Nick to the UK Sport team. His decades of experience in high performance sport mean that he is perfectly positioned to Chair UK Sport through the next phase of the delivery of our ten year strategic plan and to drive the system change needed to continue a positive future for Olympic and Paralympic sport and major sporting events in the UK. 

    I know that people across the Olympic and Paralympic sport community in the UK will join me in giving Nick a very warm welcome to his exciting new role”.

    Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy said: 

    “I am delighted to welcome Professor Nick Webborn as the new Chair of UK Sport. His expertise in sports medicine and sports administration will bring invaluable perspective to this role. 

    “Nick’s leadership will be crucial as UK Sport continues its efforts to grow Olympic and Paralympic sports, while continuing work with government to cement the UK’s position as a world-leading host of prestigious competitions that leave lasting legacies in communities across the country.”

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Chair of UK Sport is remunerated at £40,000 per year. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Professor Nick Webborn has not declared any significant political activity.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Education Secretary gives keynote speech at Education World Forum

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Education Secretary gives keynote speech at Education World Forum

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s speech on the use of EdTech to improve opportunity in education at the Education World Forum.

    Hello everyone, and thank you all for being here.

    It’s wonderful to see everyone together in the same place – the biggest gathering of education ministers anywhere in the world!

    And what a fitting location. Just next door is the Methodist Central Hall, where almost 80 years ago the United Nations General Assembly met for the first time.

    And we also sit in the shadow of Westminster Abbey, a place which marks the memories of so many inspirational figures, men and women who still light up our classrooms centuries on.

    Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking, and Charles Darwin are all buried there.

    Jane Austen and the three Brontë sisters each have a plaque – next to the statue of William Shakespeare.

    And close by lies the grave of Charles Dickens, whose stories I grew up reading, whose characters I loved.

    Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Pip and his great expectations.

    The abandoned children of Victorian London, held back, time and again, by the tough luck of a bad start.

    I was always drawn to Dickens because he was never afraid to confront social injustice.

    The daily, grinding poverty that kept opportunity out of the reach of millions.

    There’s been plenty of progress since those darker days.

    And thankfully, London looks very different today.

    But much of the inequality, the injustice remains.

    Opportunity still lies beyond the grasp of too many people – here in this country and around the world too.

    We have so far to go on our journey to cut the link between background and success.

    That’s our job as education leaders, to give not just some children but all children the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background, to make that old dream new again for each generation.

    There are well over a hundred countries and territories represented here today. Well over a hundred different education systems. Well over a hundred different sets of challenges.

    But we can come together around one common cause. Opportunity.

    That’s what education is all about. Opportunity for all children – to learn, to discover, to go on and live a good life.

    So that every child knows, deep down in their bones, that success belongs to them.

    That’s my mission for the children of this country, it’s the mission of our government. Because background shouldn’t mean destiny.

    But the barriers we face are huge – here in the UK and across the globe.

    250 million children still out of school around the world.

    70% of children in low- and middle-income countries unable to read at the end of their basic education.

    A pandemic that saw schools all over the world close their gates, classrooms empty, playgrounds silent, a global generation of children falling behind.

    Challenges of this scale demand the fresh solutions of the future, not the stale systems of the past.

    We must squeeze every last drop of value out of every last pound of funding.

    And technology will lead the way.

    The opportunities of EdTech are huge. It’s a wave of innovation that can lift the learning of billions.

    But to be clear about what technology can do, first we need to be clear what it cannot do.

    It can’t replace great teachers.

    They are the heart, they are the soul of every school.

    That was true 500 years ago. It’ll be true in 500 more.

    Education is a deeply human gift, given by one generation to the next.

    Opportunity passed from one generation to the next.

    But EdTech can take that gift and make it stronger, spread it further, share it with more children.

    It can be the radical force that brings the very best education into every city, every town, every village, every school, every classroom in the world.

    It can help us to reach learners who might otherwise be left out – because they have a disability, their parents are poor, they don’t speak a certain language, or simply because they’re a girl.

    EdTech can help us tear down those barriers.

    Here in this country, we’re using it to free up teachers time to spend more time teaching.

    For children that means more attention, higher standards, better life chances.

    For teachers – less paperwork, lower stress, fewer drains on their valuable time. 

    My department is continuing to support Oak National Academy, an online hub of resources for teachers, whose AI lesson assistant is helping teachers to plan personalised lessons in minutes.

    Making the most of teacher time is one of the challenges we all face.

    Another is attendance – getting children back in the classroom, especially since covid.

    Our response is rooted in our world-class data, where schools can use an interactive dashboard to drive early intervention.

    And it’s working. We’ve lost 3 million fewer days to absence this year than last.

    And now we’re using AI to go further and faster.

    Just last week we launched a brand new AI-powered tool, which we think is amongst the first of its kind in the world.

    Every mainstream school in the country can access reports right now to benchmark their attendance against 20 similar schools.

    They highlight what schools are doing well, and where they need targeted intervention and support.

    That’s the kind of cutting-edge insight schools need to get attendance moving.

    But, despite its huge power, we know that AI isn’t a magic wand.

    EdTech can light up the next century of education – and I believe it will – but there are no guarantees.

    So getting AI on the right track now is the most important challenge for global education in a generation.

    And we have far to go to deliver the scale of progress that I know is possible.

    Our evidence-base is too narrow, too shallow, too concentrated in certain parts of the world, too focused on certain parts of the system.

    More research is needed; better research is needed.

    On impact.

    On value.

    On sustainability.

    And on safety.

    We need to come together to grow a global, collective consensus – a suite of effective tools, built on top-class evidence.

    That’s how, together, we can make sure EdTech and AI deliver the very best learning for children.

    And on this the UK will lead the way.

    This government’s EdTech hub – led by our Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – brings together research and policy organisations working to bridge the EdTech evidence gap.

    The Hub is here to support and empower government leaders, giving you the evidence that you need to roll out and scale up EdTech effectively and responsibly.

    The Hub is leading, and the UK is funding, the AI Observatory and Action Lab – supporting leaders in low- and middle-income countries to use AI in education.

    And we are continuing the change here at home with our new Content Store Project.

    We’re pooling a vast range of high-quality content – from curriculum guidance to teaching resources, from lessons plans to anonymised pupil work.

    And we’re making it available to AI companies to train their tools – so that they can generate top quality content for use in our classrooms.

    And we’re putting AI to work in a way that’s most useful for teachers, and most beneficial for students.

    But now we want to go further, to share our expertise, to work with our partners around the world to grow that collective consensus.

    So I am delighted to announce today that we are funding the development of global guidelines for generative AI in education.

    Working closely with partners at the OECD, we are shaping the global consensus on how generative AI can be deployed safely and effectively to boost education around the world.

    But everyone here today will know that guidelines are only ever as good as their implementation.

    Because what really matters is firm action in our classrooms, not abstract promises on a page.

    That’s why today I can announce that the UK will host an international summit on generative AI in education in 2026.

    Education leaders from around the world will come together to implement these guidelines – for the benefit of our children, young people and learners the world over.

    And we’ll continue to build the evidence base at home too.

    So I’m pleased to announce today that my department is investing more than a million pounds to test the Edtech we’re using in schools and colleges.

    Working with the Open Innovation Team, we’ll be engaging the sector to understand what works.

    We’ll look at how tools, including AI, can improve things like staff workload, pupil outcomes and inclusivity.

    Evidence must be at the heart of all we do, on EdTech and right across education.

    Here in the UK, we’re lucky to have the Education Endowment Foundation.

    The Foundation is at the forefront of research on how children learn.

    And my officials work hand in hand with their experts to make sure all our policies and programmes are driven by the very best evidence.

    We need to be at the top of our game.

    We’ve spoken about the challenges specific to education, but there are wider global challenges, that spill into our schools and colleges.

    Growing economic uncertainty, shifting labour markets, the flood of disinformation around social media.

    These are shared challenges that demand shared solutions.

    Solutions powered by technology, backed by evidence.

    But collaboration is key. We can’t do this alone.

    Learning from each other, sharing evidence, sharing data.

    The UK is here to convene, to accelerate and to celebrate all that is best in global education.

    And in the coming months we’ll publish our refreshed International Education Strategy.

    At its heart will be collaboration.

    Building partnerships that are meaningful, partnerships that matter, partnerships that, above all else, make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

    That’s what sets apart those men and women whom we remember in Westminster Abbey. They made a difference in people’s lives.

    The scientists and engineers, the poets and playwrights, the doctors and nurses.

    Most of their deeds were done and dusted centuries ago. But their legacy lives on.

    EdTech is now bringing the wonders of the Abbey to a whole new generation of children.

    From the Anglo-Saxons to the Tudors, from the majesty of coronations to the drudgery of everyday medieval life.

    Abbey experts run virtual classrooms and virtual tours for schools unable to visit in person – so that every child can learn about this building which has been at the heart of our national life for a thousand years.

    So that no child has to miss out.

    That’s what EdTech is all about, what education is all about, opportunity for all of our children.

    Because let’s not forget, this is for them.

    For every child, for every young person, for every adult around the world who deserves the opportunity to learn.

    That’s why we have to get this right.

    That’s why so many of you have come here today from so far away.

    And that’s why I am so thankful that you have.

    Because together I know that we can make a difference.

    So it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Education World Forum 2025.

    And I look forward to working together with you as we build stronger, bolder, better education together.

    Thank you.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cutting edge sustainable tech: the Servita supplier story 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Cutting edge sustainable tech: the Servita supplier story 

    Servita specialises in helping organisations transform so they can thrive at the forefront of science and technology. 

    When Servita set up in the UK in 2016, it had a team of around 30. Now it’s 180 and counting. 

    Servita specialises in helping organisations transform through technology so they can overcome entrenched ways of working and operations. 

    UK managing director Rich Story said: “Keeping ourselves and our customers at the forefront of science and technology, whilst remembering it is people that remain at the centre of transformation, is our modus operandi.”

    Servita’s key capabilities including user-centred design, where the company has strong links to the Government Digital Service, and expertise in advanced, highly secure, high performance and sustainable cloud-hosted solutions. Sustainable cloud and carbon net zero are part of Servita’s core technical architecture principles.  

    Artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing are also strong competencies and people in the team have published research papers with Harvard University on natural language and semantic programming. 

    Servita has been active in the Vivace community since 2020. 

    Explaining what attracted the company to the Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE), Story said: “A community of suppliers that gets access to novel problems at the heart of government, facilitated by an organisation that seeks to create an environment to innovate whilst keeping a firm eye on time, cost and outcomes – it really chimed with us.”

    One early major project was working as part of the ACE core team on the UK government’s Covid response, helping drive an innovation agenda as part of strategic objectives. Story said: “Despite the backdrop it was one of the best things I’ve been part of during my career.”

    For a health commission, Servita delivered a digital tool capable of measuring and reporting digital deficit, so an organisation could understand where it stands digitally in relation to industry standards, and how much it would cost to get to where it needs to be. 

    Servita also remains an integral part of ACE’s wider NHS work, where it built and currently maintains a national data information exchange that links all of the secondary care landscape in England to the NHS App. 

    Story said: “We love the efficiency in tendering and speed to impact for delivery. ACE looks to deliver outcomes in 12-15 weeks which is good for government and the taxpayer. 

    “Most of all we love the types of projects ACE give us access to. As a business it’s led to us having some of our best case references and it’s critical for us to be able to give our staff access to projects that really make a difference as it gives us an identity and sense of pride.”

    He added: “Our mission statement is to keep ourselves and our partners at the cutting edge of science and technology with a focus on sustainable solutions for good and delivery excellence. 

    “I can honestly say that ACE and Vivace have enabled us to stay true to this by virtue of the novel and important problem spaces that they give us access to. ACE has introduced us to new customers and also to other like-minded suppliers that we have forged valuable relationships with. 

    “These things have all been significant in shaping our business.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Residents welcome to find free support at city’s next Help at the Hub event in Low Hill

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Help at the Hub will see a wide variety of city organisations offer advice and information to residents. The event will take place on Tuesday 3 June between 11am and 2pm in the main hall of Low Hill Community Centre, Kempthorne Avenue, Low Hill, WV10 9JJ.

    The event has been organised by officers at the council’s Public Protection Scams Team who will be handing out free scams awareness and prevention packs.

    Residents with concerns can speak with advisors from Act on Energy, Alzheimer’s Society, Aquarius, Citizens Advice, Neighbourhood Safety Co-ordinator, Public Protection, Revenue & Benefits, Severn Trent, SUIT, Talking Therapies, Terrific for Twos, West Midlands Police, Wolverhampton City Credit Union, City of Wolverhampton College, Wolves Foundation and Wolverhampton Homes.

    People are welcome to drop in and speak to any number of the organisations for free help and assistance.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “Once again, we are heading out into the community with another Help at the Hub event.

    “These free help days have become regular fixtures in the city’s calendar and I am pleased to see that they continue to prove popular with residents.

    “On 3 June, officers and organisations will be in Low Hill and they will be covering a wide range of topics, from energy questions and health concerns to giving out safety and protection advice.

    “Whatever your worry, don’t face it on your own. Come along and get some friendly help and support.”

    Residents do not have to book an appointment but are asked to please be prepared to wait if the event is busy. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Surprise meerkat pups welcomed at Tropical World

    Source: City of Leeds

    A meerkat surprised staff at the Leeds zoo with two little babies last month and keepers are saying mum is keen to show them off to the world.

    Parents Soya Bean and Jay-Z welcomed their pups into the world on 21 April and while they would normally still be resting in their nestbox, the new mum has been showing them off to visitors at Tropical World.

    11-year-old Soya Bean is part of the original “mob” of meerkats at Tropical World. She previously gave birth to two male pups in 2020, called Jelly Bean and Lima Bean.

    The new father, Jay-Z, is 5 years old and came to Tropical World from Flamingo Land in 2022 as a potential mate for Soya Bean.

    Keepers at Tropical World had suspected that Soya Bean was expecting and had booked her in for an ultrasound. However, a few days before the appointment, she surprised them with the two young pups in the nestbox. 

    The new arrivals have no names yet but will also be named after a bean, sticking with family tradition.

    After a pregnancy of 11 weeks, a meerkat’s litter is typically made up of two to five pups. Born blind and without fur the pups need a few weeks being cared for by the parents before they’re strong enough to leave the burrow.

    Tropical World has recently launched a meerkat adoption project, where visitors can adopt an animal for a year, to support their upkeep and the vital conservation projects that Tropical World is a part of.

    Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “It is always exciting to welcome new arrivals to our zoos and I’m pleased that the meerkat family is doing well.  

    “Tropical World has much to offer and is a great place to educate yourself about all the different species and the important conservation work that the zoo facilitates.

    “Visitors exploring the zoo can learn about the incredible animals and the threats which are affecting their populations in the wild. The zoo and its staff play an important part in protecting vulnerable species.”

    Read more about Tropical World at https://tropicalworld.leeds.gov.uk/.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Former Chinese takeaway owner sentenced after spending money on Apple and Burberry products instead of paying VAT bill

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Former Chinese takeaway owner sentenced after spending money on Apple and Burberry products instead of paying VAT bill

    Suspended sentence for bankrupt who defrauded HMRC

    • Former Chinese takeaway owner Zhang Jin Chen sold his house in Portsmouth and spent money from the sale in shops such as Apple and Burberry 

    • Chen knew he owed HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) more than £43,000 in VAT at the time he made the purchases and other cash withdrawals 

    • The 51-year-old then filed for bankruptcy, claiming he only had £20 in his bank account

    A former Chinese takeaway owner who withdrew thousands of pounds from his bank account and bought items from shops such as Apple and Burberry instead of settling his tax bill has been sentenced. 

    Zhang Jin Chen owed HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) more than £43,000 in VAT when he sold the house he owned with his then wife in Portsmouth in the autumn of 2020. 

    However, Chen disposed of £107,550 of his proceeds from the house sale without paying HMRC back. 

    The 51-year-old then applied for his own bankruptcy the following summer, claiming he only had £20 in his bank account, and £100 in cash. 

    Chen, of Havant Road, Portsmouth, was found guilty of fraudulently disposing of property as a bankrupt under the Insolvency Act 1986. 

    He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 16 May.  

    He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity. 

    Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 

    Zhang Jin Chen had the money available to pay the VAT he owed to HMRC twice over following the sale of his house but chose not to do so. Instead, he withdrew huge sums of money in cash and made purchases from the likes of Burberry and Apple. 

    Individuals who are declared bankrupt commit a criminal offence when they put assets out of the reach of creditors in the five years leading up to their bankruptcy. 

    Chen clearly intended to conceal his affairs and defraud HMRC so he could be more than £100,000 better off, instead of little over £60,000 if he had paid his debts.

    Chen ran a Chinese takeaway called Fortune House from an address on Albert Road in Portsmouth. He registered Fortune House as a business with HMRC in February 2012 but did not register it for VAT. 

    HMRC officials visited the takeaway in February 2020, finding evidence that Fortune House should have been VAT registered since December 2012. 

    Chen applied for bankruptcy in July 2021, stating that he knew he owed HMRC £43,876 in VAT but that he could not repay the debts. 

    However, in October 2020, Chen and his ex-wife sold their jointly owned house on Garnier Street in Portsmouth. 

    Over the next two months, Chen withdrew his proceeds of the sale in cash, the largest of which were two withdrawals of £30,000 in November 2020. 

    He also spent more than £3,500 on Apple products in November and December 2020 and a further £880 on a purchase from Burberry nine days before Christmas. 

    Chen signed a five-year Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking in March 2022 restricting him from being able to borrow more than £500 without disclosing his bankrupt status.  

    The restrictions also prevent him holding certain roles in public organisations. 

    The Insolvency Service is seeking to recover the funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

    Further information

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Are artificial sweeteners okay for our health?

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    By Havovi Chichger and Caray A Walker, Anglia Ruskin University

    Artificial sweeteners are being added to a growing number of foods to reduce their sugar content while maintaining their appealing taste. But a growing body of research suggests these non-nutritive sweeteners may not always be a healthier and safer option. So what is our best option if we want to enjoy sweet-tasting foods without the harms of eating sugar?

    Artificial sweeteners were originally developed as chemicals to stimulate our sweet-taste sensing pathway. Like sugar molecules, these sweeteners act directly on our taste sensors in the mouth. They do this by sending a nerve signal to the body that a high-carbohydrate food source has been consumed – telling the body to break it down to use for energy.

    In the case of sugar consumption, this also stimulates our dopaminergic system. This is the part of the brain responsible for motivation and reward, linked to sugar cravings. From an evolutionary perspective, this means we’re hardwired to seek out high-sugar food for a source of energy and to ensure our survival. However, excessive consumption of sugar is well known to lead to health problems, such as metabolic disruption which can cause obesity and diabetes.

    Similarly, when artificial sweeteners, rather than sugar, cause this stimulation, there’s increasing evidence of similar metabolic imbalances. This happens despite the fact that artificial sweeteners do not seem to stimulate the dopamine system.

    Indeed, a study published earlier this year showed that within two hours of consuming sucralose (an amount equivalent to the sugar in two cans of soft drink), participants exhibited increased physiological hunger responses. The research measured blood flow to the hypothalamus, the region of our brain responsible for appetite control. They found that sucralose increased blood flow to this area of the brain.

    Studies have also shown that sweeteners can stimulate the same neurons as the appetite hormone, leptin. Over time, this could cause our hunger threshold to increase – meaning we need to eat more food to feel full. This suggests that consuming artificial sweeteners makes us more hungry, which could ultimately make us consume more calories.

    And it doesn’t stop with feeling hungrier. A large study, which was conducted over 20 years, found a link between sweetener consumption and greater accumulation of body fat. Interestingly, the study found that people who regularly consumed large amounts of sweeteners (equivalent to three or four cans of diet soda per day) had a nearly 70% greater incidence of obesity compared to those who consumed minimal amounts of artificial sweeteners (equivalent to half a can of diet soda per day).

    The study also considered this response to be independent of the amount of calories the participants consumed each day. To verify this, they reviewed food questionnaires to assess self-reported dietary intake. While self-reported consumption can have discrepancies, the study also used a coding nutrition data system to verify dietary intake. The results indicate that artificial sweeteners may be making us more likely to form fat in our body – regardless of what we’re consuming alongside the artificial sweeteners.

    A study published earlier this month also found that daily consumption of artificially sweetened drinks positively correlated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes. But given these drinks contain a range of additives – including acidifiers, dyes, emulsifiers and sweeteners – it’s uncertain if this link can be entirely attributed to artificial sweeteners.

    What you need to know

    So is it time to give up sweeteners completely? Maybe not. There are many studies showing that short-term substitution of sugar with artificial sweeteners reduces body weight and body fat.

    Numerous studies have also shown that artificial sweetener consumption has no association with the development of diabetes or even with indicators of diabetes, such as fasting glucose or insulin levels. However, many of these studies were performed over relatively short time periods (up to 12 months) and only compared people consuming artificial sweeteners versus sugar. This makes it hugely confusing for all of us to know what we should do.

    To address this, earlier this month, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which advises the UK government on nutrition, released a position statement on the use of non-sugar sweeteners. This was in response to the World Health Organization, which suggested that sweeteners shouldn’t be used as a means of weight control due to their low-level association with risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.

    The SACN similarly concluded that non-sugar sweetener intake be minimised, especially for children. But they also stated that intake of sugars in general needs to be reduced. This is really at the heart of the issue. Artificial sweeteners may have significant negative health impacts, but are they as bad for us as sugar? The overwhelming literature on the negatives of excess sugar consumption currently suggests no – but our understanding of artificial sweeteners is still not as extensive as that for sugar.

    We need more research on artificial sweeteners to better understand their effects. Work is currently ongoing to collate a database of all clinical trials investigating sweetener use. This will allow us to better understand the sweetener research landscape and highlight areas where more work is needed.

    Until then, what should we do if we have a sweet-tooth? Unfortunately, like everything with nutrition, it’s best to only consume artificial sweeteners in moderation.

    There are no clear guidelines on the amounts of sweeteners we should or shouldn’t be consuming yet. But one of the guidelines from the recent SACN review is that the industry clearly label the amount of artificial sweeteners in food and drink. So hopefully it will be easier for us to make these choices in the future.

    Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University and Caray A Walker, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rise, shine and move with the new Lurgan Parkrun

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    The free, timed 5K weekly Parkrun has arrived at Lurgan Park to help get your weekend off to an active start!

    The official launch of the new Lurgan Parkrun took place Saturday 17 May, with the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Sarah Duffy and Physical Activity Co-ordinator with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT), Clare Drummy on hand to get the town’s first Parkrun underway!

    Funded by SHSCT, Parkrun is an inclusive community health and wellbeing initiative with the aim of encouraging healthier lifestyles and building stronger community connections. Parkrun is organised by local volunteers who are also trained in First Aid and defibrillator use.

    Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor Councillor Sarah Duffy said: “I am delighted to launch the Lurgan Parkrun, and I invite all residents to get involved, whether that’s by getting active and completing the route or in a volunteering capacity. I also wish to acknowledge and thank the Southern Health and Social Care Trust for funding this fantastic initiative to support community health and wellbeing.”

    Parkrun is a family-friendly event! There is no time limit, no-one finishes last, no previous experience is needed, and joggers, runners, walkers, buggies, volunteers and dogs (on a short lead) are welcome to join! Each Saturday morning, the route will take participants on a 5K course, weaving through the stunning mature woodland and open grassland grounds of Lurgan Park.

    In an exciting, innovative and award-winning initiative, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has also collaborated with Parkrun UK to promote the health and wellbeing of staff and patients. This social prescribing project encourages GP practices of all sizes to link with their local Parkrun to become a ‘Parkrun Practice’. As a Parkrun Practice, the surgery encourages staff and patients to take part in parkrun.

    Parkrun Regional Support Ambassador Northern Ireland, Matt Shields said: “We are really pleased to see a parkrun event coming to Lurgan Park. Our vision is that where possible, Parkrun events should be in the heart of the community and easily accessed by people of all ages, abilities and ethnicities. Lurgan Park in the centre of Lurgan town perfectly fits that vision!

    “At parkrun we are focused on promoting health and wellbeing, be that through running, jogging, walking or volunteering. Regardless of your ability, everyone is invited to take part, be active and socialise to help create a supportive parkrun community.”

    Parkrun participants must register with Parkrun beforehand and bring their personal barcode to the event. To find out more, please visit www.parkrun.org.uk/register

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor Welcomes The Worshipful Company of Educators to City for Engagement on Regional Growth and Edu

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mayor Welcomes The Worshipful Company of Educators to City for Engagement on Regional Growth and Edu

    19 May 2025

    The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council welcomed The Worshipful Company of Educators into the Guildhall for a special meeting as part of their weekend-long trip to the city.

    The delegation of 36 from The Worshipful Company of Educators visited the city region, stopping off at The Guildhall for a meeting with Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr on Friday evening, hearing all about the city and district and enjoying a tour of the Guildhall’s various exhibitions.

    Mayor Barr said she was delighted to welcome the group and hoped they enjoyed their overall trip to the city and wider North-West Region.

    “It was fantastic to meet with The Worshipful Company of Educators and hear all about the work they do, and advocate for. It gave us an amazing opportunity to create connections with the group and raise awareness of all the amazing projects and programmes that are going on in this part of the world. It was also great to highlight the transformative work that is ongoing within the city and increase our own profile on a wider scale.”

    Catherine McGuiness CBE, Master, Worshipful Company of Educators stated, “I’m delighted to be back in Derry, and to bring a delegation from the Educators to see some of the exciting educational and cultural initiatives in the city, hear plans for the future, and visit some of the amazing local sights. As ever, we’ve received a very warm welcome and feel honoured to have been greeted by the mayor”

    During their time in the city, the delegation visited Foyle College, Ulster University and The Playhouse Theatre. The aim of the visit was to learn more about the City Region Growth Deal projects, the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) and the work the Playhouse is doing to deliver creative, innovative, and accessible arts, education and peacebuilding programmes that enrich the lives of many people within the city and district.

    The Worshipful Company of Educators is the 109th livery company of the City of London. Established to raise awareness of and promote the education profession, the Company upholds standards of excellence and integrity within the field. Its membership comprises professionals from all sectors of education, including teachers, trainers, and administrators, providing a forum for members to discuss and exchange views on matters of topical interest.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: McGlynn and McCauley lead home over 1,000 runners in searing Strabane Lifford heat

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    McGlynn and McCauley lead home over 1,000 runners in searing Strabane Lifford heat

    19 May 2025

    Strabane’s Ann Marie McGlynn had a homecoming run to remember this morning as she claimed the senior ladies title at the 2025 Strabane Lifford Half Marathon.

    The reigning Dublin Marathon Women’s Domestic Champion defied the energy sapping conditions, where temperatures out on the course rose to over 20 degrees Celsius, to lead home the women’s field in a time of 1:15.04.

    In the men’s race Letterkenny AC’s Stephen McAuley and reigning champion Kyle Doherty of City of Derry Spartans enjoyed a real ding dong battle with the Donegal club man edging it by just ten seconds in a lightning fast time of 1:10.18 with Omagh Harriers Eoin Mullan finishing in third.

    McGlynn was representing Strabane AC at the event for the first time and it was a one two for the newly formed club as another former winner Claire McGuigan finished in second place followed by former winner, Derry’s Catherine Whoriskey, in third. 

    In total a record field of over 1,000 runners crossed the finish line in the Melvin Running Track sunshine after taking on a revised 13.1 mile course that incorporated more of Strabane town centre as well as the pedestrian bridge.

    Thousands more lined the streets of Strabane, Lifford and Clady village for the 10th edition of the popular cross border event.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, officially started the race and she congratulated everyone involved in another successful event.
    “Sincerest congratulations

     to everyone who completed the 2025 Strabane Lifford Half Marathon,” she said.
    “The warm conditions out there were challenging but runners dug deep to complete it and I loved seeing their elation as they crossed the finish line at the Melvin Running Track.
    “There are a lot of logistics involved in organising an event of this scale, particularly when there is a new route to manage, so I want to give a special word of thanks to Council’s Festivals and Events team and all their partners for delivering a brilliant event.
    “Well done to all those who completed the relay element too and good look to all the runners as they pursue their next running goals!”
    Festival and Events Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Jacqueline Whoriskey, thanked all those who contributed to the event’s success.   
    “Thank you so much to all our partners and volunteers who helped stage another successful Strabane Lifford Half,” she said.
    “Thanks to the PSNI, the Gardai, the Department for Infrastructure and Donegal County Council for their guidance and expertise.
    “Most of all thanks to the spectators and runners who created an unbelievable atmosphere around the route in tough conditions and made it a day that so many people will never forget.
    “Initial feedback about the new course has been positive and we look forward to hosting an even bigger and better event in 2026.”
    Full race results are available at http://www.myrunresults.com/.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Two Years on: Progress continues with 112 affordable homes at Oxford North

    Source: City of Oxford

    Press release on behalf of The Hill Group, OX Place and Oxford City Council.

    Two years after announcing the delivery of affordable homes in Oxford, senior members of Oxford City Council met with award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group, to celebrate a key construction milestone at Oxford North’s Canalside development. 

    Regional Managing Director at the Hill Group, Rob Jacks, staff and elected members from Oxford City Council, along with other colleagues, gathered to mark this halfway point in the project and view the impressive progress.   

    The development is on track to provide 112 much-needed affordable homes, including 90 council homes let at social rent for people on the housing register, and 22 shared-ownership homes, helping a range of people onto the housing ladder in the UK’s most unaffordable city. Completion is scheduled for 2026.  

    To commemorate this milestone, Hill and Oxford City Council joined forces to pour concrete into the final base slab of the apartment block, marking a pivotal moment in the construction journey. 

    Rob Jacks, Regional Managing Director West for The Hill Group, comments: “Canalside at Oxford North is a landmark residential development for Oxford.  We’re delighted to reach this important milestone in partnership with the council.  We are looking forward to handing over these sustainable, well-designed homes next year.” 

    The affordable homes being delivered by Hill are the first of 317 energy-efficient new homes being built by Hill at Canalside.  This initiative is crucial for addressing the housing crisis in Oxford, one of the most unaffordable places to live in the UK.  

    Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for for Housing and Communities at Oxford City Council, said: “We are proud to join our partners at The Hill Group to recognise this achievement and witness the significant progress on site.  Providing sustainable, affordable homes is a key priority for the council, and these homes are a shining example of what can be accomplished.” 

    Homes at Canalside are designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability, surpassing Oxford City Council’s ambitious environmental targets with a range of low-carbon features. These include air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and living green roofs. The development also includes water-saving measures, electric car charging points, and ample cycle storage. 

    As part of the broader Oxford North development, Canalside is set to deliver a minimum 5% biodiversity net gain, ensuring both residents and wildlife can thrive in harmony. The homes are thoughtfully designed around a large landscaped communal park, complete with play areas, meadow grassland, and an activity lawn. The site will feature extensive tree planting with over 200 species planned, along with the introduction of a new orchard. Additionally, a comprehensive network of pedestrian and cycle paths will be integrated throughout the development, encouraging active lifestyles and sustainable transportation choices.  

    Homes designated for social rent will be open for bidding through the choice-based lettings scheme for individuals on the Oxford City Council housing register. For those interested in the shared ownership homes and to receive more information, please visit the OX Place website to register interest. 

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green theme for family event in Abbey Park

    Source: City of Leicester

    THERE’S a green theme for a free family event in Abbey Park this half-term that will give local people the chance to discover more about Leicester’s trees, parks and open spaces.

    The Go Green, Get Growing! event on Friday 30 May will feature tree climbing demonstrations by the city council’s arborists, a guess-the-circumference-of-the-tree competition, a display of the winning entries in a tree-themed school art challenge, and a treasure hunt for young children.

    Storytellers from the city’s BookBus will entertain youngsters with environmental tales, told from an ornate throne that’s been carved from a tree trunk (pictured), while visitors of all ages can follow the tree trail in Abbey Park and track down all 21 featured species.

    Visitors will also be able to find out how an allotment or a community growing hub could help them to grow their own food – and discover how Leicester’s ‘bee roads’ are protecting natural grassland habitats and supporting biodiversity.

    And to mark the publication of the city’s new tree strategy, those attending the event will receive free packets of seeds to plant at home, with a free potted sapling for the first 50 visitors.

    Assistant city mayor responsible for parks, trees & woodlands Cllr Vi Dempster said: “This event is a great opportunity for us to show young people and their families some of the work that we do to care for the city’s trees, manage our open spaces and enhance the local environment.

    “There’ll be lots of green-themed activities, as well as stories from the BookBus, so I hope that people will drop by and join in the fun if they’re visiting Abbey Park this half-term.”

    Go Green, Get Growing! runs from 12 noon until 3pm on Friday 30 May in Abbey Park. The precise location can be found using pounds.filled.shade in the what3words app.

     

    Picture caption: A close-up of the tree-trunk throne in Abbey Park, carved by the city council’s trees and woodlands team

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth City Council Children’s Services extending contact hours

    Source: City of Plymouth

    The ‘front door’ to Council teams providing a first response to children and families when professionals and members of the public ask for more help for a family or report a safeguarding concern about a child or young person, is undergoing some changes. 

    The multi-disciplinary service is extending its hours and operating seven days a week, which means it will be more responsive and effective at dealing with all concerns and enquiries.  

    Previously, the ‘front door’ to children’s social care teams (the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub – MASH) was only open 9am to 5pm on weekdays, with all other new contacts out of these hours being dealt with by an ‘out of hours’ team.  

    From Monday 2 June 2025, the new multi-disciplinary team will respond to concerns and referrals between 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. 

    The newly extended hours will mean children, families and vulnerable adults are supported with the right help at the right time.  

    It will also mean that professionals – including teachers, police officers and healthcare staff – are able to get advice and support at a time that better suits their work patterns. 

    Outside of these hours, an Emergency Duty Service will always be on-call to review any overnight enquiries and respond to children at immediate risk of significant harm, urgent adult safeguarding risks and immediate risk of homelessness.    

    Ultimately, the changes will mean that children, families and vulnerable residents will receive more consistent help and support, with their needs being met in a timely way, and the staff team will be ready to respond proactively to issues and provide advice.  

    If you need to contact our team to get more help for a family or because you have a safeguarding concern about a child or young person, call 01752 668000 and select option 2.  

    Families and professionals who need support that is not an urgent safeguarding concern, can book a call with one of our Family Support Workers via the Early Help and SEND Advice line.  

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The impact of climate change is felt long before adulthood The key to understanding how climate change affects the local biodiversity might lie with the youth, scientists have recently discovered.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Close-up of an adult dragonfly, the Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis), one of the European species featured in the new study. Researchers found that the traits developed during the dragonfly’s juvenile aquatic stage play a major role in shaping biodiversity patterns observed in the adults across Europe. Photo credit: Erland Refling NielsenThe key to understanding how climate change affects the local biodiversity might lie with the youth, scientists have recently discovered.
    A new study from the University of Aberdeen and McGill University Canada, and published in Global Ecology and Biogeography, has found that the impact of climate change on adult animals is strongly affected by the impact they experienced as juveniles.
    The scientists studied dragonflies, and found that, across Europe, the conditions in lakes, streams, and wetlands that shape the morphological diversity of aquatic juveniles (nymphs) are more important in explaining the diversity of terrestrial adults than conditions on land. These findings challenge conventional biodiversity models that focus only on the adult stage and provide a new framework for understanding the cascading effects of climate and habitat changes across life stages.
    Study author Dr Lesley Lancaster from the University of Aberdeen’s School of Biological Sciences said: “This is a really important study, as many predictions for how climate might impact diversity are based on observations of adult stages, because these tend to be more active, visible, and larger. However, we find that the observed climate impacts are actually largely indirect consequences of processes impacting juveniles – but we did find that direct impacts of climate on adults becomes more important at higher latitudes.

    This is a really important study, as many predictions for how climate might impact diversity are based on observations of adult stages, because these tend to be more active, visible, and larger.” Dr Lesley Lancaster

    Lead author Dr. Lars L. Iversen, from McGill University, added: “This is really useful going forward, as the results will provide a new general rule to guide how biodiversity scientists forecast climate responses – depending on juvenile or adult characteristics. The results can also help members of the public to understand how life stage is important in driving climate responses.
    “Finally, scientists and policy makers will be able use the data to determine whether they should target juveniles or adults for active climate adaptation and mitigation practices.”
    The study was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), and the Leibniz Association.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major investment partnership worth £24 billion to transform key growth sectors and deliver affordable housing across UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Major investment partnership worth £24 billion to transform key growth sectors and deliver affordable housing across UK

    A major new partnership between the Crown Estate and Lendlease has been agreed which will unlock housing and science innovation hubs across the UK worth £24 billion.

    • Joint venture between The Crown Estate and Lendlease will unlock housing and science innovation hubs across the UK worth £24 billion.

    • Major investment pipeline includes land portfolio with the potential to build 26,000 new homes, with around one-third allocated to affordable housing – supporting the government’s aim to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. 

    • Pipeline also includes plans to build vast new office space and labs, creating 100,000 new jobs across the country, boosting economic growth and delivering on the Plan for Change. 

    Major new partnership from the Crown Estate and Lendlease with a Gross Development Value (GDV) of £24 billion will develop housing and science and innovation hubs and help create 100,000 new jobs and 26,000 new homes, backing the Government’s Plan for Change.  

    The joint venture allows The Crown Estate to invest in Lendlease’s undeveloped UK land and land management portfolio, providing support on existing projects, helping to transform the UK’s science, tech and innovation sectors and deliver new housing. 

    The projects have the potential to deliver around 10 million square feet of workspace and labs, and deliver vital investment in digital and technologies and the life sciences sectors – two of the key growth sectors in the government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy. 

    The pipeline is also hoped to deliver over 26,000 new homes for people across the country – of which a third are expected to be affordable housing – backing this Government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes and get Britain building again as part of the Plan for Change.

    In support of the partnership, the Chancellor and Minister for Investment met with Lendlease’s Group CEO Tony Lombardo and Dan Labbad, CEO of The Crown Estate in Downing Street

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    We are pulling every lever to grow our economy so we can put more money in people’s pockets, boost home ownership and make Britain a global hub for life sciences through our Plan for Change.

    This includes creating the right environment for organisations like The Crown Estate and Lendlease to partner, helping us to unlock capital to get Britain building and get Britain growing.

    Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said:

    This is yet another strong endorsement of the UK’s investment environment and our thriving real estate sector as this government has committed to get Britain building again, a crucial part of delivering our Plan for Change.  

    This pipeline and the creation of additional research labs across the UK, will be a massive boost for our world-leading science, innovation and technology sectors, all key growth sectors in our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy.” 

    The government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy will make doing business quicker, easier and more profitable than ever before. Its 10-year plan will provide business with the certainty they need to invest and innovate in the growth-driving sectors that will shape the UK’s economy, drive regional development, enhance living standards and create high quality jobs.

    Businesses have identified that inadequate infrastructure has impacted the growth of UK firms, with the UK suffering from a chronic lack of lab space compared to other leading global hubs, but this pipeline will ensure high-growth sectors have the lab space, transport and housing they need. 

    If the life sciences real estate markets of Cambridge, Oxford and London were to match their US counterparts by 2035, it could mean 67,000 more high-skilled, high-wage jobs and £4bn a year in additional GVA. 

    Areas poised for office and housing development include around Euston Station, Silvertown and Thamesmead Waterfront in London, as well as Smithfield in Birmingham.   

    The joint venture will provide a substantial boost to the UK’s thriving tech ecosystem, which is the third biggest in the world and worth more than £1 trillion.

    Group CEO of Lendlease Tony Lombardo said:

    This landmark partnership between our two organisations will combine our shared expertise in delivering city shaping precincts and creating long-term benefits for communities.

    As master developer, we look forward to working with The Crown Estate to unlock value within our UK development portfolio, for partners, government clients and our securityholders.

    Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, said:

    With strong support from local and national government, we look forward to working with Lendlease and others to realise the potential of these projects to create jobs, stimulate growth and positively impact lives, while also generating income for the UK. 

    As a country, we face challenges to unlocking growth. To support this, we need to spark investment in sectors like science, technology, and housing, alongside deep collaboration across communities, government, and the private sector. This joint venture is an example of how The Crown Estate is harnessing its mandate to act in the UK’s long-term national interest, supported by new investment powers, and stepping up its ambition to support inclusive growth for the nation.” 

    Since entering office, the government has been focused on restoring economic stability – the foundation of growth – to give businesses the confidence to invest and expand in the UK. Today’s announcement demonstrates how confidence in the UK’s investment environment translates to real jobs and growth for local communities.    

    This major announcement comes due to the Crown Estate Act 2025 which increased The Crown Estate’s powers to unlock further investment, kickstarting growth and generating greater returns for the public purse whilst benefitting public services across the UK.

    Notes to editors:

    • The Crown Estate has a diverse £16 billion portfolio that includes urban centres and development opportunities; one of the largest rural holdings in the country; Regent Street and St James’s in London’s West End; and Windsor Great Park. They also manage the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, playing a major role in the UK’s world leading offshore wind sector. 

    • Lendlease is an integrated real estate group. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, it is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Its core capabilities are reflected in the operating segments of investments, development and construction, and providing a sustainable competitive advantage in delivering innovative integrated solutions for its customers.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public asked to inform independent Review of Creative Scotland

    Source: Scottish Government

    Eight roundtable discussions to be held across Scotland.

    Artists and communities across Scotland will be given an opportunity this summer to help inform the independent Review of Creative Scotland.

    Eight roundtable discussions will be held across the length and breadth of Scotland this summer to ensure any recommendations are evidence-led and reflect a national perspective on Creative Scotland’s role. Led by Angela Leitch CBE, the independent Review team will also host a separate roundtable for children and young people.

    The engagement plans come as the results of a national culture sector survey are published. Commissioned in January to inform a wider programme of support for the culture sector, the survey received responses from more than 750 artists, creative organisations and members of the public who raised concerns about the complexity of accessing culture funding and disparities across the country.

    Confirming the remit of the independent Review today, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said the five key areas to be examined had been informed by the Review team’s engagement to-date, alongside a wealth of historic evidence and the survey results:

    • Creative Scotland’s purpose and functions
    • Creative Scotland’s structure and performance
    • Governance and leadership within Creative Scotland
    • Creative Scotland’s finances and distribution of funds
    • Collaboration, relationships and partnerships

    The independent Review is expected to publish recommendations in November.

    Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said:

    “With the 2025-26 Scottish Budget providing a record £34 million uplift for culture, including an additional £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme, this independent Review will examine Creative Scotland’s operations and structure to maximise the impact of this increase, and ensure the evolving needs of Scotland’s diverse cultural sector can be met.

    “I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to share their experiences and perspective in our survey – your feedback, in addition to informing a wider programme of support for the culture sector, has also helped to shape the remit of the independent Review alongside the review team’s engagement to-date, and a wealth of historic evidence.

    “The review team continue to collect evidence from culture and other organisations who interact with Creative Scotland, so I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest to take part in a roundtable near you this summer.”

    Angela Leitch CBE, Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland said:

    “I have already been struck by the wealth of evidence demonstrating the contribution the creative and culture sectors make to us as individuals, to our communities and to our economy. I look forward to engaging further and hearing from a wide range of stakeholders across the country to consider how Creative Scotland can support the sector’s challenges and embrace opportunities.”

    Background

    Independent Review of Creative Scotland: remit – gov.scot

    Culture sector support needs survey – gov.scot

    Individuals and organisations are invited to share their views with the Chair and Vice Chair of the independent Review of Creative Scotland at eight roundtable meetings to be held this summer in the following locations:

    10 June – Selkirk

    11 June – Glasgow

    16 June – Dundee

    23 June – Edinburgh

    24 June – Aberdeen

    25 June – Inverness

    26 June – Orkney

    2 July –  Dumfries

    If you would like to participate in these discussions please contact: creativescotlandreview@gov.scot

    In addition to engaging with Scotland’s creative industries, the independent Review team will also speak with organisations outside the culture sector who are directly impacted by Creative Scotland, including higher and further education institutions, local authorities and the enterprise agencies.

    The independent Review of Creative Scotland was first announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government, as the first review of Creative Scotland since its establishment in 2010. The Scottish Budget 2025-26 provides an increase of £34 million to culture in Scotland, including £20 million for Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding programme.

    Following Dame Sue Bruce’s withdrawal on health grounds, and the appointment of Angela Leitch CBE as the new Chair, the independent Review is now expected to publish recommendations in November 2025.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious crash Echunga

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash at Echunga.

    Just before 5.30pm on Monday 19 May, police were called to Kavanagh Road at Echunga after reports a car crashed into a tree.

    Kavanagh Road will be closed to all traffic between Battunga Road and Shepherd Road.  Please take an alternative route.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Major Investment in North Wales delivers 140 new jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Major Investment in North Wales delivers 140 new jobs

    Around 140 jobs will be created in North Wales after Knauf Insulation unveiled plans to invest £170 million in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

    Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates and Knauf Insulation

    • International manufacturer Knauf Insulation to invest £170m in a new facility in Shotton creating 140 new jobs
    • UK and Welsh Governments welcome the investment into new manufacturing facility
    • Announcement comes as UK and EU hold a summit to discuss future opportunities to boost economic growth

    Around 140 jobs will be created in North Wales after Knauf Insulation unveiled plans to invest £170 million in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Shotton.

    The landmark development will produce more than 100,000 tonnes of non-combustible rock mineral wool insulation per year and create approximately 140 direct jobs, with more in local supply chains.

    The announcement coincides with the UK-EU Summit taking place today (Monday 19 May) underscoring the UK Government’s commitment to fostering economic growth through its Plan for Change and attracting inward investment to strengthen the economy. 

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    This £170 million investment by Knauf Insulation is fantastic news for North Wales and our UK Government mission to drive economic growth.

    This is a vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our government’s plan to make Britain the destination of choice for investment in industry.

    Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said:

    This is great news for North Wales. The plans will be a major investment in the area and are a testament to the skills and facilities we have here.

    This positive announcement is the start of the journey and we will continue to provide support as the work to deliver the project gets underway.

    Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said:

    The UK is open for business, and this is yet another vote of confidence in North Wales and its thriving advanced manufacturing sector which will boost jobs and prosperity across the region.

    Our modern Industrial Strategy, which will prioritise advanced manufacturing as one of eight key UK sectors, will help us go further by attracting even more investment, creating new opportunity across the country and making our Plan for Change a reality.

    Neil Hargreaves, Managing Director of Knauf Insulation Northern Europe said:

    Knauf Group has a proud history of manufacturing in Wales and this project aligns with the Welsh and UK Government’s commitment to sustainability and the industrial vision for North Wales and Deeside. 

    Using UK-First Submerged Arc Furnace technology, the new factory will produce non-combustible, low embodied carbon, recyclable rock mineral wool insulation to support the need for safer, more energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

    Joint efforts by the UK Government, Welsh Government, and local leadership have paved the way for Knauf Insulation’s confidence in Wales as a destination for transformative projects.

    The UK and Welsh Government-backed North Wales Growth Deal and the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone collectively support the decision by Knauf Insulation to locate a second plant in the area.

    As leaders in the production of sustainable building materials, Knauf Insulation’s expansion further supports the growing advanced manufacturing cluster in North Wales.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to Government setting new ten-year budgets for R&D funding

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on DSIT setting new 10 year budgets for R&D funding.

    John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive of Wellcome, said:

    “The UK has long been a global leader in R&D and staying at the forefront requires ambitious and sustainable investment over the long-term. Making progress on critical challenges, such as antimicrobial resistance and mental health, won’t happen overnight. We welcome the government’s long-term commitment to supporting science and scientific infrastructures. This will unlock R&D for breakthrough discovery science and research with potential to improve and save lives both in the UK and beyond.”

     

    Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said:

    “Good science can take time, the pay-off can be decades later. That is why investing in research has to be a long game. The Government recommitting to the principle of ten year cycles of public investment is very welcome. It provides stability to those doing the research and shows businesses that the UK is a reliable place to invest. We look forward to seeing the details.”

     

    Professor Andrew Morris CBE FRSE PMedSci, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said:

    “The Government’s commitment to 10-year R&D funding budgets represents a positive and strategic shift that the Academy has long advocated for. The principles of this approach can provide the stability needed for breakthrough health research and innovation, potentially transforming our ability to tackle complex challenges from antimicrobial resistance to developing the next generation of medical technologies. 

    “We are particularly pleased to see the criteria focus on attracting global talent, supporting partnerships and fostering international collaboration, which are essential to maintaining the UK’s position as a world leader in medical science. Building sustainable research careers, collaborative networks and creative public-private partnerships takes time, and this long-term approach acknowledges this reality. 

    “We look forward to learning more specific details in the coming weeks, including how this funding will be sourced and allocated across health research. Overall, this announcement marks a positive step towards improving the conditions for the life sciences sector to drive both better health outcomes and economic growth.” 

     

    Prof Sir John Hardy, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said:

    “Long term certainty over science budgets would be an enormous help in planning research projects. Too often the vicissitudes of annual budget shifts have damaged scientific progress. Boom and bust destroys research progress.”

     

     

    ‘Government to set new ten-year budgets for R&D funding’ was published at 00:01 UK time on Monday 19th May. 

    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-set-new-ten-year-budgets-for-rd-funding

     

     Declared interests

    The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New rules to end Buy-Now, Pay-Later wild-west, protect millions of shoppers and drive growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New rules to end Buy-Now, Pay-Later wild-west, protect millions of shoppers and drive growth

    Over 10 million people who use Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products will gain stronger rights and clearer protections under new rules – stopping unaffordable borrowing and helping families keep more of their money.

    • Millions of Buy-Now, Pay-Later shoppers to gain stronger rights and clearer information – in line with other types of credit ending the ‘wild west’ of unregulated borrowing. 

    • New rules include affordability checks to stop people racking up unaffordable debt, and faster access to refunds to protect working people as part of the Plan for Change. 

    • Comes alongside reforms to the 50-year-old Consumer Credit Act to deliver a modern, pro-growth framework that reflects how people borrow today. 

    From next year, BNPL firms will need to follow consistent standards — so shoppers will know exactly what they’re signing up to when they opt to break up payments, whether they can afford it, and how to get help when things go wrong. 

    That means upfront checks to make sure people can repay what they borrow, fairer and faster access to refunds, and the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman — bringing BNPL in line with other credit products.  

    BNPL is a useful tool when used responsibly to help people manage their finances and has grown rapidly with an extra 2 million people using the product since 2022. 

    The changes will boost consumer confidence while giving firms the certainty they need to innovate, grow and invest — delivering on the government’s Plan for Change to grow the economy, unlock investment, create jobs and put more money into people’s pockets. 

    Emma Reynolds, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: 

    Buy-Now, Pay-Later has transformed shopping for millions, but for too long has operated as a wild west – leaving consumers exposed.

    These new rules will protect shoppers from debt traps and give the sector the certainty it needs to invest, grow, and create jobs through our Plan for Change.

    The announcement is backed by brand new reforms to the Consumer Credit Act — which will replace a 50-year-old regime with a modern, pro-growth framework that reflects how people borrow today. 

    Outdated and confusing rules will be removed, with oversight shifting to the FCA’s more flexible system — cutting unnecessary burdens on business while strengthening protections for consumers.  

    Further information

    • The government is today publishing the response to the consultation on BNPL first announced in October 2024 and has confirmed that the legislation bringing BNPL into regulation will be laid in Parliament on 19 May.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Childminding Recruitment Campaign

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    A call is going out for Dundee people to consider taking up a career in childminding.  

    The City Council is supporting the Scottish Childminding Association’s (SCMA) recruitment campaign, which a senior councillor calls an “investment in the future of the city”.  

    Advantages of flexible employability opportunities for local people to work from their own home, as well as the potential growth of childcare options for city families are being highlighted as benefits.  

    Funded training and support would be provided to successful applicants, who will also be able to access employability and Business Gateway support throughout the programme and into their self-employment journey.  

    Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure convener Cllr Steven Rome said: “We are acutely aware in the drop of the number of childminders across Scotland, which is reflected in our city.  

    “I think that this campaign will provide an investment in the future of the city, for those who set up childminding businesses and for the children and families themselves.”  

    Children, Families and Communities convener Cllr Stewart Hunter added: “We fully support this SCMA campaign which will help develop flexible and exciting employment opportunities for local people.  

    “It will also help provide more childcare options for families to allow them to take on more training or employment themselves.”  

    The campaign features Dundee childminder Elaine Bruce, who runs Elaine’s Amazing Spaces

    Elaine worked in child education for 38 years and previously worked in a senior position in a nursery. She realised she could be a professional childminder, working from home with small numbers of children.    

    She said: “I’d thoroughly recommend childminding as a career. If you’ve got a passion for working with children, the opportunity is there to make a really great business.”  

    “I felt really supported by SCMA, particularly throughout the process of registration. I thought the one-to-one support available from SCMA was invaluable. Any problem or question, no matter how small, I received help so quickly. It’s really reassuring to have experts in childminding to refer to.”  

    Elaine explains that childminding brings great benefits for the children who take part.  

    “With smaller numbers involved in childminding, there’s lots of opportunity for the younger ones to learn together to share and play in wee groups. It’s an important part of learning – things like waiting their turn – and I believe being around children that aren’t their siblings is important.”  

    A dedicated SCMA Workforce Officer is assigned to each candidate to provide expert, one-to-one support through the process of registration with the Care Inspectorate. Personalisation of the process is integral to the progression of candidates, ensuring they feel fully informed about their future career in childminding, and means they are less likely to drop out.  

    Childminders provide high-quality childcare from their home that is nurturing and safe and also provides the flexibility for childminders and their ‘mindees’ to ‘get out and about so that children have chances to learn from real life experiences.  

    As with other childcare providers such as nurseries, childminders are guided by the Curriculum for Excellence and are required to follow the values and principles of the ‘Getting It Right for Every Child’ (GIRFEC) framework, which supports the health and wellbeing of children.  

    Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, Scottish Childminding Association, said: “Childminding is a vital community asset providing local flexible childcare and family support which is so important in remote and rural communities.  The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future is an important step towards addressing the urgent demand for high-quality childcare from parents and carers and recruiting childminders in areas where they are most needed. This is a fantastic opportunity for those living in these areas to access a wealth of support in setting up their own sustainable childminding business and to undertake a rewarding new career.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of burn out

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Addyman, Associate Professor in Project Management, UCL

    Kittirat Roekburi/Shutterstock

    The pressure of decarbonising industrial sectors is weighing on workers.

    The UK’s Labour government seeks a low-carbon and homegrown energy supply by 2030. The scale and pace of this transformation is unprecedented in the country’s power sector, and will involve building twice as much transmission infrastructure (pylons, cables, substations) in the next five years as was built over the last decade.

    Much of the workforce will be drawn from the construction sector, which employs 2.3 million people. Construction forms the dominant supply chain to the 17 major infrastructure projects involved in an overhaul of the electricity grid that will connect new wind farms in the North Sea and northern Scotland to homes and businesses across Great Britain.

    The workers “on the tools” who will carry out much of this transformation are struggling. The latest analysis from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the suicide risk of construction workers is three times higher than the male national average. Scholars of construction project management have identified a toxic workplace culture in the industry, citing aggressive market competition and demanding performance metrics.

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

    This is a problem that is largely being ignored. When planners at the National Energy System Operator assessed the UK’s capacity to build a clean power sector by 2030, they considered the absolute number of workers needed, the skills required and how employment is changing in the sector.

    Their assessment failed to consider the broader implications for workforce mental health and wellbeing of such a quick and comprehensive upgrade – but it is people who are going through a rapid transition, not just infrastructure.

    Expect more of these in years to come.
    J R Patterson/Shutterstock

    Going green, feeling blue

    Construction workers already endure long hours and stress due to tight deadlines. A rapid transition to green power will substantially increase their workload, unless managed carefully.

    Our report, published July 2024, looked into wellbeing and suicide in the construction industry. We concluded that the UK government, major infrastructure owners such as National Grid and their supply chain partners who provide specialist design and construction services, must work together to solve this problem.

    Major infrastructure owners offer mental health services, such as confidential counselling, legal advice and financial guidance, to help their own employees manage personal or work-related issues. But most workers on the tools are not directly employed by these owners. Most are self-employed, or hired by construction firms, of which 99% are small- and medium-sized enterprises.

    More than 96% of construction firms have fewer than 15 employees. Smaller suppliers of specialist trade skills, like electrical and mechanical installation, have fewer employment protections and more compressed schedules, and are even less likely to have the capacity to provide these services.

    Some infrastructure owners and big construction companies extend their health and wellbeing services to these smaller suppliers. However, in an industry that is dominated by competitive tendering, which favours suppliers that keep costs low, it is no surprise that uptake has been low.

    Owners of infrastructure assets like electricity pylons and substations can drive workplace improvements by adopting procurement models that prioritise suppliers that are offering measures to improve worker wellbeing.

    Research from one of us (Jing Xu) and fellow project management expert Yanga Wu, has shown that the top-down prescriptive approach traditionally applied to health and safety in construction does not work for wellbeing. This requires a bottom-up approach, that makes it easy for workers to tell managers what they are struggling with and what they think would help.

    The construction sector also faces a shortage of workers and skills required for the green transition. The industry training board forecasts that the industry must attract the equivalent of 50,300 extra workers a year to meet expected levels of work over the next five years.

    The UK is not training enough workers to achieve net zero.
    Paya Mona/Shutterstock

    In the power sector, however, there is the additional complication of an ageing workforce, as well as differences in employment conditions between permanent and contract staff. Key expertise is at risk of being lost with retirements. Older workers often face additional pressure, not only to meet performance targets but also to compensate for gaps in expertise, and all within a fast-paced environment.

    To improve mental health and wellbeing among a diverse workforce requires engaging with workers directly and ensuring their voices are heard. This involves more than upgrading technical skills. Research to better understand how organisations can care for their workforce in the context of increasing pressures due to achieving net zero is also vital.

    Further research and collaboration with infrastructure owners and major construction contractors could help manage the risks and provide valuable insights for other sectors that will need to follow suit, such as heating, transport and agriculture.

    It is imperative to consider what a transition means: the technical transition of replacing outmoded technology, as well as the social transition, which prioritises not only skills but workplace mental health. Without a focus on both policy and people, clean power will not be delivered.

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

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

    Simon Addyman receives funding from University College London.

    Jing Xu receives funding from University College London.

    – ref. Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of burn out – https://theconversation.com/britains-net-zero-construction-workforce-is-already-at-risk-of-burn-out-249328

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Commander UKStratCom Commendations 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Commander UKStratCom Commendations 2025

    On Friday 16 May, personnel and teams from across Strategic Command came together to receive their Commander’s Commendation from General Sir Jim Hockenhull. ​​​​​​​

    MOD Copyright

    This four-star award was given in recognition of outstanding work in support of Strategic Command and wider-MOD.  

    General Sir Jim Hockenhull was pleased to welcome Strategic Command personnel from areas such as Defence Support, Permanent Joint Headquarters and Integrated Global Defence Network (IGDN). 

    MOD Copyright

    Commander Strategic Command Commendations 

    • British Army Lieutenant Colonel R Weston 

    • Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander S Williams 

    • British Army Major S Johnson 

    • British Army Major M Wyldes  

    • Royal Air Force Squadron Leader L Bryden 

    • British Army Captain W Smith 

    • British Army Staff Sergeant P Spencer 

    • British Army Sergeant R Toner 

    • British Army Corporal T Harker 

    • Civil Service J Blackwood 

    • Civil Service M Darlow 

    • Civil Service J Froom 

    • Civil Service P Reid 

    • Civilian P Sadler 

    Team Awards 

    • Defence Digital Strategic Networks, Computers and Communications (Strat NCC) Team 

    • Defence Academy Climate Change and Sustainability Lead Team 

    • Defence Support Chain Operations and Movements (DSCOM) Compassionate Cell – Joint Support

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement with the WHO in 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement with the WHO in 2025

    Joint press release: Support for Taiwan’s meaningful engagement with the World Health Organization and participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly

    Logos of all the co-signed offices

    We, the British Office Taipei; the Australian Office Taipei; the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; the Czech Economic and Cultural Office; French Office in Taipei; the German Institute Taipei; the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association;  and the Lithuanian Trade Representative Office wish to reaffirm our support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the work of the World Health Organization and Taiwan’s participation as an observer in the World Health Assembly.

    As this year’s 78th session of the World Health Assembly commences in Geneva, Taiwan remains largely excluded from the world’s international health system. As COVID-19 and continued public health crises make plain, infectious diseases and health hazards do not respect borders. Global cooperation is required to keep the whole world safe.

    Taiwan has shown itself to be a highly capable, engaged, and responsible member of the global health community and was invited to participate as an observer in WHA meetings from 2009 to 2016.  Taiwan’s distinct capabilities and methods – including its significant public health expertise, democratic governance, and advanced technology – bring considerable value that would inform the WHA’s deliberations. Taiwan’s isolation from the WHA, the preeminent global health forum, is entirely unjustified. This undermines inclusive global public health cooperation and security, which the world demands, and which is enshrined in the founding documents of the WHO. 

    Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the fora and technical committees of the World Health Organization would bring benefits not just to people in Taiwan, but also around the world. Only by including Taiwan as an observer would the WHO be able to fully exemplify the Health Assembly’s commitment to “One World for Health.”

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 154-2025: Updates to managing mushroom for propagation

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    19 May 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    This change affects importers of mushroom spawn and/or cultures for propagation, brokers, assessment officers and inspection teams.

    What has changed?

    The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) will update the import conditions and onshore management of mushroom spawn and/or cultures for propagation on 23 May 2025.

    These updates will affect importers, brokers, and department…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Legal Aid Agency data breach

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Legal Aid Agency data breach

    An update following a cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency’s online digital services.

    On Wednesday 23 April, we became aware of a cyber-attack on the Legal Aid Agency’s online digital services.

    These are the services through which legal aid providers log their work and receive payment from the Government.

    In the days following the discovery, we took immediate action to bolster the security of the system, and informed all legal aid providers that some of their details, including financial information, may have been compromised.

    Since then, we have worked closely with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre as well as informing the Information Commissioner.

    On Friday 16 May we discovered the attack was more extensive than originally understood and that the group behind it had accessed a large amount of information relating to legal aid applicants.

    We believe the group has accessed and downloaded a significant amount of personal data from those who applied for legal aid through our digital service since 2010. 

    This data may have included contact details and addresses of applicants, their dates of birth, national ID numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.

    We would urge all members of the public who have applied for legal aid in this time period to take steps to safeguard themselves. We would recommend you are alert for any suspicious activity such as unknown messages or phone calls and to be extra vigilant to update any potentially exposed passwords. If you are in doubt about anyone you are communicating with online or over the phone you should verify their identity independently before providing any information to them.

    Jane Harbottle, Chief Executive Officer of the Legal Aid Agency, said:

    I understand this news will be shocking and upsetting for people and I am extremely sorry this has happened.

    Since the discovery of the attack, my team has been working around the clock with the National Cyber Security Centre to bolster the security of our systems so we can safely continue the vital work of the agency.

    However, it has become clear that to safeguard the service and its users, we needed to take radical action. That is why we’ve taken the decision to take the online service down.

    We have put in place the necessary contingency plans to ensure those most in need of legal support and advice can continue to access the help they need during this time.

    I am incredibly grateful to legal aid providers for their patience and cooperation at a deeply challenging time.

    We will provide further updates shortly.

    Further information on how to protect yourself from the impact of a data breach can be found on the NCSC website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 19 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stoke-on-Trent to weed out illegal cannabis grows in zero-tolerance crackdown

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Weed them out graphic

    Published: Monday, 19th May 2025

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police are teaming up in a major new crackdown on illegal cannabis grows in the city.

    Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police are teaming up in a major new crackdown on illegal cannabis grows in the city.
     

    The joint operation will target cannabis grows in council properties, privately rented homes and empty commercial buildings to combat the negative impact the drug has on our communities.
     

    Action will be taken against council tenants, private landlords and their tenants, and owners of commercial buildings when a cannabis grow is found.
     

    Private landlords who knowingly allow cannabis grows in their properties could face criminal charges, while council tenants will see their tenancies terminated.

    To encourage private building owners and landlords to make sure buildings are in legal use – as well as encouraging regeneration of the city’s empty properties – charges on empty homes are now applicable and can be up to a 300% premium.
     

    The crackdown will build on the existing police Operation Levidrome, which has seen more than 21 significant cannabis grows detected in the city in the last three months.

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We are committed to tackling this issue – and it starts with the property owners.
     

    “Criminal gangs are targeting empty buildings to set up dangerous grow which create fire risks and other hazards.

    “We need to keep drugs out of our communities and out of the hands of children.
     

    “We won’t stand by while illegal activity threatens the safety of our residents.
     

    “If you see, smell or hear something suspicious: grass a grow!!! Together we will weed them out.”
     

    Stoke North Local Policing Team Inspector Victoria Ison said: “We’re determined to continue working with our partners in the city to rid the area of organised crime, including the gangs responsible for cannabis cultivation.

    “We’re acting proactively to identify, dismantle and disrupt cannabis grows in Stoke-on-Trent, and we welcome the city council’s clampdown on tenancy rules to ensure that grows are more easily identified.

    “Working in partnership with the local authority helps us act strongly against those responsible for harm in local communities. By working together, we have arrested more than 260 people suspected of high-harm offences in the city under our Making Great Places initiative.
     

    “Officers are continuing to act on the concerns of local people and businesses as robustly as possible in Stoke-on-Trent.”
     

    Over the coming months, council housing teams will carry out proactive inspections of high-risk properties, particularly those standing empty. More information about how to spot and report cannabis farms can be found at: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/police-forces/staffordshire-police/areas/staffordshire-police/campaigns/2021/cannabis-farms/

    The campaign will also work to help aide the reduction in anti-social behaviour across the city.
     
    For any other concerns relating to anti-social behaviour (ASB), report through to the ASB Team on 01782 234234, complete the online form at www.stoke.gov.uk or email asb@stoke.gov.uk

    To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    For information on charges for Empty Homes, visit: www.stoke.gov.uk/emptyandsecondhomes
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pregnant women and new mums asked to share views on vaccine

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Wolverhampton Maternity and Health Visiting Services and the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health Team are working together to better understand what pregnant women and new mothers know about whooping cough, their attitudes toward the whooping cough vaccine, and their experiences discussing vaccinations during pregnancy.

    The findings will help improve how vaccine information is communicated and guide future conversations during antenatal care.

    The survey will take less than 10 minutes to complete and is available at Pregnant women and new mothers whooping cough survey. The survey closes at the end of May.

    Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can sometimes cause serious problems, especially in babies and young children.

    Mums to be are offered the vaccine between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy so their baby has protection against whooping cough from birth. The whooping cough vaccine is also routinely given as part of the 6 in 1 combination vaccine for babies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, which also protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, hib, polio and tetanus.

    For more information on the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy, please visit Keeping well in pregnancy.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –