A retired GP and celebrated fell runner has successfully completed an 88-mile run from Keswick to Sunderland to raise money for Derwent Hill, the outdoor activity and education centre that profoundly impacted her life during her challenging teenage years.
Dr. Julie Carter completed her 88-mile, 3-day challenge on Thursday, 10th April, coinciding with her 61st birthday. She crossed the finish line at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, cheered on by family, friends, colleagues, and young people from local school Dame Dorothy.
Originally from Sunderland, Julie Carter first visited Derwent Hill over 40 years ago and cites her experiences at the centre as pivotal to her lifelong passion for the great outdoors and giving her the confidence to become a successful GP, champion fell runner, published author and accomplished playwright and actor.
Julie is aiming to raise £10,000 to send a class of 30 school children to the centre as a thank you to Derwent Hill for the opportunity she received at just 13 years old and to enable other families who may financially struggle to send their children on residential trips to do so.
North East businesses are being encouraged to support Julie’s fundraising efforts through donations to the Friends of Derwent Hill. With backing from the registered charity, she aims to raise enough funds to provide a class of young children with a five-day residential stay.
Speaking of the challenge, Julie said: “For my 60th birthday, I decided to raise money for Derwent Hill and spent months training for this run so to complete it on my 61st birthday is a real milestone for me. Despite the tough terrain, and the long distance testing me, I’m delighted to have completed the challenge. The beautiful scenery and the immeasurable support from the Derwent Hill team, my friends, family, and the local communities in Keswick and Sunderland have really kept me going.
“Huge thank you to everyone who has donated to my cause already. I am honoured to be able to send some young people to Derwent Hill and give them the change to experience the same activities, views and opportunities as I did. Many children sadly don’t get to take part in such experience due to circumstances and financial limitations but experiences like Derwent Hill can have a profound and lasting impact on young people. I hope this challenge shows others how much can be achieved and that the young people I am delighted to be able to send to Derwent Hill discover something they didn’t know about themselves like I did.”
Supported by Together for Children, Julie’s run saw her leave from Derwent Hill in Keswick on Tuesday 8 April, cross moorland and take pathways including the Pennine Way across Teesdale and Weardale before heading towards Chester-le-Street and following the River Wear into Sunderland to complete her challenge. The 88 miles of the challenge equates to more than three marathons.
Ray Ross from the Friends of Derwent Hill charity, said: “We’re proud that Derwent Hill has had such a lasting impact on Julie’s life for over 40 years, and honoured that she has taken on this challenge to raise money to send a group of children to the centre. Her resilience and passion are awe-inspiring, and it has been a real privilege to have her support and to watch her complete this journey.
“The Friends of Derwent Hill have been incredibly supported throughout. We’ve received wonderful comments and donations from local businesses about her efforts, and we’d love to add a bit more to the total. If we can help other children in the same way Derwent Hill helped Julie all those years ago, it will be an amazing legacy for the centre as well as Julie’s efforts. We’re always extremely grateful for donations, large or small so it would be wonderful to hear from anyone else who is interested in donating to The Friends of Derwent Hill.”
Located on the outskirts of Keswick, Derwent Hill is owned by Sunderland City Council and operated by Together for Children. It welcomes more than 2,600 children each year for residential visits with more than 80% living in and around Sunderland. The centre also offers a diverse array of development training courses for business of all sizes.
Simon Marshall, Director of Children’s Services and Chief Executive of Together for Children, added: “Running 88-miles in just three days is a brilliant achievement and I’d like to extend a huge congratulations and thank you to Julie for taking on this challenge on behalf of Derwent Hill. Julie’s story is a very welcome remind about just how much of a difference Derwent Hill can make for young people and her passion and determination is inspiring. We look forward to welcoming the children she has funded to visit the centre in the coming months.”
Councillor Michael Butler Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Child Poverty and Skills at Sunderland City Council said: “Derwent Hill is a wonderful resource to have and one of the only outdoor centres still owned by a local authority in the country and we are particularly proud to welcome over 2,000 children from Sunderland each year to the centre, as well as a whole host of corporate partners. Nothing beats getting out and about in the fresh air and taking on something you didn’t know you could do, and Julie truly epitomises what can be achieved when children are encouraged to try something new and to push themselves.”
Julie Carter has several writing credits to her name, including Makin a Mackem, Running the Red Line, and The Dreamtime Fell Runner.
NEW BERN, N.C. – A Roanoke Rapids man was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for charges related to the sale of narcotics and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. On November 4, 2024, Danny Steven Bryant, Jr., age 33, pled guilty to thirteen charges, including nine drug-related charges and four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in June 2021, Nash County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) began investigating Bryant for narcotics and firearms sales in Nash County, North Carolina. Investigators with NCSO, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Roanoke Rapids Police Department (RRPD), and Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) conducted multiple controlled purchases from Bryant from June 2021 through November 2021 for methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and several firearms, including one .223 AR-15 and two high capacity magazines capable of firing 100 rounds of ammunition, a .22 caliber revolver, and two .38 caliber revolvers.
Bryant is a convicted felon, having previous convictions for unlawful wounding and felon in possession of a firearm.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Roanoke Rapids Police Department, and the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie A. Childress and Katherine S. Englander prosecuted the case.
A final call has made to residents in Bowthorpe, Sewell and Mancroft to register to vote before the 11:59pm deadline tonight (Friday 11 April) ahead of four council by-elections on Thursday 1 May.
A final call has made to residents in Bowthorpe, Sewell and Mancroft to register to vote before the 11:59pm deadline tonight (Friday 11 April) to ensure they don’t lose their voice ahead of the four council by-elections scheduled for Thursday 1 May.
Four seats are up for election, three are for city councillors in:
Bowthorpe ward
Sewell ward
Mancroft ward
One seat is also up for election for Norfolk County Council in Mancroft division.
Residents can check the location of their polling station (open from 7am till 10pm on election day as normal) on their poll card which will have been delivered recently. If you did not receive a poll card and you were expecting to, please contact the elections team at elections@norwich.gov.uk.
The count scheduled to take place overnight and the results announced in the early hours of Friday 2 May.
All vaccines work by training our immune systems to recognise a harmless piece of a virus or bacteria so that when the real thing is encountered later, the immune system is prepared to defeat it.
There are two types of polio vaccine in use. One is the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), and the other the live-attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV).
The IPV is made by “killing” large quantities of poliovirus with a chemical called formalin, making it unable to replicate. The immune system is then “trained” to recognise the poliovirus – which is thankfully rendered safe by formalin.
The OPV vaccine contains a weakened (or “attenuated”) version of the virus. These changes in the virus’s genetic code stop it from causing disease. However, as the OPV vaccine is still capable of replicating, it can revert to a form that can cause disease, with the potential to cause paralysis in unvaccinated people.
Because of these risks, scientists are now looking for safer ways to create vaccines – methods that don’t require growing large amounts of the live virus in high-security labs, as is done for IPV.
Our research team has taken an important step towards producing a safer and more affordable polio vaccine. This new vaccine candidate uses virus-like particles (VLPs). These particles mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus, but are empty inside. This means there is no risk of infection, but the VLP is still recognised by the immune system, which then protects against the disease.
This vaccine candidate uses technology that’s already being used in hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. Thanks to VLPs, since 2008, there have been no cervical cancer cases in women in Scotland who were fully vaccinated against HPV. Over the past ten years, our research group has worked to apply this successful technology in the fight to eradicate polio.
Vaccine success
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, polio was a major global childhood health concern. However, the development of IPV (licensed in 1955) and of OPV (licensed in 1963), almost eliminated polio-derived paralysis. Due to the success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, introduced in 1988, most cases of paralytic polio are now caused by the vaccine.
Despite the success of these vaccines, they both have safety concerns that could threaten to compromise eradication of the disease.
IPV, for instance, is expensive to make because it needs stringent safety measures to prevent the accidental release of live poliovirus and so is mostly used in wealthy countries. OPV is five times cheaper than IPV, and due to its lower cost and ease of use, it is used almost exclusively in developing countries.
OPV has been instrumental in the near eradication of “wild polioviruses” (the naturally occurring form) around the world. But in areas where vaccination rates are low and enough people are susceptible to infection, the weakened virus (OPV) can replicate.
Unfortunately, each round of replication increases the potential for the virus to revert to a form of polio that causes illness and paralysis. This is already evident in new vaccine-derived outbreaks across several countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which now accounts for most paralytic polio cases worldwide. So, once all remaining strains of wild poliovirus have been successfully eradicated, OPV use will have to stop.
Safer vaccine
The next generation of polio vaccinations is likely to be produced in yeast or insect cells. Our research shows that VLPs produced in both yeast and insect cells can perform equally or better than the current IPV.
These non-infectious VLPs are also easier to produce than IPVs. They would not need to be handled under such stringent laboratory conditions as IPVs, and they are more temperature stable, thanks to genetic alteration of the outer shell. The new vaccines, then, will be less expensive to produce than IPVs, helping to improve fair and equal access to vaccination – ensuring that once polio is eradicated, it will stay eradicated.
As we move closer to wiping out polio worldwide, these next-generation vaccines could be the final tool we need – safe, affordable and accessible to all.
Lee Sherry worked as a post-doc on a WHO-funded research grant for the production of poliovirus virus-like particles
Nicola Stonehouse is a member of the WHO VLP vaccine Consortium and receives funding from The World Health Organisation – Generation of virus-free polio vaccine.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Clinical Trials regulations signed into law
12-month roll-out begins today for the biggest regulatory shake up of clinical trials in 20 years
New regulations for running clinical trials in the UK have now been signed into law. A 12-month roll-out begins today (11 April) to deliver the most significant update to UK clinical trials regulation in two decades – with the aim of strengthening patient safety, accelerating approvals, enabling innovation and helping more people benefit from taking part in vital research.
First laid in Parliament in December 2024, the updated regulations are designed to put participants firmly at the centre of how trials are run, while supporting a faster, more streamlined approvals, making it easier to test new treatments in the UK.
The MHRA is committed to implementing a flexible and risk-proportionate regulation of clinical trials, which accelerates patient access to potentially life-saving medicines without compromising safety.
This follows new analysis of clinical trial applications submitted to the MHRA over recent years, highlighting where there are opportunities for accelerating medical breakthroughs.
The new regulations will take full effect from 10 April 2026, following the 12-month implementation period starting this week. They were developed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in partnership with the Health Research Authority (HRA), and shaped by feedback from patients, researchers, doctors, and industry.
The reforms will:
Put patients and their safety are at the focus of all clinical trials and bring the benefits of clinical trials to everyone.
Cut duplication and unnecessary delays, while maintaining robust oversight of the safety of trials.
Create a proportionate and flexible regulatory environment, reducing bureaucracy for lower-risk trials.
Cement the UK as a destination for international trials.
Provide a framework that is streamlined, agile and responsive to innovation.
By reducing red tape and simplifying approvals, the new framework supports the Prime Minister’s target to reduce the time from application to first participant from 250 to 150 days. It will speed up research and reduce the time it takes for promising treatments to reach patients, without compromising on safety.
These reforms will help ensure the UK remains an attractive place to conduct global research, while continuing to protect trial participants through robust oversight.
The Combined Review – a system that lets researchers apply for ethics and regulatory approval in one go – and notification scheme for some clinical trial initial applications and amendments will now be written into law as part of the changes.
Work to bring in the new rules will continue over the coming months, backed by updated guidance and ongoing engagement with trial sponsors and researchers.
Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive, said:
“These new regulations are a key step towards a stronger, more responsive and risk-proportionate clinical trials system that works better for patients. They will help ensure people in the UK can benefit sooner from safe, carefully assessed research into new potentially life-saving medicines, while maintaining the highest standards of participant safety.
“By streamlining how trials are approved and run, we are making the UK a more attractive place to deliver high-quality, innovative research. I’d like to thank colleagues across the MHRA, HRA, government, industry and the clinical research community who helped shape these changes. We’ll continue to work closely with our partners through the implementation period.”
Janet Messer, Director of Approvals Service at the Health Research Authority, said:
“This is an important milestone in improving how clinical trials are set up and run in the UK. By embedding Combined Review in law, and strengthening the focus on transparency and proportionality, these changes reflect our commitment to making it easier to do high-quality research that people can trust.
“We’ve worked closely with patients, researchers and partners across the system to ensure the new regulations protect participants, while reducing unnecessary burden.
“In the coming months we’ll be publishing guidance to accompany the new regulations to support researchers through the transition period and beyond, so more people can benefit from taking part in safe, well-run research.”
The MHRA is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in Patterns looks at potential patient harms linked to the use of AI medical outcome prediction models.
Professor Peter Bannister, Fellow and Healthcare expert at the Institution of Engineering and Technology said:
“AI is trained on real-world data which include biases as well as the desired potential to enable better decisions. In the case of healthcare, there is a risk that if AI is widely used for clinical decision making, it may further marginalise groups who already have poor access to treatments. An example would be for patients where AI predicts they have a low survival rate, which means they are then not offered potentially lifesaving treatments.
“This paper proves that in many clinical decision-making processes, relying only on AI’s ability to accurately predict symptoms can sometimes lead to worse outcomes for those patients. While the authors make it clear there are further, more complex scenarios that need to be studied, this work reinforces the need for AI technologies that are used in real-world settings to be assessed in a “whole system” approach, where the overall health outcome of the patient is used to decide whether the AI is contributing to improved care.”
Professor Ibrahim Habli, Research Director, Centre for Assuring Autonomy, University of York, said:
“The study warns us about the risks of relying too much on one technology and judging it only by its accuracy, without considering who it’s for and in what situations. For AI to be used safely in healthcare, it needs to fit into the real-world practices of doctors and the specific needs of patients. The study is encouraging in that it focuses on AI safety, especially as it follows a recently published White Paper ‘Avoiding the AI off switch’ highlighting the need for AI to be a benefit, not a liability to both clinicians and patients. Treating patients is a process that changes over time, depending on their needs and available treatments. Focusing only on accuracy and outcomes can be misleading and even dangerous. AI might also show bias, such as against people with disabilities or rare diseases, making it safer for some people but not for everyone.”
Prof Ian Simpson, Professor of Biomedical Informatics, University of Edinburgh, said:
When asked how widely are these outcome prediction AI models used in the NHS/NHS Scotland right now?
“It’s reasonable to say that AI OPMs are not that widely used at the moment in the NHS/NHS Scotland. Decision support tends to be used more in association with medical hardware systems that were very early adopters of ML techniques, i.e. things like MRI machines. Here they tend to be used in parallel with existing clinical management policies and often either for assisting diagnostics and/or speeding up processes like image segmentation.
“Whilst diagnostics can fall foul of the issues raised in the paper, it’s not quite the same as the scenarios they explore in that it’s deterministic and following clinical decisions would likely be made using existing processes. Issues here tend to be more performance oriented i.e. false positives (over diagnosis) and false negatives (incorrect or missing diagnosis). These are the metrics that are currently scrutinised in approval processes. So, in short, the issues raised in this paper are in my opinion not quite so acute for diagnostics as currently deployed.”
Professor Ewen Harrison, Professor of Surgery and Data Science and Co-Director of Centre for Medical Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, said:
“Artificial intelligence and computer algorithms are increasingly used in medicine to help make difficult decisions. While these tools promise more accurate and personalised care, this study highlights one of a number of concerning downsides: predictions themselves can unintentionally harm patients by influencing treatment decisions.
“Say a hospital introduces a new AI tool to estimate who is likely to have a poor recovery after knee replacement surgery. The tool uses characteristics such as age, body weight, existing health problems, and physical fitness.
“Initially, doctors intend to use this tool to decide which patients would benefit from intensive rehabilitation therapy. However, due to limited availability and cost, it is decided instead to reserve intensive rehab primarily for patients predicted to have the best outcomes. Patients labelled by the algorithm as having a “poor predicted recovery” receive less attention, fewer physiotherapy sessions, and less encouragement overall.
“As a result, these patients indeed experience slower recovery, higher pain, and reduced mobility, seemingly confirming the accuracy of the prediction tool. In reality, however, it was the reduced support and resources – triggered by the algorithm’s predictions – that contributed to their poor outcomes. The model has thus created a harmful self-fulfilling prophecy, with accuracy metrics wrongly interpreted as evidence of its success.
“These are real issues affecting AI development in the UK. The researchers emphasise that hospitals and policymakers need to carefully monitor how predictive algorithms are actually used in practice. Doing so can help ensure that AI-driven decisions genuinely benefit patients, rather than inadvertently harming those who most need help.”
Prof Ian Simpson, Professor of Biomedical Informatics, University of Edinburgh, said:
“This is an important and timely study adding to emerging evidence that the long established dependence on predictive performance when evaluating AI models is not sufficient to support their deployment in healthcare settings. This study undertakes a formal theoretical approach to explore the relationship between model performance (how well a model predicts) and model calibration (how reliable the probabilities of those predictions are) in both pre- and post- model deployment scenarios. The study finds that, even in simple settings, models that have good performance and calibration properties could lead to worse patient outcomes if deployed.
“Intuitively, it would seem that implementing models with the best performance would be desirable, if not essential, however these models are typically trained on historical data. This bakes in relationships so that any future change in treatment from the historical process which changes a patient outcome favourably would paradoxically result in a drop in model performance during deployment. This could result in positive changes in treatment decisions leading to the withdrawal of the model due to a drop in performance below an acceptable level despite it leading to an improvement in patient outcomes. One of the interesting findings in this study is that drops in model performance on deployment could actually be evidence of a model performing well and that where models do not change performance upon deployment it may mean that the model is in fact not effective at all; it simply reinforces existing practice.
“The authors find that over a wide range of settings there is risk of “self-fulfilling prophecy” where the historical training used to develop models hard-wires decisions or worse actively disadvantages groups of patients for whom treatment changes from the established process would be beneficial. They posit a scenario where patients with a fast-growing tumour receive a decision not to undergo palliative radiotherapy based on the poor survival time predicted by the model. Patients with slower growing tumours are recommended for treatment as the model predicts a longer survival time, justifying the side-effects of the treatment. However in this scenario radiotherapy is ineffective for slow growing tumours, but highly effective for aggressive ones; the model supports exactly the wrong outcome.
“This work, building on findings by others in recent years, provides further evidence for a need to shift focus from predictive performance to an explicit consideration of the effects on patient outcomes of changes in treatment choice. The gold-standard for such are long-established in healthcare; randomised control trials designed to directly measure the effectiveness of new interventions in deployment. Regulation for AI tools is evolving rapidly around the world, but these are primarily focussed on performance both pre- and post- deployment which, as this study shows, fails to capture their effectiveness in practice and risks reinforcing bias from historical data.
“Whilst at first glance this work might seem alarming it is in fact a very encouraging development highlighting essential considerations for how to evaluate and use AI models in healthcare. These deepen our understanding of how to improve their safety and clinical effectiveness and, crucially, emphasises the importance of randomised control trials and deep integration of clinical knowledge into model development.”
Dr Catherine Menon, Principal Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire’s Department of Computer Science, said:
“This study presents results that show the risks of doctors using AI prediction models to make treatment decisions. This happens when AI models have been trained on historical data, where the data does not necessarily account for such factors as historical under-treatment of some medical conditions or demographics. These models will accurately predict poor outcomes for patients in these demographics. This creates a “self-fulfilling prophecy” if doctors decide not to treat these patients due to the associated treatment risks and the fact that the AI predicts a poor outcome for them. Even worse, this perpetuates the same historic error: under-treating these patients means that they will continue to have poorer outcomes. Useof these AI models therefore risks worsening outcomes for patients who have typically been historically discriminated against in medical settings due to factors such as race, gender or educational background.
“This demonstrates the inherent importance of evaluating AI decisions in context, and applying human reasoning and assessment to AI judgements. AIs might be accurate, but they can only understand a limited subset of the entire landscape around treatment decisions. This has important real-world implications because it shows that human oversight and sound ethical assessment of AI models is necessary if treatment decisions are going to be made based on the predictions of these AI models. Use of AI without human oversight in this context risks embedding further discrimination and disenfranchisement into medical systems.
“This also has important real-world implications beyond the medical domain. Uses of AI such as the “homicide prediction project” highlighted in https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/08/uk-creating-prediction-tool-to-identify-people-most-likely-to-kill may also lead to the same result. Certain demographics which have historically been over-policed and are over-represented within the justice system may suffer from the same AI-predicted poorer outcomes as those discussed within this medical study. This demonstrates the wider power of such predictive AI models, and the necessity to fully understand their training and scope before using them.”
Dr James N. Weinstein, Innovation and Health Equity, Microsoft Research, Health Futures, said:
“While prediction models are often praised for their accuracy, this research highlights a critical flaw: even well-performing models can lead to harmful self-fulfilling prophecies when used for treatment decisions. It’s essential to evaluate these models based on their real-world impact on patient outcomes rather than just predictive accuracy. Emphasizing “informed choice,” where medical decisions are guided by a patient’s values and preferences, is crucial to ensure that treatment and outcome decisions evolve with the patient’s condition over time.”
References:
Patient-Reported Data Can Help People Make Better Health Care Choices, William B. Weeks, MD and Dr. James N. Weinstein. September 21, 2015: Harvard Business Review
Effects of Viewing an Evidence-Based Video Decision Aid on Patients’ Treatment Preferences for Spine Surgery, Jon D. Lurie, MD, MS, Kevin F. Spratt, PhD, Emily A. Blood, MS, Tor D. Tosteson, ScD, Anna N. A. Tosteson, ScD, and James N. Weinstein, DO, MS, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA Spine (Phila Pa 1976). August 15, 2011; 36(18): 1501–1504. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182055c1e.
GenAI and Patient Choice: A New Era of Informed Healthcare, Dr. Peter Bonis and Dr. Jim Weinstein. February 28, 2025: Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare
‘When accurate prediction models yield harmful self-fulfilling prophecies’ by Wouter A.C. van Amsterdam et al. was published in Patterns at 16:00 UK time Friday 11 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2025.101229
Declared interests
Prof Ewen Harrison: EMH receives grant funding from the NIHR, Wellcome Leap, UKRI and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Prof Ian Simpson: I have consulted for, and received funding from, pharmaceutical companies including UCB and AstraZeneca. I also lead the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Biomedical Innovation that has many industry partners.
Dr Jim Weinstein: employee of Microsoft Research which is a research subsidiary of Microsoft.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government extends ban on personal meat imports to protect farmers from foot and mouth
Ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products extended to cover all EU countries to safeguard the UK food system and farmers against food and mouth disease
The Government has taken measures to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) following a rising number of cases across Europe.
From tomorrow (Saturday 12th April), travellers will no longer be able to bring cattle, sheep, goat, and pig meat, as well as dairy products, from EU countries into Great Britain for personal use, to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security.
This includes bringing items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.
Whilst FMD poses no risk to humans and there are no cases in the UK, it is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas, and the outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock.
FMD can cause significant economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy.
The Government has already banned personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products, from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year in response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in those countries.
Today’s new EU-wide restrictions better safeguard the UK against the changing disease risk, and provide clear rules for travellers, helping them to comply with the regulations. The new restrictions apply only to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:
This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot & mouth.
That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain’s food security.
UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said:
Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.
Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion.
I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Information for travellers entering the UK
From Saturday 12 April, it will be illegal for travellers from all EU countries entering Great Britain to bring items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the country. This is regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.
Detailed information is available for the public which [sets out a limited set of exemptions from these rules](https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain](https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain). For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed.
Those found with these items will need to either surrender them at the border or will have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.
Information for animal keepers
There are currently no cases of FMD in the UK, though the UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following an incursion of the disease in Germany, followed by an unrelated incursion affecting Hungary and Slovakia.
Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness with potential for blistering.
While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and therefore also prevented from entering GB.
Maintaining good biosecurity is essential to protecting the health and welfare of herds and critical to preventing the spread of diseases such as FMD and preventing an outbreak spreading.
Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling: * 03000 200 301 in England * 0300 303 8268 in Wales * your local Field Services Office in Scotland
A minute’s silence will be held in Liverpool to mark the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.
The silence will be observed on Tuesday 15 April at 3.06pm -the exact time at which the fateful match was stopped – in memory of the 97 people who lost their lives. Following the silence, a bell will toll 97 times in tribute to each victim, and then an instrumental version of You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played.
Taking place in Exchange Flags (behind Liverpool Town Hall) it will be led by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp CBE who will be joined by Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson and City Council Chief Executive, Andrew Lewis.
Members of the public are encouraged to gather in the location to show their respect.
On the day, Liverpool Town Hall will be open to the public from 2pm to 4pm to allow people to see a special Freedom of the City plaque which is engraved with the names of the 97 fans who lost their lives as a result of the disaster. The honour was bestowed on the 96 in September 2016, and Andrew Devine’s name was added in May 2022 after becoming the disaster’s 97th victim.
Flags will also be flown at half-mast from civic buildings across the city and the Town Hall will also light up red in the evening.
The Exchange Flags tribute will be livestreamed on Liverpool City Council’s Facebook and Instagram channels from 3pm.
Executive board meeting to be held on Wednesday 23 April
Senior councillors in Leeds will consider an update report on ongoing work to enhance local community services and maximise the use of council buildings at a meeting later this month.
At the meeting of the council’s executive board at Civic Hall on Wednesday 23 April, councillors will discuss the report which forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to continuously assess and review all services to ensure they are being delivered as effectively as possible in the face of ongoing significant financial challenges.
The report details the current positions regarding ongoing service reviews concerning mental health hubs for adults, Little Owls nurseries and children’s centres.
Leeds City Council currently manages three buildings delivering mental health day support and another three buildings for people with complex needs. Due to changes in how services are being delivered across the wider community, especially following the pandemic, there is less need for people to attend these buildings.
At the mental health hubs, nearly half of those receiving support do not access the building and as a result the hubs only open two or three days a week for groups or support sessions, although even on these days the capacity available is not being fully used.
At the complex needs centres attendance has also been gradually declining, with an average capacity use of 58 per cent since the pandemic.
To allow these services to be delivered more efficiently and to make better use of the buildings concerned, the council is proposing to move the three mental health hubs into the complex needs centres to become integrated community hubs for adults. There are no proposed changes to the level of support offered to people.
The complex needs centres offer greater accessibility and are of a good standard and this change would see the Stocks Hill Mental Health Support Hub move to join the Calverlands Complex Needs Centre in Horsforth, Lovell Park Mental Health Support Hub join the Wykebeck Complex Needs Centre, and Vale Circles Mental Health Support Hub join the Laurel Bank Complex Needs Centre in Middleton.
Consultation has been carried out with service users and stakeholders. Careful planning has also been undertaken to design individualised support to help people transition to the new sites or to other local community locations where services can be delivered.
The integration of services from six buildings to three would deliver savings of around £500,000 this year, while the vacated buildings at Lovell Park and Vales Circles would be made available for sale for a capital receipt to help the council meet its savings requirement of over £100million this year.
If executive board approves the proposed change, the mental health hub day services would relocate from next month with the integrated community hubs in full operation from June.
The report also gives an update regarding the review of Little Owls nurseries and children’s centres. Following a market-sounding exercise undertaken for 12 Little Owls nurseries, the potential delivery through schools or alternative providers is being progressed. Interested parties are engaging in an assessment process which will include considering the need for, or use of, existing buildings. If alternative provision cannot be secured for any of the 12 nurseries, the council will retain and continue to deliver the service itself. This position will be clarified by the end of July.
On children’s centres, the report details the timeline for proposals to improve the range, effectiveness and integration of services at the 56 centres managed by Leeds City Council or partners. Consultation will be undertaken in the summer with all interested parties, and a report on future proposals is expected to be considered by the executive board in September.
The changing role of community centres is also explained in the report, broadening their remit to offer an increasingly wide range of services and support for all ages and becoming multi-use community spaces rather than just buildings, enabling them to be accessed more fully by the wider community.
Community asset transfers are also being considered as an option for some community buildings where it is considered appropriate and with viable interest in them being run and managed at a local level.
The council-managed Leeds libraries service continues to offer an increasing range of services, while the report also outlines the potential for leisure centres to also host additional services offering greater flexibility to their local communities.
Leeds City Council deputy leader and executive member for resources Councillor Debra Coupar said:
“The council is firmly committed to continuously reviewing all our services, and how and where they are delivered to ensure they are effective and meeting the needs of residents and the communities they serve.
“Where we can make changes to improve the quality, range and accessibility of our services and to make them more integrated it makes sense to do that, while also helping to make sure our buildings and estate are being well used, maintained and are welcoming environments for people of all ages to want to use and visit.
“Our proposed change to mental health day support provision will provide a transformative boost, with the integrated community hubs for adults bringing services and people together under one roof and all the associated benefits that synergy entails. We are committed to doing everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible, while also being able to dispose of underperforming buildings to help with the significant financial challenge we face this year.”
To see the report being considered by the executive board visit Council and democracy (item 9).
Reports that former Tory Ministers Michael Gove and Alister Jack are to be given peerages and jobs for life underline why we urgently need to scrap the House of Lords, say the Scottish Greens.
The Party’s co-leader, Lorna Slater, said:
“The House of Lords is an archaic and embarrassing relic of an institution. Its very existence is an affront to democracy.
“It has no legitimacy whatsoever and is already stuffed full of donors, cronies and former politicians.
“Michael Gove and Alister Jack both supported and implemented policies that did a huge amount of damage, from a Brexit that has cost jobs and hiked up prices to the hostile environment policies that punished refugees and a series of cuts that fell on people with the least.
“The problem is much bigger than any individual. It is the system that has allowed unelected peers to have so much influence for so long. It is ridiculous for us to be ruled by people that we have no way to remove.
“One of the many advantages of independence would be the chance to finally abolish the undemocratic House of Lords.”
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Westminster City Council is ensuring everyone has access to the city’s remarkable culture on offer by teaming up with English National Opera (ENO) who have been performing in care homes across the city.
The project, funded by the council, was aimed at bringing high-quality music and art to residents who encounter physical, social and economic barriers to participation or access to culture.
Across the month of March, ENO’s musicians and singers have entertained residents in eight care settings in Westminster. They put on activities including singalong workshops using familiar and beloved opera repertoire, a craft activity for people to make their own flower brooch, as well as the opportunity to try on costumes and hats from recent ENO productions.
Classical music is known to improve people’s mental health, their breathing and boosts their mood.
One resident, Deborah, from Beachcroft Care Home said:
“It was so nice to hear such beautiful voices, the singing was superb.
“It was really nice for some of the elderly people here that have got Alzheimer’s and that sort of thing, it was nice to see them actively being involved and to have a chilled afternoon where we were entertained was absolutely lovely.”
Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Ecology and Culture, Cllr Ryan Jude, said:
“It’s so touching to see English National Opera bring such light and joy to the residents of our care settings in Westminster.
“Our city is brimming with culture, and it’s important there are no barriers to people enjoying what’s on offer on their doorstep. Through our culture fund, we’re ensuring that every person in Westminster, irrespective of age and ability, has the chance to explore the rich culture all around us.”
“We are delighted to be working with Westminster City Council to deliver our new ENO in the Community programme.
“Key funding from the council has allowed ENO to bring live music into the community and to people who otherwise may be unable to access it through ENO Engage – our learning and participation department, opera singers and the Chorus and Orchestra of ENO.
“Classical music brings human connection, mental health and wellbeing benefits and we are excited to see the impact the programme has across the borough.”
1,091 bags of litter collected across more than 80 clean-ups
Nearly 1,000 people took part, including residents, schools, businesses and community groups
Volunteers were supported with equipment from Salford Rangers and new Litter Picking Lockers
Nearly 1,000 volunteers – including residents, schools, businesses and community groups – took part in this year’s Great British Spring Clean in Salford. Together, they got involved in more than 80 litter picks and collected over 1,000 bags of rubbish from streets, parks, and green spaces across the city.
Organised clean-ups were supported by the Salford Ranger Team, who also provided litter-picking equipment. Volunteers could also access tools and supplies through Salford’s new Litter Picking Lockers – storage hubs in local parks designed to help people get involved all year round.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety at Salford City Council, said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many people getting involved in this year’s Great British Spring Clean. Whether it was a few hours with colleagues, a school litter pick, or a community clean-up – every effort has made a difference. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time to help make Salford a cleaner, greener place to live.”
The Great British Spring Clean may be over, but residents are still encouraged to become a Salford Litter Hero and help keep their local area clean. If you’d like to get involved in future clean-ups or borrow equipment from a Litter Picking Lockers, head to www.salford.gov.uk/litterheroes.
Senior councillors are to be briefed on a major regeneration vision which could see Leeds United’s iconic Elland Road home become one of the country’s largest football stadiums.
At a meeting of Leeds City Council’s executive board, members will be updated on a package of ambitious proposals that would transform a key part of south Leeds.
These include an imminent planning application from Leeds United to increase their famous ground’s capacity to up to 56,500, a move that, if approved, would see it join the ranks of the nation’s elite sporting venues.
Land immediately surrounding the stadium is owned by Leeds City Council, meaning agreements will need to be in place between the council and the club before any expansion can begin.
A report to the executive board details the vast potential of the club’s upcoming application in the context of the wider Elland Road area, comprising around 30 acres of council-owned land which could be transformed and regenerated, with billions of pounds of investment then being unlocked.
With a potential Mass Rapid Transit link for south Leeds, the report outlines a unique opportunity for Elland Road to become a year-round destination, potentially giving a huge boost to the local economy while supporting the council’s broader inclusive growth ambitions.
As well as the stadium redevelopment, long term plans for the wider south Leeds area include the potential of British Library North at Temple Works, the Holbeck Sports Hub and Heart of Holbeck, which will include the renewal of the local high street, transformation of a local community centre and the delivery of improvements to traditional terraced homes.
These projects sit alongside existing economic hubs at the White Rose Shopping Centre and White Rose Park.
At the upcoming meeting, members will be asked to note the huge potential of the Elland Road regeneration project and to approve the start of legal agreements to dispose of council land to Leeds United Football Club, which would be needed for stadium enhancement.
The executive board will also be asked to approve that the council enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Leeds United’s development partner Lowy Family Group.
Members will be asked to consider an initial period of collaboration with LFG on the wider regeneration potential and strategy for 30 acres of council owned land around the stadium.
LFG is an investor in the owners of LUFC, 49ers enterprises, and Peter Lowy, one of the principals of LFG, is a board member of the club.
Members are also being asked to approve steps to refresh the council’s vision for the future regeneration of land adjacent to an expanded stadium, and to prepare for a future public consultation on the proposals, which will enable people in the area to have their say.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Elland Road and Leeds United are part of the heart and soul of the city, and the club deserves a stadium befitting of its special status and incredible fans.
“Naturally we’re keen to support this however we can, and to work closely with the club to ensure they are in the best possible position to achieve their ambitions and build a bigger, brighter future for the club, their supporters and sport in the city.
“From a wider perspective, the regeneration of the Elland Road area also represents one of the city’s most exciting development opportunities for a generation, which would revitalise a huge area of Leeds and potentially bring hundreds of millions of pounds into our local economy.
“Local residents will be fully consulted throughout the planning process and we’re keen to ensure their voices are heard and that they get the chance to inform the project at each stage.
“We want to do all that we can to maximise this incredible opportunity and put everything we can in place, including our MoU with the club’s development partner LFG, to facilitate what could represent a genuine game changer for Leeds.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
How we protected the UK and space in March 2025
This report was issued in April 2025 and covers the time period 1 March 2025 to 31 March 2025 inclusive.
March saw continued high levels of space activity which saw both uncontrolled re-entry and collision alerts at levels above the 12-month rolling average. All NSpOC warning and protection services functioned as expected throughout the period.
Re-entry Analysis
March has seen a reduction in the number of objects re-entering Earth’s atmosphere when compared with the previous two months.
Of the 85 objects that re-entered, 73 were satellites, 7 were rocket bodies, 1 was a piece of debris and 4 were unidentified objects, likely to be either a rocket body or a satellite.
There was an increase to the in-orbit population during March, with 285 newly catalogued objects added to the US Satellite Catalogue.
131 newly catalogued objects were attributed to the Starlink constellation with a further 74 catalogued objects coming from the Falcon 9 Transporter 13 mission on 15 March.
There have been no new fragmentation (break-up) incidents this month.
Space weather
Space weather was relatively quiet during March 2025 with a general absence of significant solar activity. Key events this period included:
Early – Mid March:
Periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity were observed throughout the month. Possible impacts on satellites include increased drag on those in LEO which may have required corrective manoeuvres. High frequency radio propagation may also have been degraded at higher latitudes.
28 March:
One of the more notable events from last month was a strong high-frequency radio blackout, affecting much of the sunlit side of the Earth for about an hour. Low frequency navigation systems may have been degraded for a similar amount of time.
31 March:
A minor radiation storm occurred, with satellites likely to have experienced a modest increase in Single Event Upsets (SEUs).
Comments
The National Space Operations Centre combines and coordinates UK civil and military space domain awareness capabilities to enable operations, promote prosperity and protect UK interests in space and on Earth from space-related threats, risks and hazards
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3
News story
Tax treatment of predevelopment costs: update on consultation
Following the Court of Appeal judgement on 17 March on matters with significant readout across to this issue, the government is updating on the publication of the consultation on the tax treatment of predevelopment costs.
At Autumn Budget 2024, the government committed to publishing a consultation on the tax treatment of predevelopment costs. On 17 March, the Court of Appeal handed down its judgement in the case of Orsted West of Duddon Sands (UK) Limited and others v HMRC.
Following the Court of Appeal judgement on 17 March on matters with significant readout across to this issue, the publication of the consultation on the tax treatment of predevelopment costs is being postponed. The government is considering the implications of the judgment for the consultation. To give stakeholders and government time to reflect on the judgement, the government will determine its next steps in respect to this consultation in due course.
In the interim, the government welcomes views on what this judgement means for you or the businesses you represent. Do let us know via predevcosts@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Political Peerages: April 2025
The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring Peerages of the United Kingdom for Life.
The King has been graciously pleased to signify His intention of conferring Peerages of the United Kingdom for Life.
Nominations from the Leader of the Conservative Party:
Amanda Spielman – Former HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills.
Citation provided by the Leader of the Conservative Party
Amanda Spielman has worked in the public, voluntary and private sectors. Her main interests are in education, children’s services and regulation, where she has worked for 20 years. She served two terms as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector at Ofsted, promoting substance and integrity in education for all children and young people, and also high-quality social care. She previously chaired the exam regulator Ofqual, overseeing the programme of qualification reform.
She spent a decade with the ARK Schools academy trust, mainly as Research and Policy Director. She led a cross-government review of non-economic regulators. Her earlier career was in accounting, investment banking and private equity. She is now a trustee of the Victoria & Albert Museum and chair of the Academic Council at GEMS Education. She is also a Visiting Professor in Practice at LSE. She was born in London and brought up in Glasgow. She is married with two children.
RailAdventure UK, a specialist transport company in the West Midlands, will operate the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) vehicle for the on-road test in the city centre in May and June this year.
CVLR is a new and innovative transportation system that is using the region’s advanced automotive expertise to provide a flexible and affordable alternative to traditional light rail. It features a modern vehicle and a unique, revolutionary track design, aiming to offer a reliable, frequent, and eco-friendly ‘hop-on, hop-off’ service for Coventry residents.
RailAdventure UK has earned its reputation by providing support services for rail operations, moving trains, testing them, and running passenger services. The company has now secured the contract that will see a father-and-son team driving the vehicle and its passengers on the 220-metre demonstration track.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change at Coventry City Council, said: “This is a significant step in our ongoing testing of Very Light Rail, and it’s fantastic that we’re working with RailAdventureUK to demonstrate this innovative model and prove the benefits it will bring to Coventry.
“Very Light Rail is just the beginning of our plans to revolutionise transport in our city, tackle climate change, improve air quality, and provide a reliable and accessible travel option.
“We will be running Very Light Rail for four weeks, and residents will have the opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind vehicle and track system and provide feedback on the experience.
“I look forward to travelling in our vehicle on our track and encourage all residents to sign up when available. Details of how to apply will be made available on the council website soon.”
Kevin Walker, Managing Director of RailAdventure UK, said: “This project is a perfect fit for RailAdventure – it’s local, innovative, and uses our operational expertise and passion for bringing new ideas to life! Our local teams will be working on this test.
“With our experience as a rail operator, including battery-powered traction, we are excited to showcase why we believe there is a strong future for this type of operation. We look forward to playing a role in shaping it.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority chair, said: “Very light rail is a revolutionary technology being developed and delivered here in our region – so it’s right that the operator for this first test track should be a West Midlands company.
“The speed at which we can move from starting work to running a tram through Coventry city center shows the world how fast and efficiently a tram system can be installed. CVLR will play a huge role in delivering on my vision to connect more communities with affordable and accessible public transport.”
Graham Dibbins, Train Driver at RailAdventure, said: “It’s an extraordinary feeling to be involved in such an innovative project and at the same time to be working with my son for the first time in a professional capacity as train drivers.”
Joe Dibbins, Train Driver at RailAdventure, said: “It seems unbelievable that I am working with the one person I respect more than anyone else – my dad. The fact that this Very Light Rail project is technologically advanced is simply the icing on the cake.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority funds CVLR through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
During the four-week test, members of the public and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to experience CVLR between Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road and provide feedback. Coventry City Council is leading this groundbreaking project to create the city’s first route. In the long term, the Council plans to establish a network of routes around Coventry.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
The Truth About Porton Down
Answering the myths and misconceptions.
Porton Down carries out research to ensure that the UK’s military and wider public benefit from the latest technical and scientific developments. In the interests of national security much of this work is secret. Inevitably this has led to many myths and misconceptions springing up about Porton Down and the wider work carried out by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
The Truth
Chemical and Biological Weapons
The UK’s chemical and biological weapons programme was closed down in the 1950s. Since then Porton Down has been active in developing effective countermeasures to the constantly evolving threat posed by chemical and biological weapons. To help develop effective medical countermeasures and to test systems, we produce very small quantities of chemical and biological agents. They are stored securely and disposed of safely when they are no longer required.
Animal Testing
Safe and effective protective measures for the UK and its Armed Forces could not, currently, be achieved without the use of animals. Examples include:
Nerve Agent Pretreatment Set (NAPS) Tablets. These provide protection against exposure to nerve agents such as Sarin and VX.
ComboPen containing atropine, P2S and avizafone. This is used when individuals are showing signs of exposure to nerve agent poisoning.
Doxycycline and Ciprofloxacin are antibiotics that are given as both a pretreatment and a treatment in the event of exposure to high threat biological agents such as plague and anthrax.
All of these countermeasures are available for use by both the UK’s military and wider civilian population.
It is also notable that several products and procedures developed by Dstl are now used in the NHS. Dstl research, for example, provided evidence that giving specific blood products before casualties reach hospital could help save lives as it improves the ability to form blood-clots.
Dstl is committed to reducing the number of animal experiments. The “three Rs” of ‘reduce’ (the number of animals used), ‘refine’ (animal procedures) and ‘replace’ (animal tests with non-animal tests) are integral to our testing programme. We only apply for licenses if the research cannot be obtained without the use of animals. Dstl Porton Down currently uses less than half of one per cent of the total number of animals used in experimentation in the UK. All research involving animals is licensed by the Home Office, in accordance with relevant legislation, who carry out both announced and unannounced visits several times a year and can access the laboratories at any time.
Human Volunteers
Since 1916 over 20,000 volunteers have taken part in studies at Porton Down. Without their involvement we could not have developed the highly effective protective clothing and medical countermeasures that our armed forces rely on.
The Volunteer Programme has always been operated to the highest ethical standards of the day.
We still carry out trials with human volunteers to make the protective equipment easier to wear and to develop better training procedures. These trials comply with all nationally and internationally accepted ethical standards. All of the trials are approved by the Ministry of Defence Research Ethics Committees (MODREC) process.
If any ex Porton Down Volunteer has any concerns about the trials in which they participated or any subsequent effects on their health they should contact the Porton Down Volunteers Helpline on 0800 7832521.
The Death of Leading Aircraftsman Maddison
The death of Aircraftsman Ronald Maddison in 1953 was a tragic and regrettable incident. He died following participation in a trial in which a number of small drops of the nerve agent sarin were applied to the forearm through two layers of cloth. An inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing in 2004. He is the only member of the UK Armed Forces to have died as the direct result of participation in experimental tests carried out at Porton Down on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
Porton Down has always been open about the fact that Aircraftsman Maddison died at the site. The Wiltshire coroner held the original inquest in secret, on the grounds of national security, recording a verdict of misadventure. The pathologist’s report stated that he had died from asphyxia. The subsequent inquest into his death overturned the coroner’s original findings, recording a verdict of unlawful killing.
Aerial Release Trials
During the cold war period between 1953 and 1976, a number of aerial release trials were carried out to help the government understand how a biological attack might spread across the UK. Given the international situation at the time these trials were conducted in secret. The information obtained from these trials has been and still is vital to the defence of the UK from this type of attack. Two separate and independent reviews of the trials have both concluded that the trials did not have any adverse health effects on the UK population.
Ebola
Dstl has an active research programme on Ebola and played an important role in the UK’s support to Sierra Leone during the recent outbreak. Dstl’s scientists provided advice on the biological and physical aspects of the virus, as well as deploying highly skilled research scientists to the diagnostic laboratory at the Kerry Town Ebola Treatment Unit.
Gruinard Island
During the Second World War, Porton Down scientists developed a biological weapon using anthrax spores. Trials were held on Gruinard Island off the coast of Scotland. Anthrax spores can remain active for decades and Gruinard was finally decontaminated in 1986.
Destruction of Chemical Weapons
Each year small quantities of old chemical weapons are found in the UK. Dstl possesses the only licensed UK facility for the receipt, storage, breakdown and safe disposal of old chemical weapons. We currently have around 1,000 munitions that are in the process of being safely disposed of.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) makes annual inspections at Dstl to assess compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by confirming it is making accurate returns on munition types and numbers and is undertaking control and disposal of the UK’s old chemical weapons. We share our world leading expertise on the disposal of legacy weapons with other nations. As part of this we host an annual conference in support of the OPCW.
Alien Bodies
No aliens, either alive or dead have ever been taken to Porton Down or any other Dstl site.
Cannabis Cultivation
Dstl and its predecessors do not and have never grown cannabis at Porton Down.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Crime news: annotating bank statements to support applications
Encouraging clients to annotate their bank statements with the nature, source, and frequency of credits when applying for a representation order
Sometimes applicants have no other evidence of their income other than bank statements. For example, if they are recently self-employed. In such instances we will include all credits shown on the bank statements as income unless it appears appropriate not to include certain credits. Annotating bank statements may therefore provide suitable reason for a credit not to be included as self-employed income. In addition, for any bank statements provided in support of an application, we will include any credits that appear to form regular income. For example, regular credits from friends and family, online sales, and gambling.
If applicants annotate their bank statements before submitting them this will assist us in accurately assessing their means on first submission.
Final consultation opened on Canford incinerator proposals
This is the final Environment Agency consultation on plans for the proposed site, so don’t miss your chance to give us any new and relevant information.
If you wish to make comments about the application, please do so by 11.59pm on Friday 23 May.
The Environment Agency has today launched the final consultation into an environmental permit application for an incinerator in Canford Magna.
Following earlier consultations, we have now reached the stage where we are likely to grant the permit, having received all of the necessary information from the applicant, MVV Environment Ltd.
The company has applied for the permit to operate an incinerator on the Canford Resource Park. This does not mean a final decision has been taken, only that we will grant the permit unless we receive new information that gives cause for not allowing it. This consultation gives you the opportunity to let us know any new information.
Issues that we consider are:
relevant environmental regulatory requirements and technical standards
information on local population and sensitive sites
comments on whether the right process is being used for the activity, for example whether the technology is the right one
pollution control
the impact of noise and odour from traffic on site
whether energy generated by waste incineration is recovered as much as possible
handling and storage of waste
plans to deal with litter and vermin on site
any permit conditions that may be needed
We do not look at issues around vehicle movements to and from the site, working hours and whether or not the site is suitable for this kind of work. All of those are matters dealt with through the planning process. However, in order to build and operate the proposed incinerator, the company will need to be granted both planning permission and an environmental permit.
The agency is now consulting the public again on our draft decision and has made the draft permit and draft decision document available to view. The permit sets out the conditions being imposed on the applicant.
The company wants to burn up to 260,000 tonnes of non-hazardous waste each year in the incinerator. The proposed facility will, if given permission, burn waste to produce energy in the form of electricity. Power from this process will be exported to the National Grid.
Once the consultation closes, the Environment Agency will review all the comments received before reaching a final decision. MVV Environment Ltd has the right to appeal if the permit is refused.
If you wish to make comments about the application, please do so by 11.59pm on Friday 23 May.
Environment Agency Permitting and Support Centre,
Land Team,
Quadrant 2,
99 Parkway Avenue,
Sheffield,
S9 4WF.
If you need help accessing this consultation in another format or would like to be added to the mailing list for this application, please contact us by emailing: wessexenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 03708 506506.
We may charge for copying costs.
Please use the application number EPR/SP3127SF/A001 when you contact us.
Deteriorating Human Rights situation in Georgia: Joint Statement to the OSCE, April 2025.
UK and other OSCE participating States express concern over the deteriorating human rights situation and call on Georgia to open an inclusive dialogue with political parties, civil society and the OSCE institutions.
Thank you, Madam Chair,
I am delivering this statement on behalf of Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and my own country, Germany.
As OSCE participating States, we have committed to upholding and defending fundamental human rights, democracy, and the rule of law—not only within our own borders, but across our shared OSCE region. This commitment carries a responsibility: to hold each other accountable when we witness signs of democratic backsliding.
It is in this spirit that we express again our deep concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. Since our last discussion in February, we have regretfully witnessed Georgian authorities taking further steps away from their democratic and human rights commitments.
Madam Chair,
Our main concerns are threefold: the legislative restriction of civic space, the targeting of independent media, and the continued lack of accountability for excessive use of force by police, the use of indiscriminate violence by unidentified groups against peaceful protesters as well as unnecessarily long pre-trial detention periods and the reported ill-treatment of those in pre-trial detention.
The Foreign Agents Registration Act requires all individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding to register as so-called “Foreign Agents,” with financial sanctions and criminal penalties imposed on those who refuse. We share ODIHR’s concern that “this law, along with other recent legislative initiatives, could further curtail the activities of civil society organizations and human rights defenders by removing the safeguards needed for them to carry out their work”. This law lacks the legal safeguards that prevent civil society, media and private individuals from being branded as instruments of foreign influence based solely on funding sources, which strongly suggests that this law is not about transparency, but about suppressing dissent and tightening the grip on civil society. This is of particular concern in view of the upcoming local elections.
We are also closely monitoring recent amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation. It is essential that any changes to the electoral framework enhance transparency and public trust, and that reforms are developed through inclusive dialogue and in line with OSCE commitments. Relatedly, we are concerned about legislative amendments undermining freedom of peaceful assembly, including the amendments to the Criminal and Administrative Offences Codes and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations. The amendments undermine the principle of equal suffrage and restrict freedom of assembly, as stated in relevant ODIHR’s and Venice Commission latest opinions. We urge the Georgian authorities to implement their recommendations.
Madam Chair,
We are alarmed by the escalating threats and intimidation faced by journalists in Georgia. The Public Defender’s 2024 Human Rights Report highlights a significant decline in media freedom, exacerbated by restrictive laws—such as the recent amendments to the Law on Broadcasting—and growing hostility toward journalists.
Notably, there have been incidents where journalists were being targeted by police while covering protests, including physical assaults and equipment seizures. Furthermore, reports of targeting journalists in exile and negative rhetoric from high-ranking officials and politicians have further eroded media freedom and increased risks for journalists.
We call for the immediate cessation of these practices and the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained journalists, including Mzia Amaghlobeli, who remains in detention on charges of up to 7 years in prison.
Finally, we remain deeply troubled by the persistent lack of accountability for police violence. We have seen no evidence of credible efforts by the Georgian authorities to investigate reports of disproportionate use of force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary detentions, excessive over-reliance on long pre-trial detention periods, and mistreatment of detainees.
We call on the Georgian authorities to take immediate action to protect the rights of those exercising their fundamental freedoms and to conduct a thorough investigation of the use of police force during peaceful protests since 28 November 2024 in order to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Failure to do so further undermines public trust in Georgia’s institutions.
Madam Chair,
Despite repeated statements by Georgia reaffirming their commitment to dialogue and the OSCE principles and commitments, we have yet to see any concrete and genuine steps toward meaningful engagement. Instead, recent actions by the Georgian authorities have moved Georgia further away from democracy. We call on the Georgian authorities to open an inclusive dialogue with all political parties and civil society organisations in order to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the ongoing crisis.
We welcome recent statements by ODIHR and RFoM and strongly urge Georgia to continue to constructively engage with OSCE institutions and make use of their expertise. As fellow OSCE participating States, we will explore all available tools and mechanisms within the OSCE context going forward. In this spirit, we call on Georgian authorities to implement recommendations by ODIHR with regard to the upcoming elections.
Our unwavering commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains unchanged. We stand steadfast in our support for the Georgian people and their pursuit of a democratic, stable and European future, and we remain ready to work with Georgia to ensure it upholds its international obligations and ensures that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Speech
Challenges to media freedom in the OSCE region: UK statement to the OSCE, April 2025
Ambassador Neil Holland recalls the vital contribution of media freedom to security in the OSCE region, and calls on Russia, Belarus and others to live up to their OSCE commitments.
Thank you Mr Chair. And welcome back to the Permanent Council in your new capacity, dear Jan.
In this fiftieth anniversary year, I want to start with the Helsinki Final Act. In 1975 our predecessors accepted citizens’ right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Free, independent and pluralistic media should be at the heart of our societies and our shared security. Sadly we are still far from realising our predecessors’ ambition when it comes to media freedom and other fundamental freedoms in our region.
We believe early warning sits at the core of your mandate. We welcome your public statements on recent cases of concern and, in particular, take this opportunity to express our concern about the case of Mzia Amaglobeli in Georgia and the so called “foreign agents” law in Republika Srpska.
Since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many journalists and media workers have been killed. And over 100 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been detained or taken hostage by Russian forces. Furthermore, state disinformation, information manipulation and censorship in Russia and Belarus have reached unprecedented levels. Systemic repression has led to the closure of almost all independent media organizations and a media space largely subject to the State apparatus.
We call on both Russia and Belarus to release all political prisoners (including media actors) immediately and unconditionally, including those held by Russia in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
In order to realise the ambition of 1975, every participating State has work to do. I am pleased that the Security Committee’s May 2025 meeting will focus on security implications of information manipulation and interference.
And domestically, the UK looks forward to working with you on the safety of journalists, combatting foreign information manipulation and interference and global media freedom challenges.
We launched our National Committee for the Safety of Journalists in 2020 and the UK’s National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists was first launched in 2021. The Action Plan was refreshed in 2023 following delivery of many of its original commitments. Achievements under the 2023 Action Plan include updated Online Harassment Guidance for Journalists; the launch of a journalist safety tracker by the National Union of Journalists; and a Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Taskforce and workplan.
The SLAPPs Taskforce has initiated new guidance on SLAPPs for journalists. The Solicitors Regulation Authority who are members of the Taskforce, launched a thematic review on SLAPPs in April 2024 and published an updated warning notice on SLAPPs in 2024, to help solicitors and law firms understand their obligations and how to comply.
In 2025 the UK’s National Committee for Safety of Journalists will focus on three priority areas: enhancing the criminal justice response to crimes against journalists; supporting journalists and their employers to tackle online and offline harassment; and – with a non-legislative focus – tackling the risks posed by SLAPPs and other abusive legal threats against journalists.
The National Committee – co-chaired by the Minister for Sports, Media, Civil Society and Youth and the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls – will also develop the next iteration of the UK National Action Plan later this year.
The UK looks forward to continuing to discuss developments of concern across the wider OSCE region with you as well as our domestic policy framework. And the UK remains a strong supporter of your office, your mandate and your team. Thank you.
Walton residents are being invited to explore what home means to them at a series of workshops at Spellow Community Hub and Library.
Culture Liverpool has commissioned artist Dora Colquhoun – a neurodivergent writer, facilitator, performer, and theatre maker – to deliver series of workshops, the first of which will take place this Saturday (12 April) from 11.30 – 12.45. The interactive family taster will draw inspiration from famous characters who left home to go on an adventure such as Dorothy, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Three Little Pigs.
The Welcome Home project will culminate with a celebration event on Saturday 21 June and living room installation in the library, featuring meaningful objects collected from residents throughout the series.
The artist residency is part of Culture Liverpool’s Creative Neighbourhoods programme of collaborative projects and creative interventions that engage with communities and neighbourhoods throughout Liverpool. The work, which includes artistic residencies, public art, events and creative engagement workshops, aims to address the needs of each community at a neighbourhood level, using co-creative practices to encourage local pride, a sense of place, inclusivity, accessibility and empowerment.
This funding has been made possible as a result of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (SPF). UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to support building a sense of pride for the people of Liverpool, contributing to increasing life chances and supporting a sense of belonging for both artists and audiences. This project is supported by recovery funding provided by Central Government and Arts Council England.
The family sessions will run from 10am – 1pm on the following days:
Saturday 3 May
Saturday 17 May
Saturday 24 May
Family sessions will be co-facilitated by Isaac Nixon AKA Og the Giant! – a Liverpool based storyteller with a wealth of experience working with families to unlock their imagination through play and storytelling.
There will also be a series of sessions aimed at adults from 10am – 1pm on the following days:
Wednesday 23 April
Wednesday 7 May
Wednesday 14 May
Wednesday 21 May
Wednesday 4 June
Saturday 7 June
Wednesday 11 June
Saturday 14 June
Wednesday 18 June
The project is the latest to engage the residents in and around County Road, who were devastated when Spellow Community Hub and Library was torched last summer. Ongoing projects include What’s Your Walton Story, a 12-week creative writing course led by Writing on the Wall. Previous projects include Our Home, Our Place, Our Space, an artist residency in collaboration with Open Eye Gallery.
Dora Colquhoun, whose past successes including writing and performing in ADHD The Musical, said:
“This will be a collaborative project, allowing us to explore what different cultures need to feel safe and comfortable. While aesthetics, food and traditions may vary across cultures, the universal desire to feel welcome and secure in our community unites us all.
“My approach is to gently explore cultural differences through creative workshops, providing an opportunity for people living in and around County Road to connect and understand one another. The goal is to create a welcoming space in the library where discussions about identity and positive hopes for the future can take place.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“Spellow Community Hub and Library is a welcoming and inclusive shared space for storytelling and connection. This project aims to give marginalised or underrepresented communities a platform to share their stories; helps individuals feel seen, valued, and heard, improving confidence and belonging; and encourage pride in cultural heritage while finding common ground with others.”
Merseyside Police has arrested a man and seized suspected counterfeit clothing with a retail value of approximately £80,000 after officers visited a shop in Liverpool city centre.
In partnership with representatives from Liverpool City Council’s Trading Standards team, officers paid a visit to the store on Wednesday 9 April and seized a large quantity of clothes and trainers.
It’s suspected that the items, which had Adidas, Nike and The North Face logos attached to them, were counterfeit and being sold to the public as legitimate products. Officers also seized cash at the premises that is believed to have been made from selling the products.
A 69-year-old man from Manchester has been arrested on suspicion of: • Acquiring/using/possessing criminal property • Three counts of applying to goods/packaging a sign identical to/likely to be mistaken for a registered trade mark
He has been bailed pending further inquiries.
City centre Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Richard Clare said: “This arrest forms part of our ongoing work in the city centre aimed at disrupting criminal activity.
“Along with our partners at Trading Standards at the council, we are committed to protecting the public from poor quality or unsafe goods which put consumers at risk and threatens legitimate businesses.
“While they might look like the real thing, counterfeit clothing is usually made from poor quality materials and may be easily flammable or otherwise unsafe.
“We’ll continue to work with partners to drive this work forward and make Liverpool a safer place.”
Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Neighbourhoods and Streetscene added: “It is important that everyone is vigilant when it comes to counterfeit goods – we all like a bargain, but counterfeit clothing is poor quality, potentially unsafe and is often linked with the funding of illegal activities.
“It’s great to see our Trading Standards team work in partnership with Merseyside Police to crackdown on the sale of these goods to protect consumers. I hope this sends out a strong message to all retailers that we will not tolerate the sale of counterfeit products in our city and are not afraid to take swift and serious action.”
Disco fever is set to hit City Square this summer with the return of an exciting outdoor events space.
After a hugely successful debut last year, THOR’S tipi will return to the square on May 16 with a glamourous new disco theme, including glitter balls, the best disco music and themed activities.
The square, which last year was transformed by one of the city’s most ambitious ever transport projects, will see THOR’S providing a selection of cocktails and street food, along with disco-themed games, drinks inspired by nostalgic ice lollies, and live acoustic sessions every Thursday.
Amanda Monaghan, director at THOR’S said “We’re thrilled to be bringing THOR’S back to City Square after such a successful debut year last year, when people really got into the spirit.
“Bringing the party to such a brilliant space was fantastic and we can’t wait to get the party started in May with a new disco theme. It’s sure to be a summer to remember with some classic music, food and drinks.”
This summer will also see the arrival of a new pop-up park on City Square, with additional seating for people to enjoy the space and sunshine.
The park is designed to make the most of the perdestrianised area provided by the City Square improvement works, which have seen an eye-catching new traffic free gateway to the city created along with a new public space.
Little Bird Made will also be returning this year, hosting a monthly pop-up market on City Square.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “One of our key aims for the City Square project was to create an attractive, welcoming gateway to the city and a new public space that people living, visiting or working in the city could enjoy.
“Last summer’s events programme really brought this space to life in a whole new way and it was fantastic to see people making the most of this landmark new addition to the city’s public realm.
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people back to the square this summer for more events and activities and hopefully some sunshine too.”
THOR’S Tipi will be on City Square from May 16 until August 25 and will be delivered at no cost to the council.
Coventry city centre will play host to three events to celebrate St. George’s Day this year from Tuesday 22 – Friday 25 April.
St. George’s Day Dragon Trail is the perfect family-friendly activity and will take place from Tuesday 22 – Friday 25 in the city centre in four participating venues; Coventry Cathedral, Coventry Transport Museum, Belgrade Theatre and Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. The trail is suitable for young children with a prize for each person that completes it and locates each dragon on the map.
Visitors and residents can catch St. George slaying his dragon in Broadgate at the St. George’s Day Pageant on Wednesday 23 April from 11am – 3.30pm. The pageant will also feature Morris dancers and a DJ to enjoy.
The Home from Home Arts Exhibition is also taking place at St. Mary’s Guildhall on Friday 25 April from 5 – 9pm. The exhibition will highlight shared values of unity, history and cultural diversity, featuring pieces that reflect both English traditions and the contributions of various cultural groups. It will create a space where people of all backgrounds can connect, reflect and celebrate the evolving identity of England.
All events are free and will be suitable for all ages including families and children.
Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events, said: “We’re delighted to once again be holding free family-friendly events to celebrate St. George’s Day this month.
“Those in the city centre will be able to watch performances from our entertainers themed for St. George’s Day in Broadgate, take part in the Dragon Trail and explore some of Coventry’s fantastic venues or enjoy an evening exhibition with some of Coventry’s Cultural groups.
“All events and entertainment are completely free to all residents and visitors. Last year our St. George’s Day celebrations were extremely popular and we hope to see many join us again this year.”
All events are completely free and do not require booking. Drop by and enjoy.
All events are organised by Coventry City Council.
A poem written by the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage has been integrated into the promenade near Southsea Castle as part of Portsmouth City Council’s commitment to incorporate public art into the Southsea Coastal Scheme.
The poem is entitled ‘The Theatre of the Sea’ after the name given to the multi-tiered promenade around the castle which offers stunning views across the Solent.
It was unveiled as part of Portsmouth’s Year of Literature and Literacy 2025.
Southsea has special significance to the Poet Laureate as he has connections to the local area from his time as an undergraduate student at Portsmouth Polytechnic (now the University of Portsmouth).
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage said: “It’s four decades since I graduated from Portsmouth as a geography student; a lot has changed in that time and I see it now with the eyes of a poet.
“Being invited to write a poem that will become part of its new geography has been a great honour and a wonderful kind of reunion.”
The poem is part of a Portsmouth City Council programme of creative projects featuring a balance of local artists and artists with a national or international profile.
Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“We’re honoured that Simon Armitage has written a poem especially for Portsmouth and it adds something really special to the Southsea Coastal Scheme.
“This is one of an exciting programme of public art projects that we are planning for the seafront which will celebrate local themes and stories and offer lots of opportunities for local artists.”
The Theatre of the Sea
The performance is never the same one day
to the next. A cruise ship enters stage left
or a gull swoops down and steals the scene;
what song the weather will sing is anyone’s guess.
The moon’s reflection understudies the full moon,
then at noon the sun delivers its big speech,
costumed in flowing robes, and still gets outshone
by the extras and bit parts of yachts and clouds.
Beyond the orchestra pit of the sea wall
the hovercraft sashays in for its curtain call.
But maybe you’re the real star of the show,
playing your true self, watched from a balcony sky,
£1.5 million fund to support Windrush compensation applicants
A dedicated community support will deliver justice for victims of the Windrush scandal, ensure they have their voices heard and receive deserved compensation.
Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will receive crucial support to access the compensation they deserve under a £1.5 million fund launched by the government today.
The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) will provide claimants with dedicated advocates from community organisations to work alongside them throughout the compensation application process.
Many victims have reported that while this process is not legally complex, the emotional toll of revisiting traumatic experiences can make it difficult to navigate alone.
Delivered over the next three years and offered alongside existing support for Windrush Compensation Scheme applicants, the WCASF will break down barriers to justice by ensuring victims’ voices are heard and their experiences fully documented.
The fund delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to provide additional support and work more closely with affected communities and forms part of the wider Plan for Change to deliver justice for Windrush victims.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP said:
The Home Office Windrush scandal was an appalling injustice that should never have happened. People who had built their lives here and contributed so much to our country were wrongly treated as illegal immigrants in the place they called home.
This £1.5 million fund is a decisive step in our mission to right these wrongs. By providing dedicated advocacy support, we’re breaking down barriers and ensuring victims have a voice through every step of the compensation process.
We are determined that Windrush communities will finally receive the recognition and justice they deserve.
Advocates will help applicants gather supporting evidence, provide signposting to additional services, and create a trusted environment so no victim has to face the system by themselves.
The additional support will be of immense importance to victims. For many, the scandal resulted in loss of employment, denial of healthcare, threats of deportation, and in some cases, actual deportation from a country they had every right to call home. These experiences led to severe financial hardship, deteriorating mental health, broken families, and shattered trust in government institutions.
The fund has been shaped by extensive consultation with more than 20 organisations, all serving different segments of the Windrush community.
Advocates funded through this initiative will understand applicants’ cultural background and support them to articulate their stories in a safe environment. It aims to ensure applications fully capture the impact of the scandal on individuals’ lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.
Since coming into office, the government has re-established the Windrush Unit to oversee the department’s response to the scandal and embed permanent cultural change across the Home Office – keeping the voices of victims at the heart of all work undertaken to address the scandal.
Recruitment is currently underway for the vital role of Windrush Commissioner, who will represent victims’ views at the highest levels of government and drive lasting change. The appointment is expected by summer 2025.
Virtual information sessions for organisations interested in applying to the WCASF will be held on 14 and 15 April. To attend, you must register via email to WCSAdvocacySupportFund@homeoffice.gov.uk
All applications must be submitted via the Find and Apply Grant portal by 5pm on 9 May 2025.