Hiroshima tree of hope finds new home in Gate Lodge Gardens
10 April 2025
Horticulture students from Greenmount College shared a message of hope this week at the newly opened Gate Lodge Gardens in Derry’s St Columb’s Park, with the planting of a special tree cultivated from Ginkgo Biloba seeds from Hiroshima.
Eighty years since the devastating atomic bomb that destroyed the Japanese city, the seeds of the Hibaku-jumoku – Japanese for survivor trees – now have a new purpose, representing resilience and rebirth.
Students at the College of Agriculture, Farming, and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) at Greenmount have been entrusted with sharing their important legacy though the Green Legacy Hiroshima Project, working with partners throughout the world to reinforce the message of peace. St Columbs Park has been selected as one of a number of special sites to locate a tree, which has been grown from seedlings cultivated by the students.
The group met with the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, to plant the tree at the recently completed Gate Lodge which is part of the Acorn Farm project.
It’s a particularly fitting symbol of hope and peace to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2. Members of Foyle Obon representing the local Japanese Community also joined the Mayor and the students for the planting.
The Mayor heard more about the Green Legacy Hiroshima Project, and plans for the college to work closely with the Acorn Farm project, Derry’s first urban farm. Acorn Farm is an exciting and innovative project currently transforming a disused military site into a vibrant urban food growing space.
Speaking afterwards Mayor Barr said: “I want to thank Greenmount College for gifting the tree to Council and dedicating it to St Columb’s Park as the home for one of the Hiroshima Trees. It sends a wonderful message of peace and solidarity at a time when sadly there is much conflict and upheaval in the world.
“In a city where peace and reconciliation has led to such a positive transformation, I think our example can be one of hope for other places embroiled in war. We stand in solidarity with all the innocent victims of violence and conflict. 80 years since the end of the Second World War, it’s a timely opportunity to reflect and reinforce our message that peace is the only way forward and no one should be oppressed because of their race, politics or religion.”
The Acorn Farm project has partnered with Greenmount College and will offer student placements as part of their education offering hands on practical experience as part of the project’s Green Academy programme of community education and engagement around sustainable food production.
The £6.2million capital project is being led by Derry City and Strabane District Council, funded by the UK, and is delivered by a partnership team consisting of Council, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, The Conservation Volunteers, Developing Healthy Communities and Community Garden Support.
David Dowd from CAFRE said the students were looking forward to learning and contributing to the project. “We are delighted to be here today and to pass on this sapling which has been carefully nurtured by the students at Greenmount. It will be well looked after here, and become part of the wonderful shared community space that is being created.
“I know the students are really looking forward to continuing to engage with the learning academy that is being developed at Acorn Farm, and to playing an active role in developing new approaches to growing food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.”
Hop aboard with Translink to explore Derry City and Strabane this Easter
10 April 2025
As the Easter holidays draw near, Translink is inviting the public to embrace spring by discovering the wealth of attractions and scenic destinations across the North West.
From family adventures and fun-filled outings with friends to peaceful solo escapes, public transport provides a stress-free, affordable, and convenient way to make the most of the season.
Translink’s ‘Days Out’ webpage provides trip inspiration and all the information you’ll need to explore Northern Ireland’s breath-taking scenery and lively culture. The Family and Friends ticket is available for just £24 and provides unlimited day travel on all Translink services throughout Northern Ireland for up to two adults and four children.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, said: “Easter is a great time to get out and enjoy what the Derry and Strabane Council area has to offer. There’s so much to see and do, with history, family fun, or just a change of scenery. Walk along Derry’s famous 400-year-old Walls, immerse yourself in one of our award-winning museums, or visit the Derry Girls Experience. You can explore the beauty of the Sperrins, take in some local history and heritage, or browse independent shops and artisan makers in Strabane town centre. With so much happening across Derry and Strabane, public transport with Translink makes it all easy. This Easter break, why not leave the car behind and choose a greener alternative for your journey?”
Sarah Simpson, Area Manager at Translink, added: “With our great value fares, easy contactless payment options and extensive services, we want to make Easter days out both affordable and accessible for everyone. This Easter, hop on board one of our services for a cost-effective, convenient, and more environmentally friendly way to travel over the Easter break.”
Passengers are reminded that some rail line closures will be in place on Easter Saturday, 19th April, and Easter Sunday, 20th April, so check Translink’s Journey Planner app for the latest travel updates before setting off.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
SIA grants funds to preventing violence against women and girls
The SIA has awarded its grant for good causes to 3 organisations preventing violence against women and girls.
Today (10 April 2025) the Security Industry Authority (SIA) announced the award of its 2024 to 2025 grant for good causes.
The SIA’s grant for good causes is funded from proceeds of crime confiscated from individuals convicted of criminal offences within the private security industry. Grants are used to benefit the private security industry and improve public protection.
The beneficiaries of this year’s grants have distinct roles but share a common goal: preventing violence against women and girls. This includes working with victims and survivors of sexual violence, child sexual abuse, and domestic abuse.
Paul Cartlidge, Chair of the grants panel, and Investigations and Enforcement Head of Operational Support at the SIA, said:
We believe that crime should not pay, so it’s fitting that illegally acquired money should be taken from criminals and used for the benefit of society and especially for the protection of the public. The organisations we have awarded to this year are actively preventing violence against women and girls, and their applications resonated with the panel and stood out from many other worthy applicants.
The grants for 2024 to 2025 have been awarded to:
Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse in Essex (CARA): £10,000
The Haven Refuge Wolverhampton: £2,661.50
Rising Sun: £3,283.50
The SIA is proud to support organisations in their vital work in creating safer, more supportive communities.
Organisations are eligible to apply if they are a registered charity or a not-for-profit organisation and are able to clearly demonstrate the positive impact of the grant to public protection.
The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) enables the SIA to investigate the financial activity of people who have committed a criminal offence and confiscate the proceeds of crime through a court-issued confiscation order. The SIA has been a designated body under POCA since 2015.
The SIA receives a portion of the money it recovers through confiscation orders under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). This money can only be used to fund its financial investigation capability or distributed to good causes.
Confiscating ill-gotten cash helps to deter others from committing crime, makes sure that people do not financially benefit from criminal acts, and makes it harder for convicted criminals to come back into the private security industry.
The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, reporting to the home secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).
The Museum of Oxford (MOX) recently launched its 2025 programme of guided local history walks, exploring the quirky, alternative and unusual aspects of the city’s history.
Led by local historians and researchers, the tours offer visitors and residents the chance to explore some of the more unusual and often overlooked aspects of Oxford’s rich history.
Each tour offers a different side to Oxford, from lost shops and forgotten neighbourhoods, to Victorian revelry, rebels, radicals and even hidden stories of Shakespeare.
To mark MOX’s 50th anniversary, three brand new walks have been introduced:
The season started with Beer, Sausages and Marmalade, a food-themed history walk led by local historian Liz Woolley, while Rash or Rational? Victorian Leisure and Entertainment delved into the city’s historic entertainment venues.
Other tours offered by MOX include:
River, Meadow and Ford
The tours run on selected Wednesdays and Saturdays from April through to September. Tickets are £15 per person and available online or from the Museum of Oxford shop.
“MOX Walks are an opportunity to see Oxford in a different light, stepping off the beaten path and into the rich heritage of its residents and communities. We are delighted to be working with outstanding local guides who will bring their own research and passion for Oxford’s history to this eclectic programme.”
SYDNEY, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following its partnership with Brazilian Serie A side Esporte Clube Bahia since 2023, industry-leading global Forex and CFD broker Axi has revealed an extension to their collaboration for two more seasons. As part of the extension, the Axi brand will now feature on the shorts of the Brazilian side.
Founded in 1931, Bahia plays in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Brazil’s top league. In 2023, City Football Group became the majority shareholder of Bahia SAF holding 90% of the club’s shares. Throughout the club’s history, Bahia has won the Brasileirão title twice and their state title a total of 50 times; this year, the club has also qualified for the CONMEBOL Libertadores, the highest level of South American club football competition.
Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at Axi, shares her excitement for the partnership renewal, stating, “We are delighted to renew our partnership with Esporte Clube Bahia for two more seasons. As we step into this new season, our commitment remains stronger than ever: bridging the worlds of trading and football while empowering our clients to unlock and sharpen their trading edge. Our collaboration with Bahia allows us to strengthen our presence in a region that’s important to us and we see tremendous potential. This season, get ready to see Axi featured more prominently on the pitch, as we keep on offering memorable football experiences to our traders and partners.”
Further to Esporte Clube Bahia, the broker has had a long-standing global collaboration with Premier League club, Manchester City FC, and with Girona FC since 2023 as their Official LATAM Online Trading Partner. The broker also named England international John Stones as their Brand Ambassador in 2023.
Esporte Clube Bahia (EC Bahia) is a Brazilian Série A club based in Salvador, Bahia State. Founded in 1931, EC Bahia plays in the blue, white, and red of the Bahia State flag and is the most supported club in Northern Brazil.
About Axi
Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Courts and tribunals opening times over Easter 2025
Opening times for courts and tribunals over the Easter period.
Our courts and tribunals will temporarily close over the Easter period, from Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April 2025. They will reopen on Tuesday 22 April 2025.
Some magistrates’ courts will be open on Saturday 19 April and Monday 21 April 2025, but for remand hearings only. We’ve listed these courts below.
Two track workers struck by a wagon at Port Glasgow
Investigation into two track workers being struck by a wagon at Port Glasgow, 15 March 2025.
The wagon in contact with the track panel, on the morning after the accident (courtesy of British Transport Police).
At around 20:55 on 15 March 2025 a wagon which was being propelled by a rail-mounted crane within an engineering possession struck two track workers near to Port Glasgow station. One track worker became trapped between the wagon and a track panel which had previously been set down on the railway by a second crane. Both cranes were being used as part of the renewal of a section of track within the possession.
The track worker who was trapped had to be freed by the emergency services and was subsequently treated in hospital for their injuries.
Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events that led to the accident. It will also consider:
the actions of the staff involved in the accident and anything which may have influenced them
how crane movements were being controlled
the planning and co-ordination arrangements for the work activities being undertaken
the management of the staff involved, including their training and competence
the arrangements in place to manage and control the risks associated with movements of cranes, staff and rail vehicles.
Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.
We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.
You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.
Liverpool City Council has launched a new approach to Public Health Nursing, offering stronger, more accessible support for families, from pregnancy through school years and into parenthood, helping to improve long-term outcomes for all.
Over the coming months, residents will see improvements in how the service is delivered. Plans include creating a single point of contact for advice and support, along with a new focus on delivering services directly within local communities.
Health Visiting and School Health teams will remain in place to support families across the city, but with a renewed focus on reaching those who need help the most. The updated approach will also provide more support for mental health and wellbeing.
The early years of a child’s life are crucial to their development, health, and future opportunities.
More than 1 in 3 children are not ready for school at the age of 5 which is why the new enhanced service will play such a vital role in supporting child development, guiding parents, and ensuring children and young people get the help they need to live healthy lives.
In 2024, Liverpool City Council reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening and joining up family services by carrying out a formal open procurement process. This awarded a new contract for the delivery of public health services for children, young people, and families, including Health Visiting, the Family Nurse Partnership, and School Health.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust was selected to continue delivering these services, securing their provision for the next five years. The renewed contract brings a greater focus on integration, working closer with communities, and early intervention and prevention.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: “By delivering accessible, integrated baby, child, young person and family focused services, today’s announcement will help deliver on the council’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and set every child up for the best start in life.
“We are passionate about providing the best early help and intervention and are really excited about the new contract with our colleagues at Mersey Care, who will help drive this transformation and change.”
Prof. Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health said: “This crucial service will provide a strong foundation to help us to deliver our commitment to raise the healthiest generation of children ever, by giving parents the support they need to ensure their baby has the best start and opportunities for children and young people to grow and thrive.
“We have the chance to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of residents in the city and focus on the future and I look forward to working with our partners to develop world class services for the people of Liverpool.”
Trish Bennett, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our partnership with Liverpool City Council will help us to develop a new way of working to support local families. Our plans include an innovative partnership with council services and Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust which will focus on families rather than organisational boundaries and ensure we can provide the best support at the right time, in the right place and by the right person.”
Nuclear Taskforce lead appointed to speed up nuclear renaissance
Nuclear Taskforce lead appointed to accelerate UK’s nuclear renaissance.
John Fingleton CBE appointed as head of government’s nuclear taskforce
Taskforce will accelerate reforms of regulation needed to build new nuclear plants as part of clean energy superpower mission
part of Plan for Change to get Britain building with clean, homegrown power
John Fingleton CBE has been appointed as the lead for the Prime Minister’s Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce to speed up new nuclear plants and deliver a ‘nuclear renaissance’ as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
The appointment is the latest step in the Prime Minister’s ambitious plan to call time on a planning system that has held back new nuclear for too long, unleashing nuclear from cumbersome planning burdens to build new plants, driving energy security and economic growth.
As former boss of the Office of Fair Trading and the Board of UK Research and Innovation, John Fingleton CBE brings significant experience from outside the nuclear industry. He will lead a panel of nuclear experts to help unlock economic growth and accelerate towards net zero.
The independent taskforce will identify how nuclear regulation can better incentivise investment to deliver new projects more quickly and cost efficiently, simplify processes, and reduce duplication, all whilst upholding high safety and security standards.
This follows the reform package laid out by the Prime Minister in January, which included plans to scrap the set list of 8-sites which means nuclear sites could be built anywhere across England and Wales; and removing the expiry date on nuclear planning rules – so projects don’t get timed out and industry can plan for the long term.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
“Our Plan for Change and clean energy mission means it is time to build, build, build – it is time for a nuclear renaissance in this country, and that can only happen if we move further and faster to break down the barriers.
“John is equipped with the right experience to drive this review with the urgency required to deliver on our nuclear ambitions.”
Nuclear Regulation Taskforce lead John Fingleton CBE said:
“I am very pleased to lead this important work to improve how the UK delivers new nuclear capacity.
“I will work closely with business, regulators and other interested individuals and groups to identify how regulation can better enable and incentivise investment in this area.
“New nuclear power is essential to deliver greater productivity growth for the UK economy and greater prosperity for workers and consumers across the UK. The taskforce will work hard to ensure that we can achieve those goals.”
Britain is currently considered one of the world’s most expensive countries in which to build nuclear power. The taskforce will look at how to speed up the approval of new reactor designs and streamline how developers engage with regulators.
The recommendations from the taskforce into nuclear regulation will cover both civil and defence nuclear to support both energy security and national security, and help unlock economic growth.
The taskforce will help reinforce the importance of our Defence Nuclear Enterprise, which supports delivery of the government’s triple-lock commitment to the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
It will also explore better international alignment so reactor designs approved abroad could be green lit more quickly, minimising expensive changes.
This is part of the government push to drive growth – building on the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier this year to overhaul the legal challenges to major infrastructure projects including nuclear – with Sizewell C having suffered increased legal costs and uncertainty as a result of local activists taking them to court.
Since July, the government has committed to driving forward new nuclear – including a further £2.7 billion committed to Sizewell C last month.
Great British Nuclear also continues to progress the small modular reactor competition, with contract negotiations currently underway.
Notes to editors
The panel of nuclear experts will be appointed in due course.
From the outset, the IPO’s transformation programme has promised to deliver not only technical improvements, but a fundamental reimagining of its business. The consultation proposed changes to the law and IPO policy to help propel the IPO’s services into the digital age and put powerful tools at the fingertips of innovators and creators.
The consultation primarily focused on changes to the IPO’s trade mark, design and tribunal services. The changes will bring greater consistency across IP rights and make it simpler for customers to interact with the IPO.
The IPO is already gearing up for the launch of its new digital patents service in autumn 2025, with a small number of customers already actively using the service as part of its pilot.
Development of the new trade marks, designs and tribunal services is expected to begin in the autumn, slightly later than anticipated.
Main outcomes of the consultation
Publishing trade mark and design documents online for the first time, alongside changes to the rules governing confidentiality requests and inspection of designs documents.
Simplifying trade mark applications by discontinuing the series marks service for new applicants in the future.
Trialling mediation meetings for disputes at the IPO Tribunal, in cases where neither party has legal representation.
Extending fee payment periods for Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) to increase consistency across IP rights.
Reducing the patent inventor address details collected and published.
Making trade marks and designs documents available online
The IPO will be replacing its existing trade mark and design search services. In future, the public will be able to search for patents, trade marks and designs in one place, via the new One IPO Search tool. When this happens, trade mark and design documents will be available online for public inspection for the first time, as is already the case for patents. This could include examination reports, for example.
In addition, the government will seek to change the rules on confidentiality requests and the inspection of design documents. This will allow anyone to request, at any time, that their information is kept confidential, and also means that designs documents can be made publicly available without delay.
These changes will make trade mark and design documents quicker and easier to access, while allowing customers to request that their information is kept confidential as needed.
Simplifying trade mark applications by discontinuing the series marks service
The IPO currently offers customers the option to apply for up to six trade marks as a series at a reduced cost. The trade marks in the series must be very similar – for example the same logo in different colours.
Many customers find series marks confusing and 65% of series mark applications are filed by applicants who don’t have a representative. In 2022, 39% of these were objected to for not meeting the requirements for registering a series of trade marks. This could result in customers paying for additional trade mark applications unnecessarily. Series marks also offer limited additional legal protection and so don’t represent value for money for the customer.
As a result, the Government is discontinuing the series marks service, to simplify the trade mark application process and offer better value for money. This change will come into effect when our new digital trade marks service launches.
Existing series marks will remain valid and will not be impacted by this change. The series marks service will only be discontinued for new applications when the new digital trade marks service is launched.
Trialling mediation meetings for IP disputes
The Government is trialling new mediation meetings for certain disputes at the IPO Tribunal – starting summer 2025. It will give parties who do not have legal representation an opportunity to explore the benefits of mediation, which may resolve their dispute quicker and cheaper than formal legal proceedings.
Aligning payment periods
The Government will further align payment periods across its IP rights services to simplify them for customers. Specifically, the Government will extend the fee payment periods for supplementary protection certificates, to bring greater consistency with other payment periods. This change is expected to come into effect when our new digital trade marks, designs and IPO Tribunal services launch.
Reducing the patent inventor address details collected and published
The Government will reduce the patent inventor address details collected and published. This is to take a more proportional approach and safeguard personal information of inventors. This change is expected to come into effect when our new digital trade marks, designs and IPO Tribunal services launch.
The IPO’s CEO Adam Williams said:
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their valuable insights to our transformation consultation.
Our digital transformation journey is not just about implementing new technology—it’s a reimagining of our entire approach to delivering a better service; to do that we need to challenge ourselves to see what could be done differently, even if that means changes to existing legislation.
This is a really important step on our pathway towards delivering significantly improved, modern digital services that will better meet the needs of our customers – both now and in the future.
Kelly Saliger, President of CITMA said:
Whilst change isn’t always comfortable, it is a necessary step in recognising evolving customer and business needs. CITMA are grateful for the collaborative approach taken in respect of consultation with the UK IPO and look forward to continuing that work when arranging implementation.
As a professional membership organisation CITMA welcomes change where it offers clarity or provides efficiencies for IP specialists and will continue to offer guidance and input to the UK IPO on the next stage of consultation for the Trade Mark and Designs sections of the One IPO Transformation programme.
Notes to editors
The consultation ran for 10 weeks between 22 August 2023 and 31 October 2023.
The government response includes a summary of the submissions for each question in the consultation. All views submitted are those of respondents and should not be taken as the views of the IPO.
The IPO also held a number of round-table events with various stakeholder groups, including organisations that represent IP attorneys, business and the wider legal profession.
This consultation followed the government’s first transformation consultation, which primarily focused on the new digital patents service.
The IPO currently collects and publishes full address details for patent inventors. In future, we will seek to collect and publish less specific information, avoiding publication of the full street address.
In January 2025, the IPO launched its new ‘One IPO Search’ tool. This offers a new and improved way for the public to search patents data. Over 10,000 searches have now been made using this new service. In future, trade mark and design searches will be added to the search service, offering enhanced features and functionality compared to the existing trade mark and design search tools.
The pilot of the IPO’s new ‘One IPO Patents’ service, which includes customer accounts and patent applications, has continued to ramp up, with 65 external users from a range of firms signed up to use the service.
Fatal accident and subsequent loss of a small commercial vessel near West End, Anguilla.
Image courtesy of Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service
Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the double fatality and subsequent loss of the small commercial vessel Calypso 2 on 11 March 2023, near West End on the north-west coast of Anguilla.
This investigation was carried out by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) on behalf of the Governor of Anguilla in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the MAIB and the Red Ensign Group Category 2 registry, The Anguilla Maritime Administration.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Students and local scouts join exercise to test cyber resilience
Local students and scouts participate in a specially designed escape room aiming to enhance their skills in cyber resilience and support the local community.
West Nottinghamshire College students with Hannah Thomas, Mining Remediation Authority, and Steve Weller, CGI
Students from West Nottinghamshire College and scouts from Black Diamond Explorer Scouts recently took part in an engaging cyber escape room at the Mining Remediation Authority, aimed at both enhancing their skills in cyber resilience and supporting the Mining Remediation Authority’s commitment to delivering social value while working closely with local communities.
The event, which saw the students and scouts participate in a specially designed escape room, was part of a broader initiative to equip the next generation of professionals with the tools and knowledge required to manage and respond to cyber threats.
Black Diamond Explorer Scouts who completed the cyber escape room
The immersive exercise, brought to the Mining Remediation Authority in collaboration with CGI, one of the largest independent IT and business consulting services companies in the world, allowed students to experience first-hand the challenges of responding to a cyber-attack in a safe, controlled environment. By solving puzzles and tackling simulated security breaches, students gained valuable insights into business continuity and the importance of effective crisis management in the digital age.
As a Category 2 Responder under the UK’s Civil Contingencies Act, the Mining Remediation Authority plays a key role in protecting people and the environment from hazards caused by historical mining. Through partnerships like this with the local college and the scouts group, the Mining Remediation Authority not only helps build strong relationships but also invests in the local community, helping young people build practical skills and raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity.
Hannah Thomas, resilience manager at the Mining Remediation Authority said:
By providing these learning opportunities, we are helping to bridge the gap between education and the real-world needs of the communities we serve.
We believe that by working with local students, we can inspire the next generation to understand the critical role of cybersecurity in business resilience.
Steve Weller, director consulting services, prosecution and environment at CGI in the UK said:
We were pleased to share our Cyber Escape experience with the Mining Remediation Authority and host local students and scouts. Cyber security is vitally important for individuals, companies, educational establishments, and our communities alike.
We all spend much of our personal and professional lives online, and it is imperative that everyone knows how to practice safe cyber techniques and can continue honing their existing skills.
West Nottinghamshire College students who completed the cyber escape room
Scott Smith, digital teacher at West Nottinghamshire College, also added:
We had a fantastic time and our students had a practical first-hand experience dealing with cyber security threats in a real-life scenario that was fun and engaging.
Students also gained valuable insights into the digital transformation of paper-based assets and an understanding of the diverse needs of end-users and stakeholders as part of the records tour. This opportunity was hugely valuable in preparing our students for the world of work and it also gave them the opportunity to learn about their local area’s mining heritage.
The collaboration between CGI, West Nottinghamshire College and Black Diamond Explorer Scouts is just one example of the Mining Remediation Authority’s dedication to social value, with the organisation continually seeking innovative ways to support communities in coalfield areas.
For media enquiries contact the community response team
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
RSH warns of risks with lease-based provision of specialised supported housing
The Regulator of Social Housing has today published a report on the fundamental issues with some leased-based provision of specialised supported housing.
This is where social landlords lease properties on a long-term basis, to provide much-needed specialised housing for people with complex support needs. The ongoing level of support should be similar to that provided in a care home, while enabling people to live independently in the community.
Over a number of years, RSH has found significant and ongoing issues with some landlords in this part of the sector. Many have not been well run and have become financially distressed or insolvent when financial risks have crystalised.
RSH continues to tackle the issues that fall within its remit. It has taken action to improve the governance and decision making of some landlords. RSH has also made landlords address severe conflicts of interest, which had resulted in some taking on unfavourable lease terms and unsuitable homes from freeholders.
Yet very few lease-based landlords are delivering specialised supported housing in a way that consistently delivers the outcomes in RSH’s standards. There are still significant issues, including:
The imbalance of risk and reward between the social landlord that leases the property and the freeholder that owns it. Social landlords generally pay inflation-linked leases for at least 10 years (and often longer), which absorb a large part of their rental income despite carrying substantial responsibility.
Limited capacity to manage risks, ongoing repairs and maintenance, and void periods when the property is empty and no rent is paid.
Weak governance, with some boards not understanding the scale of their lease liabilities and not challenging these arrangements at the outset.
Some landlords taking on a large number of homes without understanding the needs of tenants or the homes they live in. This can lead to poor outcomes for tenants and landlords incorrectly claiming rent exemptions to meet their lease payments.
RSH has concluded that there is generally not enough flexibility in current lease terms for landlords to manage risks effectively. For the model to be sustainable and to protect tenants’ homes, landlords are going to have to address the issues raised in this report and this may need further negotiations with the freeholders.
Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive of RSH, said:
“Some landlords that provide specialised supported housing are exposed to a significant number of risks as a result of long-term and inflexible lease structures. The burden of risk often lies with the social landlord rather than the freeholder, and this can lead to viability issues and poor outcomes for tenants.
“We will continue to engage actively with the landlords who are failing to deliver the outcomes in our standards, and we will keep a range of regulatory interventions under review.
RSH published a report in 2019 about the issues in this sector and has continued to work intensively to tackle the issues that fall within its remit.
Notes to editors
RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.
Veolia Orchard has enriched playgrounds nationwide since 2022, enabling biodiversity to flourish in over 500 school grounds across the UK. Students in eight schools across Westminster have joined this initiative to develop long lasting environmental habits and improve their local area.
Veolia’s nationwide orchard now stands at over 1,500 apple and pear trees and 1,900 strawberry plants, with each of the 500 schools joining an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning. Veolia Orchard aims to connect children with nature, achieved even in the most urban settings with strawberry plants provided for schools with smaller outdoor spaces. Each school that has taken part in the project has joined an environmental network which encourages sustainable practices and outdoor learning. The fifty new strawberry plants have become a part of Veolia’s family tree, across five schools in Westminster:
St. Saviour’s C.E. School
The St. Marylebone CE School
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School
Halcyon London International School
Wilberforce Primary School
This spring, Veolia’s hands-on planting events have guided students through proper planting techniques and how to care for their orchard correctly. The sessions help children understand how their orchard benefits their school by enhancing their green spaces and gaining access to fresh locally-grown fruit. The schools have been supplied with peat-free soil conditioner and topsoil by Pro-Grow, helping to preserve valuable peatland habitats and prevent the release of stored carbon, supporting Veolia Orchard’s carbon-neutral goals.
Cllr Ryan Jude, Cabinet member for Climate Action, Ecology and Culture said:
It’s great to take part in something like the Veolia Orchard, to see young people engage in some hands-on sustainability, and to learn about the importance of biodiversity and its role in Westminster’s environment. It is wonderful to see students increasing their knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural world.
We know that young people are going to be the ones that will have to continue our work in addressing the ecological emergency which we declared in 2023. It is vital that we continue to work with our willing partners such as Veolia in vital areas such as this, as reflected in our most recent Greening & Biodiversity Strategy.’’
Pascal Hauret, Municipal Managing Director at Veolia said:
We’re very pleased to bring positive change to the local community in Westminster through our Veolia Orchard project, which reached more schools than ever this year. This initiative exemplifies Veolia’s dedication to building a greener, more sustainable future across the country by increasing biodiversity and inspiring positive environmental practices in young people.’’
The Veolia Orchard scheme will return again in autumn, with the launch of the new school term. Schools will be able to apply for their own orchard or strawberry patch and join the hundreds of schools already enjoying the fruitful benefits of their plants.
No fewer than 24 members of staff and 2 teams were named Amazing Social Workers by the British Association of Social Workers – with their cases profiled on the BASW website and social media channels throughout World Social Work Month.
Within Children’s Services team managers Danielle Mason, Laura Wood, Dimpal Dabb, James Fox and Leanne Broxton, deputy principal social worker Dijon Foster-Brooker, advanced practitioner Otillia Kuvarega, independent reviewing officer Dawn Halford, social workers Ashmarie Berwise, Nikita Lewis, Tasleem Aktar, Louise Jones, Jigna O’Callaghan and Kay Rides, and the SEND Family Help Team were recognised.
And in Adult Services, deputy principal social worker Laura Carter, social worker managers Yeukai Chingwena, Alison Harris and Nicky Hack, forensic social worker Sarah Robbins, and social workers Mev Clewes, Oluwaseyi Olatunde, Gorka Vazquez, Emily Haynes and Teresa Lowbridge were recognised, along with the North Adult Social Work Team.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Our social workers are all a credit to the social work profession – and it is great to see so many of them recognised publicly in this way by the British Association of Social Workers. I would like to congratulate them all.”
Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing Councillor Jasbir Jaspal added: “Well done to every one of our fantastic social work staff for the incredible work they do, day in, day out and I am so pleased that their dedication to vulnerable children, young people and adults across our city has been recognised by the British Association of Social Workers.”
Lindsey Bates from the British Association of Social Workers told each nominee: “We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you for your selfless dedication to our profession and the people we support – for being an Amazing Social Worker.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government Non-Ministerial Departments
Case study
Increasing tree establishment and resilience through mycorrhizal fungi
How the Tree Production Innovation Fund supported Rhizocore Technologies to develop locally adapted mycorrhizal fungi pellets to enhance tree growth, resilience and soil carbon capture.
Rhizocore Technologies Ltd, founded by plant scientist Toby Parkes and mycologist David Satori, specialise in the collection and production of locally adapted mycorrhizal fungi.
Mycorrhizal fungi: a group of network-forming soil fungi that form symbiotic associations (close relationships) with plants, including trees. They provide trees with increased access to soil nutrients, greater drought tolerance and resistance to soilborne diseases.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi: a type of mycorrhizal fungi that form around the surface of the roots rather than penetrate the root itself.
The company has developed a way to produce large quantities of native mycorrhizal fungi which form associations with commercially important UK tree species, such as pines, spruce, oak and birch. These associations are known as ‘mycorrhizae’ and have been shown to enhance tree establishment rates, resilience to environmental stressors and soil carbon capture.
Woodland creation site at Tilhill. Copyright Rhizocore Technologies Ltd
Challenges Rhizocore are addressing
Trees are often planted in locations that have little or no natural symbionts that support their growth and survival. Planting sites, such as old agricultural sites, where trees have been absent for a long time tend to lack natural populations of ectomycorrhizal fungi.
In addition, Rhizocore have found that fungal symbionts, which form in tree nurseries, rarely survive when planted out in the field. This can limit the nutrients young trees can access when planted.
Mycorrhizal fungi can also be difficult to grow on a large scale and some do not form the necessary associations with commercially grown trees.
Toby Parkes, CEO and Founder, summarised Rhizocore’s aims and objectives:
There was a need to find a way of delivering native, local mycorrhizal fungi to tree planting operations so that locally adapted fungi could be deployed in the field and be able to survive long enough in planting sites for a mycorrhizal symbiosis to form.
The solution
Rhizocore created ‘Rhizopellets’, which are designed to be placed into the topsoil with saplings during tree planting. These pellets keep the fungal symbionts they contain alive for months in the soil, enabling the formation of mycorrhizal associations with the planted trees.
Rhizocore collect the mycorrhizal fungi contained within their pellets from healthy, established woodlands and screen them through a process known as ‘bioprospecting’.
This process evaluates:
How beneficial the fungus will be for tree growth.
Rhizocore’s ability to grow the fungus using fermentation technology.
Following bioprospecting, fungi meeting the above criteria are combined into pellets specifically designed to be used during tree planting. They are small, light, easy to transport and handle, making them ideal for contractors to use.
Close up of a Rhizocore fungi pellet being planted with a tree sapling. Copyright Rhizocore Technologies Ltd
The Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF)
Rhizocore successfully applied for the first and second round of the Tree Production Innovation Fund in 2021 and 2022, addressing 2 of the 3 challenges outlined for the TPIF.
challenge 2: how can we develop growing systems to enhance their efficiency and resilience to change, whilst delivering improved quality and diversity of product?
challenge 3: how can innovative environmentally sustainable weed control solutions be used to reduce reliance on herbicides?
Rhizocore’s current project will evaluate how effectively different ectomycorrhizal species impact tree growth, sapling survival and carbon capture in newly planted woodlands. To do this, Rhizocore are testing a range of mycorrhizal applications on different tree species and in various soil types.
Rhizocore have used their TPIF funding to:
develop a scalable production method to supply industrial quantities of locally adapted mycorrhizal fungi
create a collection of fungal strains from multiple different species that they could deploy using their pellet method
collect data from planting sites and nurseries to demonstrate the benefits of using Rhizopellets
Rhizopellets have now been used at multiple sites with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Field data has shown significant improvements to both tree growth rates, up to 13 times quicker after 12 months. Tree survival rates have also improved by more than 20%, 12 months after planting with Rhizopellets, compared to controls.
Two people planting Rhizocore fungi pellets. Copyright Rhizocore Technologies Ltd
Rhizocore are now able to produce between 2 to 3 million Rhizopellets per year from their production facility. This enables them to deliver multiple different ectomycorrhizal species to tree planting operations nationally.
Toby Parkes, Founder and CEO, Rhizocore said:
TPIF funding has enabled Rhizocore to develop its products and systems, transitioning Rhizocore from a research phase to a commercial phase and enabled us to develop the first commercially scalable system for delivering live, locally sourced ectomycorrhizal fungi to field planting sites.
This foundational work has enabled Rhizocore to establish the data and systems needed for us to supply local ectomycorrhizal fungi to the forestry sector into the future.
The future of Rhizopellets
Rhizocore are in the final stages of their project and are currently replicating their mycorrhizal delivery method across the rest of the country. This will enable UK-wide coverage and the ability to deliver local fungi to all regions of the country.
In the future, Rhizocore will:
continue to collect fungi and data on the performance of their Rhizopellets in different conditions and with different tree species
develop a production system capable of supplying more than 10 million pellets annually
quantify the increase in carbon capture in newly planted woodlands
The Rhizopellet is suited for both commercial forestry and native woodland creation projects, looking to plant trees and benefit from ectomycorrhizal fungi.
The Rhizocore team have been attending forestry shows across the UK and delivering talks and seminars to industry bodies. They have also been hosting tours and talks at their facilities in Edinburgh. They plan to publish their results in academic journals and write articles in forestry magazines.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
New British Army robotic mine plough aims to better shield soldiers from danger
British soldiers are to be better shielded from danger as a new high-tech, remote-controlled mine plough system is put through its paces.
Mine plough on a vehicle moving through a field
New remote-controlled mine plough device for safer minefield clearing.
The system can be adapted to all suitable military vehicles.
Trials will inform future British Army mine clearing capabilities.
By cutting through minefields, the device clears explosives and pushes them aside, opening a safe path for troops to move faster and more securely towards critical enemy positions or key objectives, outpacing current methods in speed and safety.
The device, called WEEVIL, was developed collaboratively by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Pearson Engineering Ltd – a British company based in the north-east – using the latest tech. WEEVIL can clear minefields quicker and safer than present capabilities, reducing risk to soldiers on the front line. Current mine-clearing methods include the TROJAN Armoured Vehicle, which requires a three-person crew to operate directly within hazardous areas.
The system prototype currently uses the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, fitted with a full-width mine plough, advanced remote-control system, and vehicle-mounted cameras. This allows it to be operated by a single person from several miles away from danger and is expected to be able to adapt to work with any suitable vehicle platform
The ground-breaking trials are set to continue with the British Army, who will push the robotic system to its limits, providing vital insight to inform future mine-clearing capabilities. The prevalence of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in modern warfare to slow troop movements has been highlighted in by the conflict in Ukraine.
In the Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced an additional £2.2 billion for defence in 2025/26. This comes on top of the announcement of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, as the government will hit 2.5% of GDP spend by April 2027 and has a commitment to hit 3% in the next Parliament.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard said:
It won’t be a moment too soon when we no longer have to send our people directly into harm’s way to clear minefields.
This kit could tackle the deadly threat of mines in the most challenging environments, while being remotely operated by our soldiers several miles away.
It demonstrates British innovation, by British organisations, to protect British troops.
Delivering on the Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth, the government is also significantly increasing the proportion of MOD’s equipment procurement spend on novel technologies like dual-use tech, uncrewed and autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities, spending at least 10% from 2025-26.
Dstl Military Advisor Major Andrew Maggs, who pioneered WEEVIL, said:
WEEVIL is the perfect combination of tried and tested technology and modern advancements.
By enhancing existing vehicles with new capabilities, we’re able to maximise their potential and give our troops a much-needed advantage, particularly in missions where time and safety are critical.
Dstl and Pearson Engineering have successfully tested this prototype in Newcastle on a surrogate minefield. The concept is now being passed for further development to the British Army who are seeking to optimise and modernise in-service capabilities as well as develop new solutions for future challenges.
Chief Executive Officer at Pearson Engineering Ian Bell said:
We are proud to contribute to such game-changing capability. It brings together decades of development by Pearson Engineering, delivering the very best of minefield breaching technology proven around the world, and contemporary developments in teleoperation.
Work with UK MOD is an incredibly important part of our business, ensuring our troops get the latest in combat engineering capability and that we can effectively defend our nation and allies.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Nikhil Rathi reappointed as Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the reappointment of Nikhil Rathi as Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for a second five-year term until September 2030.
Nikhil Rathi’s reappointment for a second five-year term ensures continuity of leadership.
Reappointment is critical for delivering key reforms to the regulatory environment to help boost growth and deliver the Plan for Change.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has worked constructively with the government on growth mission, with refreshed ideas such as simplifying mortgage lending rules which will make it easier for first time buyers to get on the housing ladder.
Nikhil Rathi will lead the FCA as it continues to drive reform to make the UK the best place to do business by removing unnecessary, outdated and duplicate regulations – whilst ensuring consumers are protected from detriment and can be confident in markets.
Last December, the Prime Minister and Chancellor set the FCA the challenge of coming up with ideas to boost economic growth. Since then, the FCA, under the leadership of Nikhil Rathi, has stepped up to this challenge to come up with a series of policy changes to boost growth, which will have benefits in the real economy. This includes making it easier for people to get on the housing ladder through changes to the rules on mortgages and extra support to help financial services firms start and grow in the UK.
The Chancellor has since doubled down on the agenda to reform regulation with the radical Regulatory Action Plan. This cuts red tape by pledging to reduce the administrative cost of regulation on business by a quarter, to make Britain the best place in the world to do business.
The government started this programme of regulatory reforms by merging the Payment System Regulator primarily into the FCA to allow a more coordinated and streamlined approach, with a payments sector that promotes innovation and competition.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
Nikhil Rathi has been crucial in this government’s efforts to reform regulation so it supports growth and boosts investment – I am delighted he will be continuing his leadership of the FCA. We want the FCA to go further and faster to deliver this government’s Plan for Change and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve this.
Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, Nikhil Rathi, said:
I am honoured to be reappointed by the Chancellor. The FCA does vital work to enable a fair and thriving financial services sector for the good of consumers and the economy. I am proud of the reforms we have delivered to support growth, bolster operational effectiveness, set higher standards and to keep our markets clean and open. While we must go further and faster in this age of volatility, the UK is well placed as a major international financial centre.
Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority, Ashley Alder, said:
I am delighted Nikhil has been reappointed. He’s the right leader in testing times. His exemplary first term as chief executive has ensured the FCA is an organisation transformed. We’ve set a new standard for consumer protection, made it easier for businesses to access capital and quicker for firms to get authorised. That provides the solid foundation to deliver our ambitious new strategy – to deepen trust, rebalance risk, support growth and improve lives.
The government will continue to work closely with regulators to ensure they are regulating for growth, not just risk.
The FCA will publish its second report on how it has embedded its growth and competitiveness strategy later this summer.
In the meantime, the FCA is continuing to examine the financial services regulatory landscape and working to eliminate any unnecessary rules that hold back growth.
Make the most of the 2025 Bendigo Easter Festival with traditional cultural activities, entertainment, family fun and community events.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said the final preparations were underway for the homegrown community event over the long weekend from Good Friday April 18 to Easter Monday April 21.
“The festival is a major highlight in the events calendar for residents and visitors with something for everyone to enjoy and experience,” Mr Myatt said.
“With the Bendigo Easter Festival just over a week away, now’s the time to start planning your time at the festival, particularly if you are hosting visiting family and friends during the school holidays.
“I encourage you to check out our extensive online program which features many cultural performances celebrating Bendigo’s Chinese heritage and plenty of fun attractions and activities.
“This year will see an extended format for the Awakening of the Dragon which will bring together a traditional celebration of lion and dragon dance, including contemporary elements presented by the Bendigo Chinese Association and visiting lion teams. It will take place from 11am to 4pm on Easter Saturday, April 19 at Dai Gum San Precinct.
“Firecrackers will be used as part of the ceremony to wake up Dai Gum Loong from his slumber, but please note the Imperial dragon’s only public appearance will be at the Sherridon Homes Gala Parade on Easter Sunday.
“The La Trobe University Torchlight Procession – Commemorating the service of Rod Fyffe OAM will be on Easter Saturday April 19 evening starting at 7pm until approximately 8.30pm. The procession finale will be a dynamic fireworks display with the best viewing locations in Rosalind Park (near the Rotunda), the Dai Gum San precinct, View Street, Queen Elizabeth Oval and Barnard Street.”
Other highlights
This year’s festival has a new program addition with the Bendigo Chinese Association launching its Dragon Passport, featuring seven activities for primary school-aged child, including dragon-scale stamping, a scavenger hunt and mask-making. Booking is required for the hour-long sessions on Good Friday from 10am to 2pm at the Dai Gum San Precinct.
Rosalind Park will be a vibrant precinct bursting with family-friendly entertainment, stage shows, hands-on activities, live music, roving performers, and some tickets are still available for the traditional Easter Egg Hunt with 85,000 eggs nestled in straw.
The award-winning Arena Theatre Company will present a Hidden Creature Gallery combining magical adventure and amazing digital art. Using a free Arena free app on a mobile phone, families will love spotting the animated creatures hiding in plain sight in Rosalind Park.
Other highlights include The Mik Maks, The Blurbs, Djaara workshops, the Easter Bunny Stage Show, dragon craft and sand art workshop, Fosterville Gold Mine panning for gold, Farmer Darryl’s Animal Farm, Sonic the Hedgehog, Bendigo Bricks and much more. The lively atmosphere at Carnival Central on Mundy Street comes alive with lights, rides, and a sideshow alley. The CFA Kids Amusement Rides is at William Vahland Place for younger thrill seekers.
The Rotary Club Market returns on Good Friday (Pall Mall and Easter Fair Way) and Easter Sunday (Easter Fair Way) with a range arts and craft, handmade goodies, unique treasures, collectables, tasty produce and more.
Hargreaves Mall will host the Moonlight Easter Market from 10am to 4pm on Easter Saturday.
Pall Mall will host activities from 10am to 3pm on Easter Saturday including the Bendigo Braves basketball, Bendigo Strikers netball, Little Builders by Sherridon Homes and an Army Reserve exhibition.
Smaller community events during the long weekend also have a wide appeal (please check the full program for dates and times). Events include the 38th Annual Easter Model Train Exhibition, the Bendigo Foodshare Easter Bookfair, Steam to the Bendigo Easter Festival, the Rotary Club of Bendigo Easter Art Exhibition at Bendigo Town Hall and the Photographic Print and Digital Image Exhibition at Dudley House.
For live music entertainment, the Bull Street Festival will highlight the best of local and regional talent.
The City would like to take this opportunity to thank the festival’s premium sponsor Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine, a dedicated team of City staff who ensure the major event runs smoothly, the Bendigo Chinese Association, the Bendigo Easter Fair Society, and the many volunteers and community groups.
Deprivation levels in the North East of England are the highest of all regions in England, Scotland and Wales, new research by Queen’s University Belfast has found.
In the UK more widely, Northern Ireland has the highest levels of deprivation.
For the first time ever, researchers have been able to compare census data on deprivation by employment, education and health right across the UK.
They found that Northern Ireland has the highest level of the most deprived areas in the UK, followed by the North East of England and the West Midlands.
But the research also shows that London has the lowest level of self-reported health deprivation in the UK.
Most deprived areas
When the researchers looked at census data on the most deprived areas in the UK, they found that:
Northern Ireland has the highest level of the most deprived areas in the UK at 25 per cent
The North East of England has the second highest levels of deprived areas at 21 per cent
The West Midlands (England) has the third highest levels at 16.5 per cent.
Health deprivation
The researchers also examined data on health deprivation. This data was self-reported by those who responded to the 2021 census (2022 in Scotland).
They found that:
Health deprivation is particularly high in Northern Ireland with nearly 28 per cent of areas ranked among the most deprived by poor health across the UK.
In Scotland, 23 per cent of areas were among the most deprived by poor health
This was the case for 16 per cent of areas in North East England.
Levels of health deprivation were lowest in London, with just 1.5 per cent of areas ranked most deprived by poor health. The level was also low in the East of England at 2.65 per cent.
Professor Christopher Lloyd from the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s led the study. He explains: “Our research shows, for the first time, how deprivation by employment, education and health vary within and between the four nations of the UK.
“This type of analysis is important for everyone in our society as it allows us to see how our local authority areas are affected by deprivation and how this compares to other areas in the UK.”
He adds: “The insights are critical for informing public policy. Our study will allow policy makers to make a case for funding or to better direct resources given a knowledge of how their areas compare to other areas within their region, within their nation, or the UK as a whole.”
The Queen’s researchers used 2021 census data from England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2022 census data from Scotland. The project was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the University of Leeds and deprivation.org were key partners.
The full report and findings are available to download here:
The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. It funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. The Nuffield Foundation is the founder and co-funder of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. The Foundation has funded this project, but the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily the Foundation. Visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org
Man charged over alleged armed robbery at Invermay
Thursday, 10 April 2025 – 2:19 pm.
A 33-year-old Launceston man has been charged following a disturbance and an alleged armed robbery at Invermay yesterday. Police were called to Dry Street just after 10am Wednesday after reports a man had threatened members of the public while in possession of a metal pole, before stealing cash and property from a nearby business. Nobody was physically injured, and he was quickly arrested by police. The man was charged with armed robbery, assault a public officer, assault, resist a police officer, expose person, stealing, three counts of common assault, trespass and three counts of destroy property. He was detained to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court tonight.
Police have seized $1,572,000 worth of illegal tobacco and $444,000 in cash in raids on 31 premises in the Mid-North and Eyre Peninsula.
Serious and Organised Crime Branch, members of the Local Service Areas with support of Consumer and Business Services searched 31 premises at Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Port Lincoln between 1 April and 3 April as part of Operation Eclipse.
The locations searched included tobacconists, barber shops, gift shops, mini-marts, commercial storage facilities and residential premises.
The searches resulted in the arrest of a man, 51, of Whyalla Playford for unlawful possession of $225,655 cash.
Investigation is ongoing in relation to other seizures of cash and illicit tobacco.
Operation Eclipse commander Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said the regional seizures had significantly disrupted the activities of syndicates operating in those regional areas and enhanced our knowledge or their business model.
“Organised crime syndicates operating in regional areas will be subject to a whole of SAPOL response to disrupt their criminal activity and financial operations,’’ he said.
“SAPOL will pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence exists and that includes those who are supporting and enabling that activity and take every opportunity to enforce the full extent of the confiscations legislation to seize assets of those involved.’’
Operation Eclipse has so far resulted in 33 arrests for offences including blackmail, arson, money laundering and serious criminal trespass.
There have been 179 premises searched – 47 residential, 119 businesses and 13 storage facilities – more than $2 million in cash, three firearms and almost $16.2 million in tobacco seized. Significantly, there have been 366 calls to Crime Stoppers since October 2 that have resulted in information being provided to police.
Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Brett Humphrey said the partnership between CBS and SAPOL had made a significant impact on the illicit tobacco and vape trade in South Australia.
“Together, we are making inroads into the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes and we are taking this very seriously.
“CBS will continue to work with other agencies focussed on reducing the illicit tobacco trade in South Australia.”
Anyone with any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined all ten of their Senate colleagues representing New England states in seeking answers about reports that the Trump Administration is considering eliminating certain Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regional offices, including the Region 1 office that serves Rhode Island.
In a bipartisan letter, the twelve U.S. Senators urged President Trump to reject any attempt to downsize or eliminate FEMA offices, which would take critical personnel farther away from the communities they serve.
FEMA Region 1 serves state, local, and tribal governments in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The regional offices coordinate immediate response efforts when disaster strikes and, once the storm has passed, facilitate the deployment of federal assistance to support long-term recovery across New England. These offices also help communities mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events, and help homeowners, farms, and businesses stay safe before a storm or disaster hits.
“We sincerely hope these reports are untrue and that you will reject any attempt to consolidate FEMA regional offices, which would take critical personnel farther away from the communities they serve,” wrote the 12 U.S. Senators. “As you know, FEMA Region 1 serves state, local, and tribal governments in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island. It coordinates immediate response efforts when disaster strikes and, once the storm has passed, facilitates the deployment of federal assistance to support long-term recovery across New England.”
President Trump previously said he was considering getting rid of FEMA and his U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, the cabinet official who oversees FEMA, reportedly called for eliminating FEMA. Senators Reed and Whitehouse say such a move would make it harder for Rhode Island to effectively respond to and recover from major emergencies and natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, blizzards, wildfires, and more.
In addition to Reed and Whitehouse the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus King (I-ME), Peter Welch (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).
Over the past decade, FEMA has responded to nearly 1,400 disasters nationwide, including hurricanes, floods, and severe weather. The agency coordinates the federal response during emergency situations, such as calling the U.S. Department of Defense to assist with rescue helicopters or trucking in generators in the aftermath of a storm. FEMA also helps state and local communities with recovery operations, including damage assessment and distribution of federal funds to help rebuild. Over the last four years, FEMA has provided over $145 billion nationwide to individuals, states, and local governments and some nonprofits to help with recovery efforts.
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear President Trump,
We write regarding reports that the White House is considering a proposal to eliminate Region 1 of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). We sincerely hope these reports are untrue and that you will reject any attempt to consolidate FEMA regional offices, which would take critical personnel farther away from the communities they serve.
As you know, FEMA Region 1 serves state, local, and tribal governments in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island. It coordinates immediate response efforts when disaster strikes and, once the storm has passed, facilitates the deployment of federal assistance to support long-term recovery across New England.
In recent years, New England has been struck by several natural disasters resulting in tragic loss of life and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure damage. Through their partnership in our states’ recovery efforts, FEMA Region 1 personnel have developed an intimate familiarity with our state, local, and tribal government counterparts and with the unique attributes that differentiate New England from the rest of the country. Any attempt to shutter Region 1 or subsume it into a larger entity will squander that expertise, gained over years of experience navigating increasingly frequent disasters in the region, and materially degrade service in our states.
FEMA regional offices provide critical, on-the-ground assistance to disaster-affected communities. They offer the resources and expertise many communities lack. FEMA must be improved to benefit recovering communities, but regional office consolidations will leave state, local, and tribal governments stranded when disaster strikes, and make federal disaster assistance less effective in the long term. In the wake of a disaster, our communities should not be forced to navigate critical federal disaster assistance programs with only the limited counsel of staff far removed from conditions on the ground.
We respectfully request a prompt response regarding the veracity of reports that your Administration is considering eliminating FEMA Region 1 and, if such reports are true, urge you to reject this deeply misguided proposal.
Sincerely,
The City of Greater Bendigo has launched its Customer First survey this week to gain valuable insights on ways to further enhance its overall customer experience.
This survey will target 5,400 customers who have lodged a request in the past four months either by phone, in person, or digitally such as via the City’s website or email.
The first stage of the survey aims to gather valuable customer feedback on how specific requests were managed from start to finish.
Director Corporate Performance Jess Howard said she was delighted to launch the Customer First survey.
“This is one of the City’s key priorities to further enhance our customer service across the organisation,” Ms Howard said.
“This survey will allow us to gather valuable insights about customer interactions with the City when they lodge a request.
“The survey focuses on ease, action, and outcome.
“We want to gain an understanding of how we have managed specific customer requests and to gauge overall satisfaction with the process.
“We want to hear what is working well, what areas of the process need improvement, and concerns experienced by customers during their interactions with the City.
“As the survey questions are related to a recent request made over the past four months, customers will be familiar with the details which will be greatly beneficial.
“The information from the survey is important as it will help guide the development of a Customer First Action Plan, the next step in the project.
“The plan will help us improve the way the City responds to our customers and hopefully increase customer satisfaction.
“Putting customers first is our priority.”
In the last financial year, the City’s Customer Experience staff managed over 91,000 phone calls and 32,000 digital requests lodged via the City website, email, or from a mobile phone.
Requests not resolved during the initial contact with Customer Experience staff are added to the City’s customer request system to be actioned by the relevant unit within the organisation.
The survey will be led and conducted by the City’s Senior Customer Experience staff who will call or email selected participants during business hours only, and not at weekends.
No personal or financial information will be requested from participants for the survey.
If you receive a phone call or email and are unsure about its authenticity, you are encouraged to contact the City’s Customer Experience staff for confirmation via phone or email:
First-ever MHRA analysis of UK clinical trial applications finds new opportunities to drive medical breakthroughs for patients
New analysis of the current clinical trial landscape in the UK shows clear opportunities to shape the future of medical research and patient care.
The first-ever analysis of the UK clinical trial landscape by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the University of Liverpool reveals the UK is a global leader in clinical research – and sets out key opportunities to deliver even more life-changing treatments for patients.
Published today in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, the report offers the most detailed picture yet of the UK’s clinical trials landscape. It finds strong innovation – but also a concentration of research in certain disease areas, and opportunities for increased representation of certain patient groups.
A roadmap for stronger, more inclusive research
The MHRA is using the insights to build upon the country’s world-leading clinical research and deliver its new clinical trials regulations to create a more efficient, streamlined and adaptable regulatory framework. Working in partnership with patients, the NHS, industry and academia, the MHRA will support increased research into underrepresented conditions, improve diversity in trial participation, and attract further global investment in innovation.
Professor Andrea Manfrin, lead author of the study and MHRA Deputy Director, Clinical Investigations and Trials, said:
“Clinical trials are the backbone of medical progress, essential for developing new medicines and advancing our understanding of diseases. This analysis shows clearly where the UK is leading – and where we need to work with our stakeholders to go further. By working together with patients, the NHS, industry, and researchers across the life sciences ecosystem to identify and maximise these opportunities, we can ensure clinical trials are faster, fairer, and more inclusive. Better trials mean better, more effective treatments, reaching NHS patients as quickly and as safely as possible.”
Professor Sir Munir Pirmohamed, co-author of the study at the University of Liverpool, said:
“The analysis from the MHRA clinical trials database shows the richness of UK clinical trial activity involving medicines. Importantly it also provides a baseline which can be used to increase future UK clinical trial activity, which is important for improving both patient outcomes and economic investment.”
With the global clinical trials market expected to nearly double to over £80 billion by 2032, insights from the analysis will help shape policies that can bring innovative, new medicines to patients, attract investment, accelerate medical innovation, and expand trial access for UK patients.
Key findings from the MHRA and University of Liverpool’s analysis of all 4,616 clinical trials submitted between 2019 and 2023:
The UK is a hub for pioneering research, with one in eight trials testing treatments in humans for the first time. There is strong commercial investment in UK trials, with 85% industry sponsored. A smaller share (15%) comes from universities, hospitals, and charities.
Cancer trials dominate, making up nearly a third of all studies, but other major diseases lag behind. Heart disease – the world’s biggest killer – receives just 5.2% of research focus. Trials for conditions such as chronic pain, respiratory conditions and mental health disorders were among the least common, despite their major impact on public health.
Both sexes were included in most trials (90%), however male-only trials (6.1%) were nearly twice as common as female-only studies (3.7%). Pregnant and breastfeeding women were represented in 1.1% and 0.6% of trials, respectively, which could impact treatment suitability for these groups.
Cutting-edge treatments, such as gene and cell therapies, represent a growing clinical area but make up only 3.4% of trials, despite their potential to transform care for patients with limited treatment options.
Partnership working to strengthen UK clinical research
The report sets a baseline to track progress and inform future funding, policy and regulation. The MHRA is already working with partners across the life sciences sector to increase research and streamline approvals in areas of unmet need through the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP); improve diversity in trial participation through the development of joint guidance with the Health Research Authority (HRA) so trials reflect the populations they aim to serve; and support more advanced therapy trials through collaboration with researchers via the Centres of Excellence for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSIs).
These initiatives form part of wider clinical trials reform, including new legislation we are committed to implementing that will streamline how clinical trials are run in the UK. Backed by the MHRA and healthcare system partners, the changes aim to protect patient safety, boost global investment, and cut unnecessary red tape – helping bring new treatments to patients faster.
As the government pushes forward the development of the Life Sciences Sector Plan and the 10 Year Health Plan, these findings come at a crucial time. They can be used to shape policies that ensure clinical trials deliver maximum benefit for patients, the NHS and the wider economy.
Health Minister Karin Smyth said:
“The government is determined to make Britain a world leader in life sciences, developing groundbreaking treatments focused on the conditions that matter most to patients.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we’re laying the foundations for a modern, resilient health system that delivers, which is why the Prime Minister announced £520 million investment this week to turbocharge medical research.
“By driving forward research and expanding access to clinical trials, we can ensure patients benefit from cutting-edge treatments quicker, while creating high-quality jobs and attracting global investment.
“Strengthening the trial environment will help ensure we have an NHS fit for the future – one that harnesses innovation to improve outcomes for patients.”
Science Minister Lord Vallance said:
“As home to a thriving life sciences sector and the NHS, the UK is uniquely placed to host the trials and research that are taking the fight to a host of devastating health conditions. But as this data shows, we can go further and move faster through targeted investment, and smart regulation.
“We are committed to doing precisely that – through this year’s record £13.9 billion funding for R&D in life sciences and beyond, as well as the efforts of our new Regulatory Innovation Office. We must make sure that trials of new medicines are available to everyone to take part.”
Matt Westmore, Health Research Authority Chief Executive:
“Health and social care research should be done with, and for, everyone.
“We know that trials that involve a diverse group of participants help provide a better understanding of how effective a treatment is for different groups of people. In turn this helps us support efforts to address health inequalities.
“We are pleased to be working alongside the MHRA to develop new guidance designed to make it easier for researchers to ensure they are designing trials that are more representative of the people it is for and about.”
Lawrence Tallon, MHRA Chief Executive, said:
“This first-of-its-kind analysis builds on our important work to strengthen clinical research in the UK. We are committed to implementing a flexible and risk-proportionate regulatory approach for clinical trials, which accelerates patient access to potentially life-saving medicines without compromising safety.
“We’re making the UK one of the best places in the world to run clinical trials, with combined review approval times with the Health Research Authority now at 60 days or less for all trials. These changes not only benefit patients today but are laying the groundwork to accelerate innovation and deliver life-changing treatments to patients faster.”
The MHRA will continue tracking progress and working with its partners to ensure the UK remains a world leader in medical research, keeping patient safety at the heart of clinical trials.
Notes to editors
Publication: Andrea Manfrin et al. (2025) ‘Analysis of 4616 clinical trial initial submissions received by the MHRA between February 2019 and October 2023’ British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. DOI: 10.1002/bcp.70061.
This analysis includes all 4,616 initial clinical trial submissions of investigational medicinal products (CTIMPs) received by the MHRA Clinical Trials Unit between February 2019 and October 2023. Other types of studies, such as non-CTIMPs, are not under the MHRA’s remit. For further information, please refer to the publication.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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 States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Text of Letter (PDF)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined Congressman Richard E. Neal, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09) – in demanding answers from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. after the abrupt shuttering of the entire HHS Regional Office (RO) in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 1, 2025.
In the letter, the lawmakers write, “It is impossible to overstate the lasting consequences this reckless action will have on every single person in this region—whether the families who rely on Region 1 employees dutifully overseeing child care licensing systems to ensure they deliver quality care to our children, or the coordination these civil servants conduct with state survey agencies to make sure all our nursing homes meet federal safety standards. Through steadfast commitment to the programs they oversee, employees of ROs provide a service to all of us whether we know it or not.”
The HHS Boston RO employs hundreds of workers who serve Americans from Maine to Connecticut. As the economic catastrophe caused by Trump’s Tariff Tax devastates communities and businesses across the country, the administration continues to make senseless layoffs, adding even more individuals to the ranks of the unemployed. These job losses will have trickle-down effects on other businesses in the area during an already challenging time.
The Boston RO specializes in health care innovation, partnering with drug companies, biotech groups, and other innovators to ensure gaps in research are being filled and the cures of tomorrow come to fruition. Eliminating the Boston RO will both deny the people of New England access to public health officials with expertise in our local communities and halt innovation in its tracks, with ramifications felt by the whole country for generations to come.
The ROs are also on the front lines of fighting fraud, waste, and abuse alongside local law enforcement, as well as the vanguard coordinating responses against disease and outbreaks. Its closure will leave our communities and our programs less safe.
The lawmakers continue, “It could open our region to massive risks of fraud and abuse of our vital federal programs. And it could provide the pathway for another pernicious disease to sweep the nation, absent vital on-the-ground detection and coordination among public health experts. We do not take lightly this attack on the health of our constituents and the unceremonious termination of thousands of experts living in our communities who make us all safer.”
The Boston Regional Office property is desirable real estate and appeared on an early list of properties Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) group wished to “auction off”, raising questions about whether this action has ulterior motives – enabling Trump acolytes to cash in on real estate deals while ordinary Americans suffer from loss of services. The Trump Administration has shown a complete disregard for Americans’ needs, closing Social Security offices and curtailing customer service. This RO closure is just another effort to make it more difficult for our constituents to access the health and safety protections they count on the federal government to provide.
The lawmakers are demanding detailed answers as to the basis of this decision, its effect on constituent health, and how HHS will continue serving individuals in the region. They request answers to the following questions by April 18:
Please provide a list of each division within the Boston RO that was eliminated, a description of its core functions, a summary of staff expertise, program staff caseloads for each overseen program at the time of closing, and all documentation justifying the Department’s decision to close each division within the RO.
Please provide the Department’s analysis of the impact this regional closure will have on costs and health outcomes for the 15 million residents of New England, as well as the local economy.
Please provide a detailed analysis of how the remaining five ROs will take over the responsibilities of the Boston RO, including total caseloads, in beneficiaries served and dollars managed, for the staff taking over New England responsibilities, and any anticipated hirings or training to offset the caseload inundation and loss of regional expertise.
Please provide a detailed analysis of anyways responsibilities of the Boston RO which will be absorbed by HHS headquarters, including the current and new responsibilities of any headquarters staff assuming responsibilities and any anticipated hirings to offset the caseload inundation and loss of regional expertise.
Please provide a detailed analysis of the anticipated additional wait times for services previously provided by staff at the Region 1 RO, such as the approval of Medicaid State Plan Amendments, enrollments of new providers into Medicare, surveys of nursing homes, child care licensing inspections, state plan approvals, and cost allocation agreements.
Please explain the Administration’s plan for the now-vacant real estate that previously housed the Boston RO.
Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress speaking out against Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s unprecedented assault on our democracy and federal agencies, and she has been a steadfast advocate for protecting the essential services that federal workers and agencies provide.
On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley led lawmakers in sending a letter to Trump’s trade official demanding he resign from holding multiple positions with clear conflicts of interest that would further harm federal workers.
On March 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s executive order to end collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
On March 21, 2025, Rep. Pressley led Massachusetts lawmakers in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sharply criticizing and demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts.
On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley spoke out against the U.S. Department of Education’s mass layoffs of over 1,300 workers, which effectively guts the agency.
On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley voted against Republicans’ shameful government budget bill, which would harm vulnerable families and provide a blank check for Elon Musk and Donald Trump to continue their unprecedented assault on our democracy. She later issued a statement condemning its final passage in the Senate.
On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined 13 of her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers and the immediate release of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, whose illegal abduction is an attack on his constitutional right to free speech and due process.
On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley walked out of the House chamber in protest during Donald Trump’s presidential joint address to Congress.
On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley welcomed Claire Bergstresser, an Everett constituent, dedicated public servant, AFGE union member, and former HUD worker who was unjustly terminated as part of Musk and Trump’s assault on federal agencies as her guest to the presidential joint address to Congress.
On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in a letter urging the Office of Special Counsel to immediate reinstate and expand protections for all unfairly fired federal workers.
On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined over 200 Democrats in filing an amicus brief defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before a U.S. District Court.
On February 26, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed what true government efficiency looks like and denounced Elon Musk and Donald Trump for utilizing DOGE to gut the essential services that keep people safe, fed, and housed.
On February 25, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley condemned Elon Musk’s abuse of government efficiency through the fraudulent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
On February 25, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she railed against Republicans’ cruel budget resolution that would slash Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion.
On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
On February 13, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley emphasized the critical role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in safeguarding consumers and sharply criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for halting the critical work of the agency.
On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member Maxine Waters, and advocates to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s unlawful takeover of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
On February 11, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley criticized the Trump-Musk administration for halting the critical work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with crypto scams on the rise.
On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support hospitals, universities, and research institutions conducting lifesaving research.
On February 10, 2025, as Trump and Musk threaten to dismantle the essential work of the U.S. Department of Education, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful floor speech to affirm the role of public education in American democracy.
On February 6, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful rebuke of Republicans’ efforts to gut diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and eliminate essential services for vulnerable communities.
On February 5, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied outside the U.S. Department of Treasury to protest Elon Musk’s unlawful assault on federal agencies and our democracy.
On January 30, 2025, Rep. Pressley slammed Donald Trump for blaming the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, which killed over 60 people, including some families from Massachusetts, on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
In January 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s illegal freeze on federal grants and loans and its harmful impact on vulnerable communities.
On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech condemning Republicans’ cruel anti-abortion bill that criminalizes providers and denies families care.
On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, a bill to repeal an outdated law that has been used to target innocent immigrants without due process rights.
On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
NPCC response following announcement on neighbourhood policing.
Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for the Local Policing Coordination Committee said: “We welcome the government’s investment into neighbourhood policing. Neighbourhood policing and officers on the street are crucial so that we can connect with the communities we serve. It is a vital part of how we prevent crime and has suffered during prolonged periods of austerity.
“Visibility and engagement with local communities has always been central to the British policing model and police leaders are in agreement that it must always remain at the heart of what we do.
“Forces continue to develop plans to tackle crime in their local neighbourhoods, which will vary depending on various factors such as population, urban or rural and the needs of the local community. Chiefs across England and Wales will take these factors into account, work with partner agencies to ensure communities receive the level of service they expect from policing.
“In every town, village and city across the UK, people want to feel safe where they live, work and raise their families. Safe from anti-social behaviour, safe from shoplifting, and safe from personal robbery. Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of that helping tackle that.
“We welcome the continued investment in hotspot policing and visible targeted patrols, which are the bedrock of community policing, and effective deterrents in detecting and preventing anti-social behaviour and serious violent crime, as well as improving feelings of safety.
“People have a right to live their lives free from intimidation and harassment in their own communities. We know anti-social behaviour has the power to wreck people’s lives and therefore it is important to have a multi-agency approach to tackling anti-social behaviour.
“Effective investment in neighbourhood policing and the whole system means investment in stronger communities and safer streets.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
New measures to put neighbourhood bobbies back on beat
Communities will be safer and trust in local policing will be restored under plans to put police officers back in our neighbourhoods.
Prime Minister unveils plan to restore confidence in policing and deliver security for working people
New measures mean named and contactable officers for every neighbourhood and guaranteed police patrols in busy areas at peak times, such as town centres, ending years of postcode lottery
For the first time in fifteen years, working people across the country will be entitled to the same standards from the police, no matter where they live
This forms part of the government’s Plan for Change and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, putting 13,000 more neighbourhood officers on our streets, up more than 50% across the country
Communities will be safer and trust in local policing will be restored under plans to put police officers back in our neighbourhoods, announced by the Prime Minister today, as he delivers manifesto pledge to roll out the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
New measures will ensure every community will have dedicated and specialist neighbourhood policing teams, ending the postcode lottery on law and order.
Announcing the plan, the Prime Minister will make clear that security is the bedrock on which working families build their lives, but that in recent years visible policing has fallen dramatically, with the number of people who regularly see officers patrolling in their local area halving in the past decade. 90% of crime has been left unsolved and there were one million incidents of antisocial behaviour last year alone, including big increases in street crime.
The measures will put prevention at the heart of policing. Under the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, crimes like vandalism or antisocial behaviour will be less likely to turn into more serious and violent offences, boosting confidence and security in local communities across Britain.
The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will put 13,000 more officers into neighbourhood policing roles by 2029, an increase of more than 50%. The early focus of the plan will be to establish named local officers, target town centre crime and build back neighbourhood policing, meaning hard working people can feel safer and more secure in their daily lives.
The measures, announced today, will transform communities across Britain and will deliver the security communities deserve:
• Each neighbourhood will have named, contactable officers to tackle the issues facing their communities, helping to restore trust that policing is working to keep people safe and meaning no community feels ignored when they need help.
• Every neighbourhood in England and Wales will have dedicated teams who will spend their time on the beat with guaranteed police patrols in town centres and other hotspot areas at peak times such as Friday and Saturday nights.
• There will be a dedicated antisocial behaviour lead in every force, working with residents and businesses to develop tailored action plans to tackle record levels of antisocial behaviour, which is blighting communities.
Under these plans, communities across the country will, for the first time in 15 years, be able to hold forces to account and expect a minimum standard of policing in their area.
The government’s new Police Standards and Performance Improvement Unit will ensure police performance is consistently and accurately measured, so the government can narrow the gap between the best and worst performing forces.
This will make clear that everyone across the country, no matter where they live, can expect the same standards from the police, with a new online tool so the public are able to check how their local force is performing and hold forces to account.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure on the streets they call home. It is just about the most basic right that anyone would expect. Yet for years crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour have wreaked havoc on our neighbourhoods. Policing has become reactive, picking up the pieces after crimes have occurred.
Britain deserves better. It should not matter where you live – everyone deserves local, visible policing they can trust, and with our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we will end this postcode lottery, putting prevention back at the heart of policing and ensuring police are back on the streets.
That’s why our Plan for Change is delivering security for working people in their communities with a return to neighbourhood policing, putting thousands of bobbies back on the beat and keeping people safe.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
The heartbeat of our Great British policing tradition is seeing bobbies on the beat, but for too long, too many communities have been feeling abandoned as crime soared and neighbourhood police disappeared, even when local crimes like shop theft, street theft or blatant drug dealing rose sharply.
That’s why this government is determined to get police back on the beat and into our town centres.
It should not matter where you live – everyone deserves local, visible policing they can trust, and with our Plan for Change and Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee we will tackle this postcode lottery and restore policing to our communities.
Today’s announcement is just one part of the government’s commitment to keep communities safe.
Through the Crime and Policing Bill, new powers will be given to police so they can better tackle crimes that matter most to communities. This includes bringing in Respect Orders to clamp down on persistent antisocial behaviour and giving police the power to seize vehicles that cause havoc to communities. The Bill will also scrap the effective immunity of theft of goods below £200 and help police go after phone thieves by removing the warrant to search properties where stolen items have been electronically geolocated.
Through the Plan for Change and mission to keep our streets safe, this government will restore confidence in local policing and making towns and communities safer places to live, work and visit.
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said:
We welcome the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which builds on the bedrock of British policing. Our evidence shows that good neighbourhood policing reduces crime and builds trust with communities, and it remains a top priority for the College.
We also know how important neighbourhood policing is to the public. That’s why, this June, we’ll be rolling out the Neighbourhood Policing Pathway training for neighbourhood officers and staff in police forces right across the country. Our training will ensure these teams have the specialised knowledge and skills to tackle anti-social behaviour, engage with communities and build relationships that support intelligence gathering and crime reduction.
We will also continue to use our position as a national source of best practice to help forces to constantly improve how they approach neighbourhood policing. Through our Practice Bank and Smarter Practice examples, the College will continue to evaluate and share initiatives and interventions to help police forces provide the best possible service for their communities.
Emily Spurrell, Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and PCC for Merseyside, said:
Neighbourhood policing is vital for building trust, preventing crime and fostering community engagement. It ensures that local officers, with their unique knowledge, can swiftly address the specific needs of their communities, creating safer and more connected neighbourhoods. Residents and businesses have made it clear, time and again, that they want an accessible local policing team, with local knowledge, dealing with the unique problems in their communities.
Police and Crime Commissioners and Deputy Mayors have echoed their communities’ voices in setting the priorities for their Chief Constables and made neighbourhood policing a priority in their Police and Crime Plans. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is an opportunity to reconnect policing with the communities they serve, helping to restore the trust and confidence that is vital if we are to continue policing by consent.
The APCC welcomed the additional neighbourhood policing funding announced in January by the government, to enhance policing’s ability to deliver with additional officers and Police Community Support Officers. However, there remains significant pressure on police budgets and we will continue to work with the government to ensure policing has the resources it needs to effectively deliver neighbourhood policing for the public.
Kurtis Christoforides, Chief Executive Officer of Police Now, said:
Police Now was founded to help transform communities through outstanding neighbourhood policing and brilliant public sector leadership, so it’s tremendously exciting to be working even more closely with government and police forces to do just that.
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:
I welcome the return of dedicated neighbourhood policing and the introduction of named ASB leads in each area. Persistent anti-social behaviour blights lives and communities, and these new roles will be vital in ensuring victims’ concerns are taken seriously by officers they know and trust.
Some of the most harmful and enduring anti-social behaviour takes place in residential communities – away from the town centres and out of sight. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee has real potential, but its impact will depend on trained officers who have the support and skills to be able to respond to every report – whether from a busy high street or a quiet cul-de-sac.
Matt Hood, Co-op Managing Director said:
Creating healthy, safer high streets within resilient and durable communities is absolutely essential. We have effective partnerships with local police in several communities across the UK and we see first-hand the benefits of working together to target high impact offenders. At Co-op we have recently seen an encouraging improvement in police response and attendance, however the offenders keep coming and as retailers, we do all we can to prevent crime in our shops, but along with our communities, we need this support from the police to make it count. We welcome this new Government commitment on increasing neighbourhood policing and our store colleagues will definitely be pleased to see a higher police presence.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said:
It cannot be overstated how important it is for businesses and communities to feel confident in their own safety on the streets, and knowing their neighbourhood police officers engenders that confidence. Utilising local knowledge and relationships is critical to providing safe high streets.
Hospitality and our high streets are critical for driving economic growth and regenerating our towns and cities, and we want them to be thriving hubs of activity. The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee is an important way of ensuring that.
John Hayward-Cripps, Chief Executive of Neighbourhood Watch said:
The advantage of having a named officer is that it humanises the relationship between the police and the community. People report greater trust and confidence in the police when they can reach out to an officer who knows their area, and the communities who live there. Evidence suggests that patrols alone don’t make a significant difference to cutting crime, what is effective is combining them with community engagement.
Our members regularly work with the police, partners and the local people to adopt a problem-solving approach to crime and antisocial behaviour. And yet, nearly a third of people who responded to our community survey told us they lack a feeling of safety. It is especially important for younger people; they are the age group least likely to feel safe in their neighbourhoods.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The results of the BARCODE1 trial, published by The New England Journal of Medicine assesses the use of apolygenic risk score in screening for prostate cancer.
Prof Michael Inouye, Professor of Systems Genomics & Population Health, University of Cambridge, said:
“This study is the strongest evidence to date on the clinical utility of a polygenic score for prostate cancer screening. It shows that a polygenic score can improve early detection of clinically significant prostate cancer, including those warranting radical treatment. A large proportion of prostate cancer cases detected using a polygenic score would not have been detected using the current diagnostic pathway. The authors appropriately discuss the study’s limitations and further research required (e.g. cost effectiveness). Taken together, I suspect we will look back on this as a landmark study that really made the clinical case for polygenic scores as a new tool that moved health systems from disease management to early detection and prevention.”
When asked how long it would take to know if this could be used clinically?
“This is a big step along the path to clinical implementation, but it is still a long road. Realistically, it will likely be years for the NHS to use polygenic scores routinely. It will require investment in infrastructure, generation of genomic data, training for healthcare practicians and potentially access to counselling for patients. There are more targeted ways to use polygenic scores clinically which may make for good next steps. To me, the study really makes me start to believe that these investments are worth it.”
Mr Ben Lamb, Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon, Barts Health and UCLH NHS Trusts, and Clinical Senior Lecturer, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“This is a very interesting study that assesses the utility of polygenic risk score in the detection of prostate cancer. The population may not be representative of those most at risk of prostate cancer, or of poorer health outcomes in general (e.g. black men, men in areas of deprivation), and further research is needed to test the results in these populations. Further research is also needed to understand longitudinal risk for men with a higher polygenic risk score i.e. their risk of developing cancer over time.
“Interestingly, the best rate of detection of significant prostate cancer arose when the saliva test, PSA test and MRI tests were all positive. The saliva test may help to direct resources to those men most likely to have significant prostate cancer, but at present it does not replace these investigations, which we know are powerful tools in reassuring some men and recommending biopsy (and performing a better biopsy) in others.
“The saliva test is less invasive than a blood test, or an MRI, and may be more acceptable for larger populations.”
Dr Oliver Pain, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, said:
“This study uses solid data and analyses and its findings fit nicely with the previous literature suggesting that polygenic scores can improve estimation of prostate cancer risk. It goes a step further than previous research in this area by providing a direct comparison with the current diagnostic pathway, showing that stratifying individuals by their polygenic score helped to identify people with clinically significant prostate cancer who would have otherwise been missed. As stated by the authors, the main limitation of this study is that it is restricted to individuals of European ancestry. Previous research has shown that the polygenic score they have used performs worse in non-European individuals, limiting the generalisability of this study’s conclusions. However, this is a common limitation of the field, not just this study, and there is progress being made with polygenic scores performing better across ancestral populations as the training data (GWAS) becomes more ancestrally diverse and polygenic scoring methods develop to improve their ability to be transferred across populations. There is evidence that progress is being made in this area for prostate cancer specifically, although there is a lot more work to be done (https://elifesciences.org/articles/78304, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011990).
“In general, this study fits with others coming out for other diseases, and it is great step forward, but I would say we need research demonstrating the predictive utility of polygenic scores for prostate cancer in a more representative sample before we can start implementing them in the clinical setting.”
Dr Chantal Babb de Villiiers, Senior Policy Analyst at PHG Foundation, said:
“The BARCODE study results contribute valuable insights into the use of polygenic scores for risk stratification of prostate cancer, and how they can supplement risk prediction with known risk factors. The follow-up of the entire cohort will provide crucial data for evaluating the clinical and economic impact of using polygenic scores. Whilst some polygenic scores are showing promise in very specific scenarios, it is important to approach their implementation with caution and ensure thorough validation. We need further research to determine the best combination of these risk factors as well as how to effectively implement stratified screening.”
Professor Rhian Gabe, Professor of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), said:
“The test evaluated in this high quality study has exciting results in terms of detection, the hopes for an optimal future prostate cancer screening strategy and deserves larger-scale evaluation. Excitingly, this will happen in the TRANSFORM trial of prostate cancer screening where the test will also be evaluated in terms of acceptance, impact on prostate cancer deaths and incidence by comparing it with other promising strategies involving PSA testing and MRI.”
Dr Samuel Lambert, Assistant Professor of Health Data Science, University of Cambridge, said:
“The results of the BARCODE1 study are a major achievement, clearly illustrating the value of targeting prostate cancer screening to individuals defined as high-risk using a polygenic risk score. Targeting screening to the high-polygenic score population identified significant cancers that would not have been detected using existing thresholds, a comparable rate to previous trials targeting screening to individuals with pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants.
“A current limitation is that the polygenic risk score in this study could only be used in individuals of European ancestry due to limitations in the diversity of available genome-wide association study data. This limitation is likely to be overcome in the long term, with data from new studies like Our Future Health in the UK that have prioritised diversity in their recruitment and linked health records to genetics data. Diverse studies like Our Future Health will allow researchers to better identify the variants associated with disease in all ancestries.”
Prof Dusko Ilic, Professor of Stem Cell Sciences, King’s College London (KCL), said:
“Polygenic risk scores (PRS) offer moderate discriminatory power when used alone. The study used a score based on 130 SNPs and showed that men in the top 10% of the PRS distribution had significantly higher risk. However, when added to established factors like age, PSA level, and MRI findings, the predicting clinically significant prostate cancer improved only modestly. Notably, further stratification within the top decile (e.g., 90th vs. 99th percentile) did not significantly improve predictive accuracy, suggesting diminishing returns at extreme PRS levels.
“Furthermore, there is no direct evidence yet that using PRS improves long-term outcomes such as mortality or quality-adjusted life years. Modelling suggests benefit, but empirical confirmation is needed.
“While the results are promising, especially in identifying significant cancers that would otherwise be missed, major caveats remain:
Population limitations: The cohort was self-selected, highly educated, and entirely of European ancestry.
Unclear generalizability: The PRS used was only validated in men of European descent.
No mortality data: The study doesn’t demonstrate reduced prostate cancer mortality or improved overall survival.
Cost-effectiveness: Not yet fully evaluated.
“So, while PRS could supplement existing screening in high-risk individuals, the evidence is insufficient to recommend a standalone screening program based solely on PRS at this time.”
Dr Britta Stordal, Associate Professor in Cancer Research, Middlesex University, said:
“McHugh et al show that through the use of their BARCODE1 genetic risk score they are able to identify men who are at a higher risk of prostate cancer. 74 men had their prostate cancer diagnosed as a result of participating in this clinical trial that would not have been detected with current standard care on the NHS. This work is possible due to extensive previous research into genetic risk for prostate cancer in European populations. A similar risk score for men of Black African or Caribbean ancestry is urgently needed as we know that these men have a much higher prostate cancer risk than those of European ancestry.”
‘Assessment of a Polygenic Risk Score in Screening for Prostate Cancer’ by J.K. McHugh et al. was published in The New England Journal of Medicine at 22:00 UK time Wednesday 9 April 2025.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2407934
Declared interests
Prof Michael Inouye: Trustee of the Public Health Genomics (PHG) Foundation, Scientific Advisory Board of Open Targets, and research collaborations with AstraZeneca, Nightingale Health, and Pfizer. All of these are not related to the study. It’s also worth noting that, while the study is obviously driven by the Institute of Cancer Research in London, one of the coauthors (Pashayan) is a colleague at Cambridge.
Prof Dusko Ilic: I declare no interest.
Prof Rhian Gabe: I am Co-Lead of the TRANSFORM trial of prostate cancer screening, we are collaborating with Professor Eles to evaluate her PRS test.
Dr Samuel Lambert: No conflicts of interest to disclose.
Dr Britta Stordal: No conflicts of interest to declare.
For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.
Around 10% of underground tunnel workers in Queensland could develop silicosis, our new study has found.
Silicosis is a serious, incurable lung disease caused by inhaling small particles of silica dust. You might have heard about it in people who work with engineered stone. But silica is more widespread.
Silica is found in rocks and concrete, so workers in industries such as construction, mining and tunnelling are at high risk if proper safety measures aren’t in place.
When silica dust is breathed in, it gets trapped in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring. Over time, this scarring makes it harder to breathe and can be fatal.
As symptoms of silicosis can take decades to appear, workers may not realise they’re sick until long after they’ve started working, or even after they stop.
Tunnelling involves breaking up large amounts of silica-containing rock with heavy machinery.
Tunnel workers rely on advanced ventilation systems to provide fresh air underground, water systems to keep the rocks wet and suppress dust, and they wear respirators on their face to keep the air they breathe clean. But some people have raised concerns these measures do not always work properly.
There are also national legal limits in place for silica dust exposure, currently 0.05 milligrams per cubic metre over an eight-hour work day.
However, a media investigation last November revealed one-third of air monitoring tests from a Sydney tunnel project were above legal limits.
While air monitoring tests are required by law, the results of routine air monitoring tests are often not made public.
An expert taskforce has recently been set up in New South Wales to address the silica-related health risks for tunnel workers, promising to make high silica results above legal limits publicly available.
The results of air monitoring tests are important because they show whether legal silica dust limits are being adhered to.
Another valuable use of this data is it can help us predict future disease risk. Instead of waiting to see how many workers develop silica-related diseases such as silicosis and lung cancer, this data can be used to estimate cases in advance.
We worked through the parliamentary inquiry documents to uncover the results of hundreds of individual air monitoring tests conducted on three major Queensland tunnel projects between 2007 and 2013.
We analysed this data to estimate how many workers were exposed to silica dust and at what levels. We then modelled how many cases of silicosis and lung cancer would occur over the workers’ lifetimes.
We estimated that in a group of around 2,000 workers involved in these Queensland tunnel projects, 200 to 300 would develop silicosis over their lifetime as a result of silica dust exposure (roughly one in every ten workers).
We also estimated between 20 to 30 workers would develop lung cancer due to their exposure.
We had limited information on workplace conditions in the specific projects, so we made a number of assumptions based on publicly available information and our own experience. These included assumptions around the use and protective nature of masks. The fact we had to make some assumptions could be a limitation of our study. Due to the lack of data transparency we don’t know if these figures apply more broadly to tunnel workers throughout Australia.
Our projected rate of silicosis, 10%, is the same as the rate of silicosis recorded by a government inquiry in 1924 which investigated silicosis among workers who built Sydney’s sewers.
So it doesn’t seem things are any better in terms of silicosis risk in underground work than a century ago.
We need to do more to protect tunnel workers
Continued secrecy around silica dust data reduces our ability to understand the scale of the problem and respond effectively. Nonetheless, the small amount of data that has been made available supports the need for urgent action.
With Australia’s ongoing infrastructure expansion, policymakers must act now. This should include enforcing stricter legal limits for silica dust exposure. There is concern among health experts that current limits don’t sufficiently protect workers’ health.
Policymakers should also ensure protective measures such as advanced ventilation and dust suppression systems are in place for all tunnel projects, set up national tunnel worker health surveillance, and make exposure data available to workers and the public.
There are several examples where things are done better. Internationally, Norway and Switzerland have strong systems to protect tunnel workers’ health such as air and health monitoring being conducted by an independent government agency. In Switzerland, this agency also insures the project. Noncompliance results in higher insurance premiums or, in some cases, the withdrawal of insurance, effectively stopping the project.
Nationally, Australia’s mining industry is more heavily regulated than tunnelling, with stricter enforcement of compliance.
Without immediate intervention, thousands of tunnel workers will continue to face serious health risks and Australia will face a growing wave of preventable occupational diseases.
Kate Cole receives higher degree by research funding from The University of Sydney; is a member of the Asbestos and Silica Safety Eradication Council; the NSW Dust Diseases Board; the Chair of the External Affairs Committee for the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists; and acts as an expert witness for law firms concerning silica-related diseases in tunnel workers.
Renee Carey has previously received funding from the Australian Council of Trade Unions. She is a member of the Occupational Lung Disease Network Steering Committee formed by Lung Foundation Australia.
Tim Driscoll has acted as an expert witness, and written government reports, in relation to silica exposure but not specifically connected to tunnelling. He chairs the Occupational and Environmental Cancer Committee of Cancer Council Australia and chairs the Occupational Lung Disease Network Steering Committee of Lung Foundation Australia.