The Kremlin’s actions reflect no desire for peace that I can detect: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
As we’ve heard on Friday, Russia’s ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih struck a residential area in the city, resulting in the deaths of 20 people, including nine children, the youngest of whom was just three years old.
At least 70 people were injured.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights described this as the deadliest single strike harming children since the start of the full-scale invasion.
As High Commissioner Türk said, this attack was an unimaginable horror, nine children killed, most while playing in a park, as a military weapon exploded into shrapnel above them.
We also saw Russia’s attacks this weekend on Kharkiv and Kyiv, resulting in at least 5 more civilian deaths and many more injured.
So we find ourselves here once again to condemn yet more Russian attacks that have killed and injured many Ukrainian civilians in violation of the UN Charter and in violation of Russia’s responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
President Putin continues to stall the ceasefire proposal, dragging his feet and insisting on maximalist conditions.
While intensifying drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
Which have now resulted in the deaths of nine more innocent children.
The Kremlin’s actions reflect no desire for peace that I can detect.
They are the actions of a government that remains hell-bent on destroying Ukraine; a government that disdains mediation efforts, and holds cheap the lives of civilians.
Under US leadership, a ceasefire proposal is on the table.
The ball has been in Russia’s court for weeks now.
It’s time for the Kremlin to stop stalling.
It’s time they show that they are committed to peace as they claim to be.
Because President Zelenskyy has made Ukraine’s will clear.
He wants to see the war end and has agreed to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, subject to Russia’s agreement.
It is time for the killing to stop.
It is time for the Kremlin to end its aggression against Ukraine and to uphold its obligations under the UN Charter.
It is time for President Putin to agree to a full and immediate ceasefire, as a vital step towards negotiations to end the war for good.
So our message to the Kremlin is that we will not be deterred by your reckless and barbaric actions.
The UK will continue to stand resolutely by Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace, in line with the principles of the UN Charter.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Ministry of Defence highlights impact of management programme
More than eight out of ten of Ministry of Defence line managers say they apply learning from the cross-Civil Service programme to their work
Danielle Skeete, Assistant head of learning and development, Ministry of Defence
More than eight of ten civil servants from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) who completed Government Skills’ Management: Foundation Programme say they apply their new learning in their current jobs.
The same proportion of participants also said the cross-Civil Service programme was ‘perfectly pitched’ to meet their needs as line managers.
Best practice
The department was an early adopter of the programme and it has helped it deliver on its strategic goal of creating a great culture for staff.
Head of capability, apprenticeships and learning Dan Okin said: “The programme is about teaching the fundamentals of line management capability.
“We want to introduce (our line managers) to management tools and best practice techniques and, most importantly, to make sure they’re confident in using them at the appropriate time.”
Creating an ideal culture
He added: “All this is going to help us create the ideal employee culture within the department.”
Prior to adopting the Management: Foundation programme, the MoD ran its own 12-week blended Line Managers in Defence programme.
But Dan added: “Line management is line management, whether you’re at the MoD, the Home Office, Tesco or Google. Therefore, establishing how much organisational specificity you want or need can be a tricky balancing act.”
The newly refreshed Management: Foundation programme has now been adopted by multiple departments and government bodies.
High performance
MOD’s assistant head of learning and development Danielle Skeete said switching to the Management: Foundation programme was a straightforward process, with the programme’s themes and content representing a good match for the department’s ambitions.
“It resonated with how we believe line management capability to be the basis of any high performing employee environment,” she said.
In Danielle’s view, the peer learning group discussions that follow each of Foundation’s four modules provide the more specific MoD context that some learners want.
Supportive line managers
So her goal is to encourage more learners to attend those discussion groups and to stay in touch after formal learning ends.
“Overall, all our other metrics are really pleasing though.” she said.
“For example, 84% of participants said how supportive their own line managers had been while they were on the programme, protecting their study time and having one-to-one discussions about how they were getting on.
Confident in their skills
“But it’s the fact that 81% have been able to apply what they’ve learned that I find most encouraging. That means that participants feel sufficiently confident in the skills they’ve developed to have a difficult conversation around performance or attendance, for example.
“The Foundation programme represents a significant commitment but knowing that people are bringing what they’ve learned back to the department makes it all worthwhile.”
Wales well-placed to benefit from increased spending on defence
Latest figures show the Ministry of Defence spends £290 for every person in Wales.
Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith at Teledyne Qioptiq.
Wales a key player in the defence industry providing critical technology and innovation
Latest figures show the Ministry of Defence spends £290 for every person in Wales and directly supports over 7,000 jobs
Increased spending on defence recently announced by the Prime Minister boosts national security and drives economic growth
The cutting-edge work being carried out by defence sector firms in Wales has been highlighted on a visit by a UK Government Minister to North Wales.
Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith visited Teledyne Qioptiq Ltd in St Asaph today (Thursday 3rd April).
The firm specialises in advanced electro-optic technology which is integral to a wide range of defence programmes including the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and Challenger 2 tanks. The firm also plays a key supporting role for the infantry through the STAS contract.
Wales Office Minister Dame Nia Griffith said:
The defence industry is a cornerstone of our national security and economic prosperity.
All of the Ministry of Defence’s top five suppliers have a footprint in Wales and so we are well placed to benefit from an increase in defence spending.
> “Companies like Qioptic are not only driving innovation but also providing high-quality jobs and contributing significantly to our local and national economy.
The UK Government’s number one mission is kickstarting economic growth. By investing in the defence sector we safeguard our national security, create new jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
Peter White, Managing Director of Qioptiq said:
It is a privilege to continue to play our part in keeping our troops and society safe.
Wales plays a key role in the UK’s defence industry with over 160 companies employing more than 20,000 people and is well placed to benefit from increased defence spending.
Last month, the Prime Minister made a commitment to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027.
According to the most recent figures the UK Government’s Ministry of Defence spent £914m in 2023-24 with industry and commerce in Wales, an increase from 2022-23 of £86m and directly supported 7,700 jobs in the country.
In the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor committed £975 million over the next five years to the aerospace sector, with £49 million already confirmed for projects in Wales.
While in North Wales, Dame Nia also visited Wagtail UK in Mostyn.
Wagtail is an award-winning company which provides detection dogs and dog trainer handling and supplies bodies including UK Border Force, HM Revenue & Customs, Police, Trading Standards and Armed Forces.
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The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, has written to Oldham Council responding to their request to revoke the Places for Everyone Joint Plan as it applies to the borough of Oldham.
The Pineapple Awards 2025. From left: Murdoch Cameron, Director of MCW architects; Jacqueline Moffat, Head of Projects at ARU Peterborough; Professor Ross Renton, Principal of ARU Peterborough; Lien Geens, Associate Director of MCW architects; and Christine Murray, Co-founder of The Pineapples Awards
ARU Peterborough’s new £32 million building, The Lab, has won a prestigious national award for its impact on the city.
The Lab triumphed in the Best Building category at the Pineapples Awards 2025, which celebrate buildings that have a positive effect on places and people.
ARU Peterborough outshone five other contenders in the category, including 8 Bishopgate, a 50-storey tower block in the City of London, and UCL East Marshgate, University College London’s new development at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London.
Pineapples have historically symbolised welcome in UK architecture, and ARU Peterborough received a golden pineapple trophy at the awards ceremony in London.
The judges praised The Lab, stating: “This building should be highlighted for the palpable impact that a facility can have in Peterborough. It is inspiring to see a regional team building something from scratch which inspires its local community.
“It is a real beacon for its placemaking and wider social impact. What really lifted it above the other projects was this impact which highlights the civic role that a university can have.
“The public spaces created are really versatile and adaptable for different uses. As the university campus develops this building will sit at its heart.”
The Lab is home to the Living Lab, designed to host exhibitions, talks, and public engagement events. It also contains teaching spaces, tissue culture and microbiology labs, and engineering workshops, allowing ARU Peterborough to offer a wider range of courses.
“We’ve received some impressive accolades in the last 18 months, including winning the Times Higher Education University of the Year award and being named Social Mobility University of the Year, but this award is very special indeed.
“From day one, we’ve been clear that ARU Peterborough is designed to serve the needs of this great city, and so to receive this award is fantastic recognition that we’re on the right track.
“As the university continues to grow, this building will be at its heart, and we encourage everyone to come and explore ARU Peterborough’s open campus for themselves.”
Professor Ross Renton, Principal of ARU Peterborough
Completed last summer and officially opened in the autumn, The Lab was built by Morgan Sindall Construction and designed by Cambridge-based MCW architects.
“Our vision was to create more than just a building; we aimed to thoughtfully integrate The Lab with the first phases of the University while establishing it as an inspiring hub for the city.
“A key part of this was designing for transparency – offering inviting views into the dynamic activities within, encouraging the wider community to feel connected and enticed to be part of the university’s vibrant campus.
“Seeing The Lab come to life and now receive this prestigious award is a testament to the vision of the client and the dedication of the entire project team.”
The next undergraduate Open Day at ARU Peterborough is on Saturday, 7 June. The event provides the chance to explore the campus and find out more about the different employment-focused courses on offer.
ARU Peterborough is a partnership between Anglia Ruskin University, Peterborough City Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
A district council in England has passed a motion to grant its local river the rights to flow freely, to be free from pollution and to enjoy its native biodiversity. The move by Lewes District Council in East Sussex to recognise the fundamental rights of the River Ouse is the first of its kind in the UK.
The Ouse (not to be confused with larger rivers of the same name in Yorkshire and East Anglia) flows southwards for 35 miles into the English Channel and suffers from the usual problems afflicting many rivers in the UK: chemical pollution, sewage dumping and so on.
As a legal academic who researches exactly these sorts of rights, I was excited to see the news from Lewes (even if the council’s motions ultimately can’t overrule national laws). But simply granting a river some rights isn’t enough. We now need to think about who will actually defend these rights.
This may mean appointing someone to represent the rights of the river. Who these representatives are, and how they think about nature and conservation, can be as important as the granting of these rights in the first place.
Appointing representatives who care about their own personal and property interests would be a grave mistake, as would appointing anyone who prioritises the rights of humans to a healthy environment over a more intrinsic right of nature (remember: the idea is that the River Ouse has rights in itself and shouldn’t need to demonstrate its worth to humans).
As further rivers, lakes, forests and more are granted rights like the Ouse, we’ll need to train up an army of people willing to represent the rights of nature.
Natural entities should have legal rights
The law professor Christopher Stone pioneered the rights of nature concept back in the 1970s. He argued that natural entities, like rivers or forests, should have legal rights and that a “guardian” or representative should be appointed to defend those rights in court when they are threatened.
Some legal systems have adopted this model. For example, in New Zealand, the Whanganui River was granted legal personhood, and two “human faces” were appointed to act and speak on its behalf. Their duties are outlined in a 2017 act, which specifies that these representatives must have the skills, knowledge and experience needed to effectively advocate for the river’s rights.
But even as rights of nature are being considered in many countries, there is still little consideration of who will represent these rights effectively. For instance, back in 2008 Ecuador became the first country to grant the rights of nature in its constitution. However the constitution states that “all persons” are representatives of the rights of nature. This is simply impractical: we can’t expect every citizen to truly care about the rights of nature.
Efforts to apply the rights of nature in Ecuador have often failed. Legal challenges can become highly politicised and there is little legal infrastructure beyond general constitutional principles.
For example, in a case brought after road builders had dumped material into the Vilcabamba River, plaintiffs claimed to represent nature in court. However, they were not genuinely advocating for the river’s rights – their main concern was protecting their downstream property.
An ecocentric perspective
Ultimately, defending the rights of nature in court will be a struggle if the nature in question – the river, forest or lake – is not represented by someone with an ecocentric perspective. That means prioritising the intrinsic value of nature itself, rather than focusing on how it can serve human interests.
Ecocentric advocates have proved to be the most effective defenders of the rights of nature in many court cases. For example, in lawsuits involving Ecuador’s Los Cedros cloud forest and its marine ecosystems, ecocentric arguments helped secure stronger legal protections and even inspired the courts to grant further rights of nature.
One of the most common legal frameworks involves appointing “all persons”, “a person”, or “a resident” as representatives or protectors. For instance, Uganda’s National Environment Act 2019 states that anyone has the right to bring an action before a court “for any infringement of rights of nature”.
Similarly, the city of Toledo, Ohio, tried to introduce the Lake Erie bill of rights which stated that the city or any resident could act on behalf of the lake’s ecosystem. (The bill was declared unconstitutional by a federal court in 2020 and did not become the law).
Having such broad representation can make these legal protections less effective. This is what Stone, the law professor, envisioned back in the 70s: representatives should be trained to view nature as having intrinsic value – the very reason it is granted rights – and to protect it on that basis.
There are some promising examples. Guardians were appointed to protect the Magpie River in Canada, for instance, after it was granted legal personhood in 2022. Their responsibilities include participating – on behalf of the river itself – in any consultations on projects that might affect the river.
When the River Atrato in Colombia was also granted legal rights, the court required the formation of a commission (with representatives from the state and local communities) to train and oversee the work of the guardians.
Moves to give rights to nature are promising. But from Colombia to Canada to Sussex, we’ll need a whole army of nature protectors to actually enforce those rights.
Local business leaders and organisation representatives are invited to share their EU-trading experiences with the Government of Jersey, as the UK prepares for “EU reset” discussions.
The Government’s External Relations department is welcoming comments from Islanders who have imported or exported from/to the EU since 2021, when the UK-EU trade deal came into force.
Data will support work on Jersey’s export strategy and assist efforts to reduce barriers to business. Findings will also be discussed with the UK Government, to help inform and support the approach to reset negotiations.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cecilia Manosa Nyblon, Director – We Are the Possible Programme, University of Exeter
Imagine heading into space, landing on the moon and walking in the dust. As you adjust to the weightlessness, you see something unexpected on the horizon. You’re looking back at the Earth, experiencing the “overview effect”. How would you feel? What would you see, hear, touch, taste and smell?
We asked these questions when we launched a creative writing workshop to harness the beauty and power of storytelling, education, theatre, and music to inspire a greener, healthier and fairer world for future generations.
One of us, Cecilia Mañosa Nyblon, brought together a team from the University of Exeter, the Met Office and international experts including marine scientists, poets, soundscape artists, musicians, playwrights and children’s authors who recognise the power of the arts to bridge the gap between science and society.
In 2021, our team launched We Are the Possible. This international award-winning programme brings together artists, scientists, educators and health professionals to connect hearts and minds. Together, we develop creative content and performances that are presented to policymakers and the public at annual UN climate summits and other public events.
As Kathleen Jamie, Scotland’s makar (national poet), said during the 2021 UN climate summit in Glasgow: “We can’t have that massive event around nature and environment without a poetry presence there.”
Since 2021, this programme has engaged more than 16,000 people in the UK, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan. Our projects have reached more than 33 million people worldwide through mainstream media, social media and online platforms. By inspiring global and local audiences, we hope to mobilise communities to care for and protect our planet.
“We Are the Possible” collaborated with artists, scientists, educators, musicians and schoolchildren to perform at Cop28, the UN climate summit, in Dubai in 2023.
The project’s creative lead, Sally Flint, weaves the words of climate scientists, health professionals, storytellers, artists, youth, educators and translators into an anthology of 12 poems or stories for the 12 days of each UN climate summit, showing what people value most and what’s at stake in our changing planet.
In our anthology for Cop28 (the 2023 climate summit in Dubai), Christiana Figueres, the Costa Rican diplomat who spent years negotiating for climate action at the UN summits, shared that “while this remains vital, I have also realised that connecting with people from the heart and with love is the most powerful place to start.”
Scientists have the data. We have the technological solutions. But governments and leaders are failing to act with urgency. The climate crisis is our biggest communication failure.
Culture has the power to help people imagine and inspire action through dialogue, images, storytelling and shared experiences. But for far too long, the arts, cultural heritage and creative industries have been absent in climate policy frameworks. In 2024, ministers of culture and education gathered in Abu Dhabi to establish a framework which recognises the transformative power and impact of culture and arts education [for sustainable development]https://www.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2024/02/WCCAE_UNESCO%20Framework_EN_0.pdf).
Since Cop28, our team has been working with our partner, a not-for-profit called the Emirates Literature Foundation, to involve Indigenous poets through visual artforms. This involvement shines a light on the importance of Indigenous knowledge in our climate conversations to heal and restore our planet.
We have also collaborated with a sustainable theatre company called The Theatre of Others to deliver The Earth Turns and Bright Light Burning. These immersive theatre performances (inspired by We Are the Possible anthologies) and panel discussions involve both policymakers and the public. After one of the performances, Jonathan Dewsbury, director of capital operations and net zero at the UK government’s Department for Education, told us: “If we don’t grab the arts, the poems, the music and embed them into our top policy thinkers, our top decision-makers, we are not going to make the right choices, the right solutions.”
Carpet weaving is an important part of Azerbaijan’s cultural identity. At Cop29 (the 2024 UN climate summit in Azerbaijan), one group of academics and students at Khazar University in Baku wove a traditional “Chelebi” carpet. This conveyed a message of unity and environmental stewardship through symbolic patterns inspired by We Are the Possible’s anthology.
Ocean-literate cultures
Around 50% of countries have no mention of climate change in their school curriculum, according to Unesco. Most teachers (95%) feel that teaching about climate climate change is important but less than 30% say are ready to teach it. Meanwhile, 75% young people around the world say they are frightened about their future.
Schools Across the Ocean, the education strand of We Are the Possible, is addressing this climate education gap. Led by our colleague, senior lecturer in education Anita Wood, this initiative has already connected more than 2,000 schoolchildren (aged 8-13) and more than 100 teachers in the UK, United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and other countries.
Inspiring children to put their words and artwork of hope about the ocean.
This six-week programme involves providing a toolkit for teachers plus activities and online workshops that engage children in science, art, storytelling and action for the ocean. The goal is for more children to understand why we all need a healthy ocean, develop their sense of agency and inspire others in their local communities to take action too.
Wendy Wilson, headteacher St Anne’s School in Alderney on the Channel Islands, found that Schools Across the Ocean meant that her students were not just learning about climate change. She said they were also “becoming active, global citizens who are climate literate, empowered and full of hope.”
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
We Are the Possible programme has been funded by the University of Exeter, Met Office, British Council, British Embassy Gulf Strategy Fund, British Embassy Azerbaijan, UKRI, AHRC, Knowledge E Foundation,Arts Council England and supported by Emirates Literature Foundation, American University in Cairo, Khorfakkan University, Khazar University, BIMM University, Extreme Hangout, Banlastic, Ocean Generation, Tahrir Cultural Centre, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Cygnet Theatre, among others.
We Are the Possible programme has been funded by the University of Exeter, Met Office, British Council, British Embassy Gulf Strategy Fund, British Embassy Azerbaijan, UKRI, AHRC, Knowledge E Foundation, Arts Council England and supported by Emirates Literature Foundation, American University in Cairo, Khorfakkan University, Khazar University, BIMM University, Extreme Hangout, Banlastic, Ocean Generation, Tahrir Cultural Centre, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, Cygnet Theatre, among others.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
School children in Stockton-on-Tees inspire nature recovery
The activity, centred around Tilery Park, encouraged engagement from residents and schools to understand how the local community view and use green spaces.
Children at Tilery Primary School unleash their inner plants and animals to help boost long-term, local nature recovery.
Children at Tilery Primary School have unleashed their inner plants and animals by putting on a wildlife parade to help boost long-term nature recovery in Teesside.
Delivered through the Tees Nature Recovery Partnership (NRP), the project, aims to encourage engagement from residents to understand how they use or don’t use Tilery Park and to explore barriers to access, plus community-led future aspirations for local green spaces.
The children in Year Five and Six designed animal costumes based on their interpretation of Tilery Park and worked with Teesside University and local artists to design what they would like their green space to look like in 100 years, to remind them about the importance of protecting habitats for local wildlife now.
They worked with photography, textiles and art materials, design and imagination to see, listen and explore Tilery Rec next door to the school. Local community groups also shared their memories and joined in with activities such as bingo and sculpture-making.
Pupils had the chance to show off their work as part of a green space parade which also formed part of their geography curriculum and highlights the school’s dedication to environmental issues.
The parade was filmed by Teesside University’s Sarah Perks and Paul Stewart (working together as Forms of Circulation). They were joined by local artists including Annie O’Donnell, Wil Jackson, Christo Wallers and Lizzie Mckeone for this project.
Children in Year Five and Six designed animal costumes based on their interpretation of Tilery Park
Emma Carter, a teacher at Tilery Primary School, said:
Our Year Five and Six children had a wonderful time learning about Tilery Rec and how it was used in the past, how it is used now and how they would like to see it being used in the future.
It has been great for our children to be out and about in our community. They are incredibly excited about the parade and are looking forward to seeing the photos taken for Natural England. Tilery Primary pupils have really benefitted from this project and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take part.
Vicky Ward, Natural England Senior Project Manager for the Tees Estuary Nature Recovery Partnership said:
It is fantastic to see young people’s creativity, passion and enthusiasm in helping to protect our natural habitats here in Teesside.
Good quality green and blue spaces have an important role to play in our urban and rural environments for improving health and wellbeing, nature recovery and climate resilience. Along with addressing issues of economic growth, social inequality and environmental decline.
This project has utilised imaginative approaches to explore how local children, and other residents, perceive and use Tilery Park and the surrounding green spaces. Being able to co-create meaning through the arts, enables residents to participate by sharing their hopes and aspirations on how their local green spaces can be used and valued.
Professor Sarah Perks and Dr Paul Stewart, from Teesside University’s Institute for Collective Place Leadership led the creative project and communities’ engagement for this project as part of their research in curatorial and artistic practice.
Professor Perks, Professor of Curating in the University’s School of Arts & Creative Industries said:
We are dedicated to engaging communities with local nature and connecting with living ecosystems, as part of our work as curators and academics.
Dr Paul Stewart, Principal Lecturer in Research and Innovation in the University’s School of Arts and Creative Industries, added:
We felt inspired by the multiple ways the schoolchildren involved in the project worked collaboratively.
The Tees NRP started in January 2023 and covers an area of 17,200 hectares where Natural England and the Environment Agency, Hartlepool Borough Council, Groundwork NE&C, National Trust, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, RSPB Saltholme, Stockton Borough Council, Teesmouth Field Centre, Tees Rivers Trust, Tees Valley Nature Partnership and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust are developing projects that will deliver nature recovery on the ground as well as improve people’s access and connection to local spaces.
The aim is to create a place which is greener, cleaner and climate resilient, where nature growth is prioritised, cultural heritage is celebrated, and everyone has easy and accessible ways to connect to nature for now and always.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)
QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she helped to celebrate the 100th birthday of a woman from Queens who miraculously escaped the horrors of the Holocaust in Europe.
Meng visited the Flushing home of Hanna Slome yesterday where the Congresswoman honored her with an official congressional proclamation and proclaimed this Friday, April 11 – the actual date of her birthday – as Hanna Slome Day throughout New York’s Sixth Congressional District.
Slome was born on April 11, 1925 in Czechoslovakia. She was one of 669 children rescued by Sir Nicholas Winton’sKindertransport in 1939, escaping Nazi persecution and beginning a new life in England before immigrating to the United States at the age of 19 aboard a wartime freighter. She was unaware of who was responsible for her escape but learned decades later that it was organized by Winton, a British stockbroker.
After settling in New York City, Slome married and moved to Flushing, raising two children and ultimately welcoming seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Slome was actively involved in local religious institutions including Temple Gates of Prayer in Flushing as well as serving on the PTA of Junior High School 185 where she also served a term as its president. In addition, she has spoken to school groups about her experience during and after the Holocaust.
“I am proud to commend and recognize Hanna for a century of courage, service and inspiration,” said Meng. “Her message of resilience and hope continues to inspire generations and will do so for many years to come. It is an honor and privilege to wish her a very happy 100tth birthday and I send her my warmest congratulations.”
This past January, Meng introduced a bipartisan resolution on International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorating 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz and recommitting to combatting all forms of antisemitism. She also helped to reintroduce the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act in January that seeks to increase Holocaust education efforts in public schools.
As a specialty registrar in paediatric dentistry, I’ve seen first-hand the pain children experience because of poor oral health. Tooth decay happens when teeth are damaged by acids produced by oral bacteria breaking down sugar from foods and drinks – and although it’s largely preventable – it’s the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between five and nine in England.
Tooth decay in children is also linked to obesity. Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing other diseases throughout childhood and into adulthood, including diabetes, high blood pressure and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
My research, conducted with colleagues at Loughborough University, explores how acceptable and feasible it is for dental teams to offer weight checks and support, such as referral to weight loss programmes, to patients during routine appointments. In my job as a paediatric dentist, I discuss weight and health with families and offer referral to local healthy lifestyle services.
The World Health Organization estimates that 43% of children have decay worldwide and 20% of children aged 5-19 years are overweight or living with obesity.
In England, 29.3% of five-year-olds have tooth decay and 21.3% of four and five year olds are overweight or living with obesity. A diet high in sugary foods and drinks increases the risk of developing both conditions. and evidence suggests that children who are overweight or living with obesity are more likely to have tooth decay.
Mouth disease is also linked with disease in other parts of the body. Gum disease, for example, is an infection of the tissues that support teeth, which has links with type 2 diabetes. When one disease is poorly controlled, it can make the other worse. The number of children with type 2 diabetes is increasing, with excess weight increasing the risk of developing this condition.
Given the links between diet, tooth decay, obesity, type 2 diabetes, as well as other diseases that can develop when living with obesity, dental teams may be ideal professionals to tackle both tooth decay and obesity. It can be difficult to see an NHS dentist in the UK but NHS dental teams do see millions of children every year and already advise families on reducing sugary foods and drinks in the diet to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Dental teams taking body measurements is not new. Height and weight measurements to calculate body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat, are already collected by some dental teams. These measurements are helpful when prescribing medication and for planning dental treatment for children who need a general anaesthetic or sedation.
Some hospital dental teams, such as in Edinburgh and Dundee in Scotland, also offer weight and height checks for children and young people as part of routine appointments. The child’s weight is discussed with the child’s parent or carer in a sensitive way and families are offered referral to a local service to support healthy lifestyle changes.
This opportunity to support a child with their oral health as well as weight aligns with the NHS initiative, Making Every Contact Count. Making Every Contact Count calls on all health care professionals to take every opportunity within their appointments with patients to help improve patient health.
Children living in more deprived areas of the UK are at least twice as likely to be living with overweight and obesity. They’re also three times as likely to have tooth decay. The NHS aims to reduce these inequalities among children and has chosen oral health and diabetes as two key areas to improve care for children and young people.
The public have shown support for dental teams to talk about weight at dental visits and offer guidance to lose weight and improve health when done in a supportive way. Research published in 2024, found that over 80% of the public supported weight measurements being taken by dental teams and a discussion of weight at dental appointments. Most of the studies in this review came from the USA.
A UK based survey asked parents and carers if they would feel comfortable with their child(ren)’s weight and height being taken at a dental appointment in a dental practice. The survey found 58% of parents and carers would feel comfortable and a further 12% might feel comfortable with this approach.
This was very similar to how adults completing the survey felt about having their own height and weight measured at a dental appointment with 60% reporting they would feel comfortable and a further 10% saying they may feel comfortable.
Discussing weight can feel uneasy and dental teams say they worry they will upset patients if they talk about weight. Some studies have found dental teams are also concerned they do not have enough time to talk about weight and that they have not had training on how to do this.
However, studies have found when weight checks and support are offered to families by trained dental teams, help is well received and lack of time rarely a problem.
Dental decay and obesity are preventable in many cases. Both conditions can continue into adulthood with the risk of developing other health problems.
Research shows that dental teams are willing to provide support and that children and their families are open to receiving help for obesity. Dental teams do have an important role to play, as well as GPs and allied healthcare professionals, in tackling obesity in children as well as tooth decay.
Jessica Large does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The education of autistic children and young people in western societies has been heavily influenced by a medicalised understanding of autism. This means considering autism as a disorder, with a focus on correcting autistic people’s perceived lacks, rather than building on their strengths.
Autistic learners’ strengths, interests, preferences, goals and values were typically sidelined. Making the learner appear less autistic was the main focus.
This included increasing eye contact and building neurotypical social skills. It involved attempting to reduce stimming: self-stimulatory behaviour, which can include chewing on objects, fidgeting, watching moving objects, and making repetitive sounds.
However, the neurodiversity movement – a social advocacy movement that promotes the idea that neurological differences are an expected and normal part of human variation – has challenged these assumptions. Instead of the autistic learner being viewed as disabled, it suggests the educational environment can be disabling for the autistic learner.
This contrasts with the past when school norms typically did not support the strengths and needs of autistic learners. These children were expected to fit in.
What autistic people want
The autistic voice has been largely missing from educational research and policymaking. My research study with colleagues, co-produced with autistic researchers, set out to change this. We wanted to identify the educational priorities of adult members of the autistic community, as well as teachers supporting autistic learners, in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
We did this by carrying out a survey comprising 34 autistic adults with no role in education (non-educators), ten autistic educators, and 65 non-autistic educators who supported autistic learners. We asked them about priority goals to be included in individual education plans for autistic learners.
The individual education plan is the foundation of inclusive and special education in many countries. It serves as an educational map that charts the learner’s current level of performance and their annual goals. It lays out the steps and resources needed to reach these goals.
In countries such as Finland, the US and UK, an individual learning plan is legally mandated for all learners who make use of special education services. However, this is not the case in the Republic of Ireland. Provisions were made in the 2004 Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act. Over 20 years later, though, individual education plans are still not compulsory, regulated or assessed in the Republic of Ireland.
This lack of oversight has occurred against the backdrop of a 600% increase in special classes in the Republic of Ireland from 2013 to 2023. Autism classes accounted for 89% of these – 2,466 classes out of a total of 2,754.
Before carrying out the survey, we expected very little overlap in the goal priorities of autistic respondents and non-autistic respondents. We were wrong. Our findings clearly showed significant overlap in the priorities across the groups.
Our survey respondents prioritised goals that promote autonomy, social inclusion and communication. They saw these goals as contributing positively to autistic wellbeing.
On the other hand, academic goals did not feature as a priority for the vast majority of respondents. Academic goals include reading comprehension, writing skills, critical thinking, time management, problem solving and maths skills.
It could be argued that this does a disservice to the educational potential of autistic learners. However, while academic goals are important, wellbeing must come first. Without a strong foundation of physical and mental health, meaningful academic success is difficult to achieve.
Finally, all groups actively discouraged educational goals that focused on improving eye contact and reducing stimming. The overriding consensus was that a focus on changing these aspects of behaviour is detrimental to a learner’s ability to work towards meaningful and functional educational goals including independence, wellbeing and social inclusion.
Prioritising wellbeing
There is growing support for prioritising wellbeing, communication, socialisation and daily living skills over more academic goals. However, teachers may not be equipped to design, teach and monitor goals that align with these priorities of the autistic community.
Teachers in a UK study cited several barriers to supporting autistic learners in their classrooms. Their greatest frustration came from having limited access to autism-specific knowledge and expertise during their initial teacher training.
Similar frustrations were also reported among Irish teachers. Many teachers in the study thought a specialised qualification should be compulsory for those teaching in autism classes.
However, autism prevalence rates are on the rise, and there is an international trend towards inclusive education – educating children with special educational needs in mainstream classrooms. This means there is a growing likelihood that teachers will find themselves supporting autistic learners.
Research shows that teachers’ attitudes, knowledge and skills towards inclusion are improved if they can go on placements during their training to schools that emphasise a culture of inclusion.
Partnerships between universities and schools could be an important way to make this happen. This could help empower student teachers to go on to design and support effective individual education plans for their autistic learners.
However, without a legal mandate for individual education plans in the Republic of Ireland, initial teacher education and teacher professional development programmes will continue to struggle to effectively prepare teachers for this part of their role.
Laura Gormley works as an assistant professor in Dublin City university and received seed funding from SCoTENS (The Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South) to carry out this study.
Civil servants get one-stop access to digital skills learning
Government Skills’ curriculum of recommended learning now offers easy access to an expanded range of digital, data and innovation learning.
Martin Petto, deputy director, Government Skills
Civil servants can now get easy access to more free digital learning as part of a drive to boost productivity and agility.
Government Skills’ curriculum of recommended learning now has an expanded range of digital, data and innovation learning that has been specifically curated for civil servants. More tools and learning will be added to the curriculum over time.
The new offering delivers on the Prime Minister’s pledge last month to give all civil servants better opportunities to develop skills in priority areas such as digital.
Easy access to digital skills learning
“It’s the first time we’ve been able to give civil servants such easy access to digital skills learning,” said Martin Petto, deputy director, Government Skills.
“If staff need help with anything, from understanding AI to simple tips to boost their productivity, such as how to set up an Excel document, this is where they’ll be able to go for help.
“It also signposts civil servants to more specialist digital and data learning, such as the pathways – some of which may be chargeable.”
New digital resources
The expanded curriculum includes:
Microsoft 365 Public Sector Training and Resources Hub which provides resources to help civil servants upskill quickly, in a way that meets the needs of their job role or job tasks.
12 ‘Pocket Watch’ videos shared by the Department of Work and Pensions outlining how to perform some computing tasks for civil servants using PCs with Windows 10 or 11.
Existing learning
The curriculum already included:
A wide range of free AI courses, including AI Fundamentals.
Masterclasses on data and innovation, developed as part of One Big Thing.
The Digital Excellence Programme for senior leaders.
Martin added: “We want to make things easier for staff by bringing our comprehensive Civil Service-wide digital learning offer into a single online place where they can be confident the learning is quality-assured and relevant to their needs. And we will continue to build this offer.”
The new plans, amongst the most generous in London, will ease the pressure on leaseholders with bills for major works
Westminster City Council is introducing new payment options for resident leaseholders facing large major works bills, in response to challenges with the cost of living and increased building costs that have put many residents in a challenging financial situation.
Those facing invoices of over £30,000 will be able to benefit from an 8-year interest-free payment plan – one of the most generous payment terms available to local authority leaseholders in London. They will also now having the option of paying back over 13 years, with the first 8 interest free.
Additionally, the Discretionary and Voluntary service charge loans, which are available to leaseholders with bills of over £20,000, will now be interest free for the first 8 years and no longer dependent on the applicant having to show they weren’t able to secure financing elsewhere.
This is part of the Council’s plans to limit the financial burden on leaseholders and tackle the cost of living crisis in Westminster.
Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services said: “The council has seen a sharp rise in the cost of essential major works to its buildings and wants to ensure resident leaseholders are supported through loans with more favourable terms.
“That’s why we are increasing the number and generosity of repayment options available to resident leaseholders in Westminster, to ensure that they have the best possible financial support.
“If you are a leaseholder and you want to know, more contact our housing services team about changing your payment plan”
Notes to editor:
The full details of the two new repayment options for resident leaseholders with major works bills are as follows:
8 years – If you receive an invoice for more than £30,000 you can spread payments over eight years in 96 equal monthly payments. This option will not be made available where the property is sublet, owned by a company, or owned by a housing association. You must complete an extended payment instalment form. No interest is charged.
13 years – If you receive a bill for more than £30,000 you can spread payments over thirteen years in 156 equal monthly payments. No interest is charged for months 1-96. Interest is charged on the balance remaining at month 96 at 1.5% above the Bank of England Base rate for months 97-156. This option will not be made available where the property is sublet, owned by a company, or owned by a housing association. You must complete an extended payment instalment form.
For both of the Discretionary and Voluntary service charge loans, the criteria that leaseholders must have been unable to secure alternative financing has been removed and an interest free period of 8 years has been added. The full terms are now as follows:
Discretionary Service Charge Loan – This option is available for residents leaseholders who receive a bill for more than £20,000. It will not be made available where the property is owned by a company or owned by a housing association. Where the property is sublet, we will review the application on a case by case basis. The service charge loan will be secured by a way of a legal charge on the property for a maximum of 25 years. Years 1 to 8 will be interest free. Interest is charged on the balance remaining at the end of year 8 at 1.5% above the Bank of England Base rate for years 9 to 25. Interest is calculated monthly. You will also need to pay the administration costs involved.
Voluntary Service Charge Loan – This option is available for residents leaseholders who receive a bill for more than £20,000. This option will not be made available where the property is owned by a company or owned by a housing association. Where the property is sublet, we will review the application on a case by case basis. The service charge loan will be secured by a way of a legal charge on the property. Years 1 to 8 will be interest free. Interest is charged on the balance remaining at the end of year 8 at 1.5% above the Bank of England Base rate until the loan is repaid. Interest is calculated monthly. The administration fees to set up the loan and to register the charge against the property can also be added to the loan.
Details of the Council’s other interest-free repayment plans for leaseholders with smaller major works bills can be found on the Council’s website (please note that this webpage does not yet reflect the changes to the other plans that have been detailed above): Major Works service charges payment plans | Westminster City Council
If you are a leaseholder who has received a major works invoice for 2025/26, you will have access to the new payment plans on offer when they are implemented. Any leaseholders who are on historic payment plans for invoice issued before April 2025 can contact the council directly about moving to a new plan.
Stoke-on-Trent is set to brew up something special this summer as part of its Centenary celebrations – with communities across the city invited to take part in a history-making Big Centenary Tea Party
The event, which takes place at 11am on Monday, 8 July, will bring residents, businesses, schools and other organisations together for a shared moment of celebration – and the chance to break a world record.
The event, supported by a wide partnership of local organisations, will see tea parties hosted across the city and beyond, in honour of Stoke-on-Trent’s 100 years of city status. From local parks and community halls to care homes, schools and office spaces, the Big Centenary Tea Party is set to bring communities together in celebration of the Centenary.
The tea party is being arranged by organisations including YMCA North Staffordshire, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, the Community Foundation for Staffordshire, Made in Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent College, VAST, and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, with support from the Ambassador Theatre Group and a wide range of local partners.
Steve Adams, Chief Executive of Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Big Centenary Tea Party and bringing everyone together to celebrate our wonderful, shared history. Let’s use this world record attempt to dream big and work together to make the next 100 years just as incredible!”
Nicky Twemlow, Community & Partnerships Director YMCA North Staffordshire, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Big Centenary Tea Party and will be supporting the World Record attempt. Stoke-on-Trent is a brilliant city, and this feels a perfect way to honour the cities 100-year celebrations and bring communities together.”
Hassan Rizvi, Principal and CEO of Stoke on Trent College, said: “Stoke on Trent College is delighted to be supporting the Big Centenary Tea Party. This is an opportunity to bring our staff together and celebrate 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent in style.”
Lisa Healings, Chief Executive of VAST, said: “The Big Centenary Tea Party is a fantastic opportunity for communities to come together to build relationships and to celebrate, not only the history of our city, but also its future potential.”
The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Lyn Sharpe, said: “This is going to be a fun-filled event involving so many people from across our city.
“I can’t wait to sit down, enjoy a friendly chat with others and tuck into a tasty cream tea. Our city’s tea sets are famous all over the world so I can’t think of a better way for us to get together for a brew in Stoke-on-Trent than this.”
“Many organisations are working behind the scenes to make this special event attempt happen as part of our centenary year celebrations. I’d like to thank them for pulling it all together.
“There is still time to take part, and you’ll help us get one [step] closer to possibly beating the record. If this happens, you’ll be able to tell your friends and family forever more, ‘I’m a record breaker!’”
Tom Nadin, Head of Projects at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “Staffordshire Chambers are proud to support The Big Centenary Tea Party – a brilliant celebration of community spirit, connection and 100 years of making a difference. It’s an opportunity to show how important it is to bring people together, and what better way than over a cuppa and a slice of cake!”
Dwain Mcdonald, Executive Lead at Made In Stoke, said: “This is more than just a tea party; it’s a testament to the spirit of our community. We are inviting everyone from our oldest residents to our youngest students to join us in creating a moment in history.”
The world record attempt aims to gather the largest number of people taking part in a simultaneous cream tea party across multiple venues. From garden gatherings and office events to street parties and family get-togethers, every cup of tea will count toward making history.
It is likely the average grant available will be up to £20,000 for projects costing £40,000 or more.
Higher grants could be available depending on the impact of the investment – but grants will be capped at no more than 50% of the project cost.
Previous grants have supported the purchase of items such as vertical lathes, laser cutters, cold rolling machines, CNC tube bending and forming machines, and polymer sorting machines.
Funding will come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The latest grants were today (Tuesday) launched at a free Business Support Roadshow – supported by Business Growth West Midlands – at Molineux Stadium.
Full details of grant eligibility, impact measures and the application processes, along with details of some of the other new business support programmes, can be found at Business Growth Wolverhampton.
The window for expressions of interest in the grants will close on 30 April, 2025.
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “In Wolverhampton, we are utilising the UKSPF funds to support SMEs in maximising their offer and capitalising on opportunities being generated by investment in our city.
“For those businesses who couldn’t make it to the roadshow I would urge them to head to the business growth webpage and find out exactly what funding is available to them.
“Support is in place to help guide businesses through the process to access these grants.”
Applications for the grants are on a competitive basis, subject to availability of funds, and distributed at the discretion of the council.
If you need help with your grant application or have a general query, you can get in touch by emailing business.development@wolverhampton.gov.uk or calling the business support phone line on 01902 555572 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation DCO decision announced
The Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation application has today been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation
The project comprises the construction and operation of an integrated waste water treatment centre and sludge treatment plant, transfer tunnels, terminal and intermediate pumping stations, vehicle access, utilities connections, renewable energy generation, ancillary buildings and landscaping.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Anglian Water Services Limited on 28 April 2023 and accepted for examination on 24 May 2023.
Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 12 July 2024.
This is the second waste water application out of 154 applications examined to date and was again completed by the Planning Inspectorate within the statutory timescale laid down in the Planning Act 2008.
Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this six-month examination.
The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.
The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
New appeals process to provide independent assurance about Horizon redress awards
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas has announced the launch of the new, independent, appeals process for eligible postmasters in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
New independent appeals process for Horizon Shortfall Scheme victims
New applications for postmasters who claimed under HSS to begin this month
Provides assurance that those who were unjustly impacted by the Horizon IT scandal will receive full, fair and swift redress
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas has announced in Parliament today [Tuesday 8 April] the launch of the new, independent, appeals process for eligible postmasters in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
Postmasters who feel their financial settlement did not reflect the true extent of their losses and trauma will be able to appeal their settlement ensuring they receive full, fair and swift redress.
Eligible postmasters and their legal representatives will be written to later this month and applications for the new Appeals process will begin to be accepted by the end of April.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said:
It is our priority that all those who were unjustly affected by the Horizon IT scandal receive full, fair and swift redress and today’s measures are the next step in providing that.
Since taking office, the total amount of redress paid to victims has increased by more than three and a half times with £892 million having now been paid to over 6,200 claimants. There is still more to do, and I am committed to this task until every affected postmaster receives the redress they rightly deserve.
The Government also announced that each Directly Managed Branch (DMBs) will be franchised so that Post Office services remain available to local communities. We have listened to concerns and made it clear that DMBs should not be closed as we continue to work with the Post Office as it develops its transformation plan.
There will also be a further £276.9 million in funding for the Post Office to help support the breadth of the network. This will enable Post Office to deliver technology transformation and give them the resources to continue administering redress payments to postmasters.
There will also be a scheme launched next month to provide redress to postmasters who faced issues with Post Office products, polices or processes.
These updates will help rebuild trust with postmasters and ensure past failings are fully addressed.
Notes to editors
As of 31 March 2025, approximately £892 million has been paid to over 6,200 claimants across 4 schemes:
£454 million in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), including interim payments
£67 million in the Overturned Convictions (OC) scheme, including interim payments
£150 million in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme, including interim payments
£221 million in the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS), including interim payments
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
The New Hampshire Congressional delegation released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s freeze on federal funding for life-saving reproductive health care services provided by Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE):
“The Trump administration’s move to freeze federal funding that helps Planned Parenthood of Northern New England deliver basic and often life-saving reproductive health care will be nothing short of disastrous for the communities we represent. Every day, PPNNE provides thousands of Granite Staters with affordable preventative reproductive health care services. By targeting essential care like cancer screenings and family planning services, the administration is sending a clear message: women’s health doesn’t matter to them.”
The New Hampshire delegation have been unrelenting advocates for women’s reproductive rights. Just last year, the delegationjoined PPNNE in Concordto highlight the impact abortion bans and efforts to limit access to medication abortion have had in New Hampshire since Roe v. Wade was overturned. The delegation has pushed for Title X funding, and following obstruction from Republicans on New Hampshire’s Executive Council, the delegationhelped securecritical Title X funding for PPNNE.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Defence medical waiting times cut as new appointments system launches
New Defence appointment management approach results in a 26% reduction in waiting times for patients accessing doctor appointments in primary healthcare.
MOD Crown Copyright
Total Triage, introduced by Strategic Command’s Defence Medical Services, has been adopted by Defence medical centres and is designed to reduce unnecessary face-to-face appointments and enable greater and quicker access to medical care for those in need. One of the first centres to use it has seen a 90% reduction in such doctor appointments, with 70% of all enquiries handled at first point of contact and leading to greater patient and staff satisfaction.
The new system completed its national rollout at 105 Defence Primary Healthcare medical centres across the UK earlier this year. In addition, Total Triage hubs have now been established at 35 Defence medical centres with a further 13 neighbouring centres permanently using the hubs by local agreement.
Under the new arrangements patients submit a request through the online form, or phone the medical centre where the request is triaged and allocated to a suitable qualified clinician within the multi-disciplinary team. The patient should receive a call back within 24 working hours by a medical professional to be given medical advice or alternatively referred to either a face-to-face appointment or remote consultation with a specialist. This ensures the patient gets to see the right healthcare worker at the right time.
Flight Sergeant Chris Workman MBE, Project Lead for Total Triage, said:
The health and welfare of our patients is our top priority, and the introduction of Total Triage is already seeing positive results in healthcare outcomes. Patients have reported positive feedback regarding the ease of submitting their request alongside the speedy delivery of their clinical outcome with some 4 week waiting lists being reduced to zero days.
Equally, staff are experiencing a boost as the Total Triage team have enjoyed a wider range of patient consultations, developed a distinct sense of camaraderie and a renewed pride in the delivery of joint healthcare for our patients.
This is based the innovative system used by NHS GP practices during the COVID19 pandemic, to ensure people could still receive medical advice when in person appointments were not possible. The concept was then adapted by the Defence Medical Services for use at medical centres, reducing unnecessary travel by patients as well as improving resilience across the regions as medical centres work collaboratively to improve patient outcomes. This has resulted in a reduced amount of appointment booking calls in the morning which lowers the pressure on reception staff and enables quicker patient treatment.
Director Defence Healthcare, Air Vice Marshal Dave McLoughlin, said:
The implementation of Total Triage has been a game changer for Defence Primary Healthcare. It has resulted in an overall reduction in waiting times for doctor and nurse appointments by nearly a third. This ensures that the right patient sees the right healthcare worker at the right time.
Providing safe and effective healthcare to the Armed Forces population is a priority for Defence. Witnessing the dedication of the teams delivering this initiative at scale and at pace, alongside the reports of high levels of patient and staff satisfaction is remarkable and inspiring. My sincere thanks to everyone who has worked hard to implement Total Triage.
This is part of wider programme of primary healthcare improvements set up by the Defence Medical Services to identify and deliver better healthcare to Armed Forces personnel, including the introduction of SMS appointment reminders and combining practices to increase access to medical services and resources.
On this page we have made available copies of the grant determination letters for the Integrated Settlements 2025 to 2026 provided to Greater Manchester Mayoral Combined Authority and West Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Update on Free Trade Agreement negotiations with South Korea
Update following round 4 of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea
Negotiations took place in London between 10 and 21 March 2025.
The fourth round of negotiations to upgrade the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in London between 10 and 21 March 2025. As with previous rounds, negotiators from both sides engaged productively across a broad range of areas in an ongoing effort to enhance and solidify the economic partnership between us.
Negotiations continue to centre around three key objectives:
Securing and future proofing existing arrangements: Progress was made in rules of origin discussions. Product Specific Rules were discussed for a range of important exporting sectors. Negotiators will continue to seek a chapter which accounts for both existing and future supply chains.
Capturing recent advances in Trade Policy: Negotiations on a new and comprehensive Digital Trade chapter progressed positively, with commitments on data, trade digitisation and business safeguards under discussion this round.
Supporting our strategic relationship with the Republic of Korea: During the round good progress was made towards agreeing new cooperation commitments covering areas such as the Environment, Trade and Gender Equality and Supply Chains.
Economic growth is the core mission of this government, and this FTA has an important role to play in supporting our £15.3 billion trade relationship with the Republic of Korea.
The government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns with the UK’s national interests, upholding high standards across a range of sectors, including protections for the National Health Service.
The fifth round of negotiations is currently expected to take place in Seoul in the Summer of 2025.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier in final preparation to lead multinational deployment to Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific
Nearly 4,000 British personnel will support the deployment, which will deliver trade events in Singapore, Japan, and India, promoting Britain’s world-leading industry
HMS Prince of Wales
Final preparations are underway for a multinational deployment, led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to the security of the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific, while providing an opportunity to promote British trade and industry.
Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is scheduled to sail from Portsmouth on 22 April, where it will proceed to join a formation of warships, supply ships, and aircraft off the coast of Cornwall, before departing for the Mediterranean where it will conduct exercises to reinforce European security.
Around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy and 592 from the Royal Air Force will be involved in the eight-month deployment, which will see the group sail through the Indian Ocean to conduct exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India, Singapore, and Malaysia. They will be joined by around 900 personnel from the British Army for exercises during the deployment.
The deployment, named Operation Highmast, provides an opportunity for the UK’s Armed Forces to conduct a major global deployment and a chance to exercise complex operations alongside partners and allies in the region, with 12 other nations supporting the deployment with ships or personnel.
The Indo-Pacific is a critical region for UK trade, with imports and exports in the region worth billions of pounds for the UK economy, and the deployment will provide a chance for UK companies to take part in trade events during port visits.
Trade between the UK and Indo-Pacific accounted for 17% of total trade between the UK and all trading partners in the 12 months to September 2024, with the total amount traded in goods and services between the UK and Indo-Pacific standing at £286 billion in the same period.
As the biggest class of ship in the Royal Navy, the flight decks of HMS Prince of Wales and her sister ship are roughly the size of three football pitches and defended by advanced weapons. A maritime strike force of this size is composed of multiple types of ship, frigates, destroyers, submarines, and supply ships to support logistics.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:
I want to thank the thousands of our Armed Forces personnel involved in the delivery of this immensely complex operation, demonstrating the UK’s world-leading capability to deploy a major military force around the world.
This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close coordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost British trade and exports.
As one of only a handful of countries in the world able to lead a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating its formidable capability while protecting British values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary.
Of the 12 other nations supporting the deployment, Norway will provide a warship to support the carrier strike group for the entire duration of the deployment. Canada and Spain are among the other nations providing support to the deployment.
After its compliment of up to 24 Royal Air Force F-35B Lighting fighter jets is embarked on board HMS Prince of Wales, and the departure for the Mediterranean, the group will initially be placed under NATO command as it joins Exercise Neptune Strike – testing the Alliance’s ability to use high-end maritime strike capabilities, including multiple aircraft carrier and amphibious strike groups.
The group will transit though the Indian Ocean, conducting exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India, Singapore and Malaysia, before joining 19 partner nations for Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia, and then training alongside the Japanese Self Defence Forces and conducting a port visit to India.
Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said:
Through this deployment of our Carrier Strike Group and 4,000 Service Personnel, we will stand firm with our allies against those who challenge the international order. Reminding the world that the security of the Euro Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are fundamentally indivisible.
This isn’t just about hard power; it’s about building influence and opening new trade opportunities both for defence and other sectors of our economy which will deliver British jobs and growth.
This deployment follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, demonstrating this Government’s commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad.
Following the inaugural deployment in 2021, the Carrier Strike Group 2025 highlights the strength of the UK’s leadership in seeking to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific. This has been bolstered by the Royal Navy’s persistent presence in the region through HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, as well as the landmark Global Combat Air Programme collaboration.
Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority and is the foundation of its Plan for Change. The strength, capability and global reach of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, demonstrated through Operation Highmast, is critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting the delivery of the Government’s five missions.
Donald Trump is no friend of Scotland. He must not be allowed to visit.
More in External Affairs
The UK government’s proposed state visit for Donald Trump is looking more ridiculous with every passing day, says Scottish Green Co-Leader Lorna Slater, who has urged Downing Street to cancel it.
The call comes as the White House has imposed tariffs on the UK, and while Keir Starmer and other leaders have tried to cozy up to him.
“The proposed state visit is looking more ridiculous and misguided with every passing day. There is nothing to be gained by grovelling to Donald Trump and giving him the trappings and prestige that he desires.
“Time and again he has proven he cannot be trusted and has even inflicted tariffs on the UK. What kind of message does it send if we roll out the red carpet for him at the same time as he is doing that?
“Donald Trump is a danger to human rights around the world and a danger to our climate. He represents the worst of politics and the decisions he’s making are having a terrible impact on migrant communities, women’s rights and on the US economy.
“He is not a friend of Scotland, and is not going to change who he is because the Prime Minister asks him to.”
Ms Slater added:
“Scotland’s future can and must be with a closer Europe. That is where Keir Starmer’s priorities should be.
“We can’t wait silently while Trump does even more damage. We should be looking to build our green economy and reach out to countries like Canada that have also been targeted by the White House.”
Security and renewal at heart of plans for steel sector
The Government has hosted the second meeting of the Steel Council today, and reiterated its commitment to British steelmaking.
Steel sector, union and trade body leaders meet Government to drive forward development of its steel plan as part of drive towards industrial renewal.
Industry Minister restates the Government’s commitment to British-made steel, including energy cost relief for businesses expected to be worth over £300m in 2025 alone.
Government is reviewing nearly 100 responses to its steel consultation as it brings forward plans to help the industry secure jobs and deliver economic growth across the UK, as part of its Plan for Change.
Steel sector leaders were reassured about the Government’s plans to revitalise British steelmaking today (8 April) at the second meeting of the Steel Council, bringing together industry leaders to feed into amid global concerns around US tariffs on steel and aluminium.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones hosted the meeting earlier today after the Government’s steel plan green paper consultation closed on 30 March, receiving almost 100 responses and recommendations from business leaders and industry experts.
The meeting follow’s the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday where he pledged to do the right thing by the UK’s national interest, prioritising security and renewal in a changing world.
Minister Jones reiterated the Government’s firm support for industry and its role in delivering economic growth, as well as in the context of global tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US. She assured Steel Council members the Government is continuing to do all it can to stand up for the sector.
The meeting comes as the Government continues to work round the clock to protect jobs at British Steel in Scunthorpe.
CEOs of steel firms including Tata, Liberty, British Steel and others joined leaders from trade unions and the industry’s trade association UK Steel to discuss the sector’s future and the challenges facing it.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said:
We know this is a concerning time for our steel industry in the face of global challenges. That’s why we’re working in lockstep with industry to drive forward our steel plan so it can help the sector secure jobs, deliver growth and power the modern economy.
This government will always stand up for UK steelmaking, and where others may talk tough, we are acting, with money ready to go to back up British industry. With our steel plan we’re placing it at the heart of our growth mission, and we’ll keep all options on the table to help steel in the UK thrive and deliver on our Plan for Change.
The Steel Council’s second meeting comes as the final measure in the Government’s British Industry Supercharger package – the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) scheme – comes into force, bringing energy costs for steel companies and other energy-intensive industries closer in line with other major economies worldwide.
The first payments to industry from the NCC scheme will be made next month and provide over 15 million in energy price relief for businesses in May alone.
Once fully implemented, the total value of reduced electricity prices from the Supercharger package is expected to be between 320 million and 410 million in 2025, and more than 5 billion over the next 10 years.
Background:
A full list of attendees for the Steel Council meeting is below:
Great Places Housing Group has submitted its proposals for the first planned scheme to be delivered as part of the recently approved masterplan for the Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood in east Manchester.
The affordable housing scheme of 82 apartments for social rent will be on a vacant site on the corner of Grey Mare Lane and Ashton New Road. The former brownfield site was previously occupied by the Manchester Bar pub, which was demolished in 2020.
The development will deliver a mix of one and two-bed apartments. The proposals include private garden spaces for a number of ground floor apartments, a communal garden, balconies for the majority of apartments above ground floor level and high-quality landscaping. A planned new pedestrian link will also improve the connectivity to Grey Mare Lane and Ashton New Road from Newcombe Close.
The scheme has been developed working in close partnership with Manchester City Council, One Manchester, and This City as part of the wider proposals for the Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood masterplan. The masterplan, which was approved in September, will deliver 1,000 new homes, including a significant number of affordable homes, and new green spaces.
Commenting on the planning submission Helen Spencer, our Executive Director of Growth, said:
“We are delighted to submit our plans for the first of our planned affordable housing developments as part of the wider regeneration of the Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood. This project represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing high-quality, affordable homes for the community in East Manchester.
“This development has been made possible through our close partnership with Manchester City Council, One Manchester, and This City. Together, we are dedicated to transforming the Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood into a vibrant and sustainable community. We look forward to seeing these plans come to fruition and making a positive impact on the lives of local residents.”
Cllr. Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council, added:
“The Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood is a key regeneration programme for us and this planning application represents the first site of a transformational programme of housing and estate investment in the coming years that will see at least 1,000 new homes, including a large number of social, Council and affordable homes and new green spaces.
“We have been working closely with the local community around the plans to invest in their community both through formal consultation and a local community steering group, and this is just the start for Grey Mare Lane. Sites will come online quickly in the next few months, and we will begin to realise the potential of the neighbourhood.”
The development is the first of two proposed developments in the area to be delivered by Great Places, with details for a second affordable homes development on a site on Sunny Lowry Road expected to be submitted next year.
The new housing investment within the Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood is part of the Council’s commitment to delivering at least 36,000 new homes through to 2032 as part of the city’s ambitious housing strategy. This will include 10,000 new affordable homes, and 3,000 of these will be in the city centre.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
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Immigration Adviser Finder and Register now available
The technical issues affecting the Immigration Adviser Finder and Adviser Register tools have now been resolved, and both services are fully operational again.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the period of disruption and appreciate your patience while we worked to restore access.
The Adviser Finder is a user-friendly tool that helps people seeking immigration advice locate registered advisers in their area. The Adviser Register allows the public to check whether an individual or organisation is officially registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). We encourage anyone seeking immigration advice to use these tools to ensure they are getting advice from someone regulated by the IAA.
Funding for new police vans and training for officers and dog wardens has been agreed following a Responsible Dog Ownership Summit hosted by the Scottish Government.
Police Scotland has received £166,000 to train officers to identify banned breeds and buy specially-equipped vans to transport dangerous and out of control dogs. The National Dog Warden Association (NDWA) has received £30,000 to train wardens.
The actions were recommended in a report following the Responsible Dog Ownership Summit last September. The summit brought together Police Scotland, local authorities, veterinary bodies, public health and third sector organisations to consider improvements to dog control and public safety measures.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said:
“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible but it is important that the public are protected from any dogs who do pose a danger.
“This Scottish Government funding for Police Scotland and the National Dog Warden Association will improve public safety and the control of dangerous dogs. The NDWA training fund will support training for dog wardens who work in our communities to promote responsible dog ownership, advise on dog welfare and enforce legislation.
“I am grateful to those who took part in the Responsible Dog Ownership Summit and I look forward to continuing to work with partners to explore further steps to improve dog safety and control.”
Jim Ferguson, Chair of the National Dog Warden Association said:
“The National Dog Warden Association are proud partners of the Scottish Government and our organisation, which represents Scotland’s local authorities dog wardens, welcomed the Scottish Government Responsible Dog Ownership Summit report and recommendations. Building on the summit, the NDWA is committed to working with the Scottish Government and other key partners to look at opportunities to review existing policy and pinpoint any opportunities to enhance and strengthen policy in order to better protect people and pets together.”
Liz Saville Roberts slams past governments for leaving Welsh livelihoods exposed to global market forces
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, highlighted how Trump’s 25% tariffs on machinery and transport equipment will threaten Wales’ car sector.
The automative sector employs 30,000 people in Wales.
Just last week, Ms Saville Roberts urged the UK Government to use economic common sense and accelerate scrapping trade barriers with Europe in the face of Trump’s tariffs to protect the Welsh economy.
Liz Saville Roberts MP also criticised previous Labour and Conservative Governments for failing to protect Welsh livelihoods in the past, who were “swept away” by global market forces.
The Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP claimed that the Government would give British car-makers “certainty and support” in the face of global economic headwinds. However, the Welsh Automative Forum have called for direct support for the car sector, claiming that the UK Government’s commitments aren’t enough.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:
“Previous Labour and Conservative Governments did little when Welsh livelihoods were swept away by global market forces in places like the Ford plant in Bridgend and the steel works in Port Talbot.
“Wales’s car sector is now facing 25% tariffs, thanks to President Trump, threatening an industry which employs 30,000 people.
“The Welsh Automotive Forum have said the Government’s commitments are not enough. They’re calling for direct support.
“Recycled fines are hardly direct support. Is her Government prepared to step up and provide it?”
The Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander responded:
“We have a £2 billion automotive transformation fund. We’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds in other forms of support as well.
“I work closely with the Welsh Government on these issues, and we won’t leave any stone unturned in our attempts to protect the car manufacturing industry and ensure that those high skilled jobs are there in communities in Wales and across the rest of country.”
Staff and students can be at the heart of solutions for Dundee University.
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The new Strategic Advisory Taskforce set up by the Scottish Government to aid Dundee University must centre the voice of staff and students, who have been made virtually voiceless throughout the ongoing crisis, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.
Ms Chapman, who was elected Rector of Dundee University by students who supported her anti-cuts stance, has urged openness and transparency throughout the process and answers for the many questions that staff and students have.
Last week it was announced that 700 jobs are under threat at the institution.
“Many of the answers to the crisis at the University lie with the staff and students. They are the ones who make the University work and make it what it is. Their voices have been largely ignored until now.
“The scale of cuts being talked about would be disastrous for the University and for the city.
“While expert advice is welcome, and shows that the Scottish Government is taking the crisis seriously, we must see staff and students included in the process. Their voices must be heard, their questions must be answered and their concerns must be addressed.
“For the last five months we have seen a bunker mentality from senior management.
“We have seen mismanagement, poor governance and very poor communications from the University’s executive group. That has to change if the University is to have a successful and prosperous future.”