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Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sanctions corrupt actors in Guatemala

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK sanctions corrupt actors in Guatemala

    The UK has sanctioned seven corrupt actors whose actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala.

    • The UK has sanctioned seven corrupt actors whose actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala, including former President Alejandro Giammattei and Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras
    • This forms parts of a wider sanctions package against corrupt individuals linked to Moldova, Georgia and Guatemala
    • This is the latest action in the Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle corruption and dirty money around the world, global threats that undermine the very foundations of free and democratic societies

    The UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, has announced today a series of sanctions against individuals from Moldova, Georgia, and Guatemala. In Guatemala, the UK remains deeply concerned by continued attempts to undermine the Arévalo Government by corrupt actors with links to the previous administration. 

    Among the members of the “Pacto de Corruptos” (Pact of the Corrupt) facing sanctions are former President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei, his associate Miguel Martinez, and the Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras. In office, Giammattei profited from significant acts of corruption including re-appointing Porras to target his political rivals and undermine anti-corruption investigations. Porras and her cronies have achieved this by undermining the operational independence of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity and prosecuting journalists, lawyers and judges. Porras also attempted to annul the 2023 election and hinder the 2024 transition of power to President Arévalo. Meanwhile, Melvin Ernesto Quijivix Vega, former head of the National Institute of Electrification (Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion), embezzled more than 14.5m quetzales (£1.5m) of public funds. 

    Independent investigative reporting and the activities of civil society groups often play a crucial role in informing sanctions of this kind. But Porras and the Pacto de Corruptos have weaponised their powers against Guatemalan journalists who have tried to hold them to account. This led to the closure of noted investigative newspaper El Periódico and the jailing of its founder, following an investigation into a bribe from a Russian mining company to former President Giammattei in exchange for favourable exploration licences and port access.  

    Individuals targeted by today’s sanctions will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes, denying them entry to the UK and preventing them from holding funds or economic resources in the UK and its overseas territories. 

    These sanctions reaffirm the UK’s commitment to combating corruption and protecting the institutions designed to hold these unscrupulous individuals to account. The UK continues to stand with all Guatemalans in defence of democracy and the rule of law, and against those who trample on these principles for personal gain.

    Background 

    Today the UK has sanctioned: 

    • Alejandro Giammattei, former President of Guatemala;
    • Maria Consuelo Porras, Attorney General of Guatemala; 
    • Jose Curruchiche, Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad);
    • Cinthia Monterroso, Prosecutor and Head of Unit at the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad);
    • Angel Pineda, Secretary General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Publico);
    • Melvin Quijivix, former Head of the National Institute of Electrification (Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion); 
    • Miguel Martinez, associate of Giammattei and former Head of the Centre of Government (Centro de Gobierno).

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Adolescence in schools: TV show’s portrayal of one boyhood may do more harm than good when used as a teaching tool

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor at the Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham

    Netflix television series Adolescence has captured the attention of people across the UK – including the prime minister.

    The series follows a 13-year-old boy accused of the murder of his female classmate. It touches upon incel online hate groups, toxic influencers and the misogynistic online spaces of the manosphere.

    Keir Starmer has backed a move for Adolescence to be shown in schools, and Netflix has now made the series available to be shown for free in classrooms through charity Into Film+, which has also produced a guide for teachers. Resources for teachers and parents will also be produced by relationships charity Tender.

    Adolescence is a drama and deserves the praise it has attracted. But it wasn’t developed as an educational resource, the kind that is produced in consultation with young people and schools and should be underpinned by robust research and well planned evaluations.

    The series shows an extreme example of one teenager drawn into the world of the manosphere. Not all boys will see themselves reflected in this portrayal. And as a researcher working on masculinity and misogyny, my concern is that showing the series in schools may lead boys to think that they are all perceived as potential threats.

    Showing the series as a teaching tool risks framing boyhood as monolithic, with one particular – and problematic – way of being a boy.

    Already, a broad-brush, blame-heavy approach is often taken to boys in response to issues relating to sexual harassment and violence. “We may have a problem with boys and young men that we need to address”, Keir Starmer has said.

    Boys dealing with blame

    In research I have carried out for a forthcoming book on boys and masculinity, I worked with young men and boys aged 13 to 19. One 15-year-old boy said that “I am always told that I am part of the problem but never allowed to be part of the solution”. I also found that this broad blame culture leads to feelings of worthlessness in young men and boys, which shuts down vital dialogue and also may lead them to resort to looking for direction from negative spaces such as the manosphere.

    It is evident from reports and evidence that young men and boys do carry out a large amount of reported sexual harassment and harms against young women and girls. This can be seen in the 2021 Ofsted report into sexual harassment in schools in England, for example. The 2025 2000 Women report states that, in the UK, a woman is killed by a man every three days.

    There is evidently a serious, endemic and complex problem. The misogyny that can be popularised by toxic influencers online also needs urgently addressing.

    But a “one-size-fits-all” approach to tackle “boys’ issues” may result in making things worse, not better, due to the lack of recognition of the intersectionality of boyhood. Other aspects of identity, such as race, age, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, sexuality and physical and mental health will have implications for the approaches that need to be taken.



    Read more:
    How to talk to boys about misogyny

    My ongoing research has demonstrated that boyhood means differing things to different boys. In steering groups with young men and boys from various ethnicities and differing social classes, a consistent theme emerged. This was a conflict between the internal and external self that the boys felt that they had to portray. This was also highlighted in a further 16 focus groups carried out on the project, again with a range of boys.

    The internal self refers to who the boys actually are, including other identity traits such as race and class, and all the other intersecting aspects of their identity. The external self is what they felt they should show as a boys to fit into the hierarchy of masculinity and how they should portray themselves to fit within the social expectations of being a boy. This causes a conflict of external and internal self.

    Efforts to help boys deal with issues such as the messages of the manosphere need to be attuned to the nuance of their internal selves. Generalising boys does not account for the individual identities that they bring to the issues that affect them.

    Boys as individuals

    The monolithic perspective of “boys” and the ensuing group blame oversimplifies complex issues, resulting in less than effective solutions and interventions that do not acknowledge or account for the nuances and complexities that surround individual boys.

    This approach ignores diversities and intersecting identities and steers societal thinking about boys as a set group. It risks stereotyping them and causing prejudicial approaches. When boys are stigmatised in such a way, it compounds issues across genders, breaks down valuable communication and can also cause resentment and hostility.

    One of the key voices and valuable perspectives that is missing from this debate is that of young men and boys themselves. We need to truly listen to their perspectives and their needs and build upon these as they are the experts in the world they are experiencing. Good practice accounts for and builds upon these experiences, with young people.

    My research has demonstrated that young people want to be a part of these discussions rather than having things decided for them. It also shows that, quite often, we are teaching them what they already know and providing support and education that is too little, too late. We need to move away from the broad brush blaming of boys and young men and begin to approach them based upon their own individual identities – of which gender is only a part.

    Sophie King-Hill receives funding from ESRC.

    – ref. Adolescence in schools: TV show’s portrayal of one boyhood may do more harm than good when used as a teaching tool – https://theconversation.com/adolescence-in-schools-tv-shows-portrayal-of-one-boyhood-may-do-more-harm-than-good-when-used-as-a-teaching-tool-253158

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government unlocks £10 billion private investment into the UK

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government unlocks £10 billion private investment into the UK

    The Minister for Investment has signed a new partnership with Singaporean bank OCBC, which will help unlock £10 billion of investment into key priority sectors in the UK.

    • Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson signs new partnership with OCBC, Singapore’s second largest bank, to facilitate £10 billion investment into the UK.
    • Agreement will increase UK-Asia Pacific collaboration and support investment into priority growth sectors including energy, infrastructure and real estate.
    • Comes in the wake of ratification of CPTPP – a massive trade deal with the region – helping to create economic growth and supporting the Plan for Change.

    New collaboration between the UK government and one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia will unlock £10 billion of investment into Britain, boosting economic growth and driving forward the government’s Plan for Change.   

    Today [Wednesday 2 April], Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson has signed the new MoU with the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited’s (OCBC) Head of Global Corporate Banking Elaine Lam.    

    The bank aims to finance £10 billion of investment from the Asia Pacific region into priority growth sectors including energy, infrastructure and real estate by 2030.   

    Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson CBE said:

    This £10 billion commitment from OCBC is a major vote of confidence in the UK economy. Not only will it help create more opportunities in real estate and infrastructure, but will also back our clean energy industry, a key growth sector identified in our upcoming Industrial Strategy.” 

    We have the most open, stable and connected economy in the world – and our Plan for Change will encourage more international companies to invest here, delivering long-term growth that supports good, skilled jobs across the country.

    Under the newly expanded Office for Investment, OCBC will collaborate with the government to promote the UK as a hub for businesses, investors and services, attracting billions of pounds worth of investment from Asia and supporting the government’s growth mission.    

    As one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia, OCBC brings valuable private capital from Asia into the UK. OCBC’s plan to finance £10 billion worth of investment until 2030 signifies the significant opportunities from Asia and is a huge vote of confidence in the UK economy.    

    OCBC Head of Global Corporate Banking Elaine Lam said:

    The UK and Singapore share historically deep ties and OCBC is proud to play a part in further strengthening the relationship with this agreement. Our UK business has grown significantly over the years and our London branch is now the largest in our international network. The growth has been driven by developments in sectors such as real estate, renewables, energy transition as well as digital and core physical infrastructure.  

    These align with the priority sectors outlined in the UK’s industrial strategy and we will double down on our efforts to drive further growth in these areas. We are also committed to supporting UK companies that are keen to establish or expand operations in Singapore and Southeast Asia. We look forward to building on our strong track record in the UK to deliver on these goals.

    The UK and Asia-Pacific trading relationship is worth £126 billion. This new partnership will create more opportunities in key growth driving sectors identified in the government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, and build on the UK’s CPTPP ratification – expected to boost the economy by £2 billion a year in the long-term.   

    The collaboration will also help facilitate further trade and investment with the APAC region, as the UK remains committed to free and fair trade, with a pro-business approach focused on reducing barriers to investment.   

    The government’s new modern Industrial Strategy will deliver long-term, sustainable, inclusive growth right across the UK by driving investment into the economy and hardwire stability for investors, giving them the confidence to plan not just for the next year, but for the next 10 years and beyond.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Campaign to tackle dirty money steps up with new sanctions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Campaign to tackle dirty money steps up with new sanctions

    UK sanctions corrupt actors undermining democratic governments in Foreign Secretary’s latest steps to crack down on corruption and illicit finance.

    • UK sanctions pro-Kremlin operation responsible for destabilising Moldova
    • Cronies used by corrupt leaders to undermine democracy and rule of law in Georgia and Guatemala also included in new crackdown
    • Action marks latest step in Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle threats to UK from corruption and illicit finance

    Pro-Kremlin operatives responsible for rigging elections in Moldova are among those hit with sanctions today (2 April), which will freeze assets and ban travel.

    This crackdown is the latest in the Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle corruption and dirty money, which is vital to protect the UK public from organised criminals and safeguard our democracy.

    The sanctions target a network of pro-Russian actors named Evrazia operating in Moldova on behalf of corrupt fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, previously designated by the UK in 2022, to destabilise Moldovan democracy and spread Russia’s malign influence.

    Evrazia, a Russian non-profit, has been used by Shor to bribe Moldovan citizens to vote “no” in last year’s referendum on joining the EU. Moldovan police have said that approximately 130,000 citizens received a total of $15 million from Evrazia – with payments ranging from $50 per month for “supporters” to over $2,500 per month for “leaders”.

    Today’s sanctions target the founder and director of Evrazia Nelli Alekseyevna Parutenko and member of Evrazia’s management board Natalia Parasca, as well as Evrazia itself and another of Shor’s key political operatives, Marina Tauber.

    These sanctions expose the Kremlin’s attempts to undermine and destabilise democracies in Eastern Europe. By targeting corrupt actors and their enablers, the UK is using its powers to create a more hostile environment for corruption and illicit finance and deter threats to the safety and security of Britain.

    This marks the next step in the government’s ambitious agenda to tackle the devastating impacts of corruption and illicit finance, both at home and overseas, and deliver the UK’s national security under the Plan for Change.

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    These sanctions send a clear message. We will not stand idly by as Russia undermines democracy and the rule of law, threatening the national security of countries we consider friends and partners.

    Left unchecked, this kind of insidious corruption can erode the very foundations of our society and open doors for Russia and other malign actors to expand their influence and compromise the stability of our neighbours and the UK.

    We must protect the institutions designed to hold these unscrupulous individuals to account, and the independent investigative journalists whose hard and often dangerous work exposes the truth behind their actions.

    Minister Doughty met earlier today with journalists from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to express support for their tireless and risky work exposing corruption and bringing those responsible to justice.

    The independent investigative reporting by the OCCRP and the activities of civil society groups such as Transparency International often play a crucial role in informing sanctions of this kind.

    Today’s sanctions also target corrupt officials and prosecutors in Georgia and Guatemala, who are sabotaging democratic governance and undermining judicial impartiality by abusing their power.

    In Georgia, this includes the leaders of the ‘Judicial Clan’ – a group of party-political judges who are abusing their position to influence court rulings and undermine the rule of law for the benefit of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and their control of Georgia’s judicial system.

    In Guatemala, the sanctions are targeted at former President Giammattei and his ‘Pacto De Corruptos’ (‘Pact of the Corrupt’) – a cabal of officials and prosecutors still operating under the current Attorney General who have sought to undermine the anti-corruption reforms of President Arévalo by interfering in prosecutions and threatening investigators.

    Background

    The individuals and entity designated for sanctions today are: 

    Moldova

    • Evrazia, a non-governmental organisation that acts on behalf of pro-Russian Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor;
    • Nelli Parutenko, founder and director of Evrazia;
    • Natalia Parasca, member of the Evrazia management board and former leader of the Shor-backed Renaissance Party;
    • Marina Tauber, former leader of the Shor Party.

    Guatemala

    • Alejandro Giammattei, former President of Guatemala;
    • Maria Consuelo Porras, Attorney General of Guatemala;
    • Jose Curruchiche, Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (FECI), who has undermined corruption investigations into Giammattei and his allies;
    • Cinthia Monterroso, Prosecutor and Head of Unit at FECI;
    • Angel Pineda, Secretary General of the Public Ministry, who has undermined corruption investigations into Giammattei and his allies, and targeted anti-corruption journalists, judges and prosecutors;  
    • Melvin Quijivix, former Head of the National Institute of Electrification, who misappropriated public funds for the benefit of his own businesses;
    • Miguel Martinez, close associate of Giammattei.

    Georgia

    • Levan Murusidze, member of the High Council of Justice of Georgia and member of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals;
    • Mikheil Chinchaladze, Chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals.

    About the OCCRP

    The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project is a global network of investigative journalists that exposes organised crime and corruption so citizens can hold powerful politicians and officials to account.

    About Transparency International

    Transparency International is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit and works with like-minded partners across the world to end the injustice of corruption. Its mission is to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. As part of the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium, TI uses OCCRP’s investigative reporting to seek legal redress for victims of corruption, and advocate for reforms to close down the systems and networks that enable corruption to thrive, demanding greater transparency and integrity in all areas of public life.

    Definitions

    • Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world.
    • Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971. 

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Island’s Forces community to shine at Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day 2 April 2025 Island’s Forces community to shine at Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day this summer

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day will return this year, paying tribute to the Island’s dedicated forces community with a day of honour and recognition.

    The event, on Sunday, 29 June, will once again be held beachside at Eastern Gardens in Ryde, where last year large crowds were treated to an awe-inspiring display by the Red Arrows.

    While many exciting details for 2025 are still under wraps, attractions already confirmed include thrilling cannon and musket displays, promising plenty of booms and bangs, and an impressive marching parade with four bands and more than 100 cadets.

    Additionally, the Army Air Corps is bringing back their Gazelle helicopter, offering attendees a chance to step into the cockpit, handle the controls, and snap a memorable selfie! It’s a day to reflect on the courage and service of our Armed Forces, while offering unique experiences for all who attend.

    Event organiser, Ian Dore, said: “With the Red Arrows soaring over the Solent skies last year, Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day was packed to the rafters in support of the Island’s forces community.

    “Attended by all ages, broadcast live on radio and featured on the BBC, it’s set to return again this year. 

    “I start slinging irons in fires around September the year before the event, but it’s now that things really ramp up.

    “The ground elements of the event are nearly complete, with just a few tweaks needed as additional assets come online, but you can expect some firm favourites to return.”

    Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day is a chance for Islanders to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community.

    From currently serving troops to service families, veterans, reservists and cadets, the popular event provides a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families.

    The location itself provides the perfect opportunity to display land, sea and air attractions, along with all you’d expect at an Armed Forces Day.

    Ian added: “As we progress, more attendees will be announced, and it’s shaping up to be colossal. Last year’s attendance was just shy of 10,000 people, making it the second most attended single-day event on the Island, after the Isle of Wight Festival.

    “In part, that is due to who and what was taking part, but it is also testament to the support Islanders have for the Armed Forces community, which, by the way, is around 11 per cent of the Island’s population.

    “As the official strapline says, show your support. Mark your calendars for Sunday, 29 June, for the official Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day. It’s going to be one of the must-attend events of the summer!” 

    More details will be released over the coming weeks on the official website and Facebook page.

    PHOTO: Event organiser Ian Dore, Alec Penstone and Sqn Leader Graeme ‘Musky’ Muscat from RAFAT.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lancaster City Council makes strong progress on improvement plan A team of local government experts has praised Lancaster City Council for successfully delivering a plan to make its services even better.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    A team of local government experts has praised Lancaster City Council for successfully delivering a plan to make its services even better.

    Following a Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) in April 2024, the council was told how it could make improvements to the way it serves the public.

    A recent review of a plan for delivering these changes found that 85% of recommendations are on track and progressing well.

    Particular praise was given for the council’s approach to community wealth building, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability.

    Key areas of progress include:

    • Strengthened Community Partnerships: The Lancaster District Strategic Partnership (LDSP) has been formally established, bringing together key stakeholders, including local universities, NHS partners, third-sector organisations, and the Chamber of Commerce.
       
    • Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: The council has taken strategic steps towards developing an inclusive economic strategy, incorporating insights from Lancaster University’s ‘Before Eden’ research.
       
    • Commitment to a Sustainable Future: An early ‘call for sites’ process has been successfully implemented, ensuring alignment with the council’s Local Plan and climate action goals.
       
    • Enhanced Leadership and Governance: The council has invested in leadership development for senior officers and councillors, including dedicated training programmes and scrutiny enhancements.
       
    • Financial Sustainability: The ‘Fit for the Future’ transformation programme is driving efficiency, with a focus on aligning financial planning with long-term priorities and asset management.

    Mark Davies, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, welcomed the findings: “The peer challenge process has helped to highlight some of the excellent work by staff and Elected Members to continually improve the council and the services we provide. The positive feedback from the LGA confirms that our strategic vision is making a real impact and we are delivering key improvements for our residents, businesses, and stakeholders.

    “One of the areas the peer team highlighted was our Fit for the Future programme and the way the council is transforming its services in response to the continuing tough financial times in which local authorities are operating. This programme is helping to identify where we can become even more efficient while continuing to provide good services for our communities.”

    A peer challenge is when representatives from councils nationwide spend time with another council to evaluate their performance, assess their ambition for residents, and determine if adequate resources are in place to fulfil those objectives. In the city council’s case, the peer challenge team gathered information and views from more than 50 meetings, in addition to further research, and spoke to more than 130 people, including a range of council staff, councillors and external stakeholders.

    Last updated: 02 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens condemn latest brutal displacement of Palestinians

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Responding to Israel defence minister Israel Katz’s statement that the country aimed to seize large areas of the Palestinian territory and incorporate them into “security zones”, (1) Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire and Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said:

    “The Green Party condemns in the strongest possible terms the Israeli government’s brutal decision to expand its military operations in Gaza. Seizing large areas of territory and forcibly displacing countless Gazans to create so-called “security zones” would be a further violation of international law against a population already devastated by 18 months of conflict.

    “This is not security; it is domination and erasure. It would constitute ethnic cleansing and further collective punishment on a mass scale, and it would only deepen the unimaginable suffering already endured by the people of Gaza.

    “More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and the humanitarian crisis could not be more dire. Israeli forces have maintained a total blockade of aid since early March, cutting off food, water, and medical supplies while bombs continue to fall. Last month, Israeli forces killed yet more medics, first responders, and a UN staff member, forcing the UN to reduce its operations.

    “The UK government cannot remain silent while genocide is carried out in plain sight. We cannot be complicit in this horror by continuing to arm and support the Israeli government. There is no justification—legal, moral, or political—for aiding a state that systematically targets civilians, destroys homes and hospitals, and plans to occupy yet more Palestinian land.

    “The Green Party has consistently called for the release of the hostages, an immediate ceasefire, a complete halt to arms sales to Israel, and recognition of the State of Palestine. We also urgently push for humanitarian corridors to be opened so that aid can reach those who are starving and injured. We owe it to the Palestinian people, to international justice, and to our own humanity to demand an end to this bloodshed and to take a stand against genocide.

    “Our thoughts are with the civilians of Gaza, whose courage and resilience in the face of such horror move us to keep fighting for justice, peace, and accountability. We will not look away.”

    (1) Deadly strikes in Gaza as Israel says it will seize ‘large areas’ – BBC News

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homes England and Octopus Real Estate launch £150 million Greener Homes Alliance phase 2

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Homes England and Octopus Real Estate launch £150 million Greener Homes Alliance phase 2

    The renewed alliance will reinforce a responsibility to support small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders, while encouraging greener building practices.

    Octopus Real Estate supported by Homes England

    Homes England has joined with Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments and a leading specialist real estate investor and lender, to create the Greener Homes Alliance 2.

    The alliance will commit £150 million of funding, £42 million of which will be provided by the Agency’s Home Building Fund. This will provide small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders with further loan finance enabling even more high-quality, energy efficient homes to be built across England.

    The first phase of the alliance launched in 2021, as part of broader efforts to expand the supply of finance available to SMEs, and funded over 550 much needed, new sustainable homes across the country. More than 40% of the homes built during phase one achieved an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A, and 100% secured a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) score higher than 86, significantly higher than the UK average EPC rating of D and SAP score of 67.

    Phase one of the Greener Homes Alliance made a significant impact, with 20 loans completed totalling £150 million — an average loan size to SME developers of £7.5 million.

    Phase two of the Greener Homes Alliance will seek to support the creation of more sustainable homes by introducing 10 new criteria, 4 of which must be met for developers to benefit from a 1.25% discount on their interest rate. If 6 or more criteria are met, developers will be eligible for a 2% discount.

    The new criteria for phase 2 will include the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in the fabric of buildings and a real living wage paid to workers on site. It will also encourage borrowers to support the Lighthouse Charity, a leader in mental health within the construction industry.

    To qualify for funding from the alliance in the first place, all schemes must deliver specific key performance indicators as a minimum. Developers must ensure that all homes built are fossil fuel free and have an average SAP score of 85 or above.

    Marcus Ralling, Chief Investment Officer at Homes England said:

    Small and medium housebuilders play a vital and essential role in driving the delivery of much needed, new and sustainable homes.

    This extended Alliance is an excellent example of how we are working with partners like Octopus Real Estate to support the SME housebuilders that are crucial to building a diverse and resilient housing sector.

    Andy Scott, Co-Head of Debt, Octopus Real Estate, added:

    We are extremely proud of the impact our Greener Homes Alliance initiative has had when it comes to supporting developers looking to make greener decisions for their projects, and we’ve spent a lot of time working out the new criteria with Homes England to make sure the next phase is as impactful as possible.

    At Octopus, our mission is to reimagine real estate through the delivery of high-quality, sustainable places for people to live that are fit for the future and address societal needs such as fuel poverty. Working with esteemed government agencies to enact real change for the developers who have the expertise and capability to deliver such homes is a huge part of this.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) tells you how energy efficient a property is, giving a property an energy efficiency rating from A (best) to G (worst) that is valid for 10 years. An EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and steps to improve a property’s energy efficiency.

    The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for the energy rating of dwellings) is the methodology currently used by the government to estimate the energy performance of homes. A SAP score provides a rating between 1 and 100, this range is then divided into categories A (best) to G (worst).

    The new criteria introduced for phase two will include:

    • An average SAP score of 92+ (EPC A)

    • More than 90% of waste from the site avoids landfill

    • Biodiversity Net Gain of over 20%

    • More than 50% of new homes will be Zero Bills ready

    • Regeneration of a brownfield site

    • Potable water usage reduced to less than 110 litres per person per day

    • Use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the fabric of the building

    • The Real Living Wage must be paid to all workers on site

    • The borrower to support Lighthouse Charity, a leader in mental health within the construction industry

    • More than 25% of units to be affordable built on-site, or in line with local social housing plans

    All schemes must also deliver the following KPIs as a minimum:

    • All homes to be fossil fuel free

    • Every scheme to have average SAP score of 85+

    About Homes England 

    We are the government’s housing and regeneration Agency, and we’re here to drive the creation of more affordable, quality homes and thriving places so that everyone has a place to live and grow.  

    We make this happen by working in partnership with thousands of organisations of all sizes, using our powers, expertise, land, capital and influence to bring investment to communities and get more quality homes built. 

    Learn more about us: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/homes-england/about

    Press Office contact details 

    Email: media@homesengland.gov.uk 

    Phone: 0207 874 8262 

    About Octopus Real Estate

    Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments, is a specialist real estate investor and lender delivering quality, sustainable places to live for every stage of life. Through our role as an investor, lender, and landlord, we fund the entire lifecycle of real estate ─ reimagining its future.

    We have more than £3.7 billion in real estate assets and secured lending, working with our partners to deliver greener homes for people to buy or rent, increase the supply of genuinely affordable housing, and build communities that meet the aspirations of elderly people. We also transform underused land and properties that require regeneration and redevelopment.

    We believe that real, lasting change can only be achieved if businesses invest in the right way. We work with people who share our values and take our responsibilities to the communities we serve seriously. Together, we’re harnessing change to build a better tomorrow.

    About Lighthouse

    The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity is the only charity that provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community and their families.

    Our mission is to ensure that our construction community can easily access the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support they need and to develop healthy and sustainable futures for this generation and the next.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eaton Park kicks off a new era

    Source: City of Norwich

    More football teams will be able to enjoy playing the beautiful game at Eaton Park, thanks to a transformative project to make the changing rooms more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive.

    Work is underway to convert part of the Southwest Pavillion, a listed building, into a modern, FA-compliant changing space, allowing for male and female teams to use it simultaneously. This part of the pavilion was built between 1921 and 1933 and was designed to be used as a changing facility for those using the park for sporting activities.

    The improvements are set to significantly increase women’s participation in football, an area currently underrepresented in the park, as well as enabling more teams, including higher league clubs, to use Eaton Park’s pitches. The changing facilities will also be made available for other sports and for events in the park.

    Builders are already on-site to prepare the area for work, which is expected to be completed over the summer. There will be no access to the changing facilities for the duration of the work, but access to toilets will unaffected. The area has been fenced off to minimise disruption at the park.

    This upgrade is funded by Norwich City Council, the Greater Norwich Growth Board through the Infrastructure Investment Fund, as well the the Premier League, The FA and Government via the Football Foundation. It has also been supported by the Friends of Eaton Park. The initiative aims to boost the health and wellbeing of residents by encouraging greater use of the park, particularly through improved sports facilities, enhanced infrastructure, and environmentally friendly technology integration.

    Improvements include:

    • Upgraded changing facilities – the current nine-room facility will be transformed into four modern changing rooms with individual entrances, shower cubicles, toilets, and privacy screens, making them fully FA-compliant while respecting the building’s Grade II-listed status. Two dedicated officials’ changing rooms will also be created, ensuring male and female referees have private, compliant spaces.
    • Sustainable technology – the refurbished changing block will incorporate solar panels, a heat pump, PIR sensor lighting, and energy-efficient LED fixtures, aligning with the city’s environmental commitments.
    • Expanded cycle storage – Ten new cycle storage racks will be strategically placed throughout the park to encourage active travel, reduce car dependency, and contribute to Norwich’s climate responsive ambitions by lowering CO2 emissions.

    With support from the Football Foundation and Norfolk FA, Norwich City Council will ensure these upgrades meet the highest standards while preserving the park’s historical significance.

    Davina Howes, Norwich City Council’s executive director for Communities said: “Upgrading the changing rooms is a significant step in allowing more people to enjoy sport in one of our much-loved parks.

    “This project will create a more inclusive, sustainable, and welcoming space for all residents, reinforcing Eaton Park as a hub for community engagement and physical activity.”

    For more information or to report an issue please visit: www.norwich.gov.uk/eatonpark

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Nearly 3,000 top-venting blank firers handed during national gun amnesty

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    National gun amnesty took place in February across England and Wales.

    Police forces across England and Wales have seen 2,962 Turkish manufactured guns handed in as part of a national amnesty which took place in February.

    The top-venting blank firing (TVBF) guns have become popular with organised criminals in recent years due to the ease at which they are readily convertible into lethal firearms. Tests by the National Crime Agency and policing, funded by the Home Office, show models produced by four Turkish manufacturers are readily convertible and therefore illegal. TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over 18s unless they are readily convertible.

    Police forces across England and Wales held a four-week Firearms Amnesty for Turkish manufactured TVBFs namely models with the brand names ‘Retay’, ‘Ekol’, ‘Ceonic’ and ‘Blow’, in February.

    Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “This is a considerable step in making our streets safer and stopping these weapons from being used by criminals.

    “I would like to thank the public for their support during the amnesty and handing in these weapons which are now illegal to possess.

    “If you have any information about illegal firearms, such as the Turkish manufactured TVBF, I would ask you contact the police or Crimestoppers so that they can be taken off the streets.”

    The amnesty which took place between 3 February and 28 February 2025 saw 2,962 Turkish manufactured top-venting firers and was aimed at anyone in possession of a TVBF to hand their weapon in to avoid prosecution and up to 10 years imprisonment.

    In their original state TVBFs have a fully blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges. When discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon. TVBFs are sold with at least 50 per cent of their visible surface painted a bright colour however, criminals may paint them black so they look like an original lethal purpose (OLP) weapon as well as convert them to a lethal purpose firearm.

    Since 2021, UK law enforcement has recovered more than 1,000 converted TVBFs in criminal circumstances. Firearms legislation has not changed; the weapons are illegal to own under the Firearms Act 1968 as they can be readily converted using common household tools and without specialist skill on the part of the person carrying out the conversion. Testing completed by the NCA has demonstrated this.

    Charles Yates, National Crime Agency deputy director, said: “The amnesty results are excellent with very large numbers of surrenders of these easily converted firearms.

    “This work is a superb example of the public and the firearms trade coming together to help reduce the risk of the criminal use of these weapons.

    “Though firearms crime in the UK is relatively low compared with elsewhere in Europe and is among the lowest in the world, the NCA, policing and Border Force will continue to do everything possible to suppress the firearms threat and to protect the UK public.”

    Other unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition may be surrendered to police at any time which will avoid the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

    Anyone now found in possession of a Turkish manufactured TVBF will face prosecution for the illegal possession and face up to 10 years imprisonment.

    If you know of people involved in illegal firearms activity should call the Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Every call to Crimestoppers is anonymous and potentially vital to preventing or solving serious crimes; removing an illegally held firearm may just save someone’s life.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Championing gaming start-ups

    Source: Scottish Government

    Eight Techscaler companies heading to Japan.

    Eight leading Scottish games companies are to showcase their products and expertise to a global audience.

    They will leave on 5th April for a two week visit to Japan, one of the world’s biggest and most influential gaming markets, which will see them meet potential new investors, customers and commercial contacts.

    In Tokyo they will be based at Tunnel Tokyo, a startup incubator operated by the SEGA Sammy group and venture capital firm Pegasus Ventures.

    They will then showcase their products at a Scottish Government event focused on gaming at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, which expects to host over 28 million attendees from all over the world.

    The visit has been developed as part of the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme. Participants range from Blazing Griffin a Glasgow-based multi-media entertainment company spanning games, film and post-production, to Dundee based Konglomerate Games and Edinburgh company GLITCHERS, whose products include games technology aimed at the healthcare sector,

    Speaking during a visit to Blazing Griffin, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “Japan is synonymous with gaming technology and, with a market valued at around $50 billion, it offers phenomenal economic opportunities for our own, hugely talented Scottish sector.

    “Techscaler is about helping entrepreneurs unleash their ability to innovate, spearheading Scotland’s presence in expanding new markets.

    “Techscaler Japan will present some of our most exciting gaming start-ups with considerable opportunities to unlock further investment, develop new commercial partnerships and drive and showcase their businesses on a global stage.”

    Blazing Griffin’s Co-Head of Games, Justin Alae-Carew said:

    “We’re incredibly excited to take part in Techscaler’s market visit to Japan. Japan is not only an incredible consumer and producer of games, but also home to a fantastic array of multi-media intellectual property (IP). We see huge opportunity in exploring cross-border partnership with a specific focus on IP – either Japanese IP coming to the West or Western IP gaining foothold in Japan.

    “The multi-media lens by which Japan views IP is also something for us to learn from and given our capabilities across film and games at Blazing Griffin, we’re uniquely positioned to take advantage of the opportunities raised by that approach.”

    Head of Bridge Programmes at CodeBase, delivery partner of Techscaler, Ruth Oliver said:

    “The companies selected to join the first Japan cohort represent some of Scotland’s most exciting and promising companies from the gaming sector, and while some are further down the commercial path than others, what they all have in common is a global mindset. 

    “With the opportunity to make valuable industry connections and gain insights and learnings, the programme offers the companies a golden chance to win customers and take their business to the next level in one of the world’s most dynamic and important markets.”

    Background

    The companies participating in the visit are:

    • BearHammer Games (Glasgow), a virtual reality projects and game developer
    • Konglomerate Games (Dundee) develops video game technology for sectors like healthcare and education.
    • Buildstash (Glasgow), which helps game developers manage iOS and Android apps
    • Yaldi Games (Edinburgh) which develops education-focused software.
    • Speech Graphics (Edinburgh) which develops facial animation technology
    • Blazing Griffin (Glasgow) a film and games producer and post-production developer.
    • Wardog Studios (Edinburgh) which develops virtual reality weapons and vehicles 
    • GLITCHERS (Edinburgh) a game developer whose titles include a game used to support dementia research

    Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai takes place from 13 April to 13 October. It is an international event at which countries, organisations and companies showcase innovations, cultural exchanges and solutions to global challenges. It is expected to attract about 28 million visitors and more than 150 participating countries. 

    Scotland’s spotlight event on gaming and consumer industries will be held on 17 April at the UK Pavilion. Scottish Enterprise is supporting the three events for Scotland at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is available on SDI’s website.

    The Scottish Government is investing £42 million in Techscaler. Nearly 1,000 Scottish companies are now involved in the programme. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vacancy announced for Birches Head and Northwood ward

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

    A vacancy has been announced for Birches Head and Northwood ward.

    It comes as the city council published an official notice of vacancy this week after Steve Blakemore, ward councillor for Birches Head and Northwood, has been disqualified as a councillor on Stoke-on-Trent City Council. 

    Former Councillor Blakemore is an employee of Unitas, the council’s housing maintenance company, whose employees were transferred to the council yesterday (April 1).

    Under UK law a council employee cannot also be a councillor and therefore the council has had no choice but to disqualify him.

    A by-election will be called in due course.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on proposals to reshape libraries and community services

    Source: City of Leicester

    THE city council is asking for views on proposals to ensure libraries and community centres remain accessible to everyone in Leicester – in spite of the worst budget situation the council has ever seen.

    The council is proposing to operate its library and community services from 12 multi-service centres and the city’s Central Library.

    If the proposals are agreed, the council would invest £1million in the buildings to enable them to operate as hubs, bringing together a range of services provided by the council and partners.

    The council is also proposing to expand book collections at some children’s centres; expand the home library service that delivers books direct to the door of housebound residents; and introduce self-service libraries to extend opening hours outside of staffed times.

    The Central Library on Bishop Street would continue to provide a city-wide service, with a slight reduction in opening hours.

    The changes are being put forward following a city-wide survey and engagement exercise carried out in 2023. The proposals would reduce council spending by £2.1m per year and contribute to the £23m of savings the council needs to make to balance its budget.

    The savings could be made by making some of buildings available for community organisations to run. Reductions in staff numbers and opening hours are also proposed.

    Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for libraries and community centres, said: “We are very proud of our libraries and community centres in Leicester. They play an important role in bringing people together, and we know that the services they offer are greatly valued.

    “Sadly, after many years of Government cuts to our budgets we can no longer afford to run them in the same way, and so have looked for new ways to keep providing the services people most value, in a place close to where they live.

    “That’s why we’re proposing to bring services together in new multi-service hubs, ensuring they continue to be accessible across the city, while making the savings we need by reducing the number of buildings we run.

    “Making some buildings available for community groups to run is another way we can ensure that services continue to be delivered. We have seen how well this can work at New Parks Community Centre and the African Caribbean Centre.

    “Supporting local groups to run libraries, is also a tried and tested option that is working well in the county and other places.

    “These proposals have been drawn up after very careful consideration of the feedback we’ve had from service users and residents, and no decisions have yet been taken. I would urge anyone who has an interest in these services to let us have their views.”

    Facilities which could be made available for the local community to run are: Belgrave, Coleman, and Netherhall neighbourhood centres; Braunstone Frith and Rushey Mead recreation centres; Eyres Monsell Community Centre; Evington, Knighton and Rushey Mead libraries; Gilmorton community rooms; and the Tudor Centre.

    The St Matthews Centre would close, and the library would be relocated to somewhere nearby. Disposal options would be looked at for the Fosse Centre, which – owing to the work needed to the building – is not suitable for transferring to the community.

    Of the 12 sites the council proposes to keep – which would be renamed as hubs to reflect their multi-service offer – five could have staffed opening for 40 hours a week. These include Beaumont Leys Library Hub and Highfields Library Hub. Additional self-access hours would be offered on top of the 40 hours at Belgrave Library Hub; The Brite Centre Library Hub; and St Barnabas Library Hub.

    The remaining seven sites could open for 30 hours a week, including Aylestone Library (already located in the leisure centre); Westcotes Library Hub; St Matthews Library (which could relocate to a building nearby); and Thurnby Lodge Centre Hub (with a new self-service library). Additional self-access hours on top of the 30 hours, are proposed for Hamilton Library Hub; New Parks Centre Hub; and Pork Pie Library Hub.

    Consultation on the proposals will run from 2 April to 29 June. Questionnaires are available to complete on the council’s consultation website. 

    Open meetings will be held in different neighbourhood venues, details of which are on the consultation website.

    The council set its budget for 2025/26 in February. Its financial outlook is very difficult due to previous government austerity cuts, the rising costs of social care, and an increase in homeless families requiring support.

    It plans to use £110m of one-off monies to help maintain services in the short term, together with savings of £23m a year by 2027/28. There will remain a gap between spending and income of £68m by 2027/28, requiring the council to take every opportunity available to reduce costs.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fast times, fast tech: DASA launches new phase of fast paced themed competition

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Fast times, fast tech: DASA launches new phase of fast paced themed competition

    DASA launches Phase Two of Innovation in Support of Operations – a Themed Competition seeking fast paced scalable proposals across five new challenge areas

    • DASA has launched Phase Two of Innovation in Support of Operations
    • Funded by the Ministry of Defence
    • Three competition cycles closing on 20 May 2025 12:00 Midday (BST); 05 August 2025 12:00 Midday (BST); 14 October 2025 12:00 Midday (BST)

    The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch Phase Two of our fast paced Themed Competition Innovation in Support of Operations. Run on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, this competition is looking for innovative proposals that are cost competitive, designed for manufacture, and can be scaled in an approximate twelve-month timeframe.

    Competition key information

    Phase Two – expected to consist of three cycles:

      Cycle 4 Cycle 5 Cycle 6
    Competition Launch 2 April 3 June 19 August
    Open For 7 Weeks 9 Weeks 8 Weeks
    Comp Closes 20 May 12:00 5 August 12:00 14 October 12:00

    All above time BST

    • We expect proposals to cost no more than £350,000
    • A number of proposals may be funded

    Background: Why we need innovation in this area

    The UK Government continuously evaluates insights from global events, to rapidly implement solutions that strengthen military and economic advantage.

    This competition aims to identify and accelerate innovative solutions and techniques, ensuring they can be scaled and deployed faster than our adversaries.

    If you think you have an innovation that could be deployed at pace, please read the full Competition Document and submit a proposal

    Competition challenges

    This competition has five new challenge areas:

    1. UAS Propulsion

    In this challenge area we are looking for:

    • Novel means of propulsion for small to medium UAS.
    • Novel means of manufacture/design of traditional UAS engines for small to medium UAS to increase scale of manufacture at a market leading price.

    2. 155mm Artillery Barrel Repair/Recondition

    We are looking for innovative solutions to repair, recondition and extend barrel life.

    3. Autonomous navigation systems for UAS and USVs

    In this challenge we are seeking autonomous navigation systems for air vehicles and/or maritime surface vessels.

    4. Seekers

    We are looking for novel systems directed against:

    1. RF transmitters at frequencies ranging from 200 MHz to 40 GHz
    2. Class I(d), Class II and Class III UAS
    3. Medium to large maritime surface targets.

    5.UAS defeat

    This challenge relates to the ability to:

    1. Detect UAS. We are seeking solutions to detect (and potentially defeat) UAS, including those that are not reliant on RF links.

    2. Destroy UAS.  We are looking for novel solutions to destroy UAVs around the Class 1(d) size, once detected.

    These challenges are designed to identify innovations that could be deployed, at an appropriate scale, in operational areas within 12 months.

    For full details of the competition Challenge Areas, please read the Competition Document

    Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)

    For this competition we are seeking technology output and demonstration to reach  technology readiness level (TRL) 6 by the end of the project.

    If you think your innovation could meet one of the Challenges, why not read the full Competition Document and submit a proposal?

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transforming Humberhead nature reserve with ‘snow of summer’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Transforming Humberhead nature reserve with ‘snow of summer’

    12,000 plugs of cotton grass have been planted at Humberhead National Nature Reserve (NNR) marking a key step in restoring the peatlands.

    Cottongrass in fruit on the Humberhead Peatlands NNR. Copyright Peter Roworth.

    Visitors to the iconic peatlands of Humberhead National Nature Reserve (NNR) may think they are seeing an early snowfall this summer following the planting of thousands of cotton grass plants.

    The white, whimsical allure of common cotton grass heads are a familiar sight across Yorkshire landscape and the little plants play a big role in peatland restoration.

    They act as a both an eco-warrior by fighting soil erosion and as a wildlife magnet, attracting birds and insects which boosts biodiversity.

    At Humberhead NNR, cotton grass is particularly important for the large heath butterfly with their caterpillars using it as a foodplant.

    Cotton grass is also considered a companion plant to another engineer of the ecosystem, sphagnum moss.

    Growing sphagnum and cotton grass together stores water and prevents the decay of dead plant material, which in turn develops new peat and locks away carbon from the atmosphere.  

    12,000 ‘plugs’ planted

    At Humberhead NNR, 12,000 cotton grass ‘plugs’ were planted by a team of Natural England staff and volunteers from Humberhead Levels Partnership.

    The work was delivered as part of the LIFE Moor Space project and funded by an EU LIFE grant. The wider project aims to restore 400 hectares of degraded lowland peat bog.  

    Natural England staff and volunteers from the Humberhead Levels Partnership planting cotton grass at Humberhead NNR

    Paul Schofield, Senior Project Manager for LIFE Moor Space with Natural England, said:  

    Peatlands are amongst our most carbon-rich ecosystems on Earth. Not only are they vital for fighting climate change, but they reduce flood risk and support biodiversity.  

    A key step in restoring the Humberhead Peatlands NNR is to ensure all bare peat is covered with peat forming vegetation. The new cotton grass, sometimes known as the snow of summer, is a major step towards achieving this and our thanks go to everyone involved.  

    Cotton grass plugs planted on bare peat at Humberhead NNR

    The Humberhead Peatlands are made up of Thorne, Goole, and Crowle Moors, as well as Hatfield Moors. The Peatlands are a remnant of a large wetland that occupied the floodplain of the Humberhead Levels thousands of years ago.

    Following significant restoration, they now represent the largest area of raised bog wilderness in lowland Britain at 2,887 hectares in size.   

    The site is also internationally important, both as an example of a lowland raised bog covered in pools and plant life, as well as for its breeding pairs of the mysterious and mythical nightjar.   

    Lowland raised bog is one of western Europe’s rarest and most threatened habitats and the Humberhead site is now protected as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

    Natural England take care of the peatlands by carefully managing the water levels to promote the growth of bog plants and sphagnum mosses.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Community Regeneration Fund project reopens in Uig

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    A key infrastructure project supported by The Highland Council’s Community Regeneration Fund has been completed in Uig on the Isle of Skye.

    The Uig Footbridge at River Rha has been replaced after reaching the end of its lifecycle and was officially reopened on Saturday 29 March by Chair of Skye and Raasay Area Committee, Cllr John Finlayson.

    Skye and Raasay Area Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “I am delighted to see the new Uig Footbridge open after £40,000 of funding from the Community Regeneration Fund was approved by the Committee in November 2024. The previous bridge had reached the end of its life, and I was happy to engage with the local community about how The Council could replace it, which we have done. The new footbridge has been constructed with steel and oak for durability and a long lifespan. These projects are key to not only improving vital infrastructure for local people but also supporting regeneration and empowering community resilience.”

    The project was a collaboration between the Council’s project management team, Compass Building and Construction Services and engineering company, Fairhurst.

    Community Regeneration Funding is an umbrella term for several funds that are available for communities and organisations to access in Highland. Area Committees are awarded devolved allocations according to approved formulae and decision making on which projects should receive funding sits with elected Members.

    2 Apr 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revised guidance when applying for prior authority

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Revised guidance when applying for prior authority

    The guidance on remuneration for expert witnesses which sets out when to apply for prior authority has been updated

    The update includes:

    • Clarification around the exceptional circumstances test and how the LAA determines whether this test is met.

    • Makes clear that it is not the intention of the LAA that Local Authorities, other than in unusual circumstances, should make up a shortfall in expert fees.

    Why is it happening now?

    The LAA has been part of a judicial working group looking at improvements to the instruction of expert witnesses in family cases.

    Further information

    The revised guidance can be found here : Expert witnesses in legal aid cases – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster Council invests £1.3m to improving Pimlico | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Westminster City Council has approved more than £1.3 million for a new programme which will deliver improvements across Pimlico.

    The new funding will be used to support and strengthen our local communities, as well as allowing us to develop long-term improvement plans for the area.

    Headline announcements for the Pimlico Programme include:

    • £1million to extend our High Streets Programme for Pimlico – this aims to create safe, sustainable, welcoming places, a vibrant local economy and connected communities. This funding will be used to develop a long-term improvement plan for Lupus street and areas around the station. We will speak to residents, visitors and local businesses to develop the plan.
    • £200,000 for the Community Priorities Programme – this provides grant funding for community-led work to support the health and wellbeing of residents, such as counselling for carers, housing advice workshops, and stay and play activities for parents and children. 
    • £50,000 for Digital Dash – provides training opportunities for local talent, bridging the gap between education and work, helping young residents access opportunities with global tech leading businesses.
    • £35,000 for Helping Hands – the Young Westminster Foundation programme providing funding and support to those members of the community who are affected by youth violence.   
    • £24,000 for Green After School Clubs at Churchill Gardens – gives residents the chance to grow food and to learn about air quality and climate change. 
    • Pimlico businesses will also benefit from new support programmes, following the approval of additional funding for high streets across Westminster.

    Westminster City Council Cabinet Member Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Cllr Geoff Barraclough, said:

    “We’re investing in high streets and local areas to become more sustainable, resilient and enrich the local community, which is part of our Fairer Westminster commitments.

    “I’m really pleased the funding will be used to make Pimlico even more welcoming to residents, visitors and businesses and help community groups to continue to deliver their excellent and important services.”               

    Westminster City Council’s Pimlico Programme Lead Member, Cllr Jason Williams, said:

    “We’ve worked with local people and community groups in Pimlico to find out about any issues they have and how we can tackle them through our improvement plan. 

    “We want to see Pimlico progress and improve outcomes and opportunities for local people by developing welcoming spaces, enhancing the appearance of Lupus Street the high street and supporting local organisations.”

    Maggie Harper, Coordinator from Pimlico Toy Library, said:

    “I am thrilled to see the approval of this local government fund, a testament to the open and proactive partnership between our Community and Westminster City Council. Through transparent communication and a shared vision, we’ve worked together to develop a program that will make a meaningful impact in Pimlico.

    “I am excited to see the positive changes it will bring and look forward to continuing this strong collaboration.”

    The Council carried out engagement with residents by hosting the Pimlico Community Conversations, which asked the local community how the Council can support improving and rejuvenating their local area.

    From these conversations, the community’s highest priorities were:  

    1. Community Activities, Events and Spaces 
    1. Crime and Safety 
    1. Housing 
    1. Children and Young People 
    1. Green and Resilient 

    Suggestions were also raised about a number of locations that could be improved – especially Lupus Street and the areas around Pimlico Station. The community asked for improvement to also include support for local businesses.

    The £1.3 million fund is in addition to other ongoing investment across Pimlico which includes plans for a new Community Hub on Rampayne Street, the Warwick Way Highways Scheme, improvements to Pimlico Gardens and increased CCTV for the area.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Colour Runner event back in Hanley for centenary celebrations

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025

    Caudwell Children’s Colour Runner event is coming to Hanley Park this year as part of Stoke-on-Trent’s centenary celebrations.

    The 5km charity fun run will see participants covered in environmentally-friendly paints at special “paint stations” along the route. 

    The event – developed as a fundraiser in support of Caudwell Children – encourages families and individuals of all ages to come together, have fun and raise vital funds to support disabled and autistic children across the UK. 

    This year’s event, which also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the charity, will be held on 19th July and run from 10:30am-2pm.

    The event is a non-competitive, fully accessible 5km, which is open to people of all ages and fitness levels. Participants can walk or run and wheelchair users will also be able to take part.

    Kathryn Turner-Morgan, Challenges Manager at Caudwell Children, said “We’re thrilled to welcome back our Colour Runner as we celebrate 25 years of Caudwell Children and Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary. 

    “Collaborating with Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been fantastic, and we’re determined to make this our biggest, most vibrant event yet.

    “We encourage as many individuals, schools, and local businesses as possible to get involved to help us change disabled and autistic children’s lives. With a fully accessible route, it’s a challenge the whole family can enjoy.”

    Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “I am thrilled that we are working in partnership with Caudwell Children and adding the Colour Runner to our stacked centenary programme.

    “Caudwell Children carry out amazing, important work that has supported SEND children for 25 years. This event is a great opportunity to raise money for a worthwhile cause, whilst also having fun and celebrating 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent.

    “The course is for all ages and abilities, so I encourage everyone to register for the event. It promises to be a fun day out that everyone can enjoy.”

    For more information and to register for the event, visit the Caudwell Children website: https://www.caudwellchildren.com/our-challenges/colour-runner-2025/

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Spring planting at Kinnego Bushcraft Community Garden workshop

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    The first No Dig workshop of 2025 was held at Kinnego Bushcraft Community Garden in Oxford Island

    Planting, seed sowing and lots of helpful advice were on offer at the first monthly No Dig workshop held at the Kinnego Bushcraft Community Garden in Oxford Island last week.

    The Bushcraft Team in ABC Council are hosting weekly sessions on Thursday evenings from 6pm to 8.30pm, starting from Thursday 6 March, while on the last Thursday of each month, council staff join with Natural World Products to deliver a series of No Dig workshops.

    No-dig gardening cares for soil by cutting out the need for cultivation which damages soil structure and disrupts the natural processes which makes no-dig a better choice for soil health.

    Natural World Products process the organic waste from brown bins collected in the ABC Borough and produce peat free composts one of which ‘New Leaf Compost’ is being used at the Kinnego Community Garden.

    The Community Garden offers a wide range of benefits including shared beds to plant crops; supportive, friendly community of gardeners; and a share of the seasonal harvest.

    Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a complete novice, the workshops will cover a wide range of topics with helpful advice on; No Dig practices; crop planning; composting; pest control; backyard gardening; chemical free fruit and veggie growing; seed sowing and transplanting.

    Contact Sandra or Wayne by email at

    *protected email*

    to register up for the workshops, or to find out more information.

    Keep an eye on the ‘Oxford Island’ and ‘getactiveabc’ Facebook pages for details on the events at the Kinnego Bushcraft Community Garden throughout the year.

    Craigavon Building Sustainable Communities Project at Bushcraft is funded by Department of Communities.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Getting the basics right for transport and environment in the Capital

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson.

    Writing in today’s Evening News, Transport and Environment Convener Stephen Jenkinson looks ahead to another busy Transport and Environment Committee meeting tomorrow.

    In my time as an elected member the concern which comes up time and again in my conversations with residents is our roads. We’ve been told in no uncertain terms that the people of Edinburgh want continued work and investment in our network and that’s what I’m committed to delivering. Road safety also goes hand in hand with road condition and investment, better maintained roads equal safer roads.

    We have two important reports to consider at Committee which address these key issues. Our Road Safety Delivery Plan combined with our Roads and Infrastructure Investment -Capital Delivery Priorities will see over £30m invested across our city in the next financial year. These works cover everything from major projects like the Dalmahoy Junction, through to carriageway resurfacing and maintaining our pavements, speed reduction measures, accident and investigation prevention, safer travel around our schools and much more.

    For roads, pavement and paths improvements, this is an area we’ve committed extra funding to in successive budgets, with £11m in 2023/24, £12.5m in 2024/25 and £12.5m this year. As a result, last year, we saw a record 460,000m² of carriageways receiving treatment and I’m hopeful we’ll see similar results this year. We’ll also be looking to build on our promising Road Condition Indicator (RCI) score, which saw a record positive shift last year.

    This is far from the only area we are making significant investments. In February I was lucky enough to visit Bankhead Depot to meet colleagues and see our new fleet of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) with enhanced safety features. We’ve invested over £25m in these HGVs along with our welfare buses for pupils with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and I’m confident that we now have the most advanced local authority fleet in Scotland when it comes to safety features. Our residents can take comfort in the fact that safety is at the heart of delivering our core services.     

    Another important project which we’ll hear about at Committee is the King’s Theatre Public Realm Improvements which intersects with the Meadows to Union Canal active travel project. Working collaboratively with the King’s Theatre refurbishment team, our aim is to incorporate a new walking, wheeling and cycling route that aligns with existing plans that were in development to avoid the need for future works to be carried out. From enhancing accessibility through step free access, increasing pavement areas for those walking and wheeling, and introducing contraflow cycling arrangements, there are a host of positive proposals which have now been shared with Tollcross Community Council, ward councillors and other project stakeholders. This is an excellent example of working together with a large-scale development to create the best outcome for the people of our city.

    Finally, there was some welcome news last week which saw the roads on North Bridge reopening slightly ahead of schedule, with footways to fully reopen later in the year. This temporary closure to northbound traffic was due to essential resurfacing works which began in February. We’re now getting towards the final phase of the project which is hugely promising for the city.

    I’m aware there is much still to be done, however I’m confident that we’re on the right track for delivering the changes which our city deserves.  

    Published: April 2nd 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Liverpool and Dublin reignite twin city agreement

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool and Dublin have begun the process of reinvigorating their twinning agreement.

    A sister city arrangement was signed back in 1997 as a mark of the long and shared history between the two.

    Now, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, has visited Liverpool to meet with her counterpart Cllr Richard Kemp, Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, and Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram.

    They have discussed mutually beneficial ways in which the two cities can work together in areas such as culture, tourism and the wider economy.

    Councillor Robinson said: “Here in Liverpool, 75% of us have some form of Irish heritage, so it was brilliant to welcome the Lord Mayor of Dublin, so we could talk about how we reinvigorate our partnership.

    “We have a great opportunity to work together post-Brexit, and focus on some of the economic links that we share as two cities and how we can strengthen that over the years ahead.”

    Lord Mayor Blain said: “It is my immense pride and pleasure to visit the city of Liverpool to reactivate the twinning agreement between Dublin and Liverpool.

    “Our two cities have long shared a much cherished connection and I hope that this visit will help strengthen those bonds.

    “Dublin and Liverpool have strong historic cultural, social and economic connections which extend across all aspects of Liverpool’s renowned reputation for music and arts, commerce and industry, sport and education.

    “I am looking forward to visiting the University of Liverpool Materials Innovation Factory and Institute of Irish Studies as part of my visit, and wish to thank them for hosting us.

    “Like many Dubliners, I have a family connection to the City of Liverpool, it is a place I have visited many times and am always struck by the warmth and welcoming of the people. I hope that my visit will be seen as a reciprocation of this warmth and welcoming from the people of Dublin.

    “My sincere thanks to The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp CBE, and to the Leader of Liverpool City Council, Liam Robinson, for their gracious invitation and their eagerness to develop this connection even further.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Knife and illegal vapes seized in Anfield during Community Impact Day

    Source: City of Liverpool

    A knife and one hundred illegal vapes have been discovered during a Community Impact Day in Anfield.

    The Council’s Private Sector Housing Team organised the event on Thursday 27 March, with participants including a range of the local authority’s departments as well as Liverpool Streetscene Ltd, Merseyside Police, Your Housing Group, Riverside Housing and the Breckfield Centre.

    Outcomes from the day included:

    • Residents on Chapel Road, The Coppice and Monastery Road were visited following reports of consistent anti-social behaviour
    • Merseyside Police recovered a blade which could be used as a viable weapon from alleyway searches around Chapel Road
    • The Licensing and Tobacco Unit seized 100 illicit vapes across two shops on Townsend Lane and Priory Road, whilst three other commercial premises were inspected and found to be compliant
    • The Landlord Licensing team completed compliance inspections at privately rented properties and gathered information about potentially unlicensed properties
    • Liverpool Streetscene Ltd collected evidence on fly-tipping and passage dumping for further investigation
    • The Breckfield Centre conducted a litter pick, improving the visual appearance of streets

    Evidence from the ongoing cases was referred to the relevant services for investigation, and partners will continue to monitor the issues raised.

    To report poor property conditions or anti-social behaviour from a rental property, email privatesector.housing@liverpool.gov.uk or report it online.

    For advice and to hear how to report anti-social behaviour, click here.

    To report fly-tipping, click here.

    Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “This is all part of our neighbourhood approach to identifying issues of concern to local residents and taking positive action to tackle them.

    “By bringing together a range of different organisations we can maximise the impact and involve the relevant partner in making life better for locals.”

    Anfield Councillor, Billy Marrat, said: “This proved a very productive day in making this area safer and stronger for residents.

    “Some residents have been living in fear & it is our job to act against irresponsible tenants and residents to make these areas a lot better for all.”

    Chief Inspector Sarah Rotherham from Merseyside Police said: “I am proud to report the success of our recent community impact day on 27th March.

    “This joined up approach resulted in significant outcomes including the recovery of a dangerous bladed article and the seizure of 100 illicit vapes in Anfield.

    “Our dedicated partnership approach worked tirelessly to address anti-social behaviour, improve property conditions, and tackle fly-tipping.

    “This initiative not only enhances community safety but also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting residents and maintaining a safer, cleaner environment for all.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council seizes record number of illegal goods

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Over 30,000 illicit goods have been removed from a wholesaler in Liverpool City Council’s biggest seizure of a single premises to date.

    Working with Merseyside Police, the Council’s Public Protection team recovered 7,700 vapes and 23,400 cigarettes from a property in Old Swan, worth £105,000. 

    An inspection by the teams found that the goods, due to be sold to local businesses in the area, were unregulated and could be dangerous to consumers.

    The premises was issued a warning and could face closure if there is any further criminal activity.

    Unregulated vapes and cigarettes could contain banned ingredients and may pose a serious health risk to anyone using them.

    Rules around the sale of vapes are set out in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

    The requirements restrict e-cigarette tanks to a capacity of no more than 2ml, around 600 puffs, while the maximum volume of nicotine-containing e-liquid for sale in one refill container is restricted to 10ml.

    Additionally, e-liquids are restricted to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg/ml. 

    Previously, the largest seizure of illicit goods from a single property saw over 4,600 illicit vapes taken from a store in L8. 

    In 2024, the Council removed over 135,000 illegal cigarettes and vapes from sale across Liverpool. Any vapes seized by the team are sent to be recycled by a Manchester based contractor that has been authorised by Trading Standards North West.

    Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture said: “Thanks to the team’s quick actions based on intelligence they received, they managed to take thousands of potentially dangerous goods off the market before they could be sold to the public.

    “While genuine vaping products can be a helpful alternative to smoking, they should always be sourced from reputable retailers. 

    “Regulations around vapes and cigarettes exist for a reason. Illicit products could contain ingredients that are harmful to people’s health, which is why removing them from the market is a priority.”

    Merseyside Police Local Policing Constable Graeme Brannagan said: “We’re pleased to have worked alongside Liverpool City Council in this significant seizure, which makes our communities a great deal safer.

    “Anyone with information about suspected illegal goods is urged to contact us through 101, online or through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and, working in partnership, we will keep taking action.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish taxpayers get the best deal in the UK

    Source: Scottish National Party

    Scottish tax payers are getting the best deal in the UK – with Council tax being on average £737 a year less than in Labour-run England, and £627 a year less than in Labour-run Wales for a Band D property. 

    We’ve also introduced a fairer income tax system – in Scotland, 51% of Scots pay less income tax than they would if they lived in England, thanks to Scottish income tax bands.

    Water Bills are on average £113 a year lower in Scotland than they are in England thanks to public ownership of Scottish Water – while English bills are hiked to line the pockets of shareholders.

    In return, Scots enjoy the highest levels of public services anywhere in the UK. We all benefit from SNP policies that are not available to people south of the border.

    Here are just some examples.

    • Free tuition 
    • Free NHS prescriptions
    • Free eye tests
    • Free personal care for all who need it.
    • Free bus passes for the under 22’s and over 60’s 
    • Expanded free early learning and childcare to 1,140 hours
    • Expanded free school meals 
    • The Baby Box
    • Reintroducing a Universal Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland  
    • Social Security Scotland – including scrapping the two-child cap

    Click here to read our record in full. 

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local heritage to be protected with £20 million of funding

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Local heritage to be protected with £20 million of funding

    Support to boost people’s access to local heritage, delivering government’s Plan for Change to increase opportunities for all

    • Shops, pubs, parks, and town halls at risk of falling into disrepair will be protected with £15 million grant scheme now open for applications 
    • Comes alongside new £4.85 million Heritage Revival Fund also open for applications, helping communities to take ownership of local heritage sites and bring them back into good use

    Communities across England can now apply for a share of almost £20 million to help care for historic buildings and heritage sites in their local area, ensuring that everyone, everywhere feels proud of where they live. 

    The new £4.85 million Heritage Revival Fund is currently accepting applications for projects that will help to rescue and repurpose neglected historic buildings, like theatres, department stores and former banks. It will do this by supporting community organisations, charities and social enterprises to take ownership of these sites, transforming them into vibrant spaces that meet local needs. 

    The programme will be delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund and will run from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026. It will be open to charities and social enterprises in England seeking to take ownership of and adapt historic buildings for community uses. 

    This is in addition to the £15 million Heritage at Risk Capital Fund opening today for Expressions of Interest from individuals or organisations, focusing on the most deprived areas to rescue their locally cherished, at risk historic sites and buildings. This funding will support projects which seek to repair and enhance a variety of heritage buildings to benefit the local public and community, like shops, pubs, parks, and town halls. This is in addition to Historic England’s current Heritage at Risk Repair Grants, and will be open to a wider range of local heritage sites, celebrating the historic buildings people care most about. 

    It follows the announcement from the Culture Secretary last month of the £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to support economic growth and increase opportunities for people across the country.

    Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    It is so important to communities across the country that we preserve local heritage that helps us to tell our national story.

    I am delighted that we have been able to provide this support to save the historic buildings most at risk, whilst simultaneously empowering people all over the country to take over the heritage sites at the beating heart of their communities and bring them back into good use. 

    These new funds are just another step of our Plan for Change, helping to boost local economies and bring opportunity to everyone, everywhere.

    Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England said: 

    Thanks to the £15m additional funding through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, we will be able to help breathe new life into derelict historic buildings, stimulating economic growth and boosting local pride in some of the country’s most deprived areas. We’re excited to fund projects that will harness the power of heritage to make a difference where it is most needed.

    Ros Kerslake, Chair of the Architectural Heritage Fund, said:

    We are delighted to announce the new Heritage Revival Fund and our renewed partnership with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Historic England. AHF’s work in recent years has demonstrated the impact that the regeneration of historic buildings can have on our town centres and high streets so we are excited to be able to extend the reach of that work.

    Historic buildings aren’t just landmarks—they’re symbols of pride, purpose, and local identity and this funding will unlock the potential of social enterprises and charities to transform neglected heritage into thriving community spaces.

    We would also like to say a huge thanks to DCMS and the Culture Secretary, this investment will breathe new life into these vital spaces.

    Notes to editors: 

    • The Heritage Revival Fund will build on the recent work of the Architectural Heritage Fund to a wide range of community-led projects and will support more projects similar to:  

    1. The Ice House in Great Yarmouth. The Grade II-listed Ice House, originally one of a pair, is now the only building of its kind left in the country and serves as a reminder of the town’s once-thriving fishing industry. Thanks to Out There Arts, the unique building will soon be brought back into full use as a National Centre for Outdoor Arts and Circus, comprising an arts and circus training hub, with opportunities for performances and a bar. This imaginative and creative reuse of the building will further develop Great Yarmouth’s reputation as the capital of circus in the UK, while also strengthening the link between the town’s fishing and circus heritage. 

    2. Across the country in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust has revitalised 170-175 High Street West. Originally a row of houses, the buildings were rapidly adapted for commercial use when they housed the drapery shop of George Binns and his son, Henry. Over subsequent generations, the small drapery shop expanded to regional dominance as Binns Department Store. However, the buildings that provided Binns’ first home eventually fell into disrepair. Now, they have been restored and repurposed as a café, community hub, and the music and arts venue that has cemented the site’s position at the heart of Sunderland’s Community.

    • In February, Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy announced more than £270 million in funding for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in a major boost for growth. 

    • The online portal to register Expressions of Interest for the Heritage Revival Fund opened on 1 April 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on the Architectural Heritage Fund’s website. 

    • The online portal to register Expressions of Interest for the Heritage At Risk Capital Fund opens on 2 April 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Historic England’s website. 

    • Historic England : We are Historic England, the public body that protects and brings life to the heritage that matters to us all, so it lives on and is loved for longer. From the extraordinary to the everyday, our historic places and spaces matter. From community centres to cathedrals, homes to high streets, markets to mills – there are special places we all choose to hold onto, the legacy we want to pass on and the stories we continue to tell. That’s why we work together with people across England to discover, protect and bring new life to our shared historic environment, providing advice, knowledge, support and services. Follow us on social media @HistoricEngland.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Patrick Harvie to step-down as Scottish Green Co-leader this summer

    Source: Scottish Greens

    02 Apr 2025

    Patrick was first elected as the Party’s co-convenor in 2008.

    Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie has announced that he will not stand in the Party’s upcoming leadership election. The contest, set to take place this summer, is open to all party members.

    Mr Harvie, who has been a Green MSP since 2003, was first elected as the Party’s co-convenor in 2008 and as part of its first Co-Leader team in 2019, alongside Lorna Slater.

    In 2021 Mr Harvie and Ms Slater became the first Green politicians in the UK to have roles in government. While in office Mr Harvie introduced the rent freeze and spearheaded the upcoming Housing Bill which will introduce vital protections and a system of rent controls in Scotland.

    Mr Harvie will serve out the rest of his term as Co-Leader in the months ahead, will continue to sit as a Scottish Green MSP, and intends to put himself forward for selection by party members for the 2026 election.

    Mr Harvie said:

    “It has been an extraordinary privilege to hold leadership roles in the Scottish Greens, first as Co-Convenor and then as part of our first ever Co-Leader team.

    “It has also been humbling to have had the support of party members to serve in these roles, and to work with members around the country to advance Green politics in Scotland.

    “At the start of devolution, few people regarded the Greens as a serious political force. But as we have grown, learned and developed we have become the most significant, sustained new movement in Scottish politics for generations. Given the growing urgency of the climate emergency, that movement is greatly needed.

    “Green solutions are more necessary than ever, and we have been the only party clearly making the case for the action needed to tackle growing inequality and the climate and nature emergency. Others are happy to set targets, but then actively resist the action needed to meet them.

    “I want to thank everyone who has helped the party to grow, and given me the opportunity to play a role. There is far more work ahead of us, especially as we see both UK and Scottish Governments drag their feet on climate action, and too often continue the policies which have made our society less equal.

    “The election of Co-Leaders in a pre-election year is an important moment for the party. I won’t be part of the leadership team that fronts up that campaign, but I’m optimistic to see the party choose the people who will do so, and to us building on our record results and delivering the largest possible group of Green MSPs in 2026.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DBS launch new strategy and business plan for 2025 to 2028

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    DBS launch new strategy and business plan for 2025 to 2028

    The Disclosure and Barring Service has launched its new strategy and business plan, detailing the strategic direction of DBS for the next 3 years.

    The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has today launched its new 2025 to 2028 strategy and 2025 to 2026 business plan, setting the organisation’s strategic direction for the next 3 years. 

    Over the next 3 years, DBS will continue to fulfil its purpose of protecting the public by helping employers make safer recruitment and employment decisions by the processing and issuing of DBS checks, and by barring individuals who pose a risk to vulnerable people. 

    In 2025 to 2028, DBS is committed to: 

    • continuing to enhance the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of our services 

    • contributing to lowering the risk of harm to vulnerable groups 

    • building a more inclusive, transparent and responsive organisation 

    • enabling individuals to safely enter employment 

    • protecting the right to rehabilitation 

    The strategy 

    The 2025 to 2028 strategy, co-created with our staff and informed by valuable insights from our partners, details DBS’ ambitions to be achieved by 2028.   

    There are 5 strategic objectives that make up the strategy: 

    • our products and services 

    • being visible, trusted, and influential 

    • delivering through innovative technology 

    • customer data and insight led 

    • being people-focused 

    To achieve these aims, we’re committed to embracing innovation, making data-driven decisions, and maintaining our position at the forefront of safeguarding as a trusted organisation. 

    All of our work continues to be underpinned by our core principles: safeguarding, quality, sustainability, value for money, and diversity and inclusion. 

    The business plan 

    The business plan sets out an ambitious but realistic plan for the next 12 months, and details a number of priorities, including: 

    • increasing accessibility of services  

    • increase collaboration with external stakeholders  

    • increase in the quality of the police matching algorithm 

    • identify further opportunities to make better use of the data we have, and new opportunities to seek customer and stakeholder feedback 

    • continue to improve and invest in our learning and development offering for staff 

    The plan also highlights some of DBS’ achievements over the past year, such as a record number, 7.4 million, DBS certificates being issued in 2023 to 2024, and achieving re-accreditation with the Customer Service Excellence standards. 

    For more information, you can read the full  2025 to 2028 strategy and 2025 to 2026 business plan on the DBS website.

    Both documents are available in Welsh and British Sign Language (BSL).

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement for the Item 10 General Debate

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement for the Item 10 General Debate

    UK Statement at the 58th Human Rights Council for the Item 10 General Debate. Delivered by UK Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders.

    Thank you, Mr Vice President,

    We would like to begin by commending Bangladesh’s interim government for inviting the UN Human Rights Office to investigate last summer’s events. We are encouraged by Bangladesh’s continued engagement with OHCHR and we hope to see ongoing collaboration with the UN and international partners to build an inclusive, democratic future. The UK supports efforts to safeguard and promote human rights in Bangladesh, including through the consensus-led reform process.

    We remain concerned by the human rights situation in Yemen which is undermined by a lack of both security and stability. In consultation with the government of Yemen, and in collaboration with international partners, we have launched a Flexible Funding Mechanism that will provide technical advisory support to promote effective and sustainable governance.

    In Georgia, we are deeply concerned about the violence used by authorities against protestors, journalists, and the opposition. Their attacks on democratic protesters are unacceptable. They tarnish Georgia’s international standing and go against its constitutional commitment to a Euro-Atlantic future.

    We are grateful for OHCHR’s work to provide technical assistance and support in this increasingly challenging environment. In particular, we welcome the recent establishment of new multi-country offices in Nairobi and Sarajevo.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark Taiwan offshore wind deal receives UK backing, unlocking £55 million in contracts for British exporters

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 4

    Press release

    Landmark Taiwan offshore wind deal receives UK backing, unlocking £55 million in contracts for British exporters

    UK Export Finance has guaranteed £184 million in financing for one of Taiwan’s largest offshore wind projects.

    Credit: Copenhagen Offshore Partners

    • The deal secures £55 million in manufacturing and service contracts for British suppliers, supporting local jobs and economic growth.

    • Export breakthrough enabled by collaboration with other export credit agencies and with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners – one of the world’s largest fund managers for renewable energy investments.

    UK Export Finance (UKEF) is providing a £184 million credit guarantee to support the construction of the 495 MW Fengmiao 1 offshore windfarm in Taiwan, securing £55 million in manufacturing and service export contracts for British suppliers.

    UKEF is the government’s export credit agency, providing support to help exporters win and deliver new overseas contracts.

    Cadeler – a company with operations based in East Anglia – will be contracted to supply an installation vessel together with crew, sea-fastening services and crane operators.

    This latest Buyer Credit Guarantee from UKEF forms part of a wider $3.7 billion financing package by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). This involves export credit agencies from Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, and Taiwan.

    Located off the west-coast of Taichung City, the offshore wind site is due to be completed in 2027.

    The Fengmiao 1 project will result in estimated annual greenhouse gas emissions savings equivalent to emissions from a quarter of a million cars.

    Promoting investment into British businesses and employers, UKEF’s decision to back the project supports this government’s Plan for Change to boost economic growth across all regions and promote the UK’s clean-growth expertise.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Being absolutely committed to delivering economic growth under the Plan for Change means we are using every tool at our disposal to enable British businesses to succeed.

    This deal harnesses the power of commerce to drive the energy transition whilst securing lucrative new opportunities for UK businesses and supporting job creation in local communities.

    Mikkel Gleerup, Chief Executive Officer at Cadeler added:

    We are grateful to UKEF for the support they are providing to the Fengmiao 1 Project—an important milestone in Cadeler’s continued expansion into Taiwan’s offshore wind market.

    UKEF’s backing highlights the importance to Cadeler and its clients of our operations in the United Kingdom, with our UK-owned installation vessels and East Anglia-based team supporting offshore wind development both at home and abroad. Cadeler remains committed to advancing offshore wind in the APAC region and beyond.

    Thomas Wibe Poulsen, Partner and Head of Asia-Pacific at CIP, said:

    Financial close on Fengmiao I is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication from the project team, suppliers, contractors, banks, ECAs and offtakers. It is the first offshore wind project in Taiwan to be supported by a portfolio of corporate offtakers in Taiwan and Fengmiao I sets a new benchmark for the country’s rapidly maturing offshore wind market.

    Contact 

    Media enquiries:

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 April 2025

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