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Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Akamai and Fermyon First to Support Edge-Native Serverless and AI Applications, Powered by WebAssembly

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONGMONT, Colo., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fermyon™ Technologies, the serverless WebAssembly (Wasm) company, today announced a partnership with Akamai, the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, to bring edge-native serverless and AI applications to the world’s largest distributed cloud platform and content delivery network (CDN). The new Fermyon Wasm Functions engine offers blazingly fast, portable, polyglot WebAssembly-based serverless running on Akamai’s globally distributed network.

    Media, ecommerce, financial services and other high-volume digital experience companies know that even 100-millisecond delays can impact customer engagement and online revenue. Latency-sensitive applications in slow, centralized servers compound this problem. With the performance characteristics of WebAssembly providing the underlying magic, this partnership will usher in a new era of highly responsive, edge-native applications delivered faster than the blink of an eye (<100 milliseconds).

    Fermyon Wasm Functions Overview

    Fermyon Wasm Functions is a multi-tenant, hosted, globally distributed engine for serverless functions running on Akamai Cloud, a globally distributed network. It provides Akamai customers with the ability to integrate Akamai’s existing services–such as EdgeWorkers, object storage, globally available CPU and GPU compute capabilities, and CDN–with a WebAssembly-based serverless platform.

    Starting today, Akamai customers can develop WebAssembly applications and deploy them through Fermyon Wasm Functions, enabling them to:

    • Build edge-native distributed applications with lower egress cost than hyperscalers.
    • Develop cost-effective AI inferencing applications that execute near the user.
    • Integrate powerful edge-native applications with Akamai’s existing CDN, EdgeWorker, and object storage offerings.
    • Cut cold start time of edge-native applications to a mere fraction of a millisecond, which, combined with Akamai’s largest network in the world, delivers responses to end users faster than the blink of an eye.
    • Empower developers to build and deploy edge applications with unprecedented ease of use and speed. Fermyon again delivers on the promise of taking developers from blinking cursor to deployed application in two minutes or less.

    Akamai customers will be able to directly procure Fermyon Wasm Functions from Akamai. Akamai is providing credits toward a trial of Fermyon Wasm Functions for a limited time and for experimental volumes.

    “Companies worldwide are moving toward a more distributed cloud model, especially for AI workloads which benefit from proximity to the data. Serverless WebAssembly enables massive performance gains while making applications easier to build, manage, and secure-by-default – and Fermyon is the clear leader in this space. Our partnership will accelerate companies’ development and adoption of AI agents that benefit from distributed data and compute that only the Akamai Cloud can provide,” said Jon Alexander, VP of Product at Akamai.

    “Bringing the world’s fastest serverless platform to the world’s most distributed cloud computing platform is a big win for any organization interested in delivering dynamic content faster than the blink of an eye,” said Fermyon CEO, Matt Butcher. “With cold starts under half a millisecond, robust service APIs, AI and GPU integration, and support for a broad array of programming languages, Fermyon brings Akamai customers next-generation edge compute that is not just industry leading, but redefining.”

    Fermyon, alongside Akamai, will be showcasing Fermyon technologies at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe in London, England from April 1 to 4, 2025. And at the NAB Show in Las Vegas from April 5 to 9, 2025.

    Additional Resources

    About Akamai

    Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

    About Fermyon™ Technologies

    Fermyon is leading the next wave of cloud computing with the first cloud-native WebAssembly FaaS that lets developers build better serverless apps faster. Fermyon is focused on empowering cloud developers to quickly realize the things they are thinking about creating and focus on the code that brings value instead of the obligatory foundation code. Fermyon was founded by the Deis Labs team at Microsoft Azure and is backed by Insight Partners and Amplify Partners. For more information, go to https://www.fermyon.com or follow @fermyontech.

    Contact:
    constantia@fermyon.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: It is time for Russia to agree the US proposal of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    It is time for Russia to agree the US proposal of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire: UK statement to the OSCE

    Ambassador Holland commends Ukraine’s agreement to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and urges Russia to show that it is serious about peace by agreeing to one without further delay.

    Thank you, Mister Chair.  We all want to see an end to the fighting and an enduring peace in Ukraine.  We thank the United States for their efforts to deliver this, including during talks this week in Riyadh.

    Under President Zelenskyy’s leadership, Ukraine has shown that it is the party of peace.  They have proposed a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.  The only condition that Ukraine attached to this was that Russia should agree to it too.  To date, Russia has not done so.  We hope that President Putin will agree to this without further delay.

    The ball remains in Russia’s court to demonstrate that the words we have heard about Russia wanting peace are sincere.

    It can do so by removing conditions designed to hamper and delay US-led efforts to end the fighting.  It can do so by ceasing the attacks which continue to kill and injure innocent civilians at a pace which has not changed despite the altered context.  And it can do so by showing that it is able to honour, in good faith, past agreements it has signed, starting with the Geneva Conventions, which include rules on the targeting of healthcare and minimising civilian casualties.  The Russian State has shown little regard for these laws since it launched its full-scale invasion, an attitude that continues to this day.

    We will not lose sight of the fact that this remains an illegal and unprovoked war against an independent, sovereign nation. It is a violation of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act.  And the longer it takes President Putin to agree to end the fighting, the more innocent lives will be lost.

    Mister Chair, I would also like to say a few words about the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine.  As you know, the SMM was in place between 2014 and 2022.  The men and women of the SMM performed their functions with integrity and professionalism.  They did so despite a risk to their safety, a risk underlined by the tragic deaths of two of its members and the arbitrary arrest and continued detention by Russia of three of its staff: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov.

    The SMM’s task – to provide independent and objective reporting on the security situation in Ukraine – was made impossible by Russia and its proxies restricting its movements and mandate. Blaming the OSCE for these flaws is disinformation and distraction. This organisation and its staff deserve better.  Thank you, Mister Chair.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND

    New SEND places to create more inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, delivering on Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity.

    More children and young people will be supported to achieve and thrive in their local school, as the government today announces that 10,000 new school places will be funded for children with SEND, delivering on Plan for Change.  

    £740 million is being invested by the government to deliver adaptations, expand specialist units in mainstream as well as create new places in special schools – enabling more children to succeed at a school close to their homes and families.  

    Fewer than one in 10 mainstream schools have SEN units or resourced provision – specialist facilities which provide more intensive support for pupils with SEND.  

    Between 2010 to 2024, the number of children with EHCPs or their previous equivalent being educated in independent special schools increased from 7,000 to 26,000 – while the latest data released today shows an escalating gap of 8,000 places in state special schools. 

    The funding can be used to ensure an inclusive environment in which all pupils can be supported, for example by creating breakout spaces where children can go to self-regulate or investing in assistive technology.  

    This comes alongside a significant £1 billion investment to fund 44,500 places in mainstream schools needed by 2028, helping meet current and future demand across the country. 

    Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said:

    As part of our Plan for Change, we want every family to have access to a good local school for their child, breaking the link between children’s background and their opportunities in life. 

    This investment is a big step towards delivering not only enough school places, but the right school places, supporting all children and particularly those with SEND, and plugging the significant gaps in provision we inherited. 

    This investment will give children with SEND the support they need to thrive, marking the start of a turning point for families who have been fighting to improve their children’s outcomes.

    Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council had a shortage of specialist classrooms in local mainstream schools for pupils with SEND, forcing them to attend schools far from home for the right support. 

    After a 10-year expansion strategy, almost half of all schools in the area have resourced provision which has improved outcomes for young people and kept them educated locally with their peers and in their communities.  

    Recent analysis suggests that at least 15,000 more children and young people could have their needs met in such specialist provision in mainstream schools in an improved SEND system. 

    Marie Ziane, Headteacher at Becontree Primary School, Dagenham, said:

    At Becontree Primary School, all of our work stems from a shared belief and understanding that all children have learning, well-being and safeguarding needs.

    Capital funding, alongside support from the Local Authority, has been an essential part of realising our school’s vision for truly inclusive practice.

    The modification and creative use of existing spaces has had a significant impact on the learning, engagement and integration of children with Autism who attend our Additional Resource Provision, as well as having a huge impact on the learning and understanding of all members of our school community.

    The announcement comes as new data shows the urgent need to reform the SEND system, to save families from a gap in support potentially stretching to tens of thousands of places.  

    Sarah Clarke and Jo Harrison, Directors and Co-Chairs for the National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C, said:

    The NNPCF welcomes the government’s commitment of £740 million in capital funding for the 2025–26 financial year to support the creation of school places for children and young people with SEND.

    For too long, families have faced limited options and long waits for appropriate support. Creating more inclusive environments—where children and young people with special educational needs can thrive alongside their peers—is a positive step forward.

    We look forward to continued collaboration with the Department for Education to ensure that parent carers’ voices remain central to the development and implementation of these plans. We also hope that local authorities will work closely with their local Parent Carer Forums to ensure the lived experience and voices of parent carers are at the heart of local delivery.

    The reform to the SEND system will look to ensure that children’s needs are identified and met earlier; and that early years and staff in mainstream settings across the country are equipped and supported to be inclusive of all children.

    School-based early education – which the government is championing through its commitment to create thousands of new school-based nurseries – tends to have a higher proportion of children with special educational needs than other settings.

    And in line with new guidance published today, over the coming years local authorities can use their capital funding for children with SEND to create places in local, mainstream schools – putting an end to the desperate battle to find a place that meets families’ needs. 

    Iveson Primary School in Leeds, Yorkshire, has integrated a resourced provision, which helps pupils with SEND to build skills in a supportive and flexible environment – developing their confidence and fostering inclusion with the wider school, so all children can flourish.  

    Hayley Marshall, Headteacher at Iveson Primary School, said: 

    Opening The Aviary, a resourced provision, at Iveson Primary has had a significant positive impact for the whole school community, enabling us to provide specialist facilities with a high-quality, adapted curriculum for pupils with SEND, alongside our mainstream provision. This fosters integration and inclusion and supports children to thrive and feel confident in school alongside their peers. 

    Adapted to suit individual pupils’ needs and interests, provision in The Aviary includes life skills and social skills and enables children to access mainstream classes while also receiving specialist support. Parents welcome the flexibility of the provision and the positive impact this has had on their children’s social, emotional and academic progress.

    Raising school standards is at the heart of the government’s mission to improve children’s life chances, and making sure pupils and staff have access to high-quality and sustainable buildings are a key part of that.  

    The 54,500 new places will help deliver on the government’s Plan for Change commitment to make sure every family has access to a good local school place for their child no matter their ability, background or where they live. 

    The department has also announced today the details of a £2.1 billion investment for the 2025-26 financial year to improve the condition of the school and sixth-form college estate in England – almost £300 million more than 2024-25.  The funding will ensure schools can continue to invest in essential maintenance projects such as replacing roofs, windows and heating systems. 

    Amanda Allard, Director at the Council for Disabled Children, National Children’s Bureau, said:

    We welcome the announcement on how this investment can be used and the focus on Local Authorities supporting schools to ensure that disabled children and young people, and those with special educational needs, can have their needs met in inclusive local schools.

    We know from our work with local areas, and through the What Works in SEND programme, that there is some very effective practice across the country, and we encourage local areas to share and learn from this as they develop inclusive provision which enables children and young people to learn, develop friendships and be part of their community.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte: 27 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte: 27 March 2025

    The Prime Minister met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Paris this morning, ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting.

    The Prime Minister met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Paris this morning, ahead of the Coalition of the Willing meeting. 

    They discussed their enduring support for Ukraine, agreeing that Europe must do everything possible to keep them in the fight and keep up the pressure on Putin.

    Both acknowledged the vital role of the United States in forging a path towards a ceasefire agreement, and reiterated that Europe stands ready to support a durable and lasting peace when it comes.

    The Prime Minister restated his unwavering commitment to NATO as the cornerstone of our security.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Poverty levels broadly stable over last decade

    Source: Scottish Government

    Latest Accredited Official Statistics and Official Statistics published

     The latest statistics cover the period up to March 2024 and three-year averages for levels of relative and absolute poverty show a broadly stable trend over the past decade for children, working age adults and pensioners.

    Three-year average results show that:

    • Working-age adults and pensioners are less likely to be in poverty compared to children: 20% of working-age adults and 15% of pensioners are in relative poverty after housing costs, compared to 23% of children.
    • Relative poverty has been broadly stable for most age groups. Adults under 25 are more likely to be in poverty than older adults.
    • Minority ethnic households are more likely to be in poverty compared to white British households. Muslim adults have higher rates of poverty compared to adults of Christian background and those with no religion. Some of this difference may be explained by Muslim households being younger.

    The publication also includes statistics for the measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017. These are based on single-year figures which tend to fluctuate year on year compared to three-year averages, which provide a better indication of trends.

    In 2023-24, rates of relative and absolute child poverty have reduced from the previous year to 22% and 17% respectively, with levels above the interim targets due in that year. Persistent poverty rates for children are relatively volatile over time, and the most recent estimate shows a marked increase (23%) to a level also higher than the interim target. The most recent combined low income and material deprivation estimate for 2023-24 is not comparable with earlier years as the material deprivation questions have been updated. The current figure of 9% is slightly above the interim target.

    Background

    The two full statistical publications are available here:

    Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland contains statistics on poverty, child poverty, poverty risks for various equality characteristics, household income and income inequality for Scotland. This report also includes statistics on household food security. The data comes from the Department for Work and Pensions Family Resources Survey, Households Below Average Income dataset. Comparable UK income and poverty figures are published on the same day by DWP.

    Figures are presented as three-year averages of each estimate. Three-year estimates best identify trends over time.

    The four child poverty measures in the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act are based on single-year figures.  These are available in the reference tables and in the child poverty summary.  

    Persistent Poverty in Scotland presents estimates of the proportion of people in Scotland who live in persistent poverty. The data comes from the Understanding Society Survey, and the latest statistics cover the period from 2018 to 2023.

    These poverty statistics are used by the Scottish Government and other organisations to monitor progress in tackling poverty and child poverty, and to analyse what drives poverty and what works for tackling poverty and income inequality.

    Official statistics are produced in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.

    Key poverty measures:

    Relative poverty: A person is in relative poverty if their current household income is less than 60% of the current UK median. Relative poverty statistics fall if income growth at the lower end of the income distribution is greater than overall income growth.

    Absolute poverty: A person is in absolute poverty if their current household income is less than 60% of the UK median in 2010/11, adjusted for inflation. Absolute poverty statistics fall if low income households are seeing their incomes rise faster than inflation.

    Combined low income and material deprivation identifies the number of children in families that cannot afford basic essential goods and services because of a low income (below 70 percent of the middle household income).

    Persistent poverty identifies the number of people in relative poverty for three or more out of four years. People who live in poverty for several years may be affected by it throughout their lifetime.

    Household income is adjusted for household size.

    The poverty publications present poverty figures before and after housing costs. Before housing costs figures are a basic measure of household income from earnings and benefits. After housing costs figures subtract spending on rents, mortgage interest payments and other unavoidable housing costs from this basic income. In Scotland, poverty statistics focus mainly on poverty after housing costs. The poverty estimates in the child poverty summary refer to relative poverty after housing costs.

    Interim child poverty targets 2023-24

    The interim child poverty targets were as follows:

    Relative poverty: less than 18%

    Absolute poverty: less than 14%

    Combined low income and material deprivation: less than 8%

    Persistent poverty: less than 8%

    Further information on income and poverty statistics within Scotland is available.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First Minister pays tribute to Christina McKelvie MSP

    Source: Scottish Government

    Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy has passed away.

    Following the news of the sad passing of Christina McKelvie MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP, said:

    “I am devastated to learn of the passing of Christina McKelvie – one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met in my life.

    “In all the years since I first met Christina, I have been so grateful to call her my friend and colleague and to benefit from her warmth and loyalty.

    “Christina was fiercely proud of her Easterhouse roots, and she often spoke of how injustices her family experienced in her childhood had inspired her to join the trade union movement and enter elected politics.

    “In her almost two decades as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, Christina put her values into action. Whether it was helping her constituents in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, serving as a highly-respected committee convenor, or in the Ministerial posts she held, Christina was always a fierce champion for equality, social justice, for Scottish independence and for a better world.

    “But for all her many political achievements, Christina was first and foremost deeply committed to her family. Everyone could see the joy that she and her partner Keith brought to each other’s lives, and she spoke so often over the years of her pride for her sons, and more recently her immense joy at becoming a granny.

    “In recent years, when Christina returned to Parliament after treatment for breast cancer, she was determined to help those around her – using her platform to encourage women to check themselves and go to screening appointments.

    “The Scottish National Party has lost one of its finest, and I have lost an outstanding Minister in my government. I know her loss will be felt right across the Parliament and among the countless constituents she supported over the years. Christina was such a big-hearted woman, with compassion and social justice at her core. Her political allies and opponents would agree – she truly was a force of nature.

    “Today, my thoughts and prayers are with Keith, her sons Jack and Lewis and her wider family and many friends.”

    ENDS

    Christina was born on 4 March 1968. She became an MSP in 2007 latterly representing Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from 2011.

    She was Minister for Equalities from 2008 to 2023, when she became Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, and was Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy from February 2024.

    As an MSP she was Convener or the European and External Relations Committee and a member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe between 2016 and 2018, and then Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee from September 2016 until she was appointed a Minister in 2018.

    Christina was a long standing and active member of the SNP and was also a trade unionist with Unison during her time working in social work services in Glasgow.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Love Portsmouth pop-up shop at Gunwharf Quays extended until June 2025

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The lease for the Love Portsmouth pop-up shop at Gunwharf Quays has been extended for an additional three months, allowing the shop to remain open until the end of June 2025. Originally planned to operate from January to March 2025, this Portsmouth City Council business support initiative, in partnership with Love Southsea and supported by Landsec, has become a resounding success, attracting enthusiastic shoppers, and benefiting local businesses.

    Since its opening, the shop has provided 28 Portsmouth-based businesses with an exceptional platform to showcase their products. It has also launched exclusive Portsmouth-inspired merchandise by Love Southsea, served as the official shop for Portsmouth Pride 2025 merchandise, and unlocked new supply opportunities for businesses like Tea Mountain.

    Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of the council with responsibility for Economic Development said:

    “This pop-up shop has proven to be an incredible opportunity to showcase our local small businesses while strengthening our city’s economy. Extending this initiative allows us to build on its momentum and success.”

    Yvonne Clay, Centre Director at Gunwharf Quays: “We’re delighted that the Love Portsmouth pop-up store will be extending its stay at Gunwharf Quays.

    “The store’s success is testament to the talented small businesses that can be found across Portsmouth. By continuing to provide a platform to the Love Portsmouth team, we’re reinforcing our commitment to supporting regional businesses, while continuing to offer our guests a diverse retail line up. We look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the array of brands on offer in the store.”

    The shop will continue to showcase a curated selection of high-quality goods produced by local Portsmouth businesses including natural skincare by Goly Natural, handcrafted jewellery by Wild Jewellery, quality teas by Tea Mountain, handcrafted luxury candles by Salt and Blossom, sustainable designer fashion by SpottandHerbert, merchandise for Portsmouth Pride 2025 and unique children’s clothing by Little Loves Apparel.

    The shop also features the city’s renowned food and drink producers, including The Portsmouth Distillery Company, Staggeringly Good Brewery, Spice Island Chill, Pastry Corner and Camber Wines.

    An invitation has also been extended to local artists to take part in the Love Portsmouth shop.

    Lulu Whitmore, Director of Love Southsea, said:

    “The Love Portsmouth shop has had an amazing first three months of trading.  We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been given the opportunity to continue. This means even more opportunities for incredible local creatives to showcase their work. We’ve welcomed so many talented makers already, and this next phase promises to be even bigger and better!”

    Funded through the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the pop-up shop continues to deliver value to local businesses by:

    • Expanding their reach in Gunwharf Quays’ premium retail environment
    • Elevating brand visibility among broader audiences
    • Providing hands-on retail experience and skills
    • Creating opportunities to connect with regional and national buyers

    The Love Portsmouth shop is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM until the end of June 2025.

    For more information visit rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk/love-portsmouth (link to

    The lease for the Love Portsmouth pop-up shop at Gunwharf Quays has been extended for an additional three months, allowing the shop to remain open until the end of June 2025. Originally planned to operate from January to March 2025, this Portsmouth City Council business support initiative, in partnership with Love Southsea and supported by Landsec, has become a resounding success, attracting enthusiastic shoppers, and benefiting local businesses.

    Since its opening, the shop has provided 28 Portsmouth-based businesses with an exceptional platform to showcase their products. It has also launched exclusive Portsmouth-inspired merchandise by Love Southsea, served as the official shop for Portsmouth Pride 2025 merchandise, and unlocked new supply opportunities for businesses like Tea Mountain.

    Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of the council with responsibility for Economic Development said:

    “This pop-up shop has proven to be an incredible opportunity to showcase our local small businesses while strengthening our city’s economy. Extending this initiative allows us to build on its momentum and success.”

    Yvonne Clay, Centre Director at Gunwharf Quays: “We’re delighted that the Love Portsmouth pop-up store will be extending its stay at Gunwharf Quays.

    “The store’s success is testament to the talented small businesses that can be found across Portsmouth. By continuing to provide a platform to the Love Portsmouth team, we’re reinforcing our commitment to supporting regional businesses, while continuing to offer our guests a diverse retail lineup. We look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of the array of brands on offer in the store.”

    The shop will continue to showcase a curated selection of high-quality goods produced by local Portsmouth businesses including natural skincare by Goly Natural, handcrafted jewellery by Wild Jewellery, quality teas by Tea Mountain, handcrafted luxury candles by Salt and Blossom, sustainable designer fashion by SpottandHerbert, merchandise for Portsmouth Pride 2025 and unique children’s clothing by Little Loves Apparel.

    The shop also features the city’s renowned food and drink producers, including The Portsmouth Distillery Company, Staggeringly Good Brewery, Spice Island Chill, Pastry Corner and Camber Wines.

    An invitation has also been extended to local artists to take part in the Love Portsmouth shop.

    Lulu Whitmore, Director of Love Southsea, said:

    “The Love Portsmouth shop has had an amazing first three months of trading.  We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been given the opportunity to continue. This means even more opportunities for incredible local creatives to showcase their work. We’ve welcomed so many talented makers already, and this next phase promises to be even bigger and better!”

    Funded through the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the pop-up shop continues to deliver value to local businesses by:

    • Expanding their reach in Gunwharf Quays’ premium retail environment
    • Elevating brand visibility among broader audiences
    • Providing hands-on retail experience and skills
    • Creating opportunities to connect with regional and national buyers

    The Love Portsmouth shop is open daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM until the end of June 2025.

    For more information visit rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk/love-portsmouth

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Exciting transformation begins at Mount Batten Centre!

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Major redevelopment works are set to begin this month at the Mount Batten Centre, transforming this iconic gateway to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.  

    The project, kicking off on 24 March, promises to bring a wave of exciting changes to enhance accessibility and visitor experience. 

    The redevelopment includes opening up the reception area to provide a warm and inviting welcome, creating a new ground floor café with direct access to outdoor seating and spectacular waterfront views, and designing new changing facilities to meet Sport England and Changing Places standards.  

    The updated design includes accessible and inclusive spaces, with provisions for multicultural and family changing, as well as separate areas for public use. The facilities will also feature slip-resistant flooring, durable materials, and adaptable layouts to ensure safety and flexibility for different user needs. 

    In addition to the new internal facilities, substantial improvements will be made externally to the areas immediately surrounding the centre and the 17th Century Artillery Tower. To enhance visitor experience, new outdoor terraced seating areas will provide space for people to relax and enjoy being next to the water creating an ambient welcome to the centre.   

    The historic Mount Batten Tower will benefit from additional pathways offering better access to the tower plateau to enable more people to enjoy the views across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.   

    Thanks to £4m funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Plymouth City Council and the Levelling Up Fund through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, this sensitive restoration project will enable greater accessibility to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. 

    Plymouth City Council Leader, Councillor Tudor Evans, said: “We are incredibly excited to see the Mount Batten Centre undergo this transformation.  

    “As Britain’s Ocean City we have a unique opportunity to restore the amazing heritage of Plymouth Sound. Our vision is to create a welcoming and inclusive space that celebrates Plymouth’s rich maritime heritage and offers new opportunities for everyone to enjoy the stunning waterfront.” 

    Richard Stevens, Chair of the Mount Batten Centre Board, said:  “Myself and the Mount Batten Centre Board are all incredibly excited to see these redevelopment works begin. The comprehensive project of reworking and enhancing the Centre is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a vibrant, accessible space that will connect people with our extraordinary National Marine Park, whether that be on, in or by the water. 

    “This investment will unlock the Centre’s full potential, providing first-class facilities for watersports, activities, and community engagement, ensuring the Mount Batten Centre, and wider Mount Batten peninsula, is recognised as one of the pivotal gateways to Plymouth Sound and a cornerstone of the National Marine Park experience.” 

    Adam Brimacombe from Classic Builders, a local construction company undertaking the works, added: “We’re incredibly proud to be appointed to deliver these important works at the Mount Batten Centre.  Plymouth is an important place for us, not only is it our home city but a large proportion of our talented team are based in the area. The delivery of these works allows us to further our support of local staff, share opportunities with local supply chain members, and play a key part of the continued investment of Plymouth as an exciting place to live and work. 

    “We’re delighted to be delivering the works at Mount Batten Centre. Having worked on a number of schemes for Plymouth City Council, we’re proud to be once again supporting the local authority on another important project. Plymouth is a special place to everyone at Classic Builders, and we’re excited to be working on another key project in our home city.” 

    This project is part of a wider £22m transformation programme that will help empower and engage the city in the marine environment.  

    The centre remains open for activities and is being operated from the class room block in the main car park, where temporary welfare units are in place to provide facilities for booked activities and club/affiliate members of the centre.  There will be no access to the centre’s main building during the renovations, this includes the existing café and accommodation. 

    Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey to revitalise the Mount Batten Centre and make it a premier destination for locals and visitors alike! 

    For more information, visit the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: University research a key enabler of the energy transition, Holyrood told Innovative approaches to helping Scotland secure long-term leadership in sustainable energy solutions and deliver an orderly energy transition were showcased by the University of Aberdeen at Holyrood last night.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Innovative approaches to helping Scotland secure long-term leadership in sustainable energy solutions and deliver an orderly energy transition were showcased by the University of Aberdeen at Holyrood last night.

    An 80-strong audience of MSPs, policy makers, industry representatives and other stakeholders attended the University’s parliamentary event, entitled ‘Accelerating the Energy Transition in Scotland and Beyond’. 

    They heard how the University has for the past five decades been a trusted partner to government and industry, delivering independent, data-led, evidence-based research and training programmes to address the global energy challenges and advance Scotland’s net zero ambitions. 

    Professor John Underhill, the interdisciplinary director for energy transition, spoke about how the University’s world-leading research supports Scotland’s energy future by driving industrial decarbonisation, informing energy policy, managing offshore spatial pressures, and enhancing workforce skills to secure Scotland’s global leadership in the energy transition. 

    The reception, which was hosted by Kevin Stewart MSP, also gave politicians the opportunity to engage directly with the University’s leading experts and discuss opportunities for collaboration in areas such as offshore wind, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, decommissioning, geothermal and delivering a just transition. 

    “All aspects of the energy system, from exploration and production to consumption and decommissioning, must change. Our research seeks solutions to deliver a reliable, affordable, environmentally sustainable and climate compatible low-carbon energy system that ensures the transition is managed, orderly and just as we decarbonise and meet ambitious net zero targets,” said Professor Underhill. 

    “As parts of the world increasingly move towards renewable energy sources, the transition from oil and gas must be managed carefully to tackle fuel poverty and avoid imposing hardship yet ensure energy security. The transition strategy in Scotland will need to reassure communities about job security of those currently employed in the North Sea’s oil and gas industry while developing tangible new opportunities in renewable technologies. 

    “The challenge is inter and multi-disciplinary, and all aspects of the University’s research and training activity play a crucial role in providing solutions for low-carbon net-zero goals. For Net Zero to be successful it must obtain and retain public support, through continuous engagement, with people and places. Aberdeen is leading the way in the research needed to identify opportunities to accelerate decarbonisation and to design technically informed solutions that tackle societal challenges such as fuel poverty, sustainable local economies, wellbeing and social justice.” 

    Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said: “We are determined to ensure a successful energy transition for the North East and indeed for the whole of Scotland.
    “Our universities have an international reputation for excellence in research, and it’s clear from what we heard here tonight that the University of Aberdeen is at the forefront of accelerating the energy transition both here in Scotland and internationally. 
    “The Scottish Government is committed to continuing to work in partnership with universities, supporting and amplifying innovative research like this to help ensure a sustainable future for us all.”

    “There is a need to decarbonise and transform the UK’s and global energy systems to reduce emissions, achieve NetZero and climate targets,” added Principal Professor George Boyne. 

    “Academics, government and all sectors must continue to work together to map a just transition for energy global systems.  The University’s interdisciplinary approach is a key enabler for this work as energy transition spans all of our five interdisciplinary research challenge areas.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Party in the park or have a ball on the beach for VE or VJ Day 27 March 2025 Hold a party in the park or have a ball on the beach to celebrate VE and VJ Day

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    This year is the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory over Japan (VJ).

    Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE Day, when the Second World War came to an end in Europe. While 15 August is celebrated as VJ Day, when the war ended in the east as Japan surrendered.

    On bank holiday Monday 5 May gather your friends, family and neighbours and host a Great British Food Festival.

    To help celebrate and bring people together the Isle of Wight Council will waive the land hire costs for community groups (including town, parish and community councils) to hold parties in the park and on beaches across the Island. This will help make organising an event as easy and stress-free as possible.

    Residents can download this handy toolkit to help get the party started 

    Natasha Dix, Service Director Waste, Environment and Planning said ‘‘Parties like this are a great opportunity for communities to come together. We want to make it as easy as possible for organised groups to hold a party to celebrate this momentous occasion.’’

    ‘‘For anyone organised groups wishing to hold a party in a local park or at the beach on bank holiday Monday 5 May simply visit Amenity land hire and submit your request to the council one month before the date of your event. If you are just gathering a few friends and family members, have fun and stay safe. We would like to remind everyone to please leave their environment as they found out and place any litter in bins or take it home to dispose of correctly.’’

    Celebrate freedom in the great outdoors and enjoy some Great British Food. Whether you plan a picnic party in your local park or sandwiches on the sand at the beach. Big or small gather your friends, family and neighbours.

    While the Isle of Wight Council is waiving any land hire costs, licensing fees will still apply as these are a statuary requirement.

    The council hopes that as many people take this opportunity to get the together but would like to remind residents if they do choose to hold a party in an outdoor space, they leave the venue as they found it.

    Please take away any rubbish and dispose of it correctly.

    These hints may help.

    Disposable barbeques

    Be safe and just don’t use them. The risk of fire caused by disposable barbeques is high. Pack a picnic instead.

    Disposable barbeques can reach 400C and take around four hours to cool down, making them impossible to move, and posing danger to people and the environment.

    Use of disposable barbeques is banned in several local parks and beaches managed by the council. 

    Recyclable plates/cups and cutlery

    Consider using recyclable cups, paper plates and wooden cutlery that can be reused or recycled easily instead of single use plastic.  

    Bottles and cans

    Wash and squash any plastic bottles or cans and put them in your recycling bin. Squashing plastic bottles and cans helps free up space making it easier to collect and recycle more.  

    Cardboard

    Collapse any cardboard boxes to fit more in your bin. Our recycling centres will also accept larger boxes of cardboard. You can also bundle excess cardboard to one side of your recycling bin or sack on your recycling week. 

    Left-over food waste

    Use your food caddie to dispose of any leftover food waste from your celebrations or visit Love Food Hate Waste for simple recipes to use up your leftovers. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local businesses and projects to be boosted with grants

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    More than £1million is to be given in grants to local businesses and organisations to help boost their offer to city communities.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday agreed the money for the projects which include Tall Ships event site business opportunities, Business Support Grant schemes, and a Digital Skills Programme in conjunction with Business Gateway.

    Councillor Ian Yuill, Council Co-leader, said: “This investment is especially important for city businesses which are at their start up stage. It is good to cooperate with local entrepreneurs to help them develop digital skills. This year we need to grasp the opportunity to maximise any commercial benefits from the Tall Ships event coming to the city. The Council will continue to do what it can to offer support and to make a positive difference for the private sector through available grant schemes and forms of assistance.”

    Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Council is committed to working with businesses to increase help available to them which in turn will help the city to be an even better place to visit, work, shop, live , invest, and do business.”

    The Tall Ships event, which is the largest free family festival in Europe and will include more than 50 sailing ships from around the world, returns to Aberdeen in July.

    The funding for the event will assist with the costs of the commercial programme for businesses, charities and visitor attractions engaged in marketing, trade and revenue generating activity. The constraints of the event site mean that all business facilities are of a temporary nature requiring marquees and stands including health and safety compliant installation, site management, security and servicing, onsite marketing provision, access assistance, and a derig after the event finishes. The grant funding will help to pay for vital infrastructure such as marquees, contribute toward supply of power and water, ensure adequate critical resourcing such as stewarding and security, and cover digital marketing to support businesses on the event site and in the wider city.

    The Business Start-Up Grant Scheme would provide seed capital to support new businesses, offering one-off grant awards of either £1,000 or £3,000, where the new business is taking on a commercial room, premise or property.

    The availability of a start-up grant scheme further supports the incorporation of the Business Gateway service in-house to Aberdeen City and Shire Councils. Applicants will only be eligible for a grant award if engaging with, and are assigned to, a dedicated Business Gateway officer. This will ensure the applicant is accessing business support, as well as the grant, and maximise likelihood of business success.

    The Digital Skills Programme will support businesses to develop digital skills and assets which is important in order for them to stay ahead, continue to innovate and grow. This project builds upon work undertaken by the Digital Boost Programme.

    Other projects which are to receive grants include the Healthy Minds Project, the Aberdeen Creative Industries Skills Development Initiative, the Tall Ships Young Person Development and Employability Project; the Paid Work Placement Initiative, the HMP Grampian Project, the Green Skills Project, the People in Recovery Project, and the Life Skills Project.

    The grants were from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Aberdeen City Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AberNecessities visit encourages partnership working

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    A committee visit to local charity AberNecessities has highlighted the positive impact that partnership working between organisations can have on communities and service users.

    During the visit in January 2025, members of the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee met with Danielle Flecher-Horn, AberNecessities Founder and Michelle Herd, Co-Founder, and discussed a number of issues which have led to several actions being taken forward, some of which have already been completed.

    Issues discussed and some subsequent actions have included:

    • Supporting ways to improve access to infant formula milk
    • Improved access to life skills training for young people
    • Aiding wrap around support to prevent future need of foodbank dependency with the aim of stopping intergenerational poverty
    • Exploring the provision of community laundry facilities
    • Building on the success of the volunteer recruitment campaign for the Tall Ships Races 2025 to highlight the many other volunteering opportunities with organisations and charities across the city.

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “Our committee visit to AberNecessities, along with our Committee’s External Advisors, allowed us to see the vital services they and their volunteers are providing for children and their families across the city.

    “I am encouraged by the lengthy discussions we had and the agreed actions that are taking place as a result of the visit and I look forward to continuing the joined-up working approach between organisations and our Council teams through these visits.”

    Anti-Poverty and Inequality Vice-Convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “Partnership working should be at the forefront of our common effort to address poverty and inequality across our city, and I’m delighted to see the many actions and issues that are now being addressed and taken forward as a result of our committee visit.”

    Danielle Flecher-Horn, founder of AberNecessities said “AberNecessities puts great value in partnership working. We have built wonderful relationships with many services across the local area including NHSG, education, social services and third sector organisations.

    “We thank the committee for taking the time to visit us and see the incredible effort our staff and volunteers put in every day to ensure that no child should go without. I look forward to moving forward with the committee in the hope that together, we can make a lasting, positive impact for local children and families.”

    AberNecessities provides disadvantaged families with essential and basic items so that no child goes without.  They recognise the importance of meeting the basic needs of a child in order to give them the best start possible.  The charity operates on a referral basis, receiving applications from a network of professionals across health, social care and education systems.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Financial education and access to money advice services improved

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    The Accessing Money Advice and Advisory Services questionnaire which returned 560 responses has helped identify areas where improvements can be made, with many of the recommendations having already been implemented.

    At Tuesday’s (25 March 2025) Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee, members heard how the results highlighted the need for greater service availability, stronger collaboration between providers, and improved access to financial education resources.

    Improvement actions taken forward have included:

    • A series of SHMU Radio shows have been arranged to raise awareness of benefits, debt support and financial advice services available.
    • The Financial Inclusion Team have targeted benefit take-up using the Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT).
    • A number of actions aimed at improving financial literacy have included ABZ Works, Adult Learning and Financial Inclusion Team working in partnership on various projects and financial education being provided by MyBnk.
    • Work is being undertaken through a Local Improvement Group project to simplify information, ensuring leaflets are easy read and available in multiple languages.
    • A new data project is being developed for Aberdeen City to connect individuals and families with essential support based on their needs.

    Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “I’m pleased to see progress being made with vital improvements for accessing the money advice and advisory services.

    “Raising awareness of the services available and improving financial support and education for those most in need is crucial for tackling poverty across the city.”

    Anti-Poverty and Inequality Vice-Convener Councillor Desmond Bouse said: “Increasing collaboration and partnership working between all organisations involved with improving access to and awareness of the money advice services available is vital.

    “I’m encouraged to see the feedback from the questionnaire being taken forward and subsequent actions being implemented.”

    The committee also agreed to continue monitoring the impact of awareness campaigns along with partners in the Anti-Poverty Group. In addition, there will be expansion of the mobile outreach service, incorporating additional locations identified as high-need areas through the data collected.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HAIM join Sefton Park line-up & outreach programme announced

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Global pop rock band HAIM have been added to Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025 line-up, performing in Sefton Park, Liverpool on Sunday 25 May.

    The Grammy-nominated trio, renowned for their electrifying live performances and critically acclaimed music, join an already stellar line-up featuring some of the biggest names in music including, Sam Fender, Tate McRae, Mumford & Sons, JADE, Tom Grennan, Confidence Man, Lola Young, AJ Tracey plus many more. They will take to the stage from Friday 23 May – Sunday 25 May performing to an audience of over 100,000 music fans.

    HAIM say: “We are so excited to be back at Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Can’t wait to play some new songs for you in Liverpool!”

    More information on the line-up and tickets can be found on the Radio 1 Big Weekend website.

    The station has also announced its outreach plans ahead of the festival, which includes an extensive programme including open mic nights and panels, for young people across the area.

    BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio Merseyside will join forces to host three open mic nights in venues across Merseyside. Sign-ups will be on a first come, first served basis at each venue each night.

    A special one-off BBC Introducing show will air on both Radio 1 and Radio Merseyside on Thursday 22 May (8pm-10pm) with Radio 1’s Jess Iszatt and Radio Merseyside’s Dave Monks co-hosting live from the Radio Merseyside studio. The show will celebrate the local music scene, reflecting content captured from the open mic events and featuring Merseyside talent who will be performing on the BBC Introducing stage at Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2025.

    In addition to open mic nights, Radio 1’s Life Hacks presenters, Lauren Layfield and Shanequa Paris and Newsbeat’s Eleanor Doyle will host a series of panels across Merseyside from Monday 31 March to Thursday 3 April. The four panels will delve into key topics inspired by local young people, with Liverpool-based panellists and experts sharing their unique experiences and offering help, advice and insights to help young people take their next steps after school.

    The topics and venues for the four panels are as follows:

    Monday 31 March: What’s Next? Navigating Life After School & College

    Guests: Ryan Hall (@StillRyan), Nina Griffiths (Agent Academy), Holly Ellis (@the_scouse_scientist)

    Venue: Shakespeare North Playhouse – Cockpit Theatre

    Time: 4pm-5:30pm

    Tuesday 1 April: Beyond the Spotlight: Alternative Careers in Culture and Sport

    Guests: Tarek Musa (Music Producer), Alix Waldron (Director of New Stadium Development), Hayden Cunningham (Esports Development Officer)

    Venue: The People’s Club, Goodison Park

    Time: 4pm-5:30pm

    Wednesday 2 April: Real World Ready: Practical Skills for Money, Work & Independence

    Guests: Sasha Minns (Street League), Amina Atiq (Freelance Creative), Writing On The Wall

    Venue: Carmel College, Dalton Theatre

    Time: 2pm-3:30pm

    Thursday 3 April: Unstoppable You: Mastering Confidence, Connections, & Boundaries

    Guests: Arts Emergency, Sian Davies (Comedian), Cordelia Stevenson (Arts Emergency), Writing On The Wall

    Venue: Future Yard, Live Room

    Time: 4pm-5:30pm

    In May, Radio 1’s Life Hacks will dive into insightful reflections from the panels, highlighting key takeaways from their time in Liverpool. They’ll journey deeper into the topics, where audiences across the UK can participate by asking questions.

    The shows will explore mastering essential life skills, building confidence, networking, alternative career paths and exploring different ways to take the next step after school.

    The Radio 1 Life Hacks specials will be broadcast on:

    • Sunday 18 May, 4pm-6pm
    • Monday 19 May, 8pm-10pm
    • Tuesday 20 May, 8pm-10pm
    • Wednesday 21 May, 8pm-10pm

    Tickets are free and available to book through Eventbrite.

    Lauren Layfield says: “Everyone knows Scousers are the friendliest people you’ll ever meet so I can’t wait to head to one of my favourite cities for Radio 1’s Life Hacks. We want to find out what really matters to young people who live in and around Liverpool and hopefully have some important conversations, all before heading to Sefton Park in May to lose our voices screaming along to Sam Fender. It’s gonna be boss.”

    Shanequa Paris says:“Liverpool is such a fabulous city and I’m looking forward to getting to know the local communities for another year of Big Weekend’s outreach. It’s so exciting to visit a place that’s full of culture, good vibes and really connect with people in the city!”

    Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “Radio 1’s Big Weekend isn’t just about the incredible weekend of live music, it’s also a chance for us to connect with young people in the host city and bring opportunities to local communities through our brilliant outreach programmes. This year’s programme focuses on career and development topics that matter to our listeners in Liverpool and beyond.

    “I’m hugely grateful to all the experts and organisations who will be helping to deliver these panels, and I’m sure it will be an extremely insightful week.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Working together to ensure financial integrity

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning. It is a great pleasure to be here today and to welcome you to the BIS Innovation Hub’s Analytics Showcase.1

    This event marks the conclusion of the 2025 Analytics Challenge, in which we invited innovators to submit proposals for collaborative technology solutions to a specific problem.

    Over the next two days, we will come together to tackle a pressing challenge for regulators, businesses and consumers – financial crime. And since financial crime does not respect borders, we believe there is a clear need for deeper global collaboration. In the next few minutes, I will reflect on why this is essential and how we can work together in an increasingly digitalised world.

    The BIS Innovation Hub already helps central banks around the world collaborate on financial technology. We track key trends, connect innovation experts to each other and develop public goods in the technology space that are geared towards improving the functioning of the financial system.

    We experiment through projects that aim to show how technology can help and inspire meaningful action. These projects are possible thanks to collaboration with the global community of policymakers and innovators. And to our delight, part of this community is also here today.

    In my remarks, I will share with you the Innovation Hub’s projects that use technological innovation to safeguard financial integrity. And then I will set out our plan for the next two days to explore new technology and further expand global collaboration in the fight against financial crime.

    But let me now turn to why action is called for in the first place.

    Financial crime today

    Financial services are needed for a society to work well. Indeed, they are crucial for the economy to function properly. But widespread financial crime, such as fraud, money laundering and cyber attacks, undermines the integrity of our financial system and harms society. Central banks and financial supervisors therefore have a strong interest in supporting the fight against this type of criminal activity.

    The scale of financial crime is staggering. By some estimates, over $3 trillion2 in illicit funds move through the financial system each year, draining up to 5% of global GDP.3 Fraud alone costs hundreds of billions of dollars, hitting both consumers and businesses that have to shoulder a considerable share of the losses.

    We have good reasons to believe that most cases of fraud are never reported, which leaves the true scale hidden.4 And the real cost isn’t just money – financial crime often goes hand-in-hand with  other crimes, such drug and human trafficking, often damaging society’s most vulnerable people.

    Meanwhile, criminals move faster than law enforcement, exploiting technology and global networks to stay ahead. Look no further than Europe for evidence. Most fraud here appears to be cyber-enabled, online scams that very often cross borders,[5] with more consumers being targeted than ever before.

    In turn, financial firms face soaring compliance costs to detect illicit activity, spending hundreds of billions each year just to keep up.6

    And despite these efforts, estimates indicate that less than 1% of dirty money is intercepted and recovered,7 a remarkable statistic that highlights a difficult reality: despite growing investment in fighting financial crime, the overall results are falling short.

    To turn the tide, we need to explore new ways to fight financial crime, and we know that new technology holds great potential.

    But we also know that only through the collaboration, support and contributions of many can we fully harness technological innovation to protect our financial system and society. In other words, it takes a village.

    That brings us to today. We’ve laid the foundation already – the next two days of the Analytics Showcase will build on it.

    Let me share how the BIS Innovation Hub has been driving this effort.

    The role of the BIS Innovation Hub

    The Bank for International Settlements supports central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability by fostering international cooperation.

    About five years ago, the BIS launched the Innovation Hub – a partnership with central banks that now spans seven centres across the globe, with one located here in London and hosted by the Bank of England.

    The Innovation Hub experiments with new technologies to see how they can solve shared challenges and help central banks deliver on their mandates more effectively.

    It does so because technology is changing finance fast, and the Innovation Hub aspires to facilitate collaboration and be a partner to central banks, while demonstrating the potential that novel technology brings.

    And the financial system needs to be secure, resilient and trusted, no matter how fast things change.

    Financial integrity is key to central banks for three reasons.

    First, threats to financial integrity are also threats to safety and stability – their core job.

    Second, central banks operate and supervise financial market infrastructures such as payment and settlement systems, where the threat of financial crime exists.

    Third, central banks often oversee banks’ compliance with anti-money laundering rules that enable the detection of illicit transactions.

    Some of the Innovation Hub’s projects have developed technological solutions or components that could be combined in a potential “technology stack”, elevating global collaboration in the fight against financial crime.

    Let me unpack that.

    A technology stack to maintain financial system integrity

    Consider a typical cross-border payment – it involves multiple banks and payment systems across jurisdictions. From the moment the sender makes a payment until the final recipient receives the money, multiple steps are taken to keep the payment safe and secure.

    I will walk you through the five key components that make these steps more effective.

    To start, each bank involved in the transaction must conduct compliance checks. This involves screening customers against sanctions lists or ensuring compliance with foreign exchange rules. These checks are often repeated and require manual work, due to varying regulations and data standards along the payments chain.

    Our first component of the technology stack provides a solution for programmable compliance and transaction pre-validation.

    Through Project Mandala, we have demonstrated better options for financial institutions to automate compliance checks and generate cryptographic proofs to show they have conducted all the necessary checks before initiating a transaction.

    The solution enhances the efficiency, transparency and speed of cross-border transactions without compromising the quality and soundness of regulatory checks.

    Mandala also improves transparency on country-specific policies, while facilitating real-time reporting and monitoring for regulators and supervisors.

    Now, after compliance checks, transactions are submitted to electronic payment systems for processing. These systems have a bird’s eye view of payers and payees allowing them to analyse transaction networks.

    Our next component is about embedding enhanced transaction analytics into payment systems. This could improve detection of seemingly legitimate transactions tied to complex money laundering schemes.

    Ongoing work in Project Hertha aims to show that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and network analytics methods at a payment system level can help identify financial crime patterns that warrant a second look, while protecting privacy by using only a limited set of data points.

    To achieve this, the project created synthetic transaction data mimicking real payments using state-of-the-art AI methods. These data were also shared with Analytics Challenge participants to help test their solutions.

    The third component is about collaborative analytics. Advanced technologies, such as federated learning and multi-party computation, allow public and private stakeholders to share intelligence without revealing private customer data. Such public-private collaboration can help stakeholders join forces to identify criminal activity. 

    Project Aurora demonstrated how shifting to this more holistic approach, including the application of AI and machine learning techniques, helps identify money laundering and financial crime networks both nationally and internationally.

    Another component of our tech stack is user privacy, which is crucial in all our projects. Privacy rights must be upheld in any collaborative analytics and information sharing initiatives.

    Projects Aurora and Mandala tested privacy-enhancing technologies for secure data sharing. Project Hertha is testing methods to identify suspicious network patterns using a minimal set of data points.

    The final component is protection against cyber threats, vital in today’s digital landscape. Fraudsters and cyber criminals often use similar methods, like phishing. And those same technologies can also be used to fight back against the criminals. 

    Two of our projects addressed this.

    Project Raven can help the financial sector and authorities assess cyber security and resilience in their jurisdiction, by using AI to lower the reporting and analytical costs.

    Project Polaris focuses on the cyber security and resilience of potential future forms of money and payment systems, including offline digital payments.

    Strengthening these five components can help future-proof the financial system against evolving threats.

    Let me now explain how the Analytics Challenge and Showcase play a role here.

    Looking ahead: the Challenge and the Showcase

    Late last year, we invited public and private sector experts to join the BIS Innovation Hub 2025 Analytics Challenge and build on the work we started.

    We asked innovators to propose collaborative tech solutions that combat financial crime and simplify compliance through two challenges.

    In the open challenge, participants had to tackle three key questions:

    • How can AI be used to improve the detection of illicit financial activity?
    • How can privacy-preserving technology be used in sharing data and intelligence?
    • Finally, how can we collaborate on innovative tech solutions to enable compliance with diverse regulations across jurisdictions?

    In the prediction challenge, participants were asked to build algorithms to detect illicit transactions.

    Participants could test and demonstrate their solutions using a rich and realistic synthetic payments data set developed in Project Hertha.

    I am impressed with the high quality of the responses and I hope the demonstrations and discussions at the Analytics Showcase inspire new possibilities and partnerships.

    But the Showcase has even more to offer in the next two days.

    And with that, I trust the Analytics Showcase will strengthen our fight against financial crime and look forward to the insights ahead.

    Thank you very much for listening.

    1 My thanks go to the BIS Innovation Hub’s Andrei Pustelnikov and Simina Puscasu who helped me write this speech.

    2 Nasdaq and Verafin, Global Financial Crime Report, 2024.

    3 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Money laundering”.

    4 UK National Crime Agency (NCA), “Fraud”.

    5 The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), “Cyber-enabled fraud and illicit money flows”, infographic, 2024.

    6 LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Report: The true cost of financial crime compliance, 2023.

    7 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Factsheet: money laundering”, 2014.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Second shipment of high level waste departs UK for Germany

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Second shipment of high level waste departs UK for Germany

    As previously announced, the UK will be returning high level waste (HLW) in the form of vitrified residues to Germany.

    The second of three planned shipments is now safely under way. Seven flasks containing high level waste were transported from the Sellafield site in West Cumbria to the nearby port of Barrow-in-Furness by rail. The flasks were then loaded to the specialist nuclear transport vessel Pacific Grebe, operated by Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS).

    The vessel departed Barrow on 26th March 2025, and is now sailing to a German port where the flasks will be offloaded for their onward journey by rail to the Isar federal interim storage facility.

    This shipment is being carried out in full compliance with all appropriate national and international regulations.

    The waste results from the reprocessing and recycling of spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield which had previously been used to produce electricity by utilities in Germany.

    Vitrified Residue Returns (VRR) are a key component of the UK’s strategy to repatriate high level waste from the Sellafield site, fulfil overseas contracts and deliver on Government policy.

    Sellafield Ltd and NTS will provide further information on the shipment in due course.

    Related stories

    Second shipment of high level waste from the UK to Germany

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to New York Times reporting that the Trump administration intends to end funding for Gavi

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on news that the Trump administration are intending to stop funding for Gavi (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation). 

    Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, said:

    “The funding cuts in the first 3 months of this year affecting USAID, ODA, WHO and now Gavi are suffocating global health. With this scale of withdrawal of funding some estimates indicate that millions could die from hunger and vaccine-preventable infections. Institutions are reluctant to speak out in case they are targeted and individuals are self-censoring to protect themselves. We must wake up to the moral case for supporting the remarkable global health efforts that help the poor of the world, but also remember that it is in our own interest to defend global health. As the Covid19 pandemic reminds us, infectious diseases cross borders and put all of us at risk. “

     

    Dr David Elliman, Honorary Senior Associate Professor in Child Health at University College London, said:

    “GAVI has enabled many low income countries to deliver vaccinations to children where they would not otherwise be affordable. This is an important contribution to the prevention of millions of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases around the world. It is estimated that vaccine programmes save something like 6 lives every minute. The withdrawal of funding from GAVI would inevitably lead to a loss of lives, that could otherwise have been saved. This is not only cruel, but is not in the interests of anyone. If diseases such as measles and TB increase anywhere in the world, it is a hazard to us all.  Measles is already on the increase in many parts of the world, including Europe and USA. This could easily happen to other diseases. Ensuring that children “the other side of the world” are protected, contributes substantially to the protection of our own children in high income countries.

    “Similar to the reduction in other forms of aid, this would add to the misery of millions of children. It is an utterly misguided measure, whether considered on ethical grounds or out self interest. Let us hope that this rumour is just that and does not become action.”

    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/health/usaid-cuts-gavi-bird-flu.html

    Declared interests

    Professor Sir Andrew Pollard: “Professor Pollard is chair of JCVI which provides independent scientific advice on vaccines to DHSC.  The comment above is given in a personal capacity.”

    Dr David Elliman: I have no conflicts of interest

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council homes development underway on former tennis club site

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    City of Wolverhampton Council has appointed contractor Morro Partnerships to build the new ‘A’ Rated, gas free homes with solar panels, on the site of the dilapidated former Bilston tennis club in Villiers Avenue.

    Following clearance works, the development of nine 2-bedroom and two 3-bedroom houses will bring the land back into use and enhance the area.

    The council’s housing development team is leading the project, and the mix of detached and semi-detached homes will be available for affordable rent, with construction expected to be complete by Spring 2026.

    To mitigate for the loss of the tennis courts £40,000 has been allocated to improve tennis courts at East Park.

    The houses form part of the latest phase of new council homes coming forward across the city, with development works underway or set to start in the coming months on 81 properties across 6 sites.

    Morro Partnerships builds with sustainability in mind, with the Bilston development adopting a timber frame construction throughout.

    The carbon footprint of a timber frame is less than traditional structures, and this modern method of construction also helps to reduce energy consumption, helping to keep residents’ bills to a minimum.

    This is consistent with Morro’s pipeline of affordable homes across the Midlands, as part of their commitment to being better environment and community makers.

    The development will be supported by a £620,000 grant from Homes England.

    Councillor Steve Evans, the council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, said: “This is a great example of the council’s strategy to bring small disused sites back into use for the benefit of our residents and communities.

    “There is an increasing demand for housing and this forms part of our pipeline of new council properties we are developing to deliver more good homes in well connected neighbourhoods across the city.

    “Residents will not only benefit from these future proofed homes, they will also reap the rewards of the significant investment already made in Bilston in recent years that is seeing the town flourish.”

    Tom Broadway, Managing Director at Morro Partnerships, said: “Supporting sustainable and affordable housing projects is at the very heart of what we do at Morro.

    “These high quality, energy efficient homes will not only provide more choice for Bilston residents but leave a lasting positive impact on the surrounding area. It’s great to step into spring with construction well underway, and by this next time next year, we will be preparing final handovers and starting to see people move in.

    “This project is testament to what can be achieved through community collaboration, and we are pleased to be working with City of Wolverhampton Council on this site and look forward to continuing to grow this partnership.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Spring into fun with Coventry holiday activity and food programme

    Source: City of Coventry

    The new spring Holiday, Activity and Food programme (HAF) has gone live, with children able to enjoy free activities and healthy food options from Saturday 12 April to Sunday 27 April.

    The programme provides the chance for Coventry children to have four activities and one free experience throughout the spring break. Local families are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible more as activities get booked up.

    Around 18,000 children will be eligible for the programme, with over 75 new activities happening this spring, all thanks to a £1.6m grant awarded to Coventry from the Government to continue the successful programme.

    The Coventry programme has had an overwhelmingly positive reception, with 22,000 sessions provided and in 2024, 95-100% of HAF users would recommend it to other people.

    Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member, Education and Skills, detailed how great the programme is for children and families as she noted: “Children and young people will not only be able to benefit from a healthy meal, but they will also be able to learn about their city’s heritage and culture at brilliant venues, develop their skills and be able to make friends along the way.

    “I appreciate that for many families, the cost of living remains a challenge which is why good quality and family-friendly programmes such as these are vitally important to local communities. I hope many people get online or in touch to see if they are eligible to sign-up for the programme and I look forward to popping along in April to see some of the activities first-hand.”

    The HAF programme, which has been running since 2021, gives children the opportunity to join activities and experiences throughout Coventry for free, with a nutritious meal, available for any children who meet the entry requirements.

    HAF also offers opportunities such as free sessions to The Wave, Planet Ice and other outdoor trips and activities like multi-sports, coding, cooking, skateboarding, performing arts, photography and more.

    The programme is primarily for pupils of statutory school age, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals and Coventry has extended eligibility to other children as well.

    The HAF programme also gives extra access for children with additional needs, so all children eligible should be able to attend most activities.

    To find out if you are eligible, or if you want more information on the HAF spring programme visit coventry.gov.uk/haf or contact the Customer Contact team at 08085 834

    Thursday, 27th March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reed: Sewage spill data a “disgrace”

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Reed: Sewage spill data a “disgrace”

    New sewage data shows small drop in the number of sewage spills in 2024, but duration has increased.

    The Environment Secretary has described the number of spills from storm overflows as “disgraceful” as new figures were released today (27 March).  

    The figures show a slight drop in the total number of spills compared to 2023. However, the total duration of spills has increased – with 3,614,428 hours recorded across the year.  

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 

    These figures are disgraceful and are a stark reminder of how years of underinvestment have led to water companies discharging unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas. 

    We’ve already placed water companies under tough special measures through the landmark Water Act, banning unfair bonuses for polluting water bosses and introducing criminal charges for lawbreakers. 

    But we will go further and faster. That’s why this government has secured over £100 billion of private sector investment to upgrade our crumbling infrastructure and not only clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good, but also help deliver economic growth across the country as part of our Plan for Change.

    The government is prioritising water infrastructure upgrades, with £104 billion of private-sector investment secured for the next five years. This will be invested into the water sector and will mean spills are cut by 45% by 2030 from 2021 levels, according to Ofwat. 

    We have also commissioned a full review into the sector to deliver lasting reforms that will clean up our waterways for good.

    To further reduce the frequency and duration of storm overflow spills, Defra recently published new storm overflow guidance for water companies and regulators. This guidance directs investment toward the most environmentally sensitive sites to better protect nature.  

    Under this new government guidance, agreed as part of the price review process (PR24), improvements are being prioritised to focus water company investment on better wastewater management and enhancing bathing water quality nationwide. 

    This follows the Water (Special Measures) Act passing into law last month, which gives regulators stronger powers to crack down on polluting water companies. It allows faster penalties, bans bonuses for failing executives, and introduces independent monitoring of every sewage outlet. Water companies must now publish real-time data on emergency overflows, with spills reported within an hour of the initial event. 

    The £104 billion investment will be rolled out over the next five years, marking the largest upgrade to water infrastructure since privatisation. This will drive forward 150 major infrastructure projects – creating over 30,000 jobs across the country, supporting the building of 1.5 million new homes and powering new industries such as gigafactories and data centres. 

    The Independent Water Commission, launched by the government last year and led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will recommend long-term reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system. This will help the government to establish a resilient and innovative water sector and a robust regulatory framework.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension Credit campaign delivers vital support to Derby pensioners

    Source: City of Derby

    A successful Pension Credit campaign in Derby has secured over £386,285 in financial support for 105 local pensioners, ensuring they remain warm and financially secure during the winter months. The initiative, led by Derby City Council in partnership with local organizations, has made a huge difference in the lives of many pensioners. As part of the campaign  pensioners have gained:

    • £299,414 in annual Pension Credit
    • An average household boost of £2,851 per year
    • £65,871 in backdated Pension Credit payments
    • £21,000 in Winter Fuel Payments

    Since the campaign’s launch the estimated amount of unclaimed Pension Credit in Derby has fallen from £9.26 million to £8.89 million, and the number of missing claims has dropped from 7,243 to 7,138, highlighting the positive impact of the campaign and the importance of continued support

    This initiative also highlights the urgent need for pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, which not only provides financial relief but also unlocks additional benefits such as council tax reductions, free NHS dental treatment, and more.

    Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Communities, said:

    It’s fantastic to see so many pensioners in Derby receiving the financial support they are entitled to, with over £386,000 already secured through this campaign. This extra income is making a real difference, helping people heat their homes and manage rising living costs. However, we know that many pensioners are still missing out on Pension Credit.  There’s still so much work to do and we have more initiatives in the pipeline, however this pilot campaign has proved successful in a very short space of time.

    If you or someone you know might be eligible, I urge you to check and claim.”

    A Derby pensioner who attended the Pension Advice Event in October 2024 said:

    Everyone was fantastic – Tim’s attitude towards looking after me made my day; well worth coming.”

    All attendees who provided feedback following the event said they received help and the answers they needed regarding Pension Credit and other benefits. Additionally, 83% expressed a strong interest in attending similar events in the future.

    For more information on claiming Pension Credit, visit the Government Pension Credit webpage.

    If you or someone you know is struggling with the cost of living, there is plenty of help available. Visit our cost of living webpage or Community Action Derby’s Cost of Living online hub for support and advice on everything from utility bill support to improving your mental wellbeing.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency storm overflow spill data for 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Environment Agency storm overflow spill data for 2024

    Spill count and duration remains unacceptably high across England. Data analysis and stricter rules to reduce pollution going forward.

    The Environment Agency has today published water company Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) Annual Return data for 2024 showing the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows in England.  

    The data for 2024 shows a 2.9% decrease in the number of sewage spills compared to 2023. Spill durations increased by 0.2% – this is the number of hours overflows operated for compared to last year. This year’s data shows that storm overflow spill counts and duration remain unacceptably high.

    The data also shows that in 2024:   

    • The average number of spills per overflow was 31.8 compared to 33.1 in 2023 and 32.6 in 2020; 
    • 39% of storm overflows spilled less than 10 times in 2024 compared to 40.5% in 2023 and 40% in 2020; 
    • 12.5% of storm overflows did not spill at all in 2024 compared to 13.9% in 2023 and 13% in 2020. 

    In January, the Environment Agency worked with partners to secure the largest commitment of actions and investment from water companies to clean up our waterways since privatisation. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) sets out over 24,000 actions water companies must take over the next five years to meet their legal requirements for the environment, representing a £22.1bn investment – around £10.2bn of which will be used to improve storm overflows in England, including nature-based solutions which reduce the amount of rainfall reaching overflows.

    To meet our requirements, water companies have committed to upgrading over 2,500 storm overflows – which is expected to reduce annual sewage spills by 85,000. Water companies will also install 3,500 monitors at emergency overflows sites, further protecting and enhancing 13,500 km of river.

    Chair of Environment Agency Alan Lovell said: 

    This year’s data shows we are still a long way off where we need to be to stop unnecessary sewage pollution. But it also provides vital intelligence that drives targeted investment. Using our Event Duration monitoring analysis, we have worked with partners to secure £10.2bn from water companies to improve storm overflows in England.

    While these improvements get underway, we expect water companies to do what customers pay it to do: ensure their existing assets are maintained and operating properly.

    We will continue to protect our precious water quality and resources by holding water companies to account.

    The Environment Agency puts permits in place for storm overflows to ensure they are only used legally during times of rainfall and snowmelt.

    We have significantly ramped up our monitoring of water companies in recent years. There is more monitoring of storm overflows in place than ever before and data-driven analytics led by our increased workforce is helping us to map discharges against rainfall more effectively.

    The transparency this provides allows us to understand the scale of the issue at hand and gives the industry a clear framework to focus their investment and improvements.

    It also informs our compliance and investigation work. Where significant pollution incidents occur, we work to stop the pollution as quickly as possible and then to take enforcement action where necessary. Since 2015, we have concluded 65 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies – securing fines of over £151 million. At the same time, we’re tightening the rules around storm overflows. The Water Special Measures Act will give us increased legal powers to take stronger enforcement action against environmental lawbreakers.

    We recently updated our Storm Overflow Assessment Framework, which places greater emphasis on water companies to investigate, maintain and improve underperforming storm overflows. We are also updating water company permits to include spill frequency thresholds and, since January, all day dry spills – no matter how small – are now classified as pollution incidents.

    Reducing the use of storm overflows is vital to achieving healthier waterways. This is a long-term process, but we have the investment, mechanisms and powers to move closer towards a cleaner future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hundreds of millions of pounds to turbocharge manufacturing sector in Wales

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Hundreds of millions of pounds to turbocharge manufacturing sector in Wales

    Wales to see new £250m investment into UK’s largest semiconductor facility, supporting hundreds of highly-skilled jobs in Newport and supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

    • Vishay Intertechnology’s planned investment is vote of confidence in the region’s industrial capabilities, and strengthens the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster in South Wales.   

    • Chancellor welcomes the investment as a major win for the UK as a global hub for advanced manufacturing.

    Wales is set to benefit from a £250million investment from one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors that will be vital to the production of electric vehicles (EV), supporting the government’s Plan for Change in delivering more skilled jobs, and turbocharging the economy.

    The Chancellor Rachel Reeves will welcome Vishay Intertechnology’s intention to invest on a visit to their Newport plant today (Thursday 27 March) – the UK’s largest semiconductor facility – as part of plans to develop large-scale compound semiconductor manufacturing in the country.

    The investment will boost production at the state-of-the-art factory where it will make advanced Silicon Carbide semiconductors, an integral part of EV production. This advanced technology supports faster battery charging time, enabling a more efficient supply of energy to the motor and longer driving distances.

    Vishay’s investment is expected to directly support over 500 high value, high skilled jobs in the region and indirectly support hundreds more in the wider supply chain.

    It comes after the Chancellor’s Spring Statement yesterday where she vowed to bring about “new era of security and national renewal” to kickstart economic growth, protect working people and keep Britain safe. The Chancellor confirmed that the OBR has upgraded their growth forecast in 2026 and every year thereafter and people will be on average £500 a year better off by the end of this parliament compared to under the previous government, putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

    Under this government the UK is open for business. This is exactly the type of investment that will help us grow the economy, create highly skilled jobs and boost opportunity for people across the country, as we deliver on our Plan for Change to get more money in working people’s pockets.

    Supported by the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF), the investment will help secure domestic supplies of semiconductors critical to the UK automotive industry, and other key industries including renewable energy and defence, supporting the Industrial Strategy. It also strengthens the UK’s position in a competitive, global semiconductor landscape, supporting long-term growth for our economy.

    It is a huge boost for the UK as a global hub for advanced manufacturing, which has the fastest growth in manufacturing productivity per job in the G7 between 2010-2023.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is a huge vote of confidence in the Welsh economy and our plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investments in the industries of tomorrow. It will support local skilled jobs and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.

    Vishay’s investment will help secure a domestic supply of semiconductors which are vital for our world leading automotive sector and support our clean energy industries – key growth driving sectors identified in our upcoming Industrial Strategy.

    Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens said:

    This massive investment by Vishay and the UK Government is a huge boost for Wales’s world-leading semiconductor industry.

    Earlier this month I was at Vishay to see the work they do on advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and defence industries – all key sectors in the Welsh economy.

    This investment will build on that success to create and support hundreds of highly skilled and well-paid jobs, driving economic growth in south Wales and beyond and helping us deliver our Plan for Change.

    Roy Shoshani, COO Semiconductors and CTO for Vishay said:

    This is an exciting moment, and the start of our plans for growth in the UK. We can see through the development of the Industrial Strategy and the skilled workforce in Newport that there is a real opportunity to play to the UK’s strength in advanced semiconductors, delivering greater economic security and supporting Net Zero.

    Ahead of her visit to Newport, the Chancellor will join the Invest in Women Taskforce roundtable with the Welsh First Minister which has secured over £250million of funding commitments to support female entrepreneurs in the UK.

    Through the ATF, delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the government continues to unlock private investment in UK automotive design, development, and manufacturing as the sector transitions to zero emission technology. To date, the ATF and APC funding programmes have leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector.

    The Autumn Budget confirmed over £2 billion for capital and R&D funding over five years for zero emission vehicle manufacturing and their supply chains. Building on the achievements of the ATF and APC programmes, this long-term commitment is a vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, supporting investment and productivity growth across UK automotive.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

    This significant investment in compound semiconductors is a huge contribution to the innovation and advanced technology necessary to drive the future of UK Automotive. British-made next-generation semiconductors will create jobs, support supply chains and enhance the UK’s strategic capabilities. Digitisation and decarbonisation are at the heart of the transition taking place amongst UK automotive manufacturers, and this investment can support that transition, aided by a comprehensive industrial strategy to deliver the growth the sector and the economy needs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Creating sensors for extreme fusion energy conditions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Creating sensors for extreme fusion energy conditions

    UKAEA awards £3.5m to develop highly specialised sensors for extreme conditions of fusion energy environments

    Diagnostic equipment on the MAST Upgrade machine measuring the magnetic field inside the plasma at UKAEA’s Culham Campus – Image Credit United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

    Thirteen organisations have secured contracts with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to develop robust sensing technologies for use in future fusion power plants.

    Worth £3.5m in total, 16 contracts – feasibility studies from £100,000 up to £250,000 – have been awarded by UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Programme, an initiative launched in 2021 to develop the necessary technology and skills for the future global fusion power plant market.

    The 13 organisations – 10 private companies and three academic institutions – are developing a range of sensing and diagnostic technologies for use in extreme environments, an essential field of innovation for future fusion power plants.

    Fusion power plants will operate under complex conditions, including extreme temperatures, high neutron loads and high magnetic fields. Developing highly specialised, robust sensing and control technologies that can operate under these extreme conditions is essential to making fusion energy a commercially viable part of the world’s energy mix.

    Novel sensing and diagnostic systems will be needed to measure a range of data within a fusion power plant, including plasma position and shape, plasma electron density, temperature, and the performance of plasma-facing components.

    The 13 organisations will now undertake technical feasibility studies, taking their sensing and diagnostics technologies to ‘proof of concept’ stages with support from the Fusion Industry Programme.

    Tim Bestwick, Chief Technology Officer and Deputy CEO, UKAEA, said: “Fusion promises to be a safe, sustainable source of energy for future generations. However, delivering fusion means overcoming complex scientific and engineering challenges, such as developing tough sensors to withstand fusion’s harsh environments.

    “The Fusion Industry Programme is engaging private companies and academia to help solve these challenges, while stimulating innovation that can boost adjacent sectors.”

    In a first for the Fusion Industry Programme, expert fusion industry support is being provided by technical advisors from both UKAEA and Tokamak Energy Ltd. Experts from UKAEA and Tokamak Energy are providing technical advice on the conditions encountered in a fusion environment, to help inform the design and development of sensing and diagnostic technologies.

    Joanne Flanagan, Tokamak Energy’s Head of Diagnostics, Data and Control, said: “We’re delighted to see a wealth of variety in the innovative responses to this challenge and are excited to support the projects in our role as technical advisors.

    “Measurement systems and components will need to be extremely robust to operate in the extreme fusion power plant environment, which is why we must explore a full range of technologies, ideas and solutions. This challenge is designed to stimulate the innovation needed to address this development, bringing us all one step closer to the goal of delivering clean, secure and affordable fusion energy.”

    The full list of organisations awarded contracts:

    Organisation Project Title
    3 – Sci Ltd High field, high temperature, radiation-tolerant distributed magnetic sensing feasibility
    Amentum Clean Energy Ltd Determination of Hydrogen Isotopologues in Liquid Lithium
    First Light Fusion Ltd Prototyping a multi-use Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) system for robust, remote measurement of inertial fusion compression, power plant relevant electron density measurements and vacuum chamber wall shock movement
    Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd LED-based Raman spectroscopy analyser for tritium and deuterium concentration measurements; Zeeman Magnetometry for Plasma diagnostics (ZeeMaP); PULSE Phase-sensitive dUaL-comb SpEctrometer for plasma density measurements
    Full Matrix Ltd A feasibility study for the interpretation of ultrasonic guided waves in witness specimens for remote fusion diagnostics
    IDOM UK Ltd AI-Driven Restoration and Monitoring Framework for Plasma-Facing Mirrors in Fusion Diagnostics.
    Kyoto Fusioneering UK Ltd Exploratory Study for the Development of Tritium Concentration Sensors in Application to liquid Lithium and FLIBE under real fusion environment
    MuWave Ltd Feasibility Study for High Frequency Collective Thompson Scattering System
    Nascent Semiconductor Ltd Robust Electronics for Sensing Characteristics in Unconventional Environments (RESCUE)
    Oxford Sigma Ltd Project PRISM – Performance and Resilience of Innovative Surfaces for Mirrors; Project DEPARTED (Diagnostic Erosion Passive and Analysis in Real-Time and Environment Device)
    University of Edinburgh Development of a Raman Spectroscopic System for the Online Monitoring of Lithium Metal-based Breeding Blankets
    University of Leeds Terahertz Quantum Cascades Lasers for Plasma Interferometry
    University of Warwick Diamond Magnetometers for Tokamak Diagnostics

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Apprenticeship standards achievement rates update

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Apprenticeship standards achievement rates update

    A letter from the Minister for Skills on current apprenticeship standards achievement rates.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Letter from Baroness Smith on an update to the apprenticeships achievement rate ambition

    PDF, 145 KB, 4 pages

    Details

    The letter is from the Minister for Skills, Baroness Smith, to those delivering apprenticeships. It outlines an update on the apprenticeship achievement rate.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister meets Coalition of the Willing in Paris following UK military planning meetings

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Press release

    Prime Minister meets Coalition of the Willing in Paris following UK military planning meetings

    The Prime Minister will co-host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris today (Thursday 27 March). 

    • Prime Minister will underscore that all must back Ukraine to remain in the fight against Russia
    • Military planning to cover air, sea and land forces to support a lasting and durable peace and deter future Russian aggression 
    • Prime Minister expected to say “Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball”

    The Prime Minister will co-host the next meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris today (Thursday 27 March). 

    At the meeting, he will present the outcomes of this week’s planning meetings in support of Ukraine, which took place at the UK military operational headquarters in Northwood over the last three days. 

    The intensive sessions, which convened over 200 military planners from countries across the globe, considered in detail the structure of any future force to ensure Ukraine can defend itself from future Russian aggression. 

    The Prime Minister will underline that all must come together to support Ukraine to remain in the fight and back US efforts to make real progress despite continued Russian obfuscation. 

    Planning so far has looked across the full range of European military capabilities including aircraft, tanks, troops, intelligence and logistics capabilities – and discussions have centred on how European nations can contribute their own capabilities to support any future force.

    Discussions will continue around military planning of air, sea and land forces that would be required to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. 

    As the Prime Minister has repeatedly stated, a lasting peace in Ukraine can only be provided if we step up and give real and credible security assurances to deter Putin from coming back in future.  

    The Prime Minister will say that excellent progress has been made, and Europe is mobilising together in pursuit of peace, but now we must continue to keep up the momentum. 

    The Prime Minister will add that Putin has clearly shown his lack of commitment to the peace process, following ceasefire talks convened by the United States in Saudi Arabia this week. 

    Published readouts from both sides confirmed a naval ceasefire and prevention of use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea but Russia immediately backtracked and placed conditions on the agreements – despite good faith participation from Ukraine.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer will say:

    Unlike President Zelenskyy, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks. Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow. 

    The US is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks, President Zelenskyy has demonstrated his commitment repeatedly, and Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future. Now Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Global: How Australia’s government is spending less on consultants – and trying to rebuild the public service

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Emmanuel Josserand, Enseignant-chercheur, Pôle Léonard de Vinci

    The post-Covid era has been marked by a global crackdown on government spending on consultants. This phenomenon hasn’t only concerned France, where the “McKinsey-gate” episode concerning President Emmanuel Macron’s 2017 campaign for the Élysée led to a Senate inquiry and spending cuts.

    Public debates, government inquiries and new laws emerged in many countries, including the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and South Africa. Australia has been particularly active and achieved significant savings in consultant and contractor spending. Here’s how it did it.

    Nearly €2 billion in savings

    To understand why the use of consultants has become highly politicized in Australia, we need to go back at least to the 2018 federal elections. The right-wing coalition government was focusing on cutting public spending by reducing public jobs. The Labour opposition argued that this led to the more costly use of consultants.


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    The controversy continued through the 2022 federal elections, when a newly elected Labour government pledged to save 3 billion Australian dollars (around €1.9 billion) on consultants and the use of external labour. This was also pursued at the regional level. For instance, the state of New South Wales announced savings of over 55% in consultants’ fees for the fiscal year 2023-24.

    The case of Australia highlights four main reasons for reducing consulting costs and improving governance – reasons that are also found in other countries.

    • Expenses exceeding needs

    First, a dramatic increase in government spending on consultants attracted attention. In Australia, it almost tripled between 1988-89 and 2016-17 (after adjustment for inflation) and then tripled again to reach 3.2 billion Australian dollars for management advisory services alone in 2022-23. There is a concern that such costs are far more than what might be justified by a temporary rise in workload or the need for very specific technical expertise, even accounting for the exceptional case of Covid.

    • Hollowing out of the public service

    Second, there is the related question of the hollowing out of the public service. The increase in the use of consultants can trigger a vicious circle in which the government loses its skills, thus becoming even more dependent on consultants. This was the core argument of a recent critique by economists called The Big Con.

    • Lack of assessment

    Third, there are reasons to doubt the overall efficiency and effectiveness of consultants’ interventions, especially in the absence of appropriate assessment by clients of the outcomes of the services provided. Despite the claims of consultants and their paying clients that consulting adds value, it is often impossible to measure value precisely, and, therefore, identify who deserves credit or blame.

    Beyond comparing rates of pay, it is hard to know whether internal options would be more effective than using external consultants. Overall, research provides a very mixed picture, with some work showing external consulting being associated with increased inefficiency.

    • Significant conflicts of interest

    Finally, the capacity of consultants to provide independent advice has been broadly criticised after a series of scandals. This is partly because of conflicts of interest for consultants working for both public and private sector clients that are also often undeclared.

    This concern became especially salient in Australia with the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) tax scandal. The Treasury had hired PwC, one of the “Big 4” consulting firms, to help devise legislation to restrict tax evasion by multinationals. Some PwC partners then shared this information with their private sector clients to help them prepare to avoid the new laws. Such cases are linked to broader concerns about the lack of transparency and professionalism in consulting and the failure of self-regulation, both linked to a reward system in the sector that prioritises generating fee income over ethics and the wider public interest.

    Recommendations from the Senate inquiry

    With a dependency on consulting that was proportionally greater than any other country’s and the resulting diminishment of its public service, Australia was facing a significant challenge and pressure to cut costs. But because of the diminishment of the public service, these cuts risked leaving it unable to fulfil its missions.

    A recent Senate inquiry into the matter provided recommendations on how to improve the contracting process, public reporting on consultant contracts and a new regulatory framework for the consulting industry. It also recommended that any external consulting contract include an approach to transferring knowledge to the Australian public service.

    However, these measures wouldn’t have been enough to reconstruct the capacity of the public service to compensate for significant cuts in their consulting and contractor spending. To solve this problem, the Australian government has started a major rebuilding of the public service.

    Thousands of reallocated roles

    Since 2022, Canberra has reallocated 8,700 roles formerly performed by consultants and external labour hires to public servants across all the major public service agencies. This will be supported by the Australian Public Service Commission’s strategy to develop a flexible workforce that is prepared for the challenges the public service will be facing – notably that of digitalization, an area that has been over-reliant on consultants.

    Another interesting initiative in New South Wales is the establishment of a unit that will aim to redirect government agencies toward in-house expertise instead of consultants. Indeed, recourse to internal consulting units is common in the private sector. The government will also undertake long-term capability and skills planning, notably to identify core public service skills and address competency gaps.

    Will this bring lasting results?

    Australia’s solution is thus a strong commitment to redeveloping the public service with a flexible and planned approach to the management of its human resources. This is a key part of the way forward if cuts to consulting budgets are to be sustained. It is, however, too early to judge if the challenge of redeveloping the public service workforce and making it flexible enough will be met.

    We should also keep in mind that this long-term objective is subject to political changes. With the current opposition leader promising a cut of 10,000 civil servants if his coalition is elected later this year, Labour’s plans for the public workforce might be short-lived.

    Indeed, in Australia and elsewhere, there is a long history of short-lived and failed government efforts to contain the use of external consulting. This is in part because of a lack of civil service capacity to respond to change, but also because consulting firms are adept at persuading those in power – politicians and senior civil servants – that they can solve their problems (and let them take the credit).

    Emmanuel Josserand is affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney and the Business Insight Institute, Wiltz, Luxembourg.

    Andrew Sturdy et Emmanuel Josserand ne travaillent pas, ne conseillent pas, ne possèdent pas de parts, ne reçoivent pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’ont déclaré aucune autre affiliation que leur poste universitaire.

    – ref. How Australia’s government is spending less on consultants – and trying to rebuild the public service – https://theconversation.com/how-australias-government-is-spending-less-on-consultants-and-trying-to-rebuild-the-public-service-252748

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England

    Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently.

    New provisional STI surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains.

    While most gonorrhoea infections can be treated effectively, certain resistant strains present significant treatment challenges. Ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea is of particular concern. As the primary antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea, resistance to ceftriaxone can make infections difficult to treat.

    Since first being detected in England in 2015, 42 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea have been reported. Fifteen of these cases were extensively drug-resistant (XDR), which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and to second line treatment options.

    Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently. In the 15 months from January 2024 to 20 March 2025, there were 17 cases of ceftriaxone resistant gonorrhoea reported (13 in 2024 and 4 in 2025 so far). This compares to 16 across the previous 2 years (January 2022 to December 2023).

    XDR cases are also rising. From January 2024 to March 2025 there were 9 XDR cases (6 in 2024 and 3 in 2025 to date). This compares to 5 cases in total in the previous 2 years (between January 2022 and December 2023).

    Most cases are linked to travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where ceftriaxone resistance is common. While transmission within England has been limited so far, the increasing number of cases in recent years is concerning as it increases the chance of wider spread and treatment challenges.

    Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods. However, many people infected with gonorrhoea will have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum. This lack of symptoms makes it important to test regularly when having sex with new or casual partners.

    Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health complications including infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive system, which includes the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

    Dr. Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said:

    Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which could make it untreatable in future. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

    The best way to stop STIs is by using a condom. If you’ve had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, get tested, whatever your age, gender or sexual orientation. This includes when you are having sex abroad. Early detection not only protects your health but prevents transmission to others. Many STIs show no symptoms, which is why regular testing is so important. Testing is quick, free and confidential.

    The latest provisional data on gonorrhoea overall shows approximately 54,965 gonorrhoea diagnoses at sexual health services in the first 9 months of 2024, compared to over 85,000 recorded in the whole of 2023. The latest data indicates that gonorrhoea diagnoses are starting to level, remaining relatively high.

    Meanwhile, around 7,000 syphilis cases were recorded between January and September 2024, compared to 9,513 in the whole of 2023. UKHSA reminds healthcare professionals to remain vigilant for syphilis symptoms, as untreated infections can lead to serious, irreversible complications affecting the brain, heart and nerves.

    Both gonorrhoea and syphilis are easy to catch. If you are having condomless sex with new or casual partners, regular testing for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health. Testing is free and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres or through self-sampling kits ordered online and sent discreetly through the post.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Three ‘unknown’ soldiers of World War One finally found

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Three ‘unknown’ soldiers of World War One finally found

    The graves of soldiers from Cornwall, Hull and East Kilbride whose names were unknown when they were buried in Belgium have now been identified, rededicated and their headstones inscribed.

    Lance Corporal April Farthing plays the Last Post (Crown Copyright)

    Today’s (26 Mar 25) rededication services for Lance Corporal (LCpl) James Ball Baron MM, LCpl Samuel Chapman and Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) Hugh Barr were held at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Tyne Cot Cemetery and Zantvoorde British Cemetery. 

    The Rev Paul Robinson CF conducts a rededication service (Crown Copyright)

    The services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’ and were attended by serving soldiers of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and The Royal Yorkshire Regiment. The Machine Gun Corps Association also participated in the services. 

    The men’s bodies were recovered after the war and buried as unknown soldiers: LCpls Baron and Chapman in Tyne Cot Cemetery and 2ndLt Barr at Zantvoorde British Cemetery. Since they were missing, they were commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. 

    Their graves were recently identified after researchers submitted cases to CWGC hoping to have identified their final resting places. Further research by the National Army Museum and JCCC confirmed their findings. 

    JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron, said: 

    It has been an honour to have been involved in the organisation of these rededication services and to have joined the family of LCpl Chapman, their military family and the local community in Ypres in remembering these 3 men. The memory of each of these men has now been passed through generations of their families and they are all still fondly and proudly remembered.

    LCpl James Ball Baron MM: 

    LCpl Baron from Mevagissey, Cornwall, enlisted into The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry after the outbreak of the war. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and was posted to 43rd Machine Gun Company. He was awarded the Military Medal (MM) on 14 November 1916, for his bravery on the Somme, when he single-handedly held a position after all his comrades had been put out of action. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre on 1 May 1917.  

    On 22 August 1917, 43rd Machine Gun Company supported an infantry attack on Inverness Copse east Hooge. At dawn on 24 August the enemy counterattacked, and the British infantry retreated back to their original line. In turn a counterattack made by the British infantry then regained the western edge of Inverness Copse. In total 15 other ranks of 43rd Machine Gun Company including LCpl Baron were killed during this period. He was 29 years old. His Commanding Officer stated that he was ‘always a man of great spirit and example, and undoubtedly one of the bravest and coolest men of the company’.  

    LCpl Samuel Chapman: 

    LCpl Chapman from Hull, enlisted into The East Yorkshire Regiment in March 1915. Having arrived on the Western Front he was posted to 1/4th Battalion on 1 September 1915. On 12 December 1917, the battalion took over part of the line near Passchendaele. Whilst in the line LCpl Chapman was wounded and was evacuated to the Regimental Aid Post (RAP) at Tyne Cot. This was located in a pillbox (a concrete defensive structure), now the location of the Cross of Sacrifice in the cemetery. Casualties who did not survive were buried near the pillbox. LCpl Chapman was one such casualty and appears to have died there or while travelling to the RAP on 14 December 1917. He was 19 years old. 

    2ndLt Hugh Barr: 

    2ndLt Barr hailed from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire and enlisted into The Scottish Horse on 5 September 1914. Having seen service in Gallipoli, the Suez and Salonika, he returned to the UK on 30 March 1917 to be Commissioned. On 16 November 1917, he was Commissioned into 6th Battalion The Rifle Brigade. 2ndLt Barr arrived at the Base Depot in Camiers, France, on 27 July 1918 and was posted to 35th Battalion Machine Gun Corps and joined them in the field in Belgium the following day.  

    On 30 September 1918 35th Battalion Machine Gun Corps supported an attack on Werwik. The attack was held up by a line of trenches and pillboxes north of the railway and led to heavy casualties. Another officer of the battalion stated that 2ndLt Barr was ‘a man’s man – one of our most popular Officers’. He went on to state that ‘2ndLt Barr went out on a daring reconnaissance during an attack, and his men state that his bravery and daring astounded everyone, and there is no doubt his action was the means of saving many lives and of helping to restore the situation at a critical period’. 2ndLt Barr was killed during this action and was buried on the outskirts of the town. He was 28 years old. 

    The service for LCpl Chapman was attended by his great great nephew who had travelled from Yorkshire to pay his respects. 

    Tim Buescher stands at the grave of his great great uncle, Lance Corporal Samuel Chapman, with the military party (Crown Copyright)

    Tim Buescher, great great nephew of LCpl Chapman said: 

    We are amazed that after all this time, Sam is found. This generation of our family, like many others, was hit hard by the Great War and as a result, these people were lost to us before we could know them. The care and dedication to duty of the JCCC and CWGC has made us feel cared for. The detail of research, constant communication, and consultation on our family’s wishes has helped to create a sense of closeness to Sam and by extension, his siblings John and Rachael. Sam’s brother John died only 6 weeks before him. Being able to commemorate their life and their sacrifice, whilst mourning their loss, feels like they are being brought home somehow. Thank you.

    Reverend Paul Robinson CF, Chaplain to 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment who conducted the service, said: 

    It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to preside at the rededication services of LCpl James Ball Baron MM, LCpl Samuel Chapman and 2ndLt Hugh Barr. Memorials reflect the emphasis the British people place on the worth and value of the individual. It is important that we as a nation at opportunities like this today reflect on the enormity of what has taken place, the horror, the loss, the frustration. We must respect our values and our freedoms and remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our way of life.

    The headstone over the graves were replaced by CWGC. Director for the Southern and Central Europe Area at the CWGC, Xavier Puppinck, said:  

    We are honoured to have played our part in ensuring that Lance Corporals James Ball Baron and Samuel Chapman, and Second Lieutenant Hugh Barr are remembered in perpetuity. After years of being commemorated as unknown soldiers, thanks to the meticulous research and collaboration of the teams involved, their graves now bear their names, ensuring they will never be forgotten.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Portsmouth powers ahead with new EV chargepoint plans

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    There are over 1.3 million electric vehicles in the UK already, accounting for over 4% of all vehicles on roads, and this figure is expected to rise rapidly. With nearly one in five new cars sold being electric vehicles last year, Portsmouth needs to prepare for this rising demand and ensure the infrastructure is in place for people to charge their vehicles.

    Working in collaboration with new chargepoint operator, Zest, the council has identified over 300 potential locations for the new chargepoints, all based on resident requests. The proposed sites are spread across residential areas throughout Portsmouth, ensuring communities all over the city can access simple, easy and reliable charging options.

    If approved, the chargepoints will be installed on or near existing lampposts to draw power, with designated EV-only parking bays marked on the road. They will be publicly accessible to everyone and installed on-street in residential areas, and the council expects the first of these to be installed and available for people to use in summer 2025.

    To make sure chargers are available for EV drivers who need them, only plug-in vehicles are allowed to park in the bays and should be actively charging. Drivers will be able to pay using contactless cards or use the Zest app to start charging and are encouraged to move their cars once charging is complete.

    Residents near proposed locations for chargepoints will receive letters to let them know about the plans, and all sites will undergo a 21-day statutory public consultation as part of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process. This ensures everyone has the chance to share their support or raise objections about proposed locations.

    If approved, this expansion will more than triple the number of on-street chargepoints in Portsmouth, making EV ownership more accessible, particularly for those without driveways or off-street parking. This is a key part of the council’s strategy to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.

    All currently available chargepoints in the city will remain operational with their current suppliers for the time being, and the council is working with current operators and Zest to identify which chargepoint locations can be transferred to Zest and how soon they can take over operation.

    Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This is an exciting step forward in Portsmouth’s journey as a leader in EV charging infrastructure. By significantly expanding our charging network, we’re giving more residents the opportunity to choose electric vehicles, reducing emissions and improving air quality in the city.

    This isn’t just about improving convenience for EV owners—it’s about making Portsmouth a city that embraces innovation, sustainability, and a cleaner, healthier future for everyone.”

    Robin Heap, CEO at Zest, said:

    “Zest is supporting Portsmouth City Council to take significant action on carbon emissions and neighbourhood air quality. Our EV infrastructure partnership will serve residents over many years at locations that have been carefully selected for maximum community benefit.”

    This new charging infrastructure is an important part of the city’s strategy for reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, ensuring Portsmouth provides more support for people to choose electric vehicles by electrifying the city’s transport network.

    It also forms part of Portsmouth’s broader commitment to sustainable travel, which includes encouraging people to walk or cycle where possible, zero-emission buses alongside existing public transport options, rental e-scooters, e-bikes, and a car club.

    EV drivers can stay up to date on public and on-street chargepoint locations and sign up to the council’s EV newsletter at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ev-chargepoints.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –