Following a successful debut in Perth last year, organisers The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) is bringing the championships back to the South Inch on Saturday, August 9.
The event is one of the biggest piping competitions in the world.
More than 100 pipe band from across the world will be taking part in the competition, with musicians from as far afield as Canada and Australia taking part along with dozens of bands from across Scotland.
Tickets for the European Pipe Band Championships will go on sale on April 1 through Perthshire Box Office and will also be available on the gate.
Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade said: “We’re looking forward to returning to Perth in August for the European Pipe Band Championships.
“Last year’s event was a fantastic success and I am sure 2025’s will be even bigger and better.
“This is one of the most important competitions in the piping calendar and is an amazing showcase of Scottish culture that the whole family can enjoy.”
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “This will be another fantastic showcase for Perth and I am sure it will be another unforgettable competition.
“I look forward to welcoming pipe bands from across the world back to Perth in August.”
Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Chief Executive Colin Mulhern, said: “Last year’s spectacular European Pipe Band Championships attracted a fantastic attendance from bands from across the globe, as well as spectators from near and far. This demonstrated just how much this iconic event means to the international piping community, and how much interest there is in the music of Scotland’s national instrument.
“This year’s Europeans promises another superb showcase of piping, drumming and drum majors, and – judging from the number and very strong contingent of bands already signed up – we can look forward to an incredible, hard-fought contest. We’re expecting a tremendous turn-out at the South Inch in Perth on Saturday 9 August, so are urging everyone planning to attend not to delay in booking their tickets so they don’t miss out on a truly unforgettable experience
Alison Duthie, RSPBA Director for Dundee, Perth and Angus said: “”It’s fantastic to have the European Pipe Band Championships return to the Fair City of Perth. We have bands from all over the world joining us for another spectacular day of Piping, Drumming and Drum Majors.
“It would be great to have the South Inch filled with spectators to boost the bands and give them support. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the South Inch for what looks to be a wonderful showcase of Scottish Tradition alive and kicking.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Museums and libraries set to receive a share of over £30 million of funding to improve access to arts and culture
Over £30 million of funding available to support museums and libraries with maintenance repairs and upgrades to their buildings
Expressions of interest to open in May for the Museum Estate and Development Fund and the Libraries Improvement Fund
Support to boost people’s access to art and culture, delivering Government’s Plan for Change to increase opportunities for all
Museums and libraries will soon be able to apply for a share of over £30 million of funding as part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to arts and culture in the places they call home.
The funding will support museums and libraries’ vital maintenance repairs and upgrades, ensuring they can continue to tell the story of our nation’s rich history and providing spaces for people from all walks of life to access books, work and learn. For example, funding could be used to refurbish tired buildings, increase accessibility, offer more workshops, open new exhibitions, or buy specialist equipment.
The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) will open for expressions of interest on Tuesday 6 May 2025, followed by the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) opening for expressions of interest on Monday 12 May 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Arts Council England’s website.
Public libraries across England are encouraged to apply for a share of the £5.5 million Libraries Improvement Fund as part of the Government’s commitment to ensure libraries are able to upgrade their physical and digital infrastructure to adapt to changing user needs and can be enjoyed by future generations.
Likewise accredited museums across England will be able to apply for a share of £25 million to undertake vital infrastructure projects and tackle urgent maintenance backlogs, protecting important collections and buildings, whilst improving the visitor experience and museums’ resilience. Grants from £50,000 to £5 million will be available, to ensure museums can continue to share the stories of our rich regional and national history with visitors for many years to come.
It follows the announcement from the Culture Secretary last month of the £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to support economic growth and increase opportunities for people across the country.
Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:
Local museums are the storytellers of our nation’s rich history and creative heritage, providing precious civic spaces that attract millions of visitors every year, whilst public libraries play a key role in communities by providing access to spaces where everyone can work and learn.
Our Plan for Change will support these vital institutions to boost opportunity for all. I’m delighted that this investment into museums and libraries will fund repairs and upgrades to their infrastructure, improving the experience for visitors and ensuring they can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Arts Council England Chief Executive, Darren Henley said:
Museums and libraries are cherished cultural spaces in villages, towns and cities across the country where people come together, share ideas and make discoveries. This new investment in museums and libraries will help secure their future for years to come.
Notes to editors
In February, Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy announced more than £270 million in funding for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in a major boost for growth.
Arts Council England delivers these funds on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Guidance has been published today by Arts Council England to provide further information for museums and libraries considering making an application to these schemes.
The online portal to register Expressions of Interest for LIF opens on Tuesday 6th May 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Arts Council England’s website.
The online portal to register Expressions of Interest for MEND opens on Monday 12th May 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on Arts Council England’s website.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
UK’s first RSV vaccination programme protects older people
New UKHSA study shows the RSV vaccination programme already achieving a 30% reduction in hospital admissions in older people in England as roll-out continues.
Early data from the roll out of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme in England shows it is making a significant reduction to hospital admission rates in older people. This analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) was published as a research letter in the Lancet.
The findings indicate 30% fewer hospital admissions in 75 to 79 year olds, who are eligible for the vaccine under the new programme, than would have occurred without vaccination. This was seen after around 40% of eligible older people took up the vaccine this winter, and the impact is expected to increase with further vaccine uptake.
The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the RSV vaccine in UK older people following the programme’s launch in September 2024. The UKHSA analysis used data from age groups either side of the vaccine programme to work out what the expected rate of admissions would be in 75 to 79 year olds, if there had not been a vaccine programme. UKHSA will also be evaluating infant RSV admissions prevented by the maternal vaccine programme.
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA said:
Our analysis clearly demonstrates the excellent benefit of RSV vaccination for older people in avoiding severe illness, with a direct impact on reducing hospital admissions.
We are still in the early stages of the RSV programme roll out and the benefits will increase as more people take up their vaccine, including those newly turning 75. These positive initial findings highlight why it’s so important for eligible older people to come forward and protect themselves.
Pregnant women should also take up the RSV vaccine to give their baby vital early protection. We encourage pregnant women to contact their maternity service or GP surgery to book an appointment in week 28 or as soon afterwards as possible.
Since launching on 1 September, the RSV vaccination programme for older people has reached more than 50% of those eligible through the catch-up campaign. However, with more than 1 million yet to receive their vaccination, there is still significant opportunity to increase protection across the population.
Prof Wei Shen Lim, consultant respiratory physician Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) Deputy Chair, said:
Older people admitted to hospital with respiratory infections due to RSV may become severely ill, to a similar extent as those admitted with flu.
The RSV vaccine provides a high level of protection against being hospitalised and this protection is expected to last more than 12 months.
I strongly encourage all those who are eligible to take up the offer of the RSV vaccine ahead of next autumn, if they have not already done so.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Ashley Dalton said:
These results from our RSV vaccination programmes are incredibly encouraging.
This safe, effective and free vaccine for pregnant women and older adults is already protecting more than a million people from this potentially deadly disease. With 50% of eligible older adults now protected, we’re making good progress – but I urge those who are eligible but haven’t yet come forward to get vaccinated.
The evidence is clear: this vaccine works and is helping protect vulnerable groups while reducing pressure on our NHS.
Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said:
These findings demonstrate the success of the NHS’s first ever RSV vaccine rollout and reinforce just how important it is for those eligible to get their jab, as it is preventing people getting seriously ill and ending up in hospital.
More than 1.5 million older people have been vaccinated so far since the rollout was launched in September, and we continue to work hard to reach anyone who has not yet had the jab, with around 1.3 million invites being sent out last month and tens of thousands of people coming forward each week.
If you have been invited but haven’t yet taken up the offer, please get vaccinated as soon as possible – for older people it can prevent you developing a severe illness like pneumonia and even save your life, while for pregnant women it is the best way to protect your baby from getting seriously ill with RSV.
Emerging evidence from other countries about a maternal RSV vaccination programme, similar to that launched last September in the UK which aims to protect infants from RSV, has also shown a clear benefit. A major 2024 study in Argentina, one of the first countries in the world to introduce a maternal vaccine, shows a 70% reduction in RSV hospital admissions in infants up to 6 months of age in mothers vaccinated during pregnancy. Data about the impact of the maternal programme in England will be published by UKHSA later this year.
Of women giving birth in England in October, UKHSA data from GP systems shows that 39% had received an RSV vaccine. The vaccine is offered from week 28 of pregnancy. Eligible women who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to contact their maternity service or GP practice to arrange an appointment.
The research consolidates similar observations from Scotland published in Lancet Infectious Disease earlier this year.
York is saying ‘Yes to Quit’ with a new smoking campaign. The Yes to Quit campaign has launched across TV, radio, transport links and social media this week, throughout Yorkshire and the Humber.
It asks audiences ‘what will you miss?’ more than smoking, such as weddings, births or quality time with others – two in three smokers will miss these by dying too soon unless they quit.
The campaign coincides with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill’s progression through Parliament, which aims to create a smoke-free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco products and regulating vaping.
Across, York, 8.1% of adults smoke cigarettes, approximately 14,000 people. Smoking is still the most preventable cause of death. In York the cost to the NHS is £4.41m per year with an additional £2.64m to social care per year.
The Yes to Quit website, yestoquit.co.uk, shares information about ways to quit and links to local stop smoking services including City of York Council’s Health Trainer team. York residents can get in touch for free support at york.gov.uk/HealthTrainers or phone 01904 553377.
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:
“By working collaboratively, we’ve been able to launch a mass media, population level campaign right across Yorkshire and the Humber which aims to reach more people and help them to find the services right for them when quitting smoking.
“Most people who smoke get addicted as children and desperately want to stop. This new campaign emphasises the harms of tobacco and provides information and support to help people say yes to quitting.”
Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said:
“Our Health Trainer team have a great track record of success in supporting residents to stop smoking. Their work is part of our core commitment to help improve the health and wellbeing of people who live and work in York.
I’m pleased to support this regional campaign to highlight both the risks of smoking and the local support available.”
Scott Crosby, Associate Director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control said;
“This campaign is a stark reminder that smoking kills two in three long-term smokers – claiming over 7,500 lives each year in Yorkshire and Humber alone. That’s why we are uniting across the region to help people quit and protect future generations from ever starting.
“The Third Reading of the historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a once-in-a-generation chance to protect people from this uniquely lethal product and make it easier for smokers to quit for good. Most people who smoke want to stop, and with the right support – whether stop smoking services, quitting aids, or switching completely to vaping – it’s much easier. Thousands successfully quit every year and live healthier, longer lives.
“If you’ve tried before, don’t stop trying. Your next attempt could be the one that works.”
Mum of two Alex, from York, who quit with York Health Trainers, said:
“I hit 30 and thought, I’m not sure I want to do this for another 10 years. Stopping smoking was relatively easy compared to what I thought it was going to be.
“The service was bang on, from the way the sessions were delivered, to how regular they were, to the way you felt supported.”
A FAMILIAR face for fans of The Great British Bake Off has helped to launch Leicester’s seed library for the spring growing season.
Dr Josh Smalley – who made it all the way to the finals of the Great British Bake Off in 2023 – is a former student and now postdoctoral research associate and science communication champion for the university.
This year, the university has joined the seed library through the Universities Partnership programme.
Members of Leicester Libraries or the University of Leicester library can order free seeds so that they can grow fresh, tasty, healthy veg at home. And if you want some inspiration, later in the year Josh will be posting some online recipes using what he’s grown from the seed library.
Chemistry graduate Josh – who now works at the university – said: “I can’t wait to pick up and get growing with my seeds from Leicester seed library! This is such a great initiative and you don’t even need a garden for it, as the seeds available are suitable for planting in pots or on a window ledge. So anyone can get involved!
“As I grow along I will be posting photos of the progress, then when harvesting time comes I will share few recipes that will hopefully inspire people on how to use their produce.
“It just goes to show that gardening is for everyone – and whether you’re a student, a seasoned grower or a novice, all you need is library membership to be able to get your hands on some free seeds and get started.”
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster, who is responsible for libraries, public health, allotments and community growing, said: “Our seed library has been running for three years now and it’s great to be able to welcome the University of Leicester on board.
“This initiative is also an important part of the Let’s Get Growing community growing programmes that take place across the city, which we know not only provide people with healthy, home-grown produce, but are also hugely valued as a great way to boost your mental wellbeing, keep active and meet other people.
“Using your library membership to get growing means you can also take advantage of other library resources, such as our wide range of books, e-books and magazines that offer tips and advice on gardening.
“We’re very grateful to The Conservation Volunteers for helping us select the seeds to provide, and to Josh and the University of Leicester for joining the scheme.”
Dr Simon Dixon, associate director for community and heritage in the library and learning services at the university, said: “Our library members come to us to feed their minds, but now they can feed their bodies too, thanks to the Seed Library.
“There’s no better diet than one that consists of home-grown, fresh, tasty, healthy veg and thanks to the city council and The Conservation Volunteers, more people will have the opportunity to grow their own.”
The offer is open to anyone living in the city, you just need to be a library member – it’s free and easy to join. Choose up to three packets of seeds, with the current spring selection including spring onions, edible flowers and dwarf French beans.
Picture shows l-r Emma Foskett from Leicester Libraries, Leicester City Council; Dr Josh Smalley from University of Leicester; Daxa Ralhan from Public Health at Leicester City Council, Professor Daniel Ladley, Dean of University of Leicester School of Business; Lee Warner, head of neighbourhood services, Leicester City Council.
Vacancy: Head of Health and Safety and Engineering Support
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is recruiting for a Head of Health and Safety and Engineering Support
Are you an experienced Health and Safety professional with extensive engineering experience? If so, then this is the perfect role for you!
As the AAIB’s competent person for Health and Safety, this role involves advising, leading and monitoring the AAIB’s Health and Safety responsibilities, including teams deployed to accident sites as well as our activities carried out at AAIB HQ and during post deployment investigation. You will work closely with the other accident investigation branches in the UK to share best practice in Health and Safety and supporting accident investigation.
The role also includes managing the AAIB’s engineering support to accident investigation including the AAIB’s hangars and engineering workshops, and two Engineering Support Technicians.
MMO introduces licence condition for I-VMS ahead of new legislation
In a variation notice issued this week, Marine Management Organisation (MMO), introduces a new licence condition that will come into force on 12 May 2025, requiring the use of a type-approved I-VMS device on any English under-12m vessel undertaking a trip to sea.
This early notice of the incoming requirements is the next stage of MMO’s preparations to support English fishers ahead of statutory legislation, expected to be laid by government later this year.
This announcement follows the roll-out of I-VMS devices which saw over 80% of industry purchase and install an I-VMS device, with more than £1.57million in European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) grant funding paid out to fishers.
The main requirement of this licence condition is for fishers to have installed a functioning type-approved I-VMS device that shares positional data during a trip to sea.
Sean Douglas, MMO’s Head of Regulatory Assurance, said:
“Good data is essential for sensible decision-making to protect fishing for the future. We’ve worked closely with the new government, DEFRA and suppliers to move forward with I-VMS for the benefit of both fishers and fisheries management.
“This announcement should assure industry that I-VMS legislation is just around the corner. We urge those in the under-12m fleet who are actively fishing to make use of the coming weeks to ensure they have a device, switch it on and check things are working as they should.
Mike Cohen, Chief Exec of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) shared, in support of I-VMS:
“Today, many different people want to use the sea for many different purposes. Whether it is building a seaweed farm, installing wind turbines, declaring a conservation area, or something else. All of these things carry a risk that fishermen will get pushed out.
“We have to defend our access to the traditional grounds that our industry depends on. The best way to do that is with data that proves how important those areas are to us. Larger vessels in the national fleet have been able to do that for some time now, thanks to the VMS devices they carry. In every map of fishing effort in UK waters, however, there is always a stark gap where the inshore fleet works.
“I-VMS is the tool that we need to close that gap and defend the inshore fleet. With the data it provides, we can prove how important the inshore grounds are to fishing businesses and fishing communities. The better the coverage we have, the stronger our argument”.
A marine future with I-VMS
Sean Douglas, continued: “The data from I-VMS will, for the first time, provide a true understanding of what is happening across England’s marine environment. It will allow for smarter, evidence-based, decisions when it comes to marine developments, marine and fisheries management planning, regulatory displacement, niche and seasonal fisheries, as well as conservation and stock protection.
“The licence condition is very much an introductory stage to support industry ahead of the statutory instrument, due this year. During this time, we will take a measured approach to enforcement, working with industry and suppliers to address issues. However, we will take action where necessary to ensure a level playing field”.
“The sooner devices start transmitting data, the sooner fishers will become familiar with their device and tracking software, will know what is expected of them and can work with us – and their supplier – to resolve any unexpected issues.
“Importantly, I-VMS data will also help fishers track their own activity and better understand their fishing effort.”
Device suppliers provide either an app or web portal for fishers to track their own I-VMS data. These can be used to help fishers refine their efforts and business plans, as well as provide evidence to challenge developments or closed areas and use it as evidence in any compliance or conflict resolution.
MMO has advised that a small minority of the under-12m fleet is yet to take any action, foregoing MMO’s offer of grant funding during the earlier roll-out period. But the message is clear: If you’re an English under-12m fisher planning a trip to sea from 12 May 2025, you must get a device now.
The I-VMS hotline remains open for enquiries on 01900 508618, Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) and emails can be sent to ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk. Updated guidance can be found online at: gov.uk/mmo/i-vms-england.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
More funding to combat rural and wildlife crime
Funding boost for specialist rural and wildlife crime units.
Rural communities will be better protected from the scourge of crimes such as equipment theft, livestock theft and hare coursing which can devastate countryside communities, farming and wildlife, through a funding boost to dedicated police units.
The National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit will receive over £800,000 to continue their work tackling rural and wildlife crime, which can pose unique challenges for policing given the scale and isolation of rural areas.
Funding to the National Rural Crime Unit will enable the unit to continue to increase collaboration across police forces, harnessing the latest technology and data to target the serious organised crime groups involved in crimes like equipment theft from farms.
The National Wildlife Crime Unit will strengthen its ability to disrupt criminal networks exploiting endangered species both in the UK and internationally. Enhanced data analysis and financial investigation will help the unit track illegal wildlife profits and ensure offenders face justice.
The funding comes as the government works with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to deliver the new Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, to ensure the entire weight of government is put behind tackling rural crime.
Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said:
When you report a crime, it should be properly investigated, with victims having faith that justice will be delivered and criminals punished.
But too often victims of crime in rural communities have been left feeling undervalued and isolated, whether it be famers having equipment or livestock stolen, or villages targeted by car thieves and county lines gangs.
This new funding, alongside the forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will help deliver the change rural communities deserve, ensuring no matter where you live your streets are safe and police responsive to your local needs as we continue to deliver on our Plan for Change.
The government is determined to ensure its Safer Streets Mission applies to all communities no matter where they live with rural communities set to benefit from more visible local policing through the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
This will deliver 13,000 more neighbourhood police officers and police community support officers by the end of the Parliament as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said:
For too long, rural crime has gone unpunished. Organised crime, fly-tipping and farm theft blight our countryside.
This government will crackdown on these criminals and bring them to justice with specialist rural policing units to protect farmers and our rural communities.
The new funding follows the government’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill, which gives police and local authorities new powers to tackle crime, including crimes that do real damage to rural communities.
This includes new statutory guidance for local authorities to support them to make full and proper use of their fly-tipping enforcement powers.
New warrantless powers of entry for police to enter premises identified by electronic mapping will give officers a valuable tool to tackle equipment and machinery stolen from farms and agricultural businesses.
The government is committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 which will make it harder for criminals to sell stolen agricultural equipment. Secondary legislation is due to be introduced later this year.
Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, Head of National Rural Crime Unit said:
This funding is critical and will enable information sharing and joint operations to continue across the UK facilitated by the National Rural Crime Co-Ordinator.
The contribution to the replacement of the operational team vehicles is equally important as it will allow the continued support of forces on the ground and recovery of stolen equipment which since the inception of the team in 2023 stands at over £22 million.
Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of UK Wildlife Crime said:
This funding is a significant step forward in the fight against wildlife crime. By enhancing our intelligence capabilities and strengthening enforcement, we will be better equipped to protect endangered species and disrupt the criminals who exploit them.
The UK is seen as a centre of excellence in tackling this global issue, working closely with international partners to ensure a safer future for our planet’s wildlife.
The funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit will reinforce the UK’s leadership in global wildlife crime prevention, through the unit’s work with INTERPOL and global enforcement agencies to combat the illegal wildlife trade on a worldwide scale.
Wildlife crime not only threatens biodiversity but also fuels organised crime and corruption.
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:
Rural crime blights the countryside, so we welcome the news of more funding as well as the upcoming launch of the new national strategy.
Farmers and communities – many already struggling with isolation – have had enough of criminals and violent organised gangs targeting them. They deserve to feel safe and protected.
As recent CLA analysis found, some police forces lack dedicated rural officers and basic kit. This new funding is a step in the right direction in the fight against rural crime, and must be used to equip more officers as well as improve training for call handlers.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected a woman as its president for the first time ever. Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry is also the youngest ever IOC president and the first from an African country, becoming a symbol of the IOC’s drive to diversify its leadership and image.
Sports management scholar Davies Banda was part of a global research team that compiled an IOC-commissioned report on the roles of women in the organisation. He traces Coventry’s journey as a swimming star, politician and sports administrator.
Who is Kirsty Coventry?
She is Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time. She won seven medals across the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games.
Born in Harare, she is not only Zimbabwe’s best known sports star but also the politically troubled country’s sports minister. The IOC presidency makes her one of the most powerful figures in world sports.
Coventry is driven. She set her sights on the Olympics at the age of nine. She achieved her dream through hard work and a profound understanding of what a results-oriented athletic career looks like. She believes true success lies in sharing knowledge and skills, extending her impact beyond athletics into social activism and a political career in Zimbabwe.
Her Olympic journey began at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she competed in two swimming events but failed to qualify for the finals. Her breakthrough happened at the 2004 Athens Games, where she won the first of her two gold medals in the 200-metre backstroke. She successfully defended this title at the 2008 Beijing Games.
She retired from swimming competitively after her final Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Games, holding the joint record for the most individual women’s swimming medals in Olympic history. By then her sports administration dreams had begun to pay off.
In 2012 she was elected to the IOC’s powerful Athletes’ Commission. Thanks to her extensive experience of being an Olympic athlete, she became a significant voice within the body. She was elected chair of the commission in 2018 and held the post until 2023, when she was elected to the IOC’s executive committee under Thomas Bach, also a former athlete and the outgoing IOC president.
At the same time, Coventry transitioned into government service as an independent member of parliament in Zimbabwe. She was first appointed as the country’s Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation in 2018, and re-appointed in 2023.
She’s a member of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, previously serving as its vice president. She’s also a member of the Athletes’ Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.
Why has it taken so long to have a female president?
In 1997 the IOC set targets for National Olympic Committees to achieve at least 10% female representation in executive decision-making positions by the end of 2000. This was followed by a goal of at least 20% by 2005 and 30% by 2020.
The IOC reported that female representation on its commissions doubled between 2013 and 2023, reaching 50% by the latter year.
These deliberate measures can be seen as foundational to Coventry’s election. Globally, National Olympic Committees have seen a rise in female executive board members and leaders, increasing the pool of qualified candidates. An IOC report highlighted co-mentoring of female members on a governance leadership development initiative.
Policies promoting the recognition of women’s leadership in sport and communities have nurtured leaders capable of competing for the highest IOC roles.
However, considering that women were first allowed to participate in the 1900 Paris Games, it’s taken 124 years to see the election of a female IOC president.
Despite the extended time frame, the IOC’s progressive initiatives, particularly its gender equality targets, have yielded tangible results.
Some observers believe that Bach’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality, will be continued by Coventry, given their shared values and aspirations for the Olympic movement.
What would a female president bring to Olympic sports?
There is a drive for gender equality in Olympic sport. Coventry’s extensive experience as an athlete representative and her continued involvement with the Athletes’ Commission provide her with a deep understanding of athletes’ concerns. These include gender eligibility, a threat to the integrity of the Games due to doping, climate change, and athlete advocacy.
Her relatively young age, 41, further strengthens her connection with athletes, the Olympic Games’ most valuable stakeholders, who are much younger than the administrators. This unique perspective allows her to engage with athletes in ways that previous IOC leaders could not. Her predecessors were close to or past their 60th birthdays when elected.
So she is also likely to connect with younger generations more effectively than her predecessors, through modern technologies.
Coventry is poised to lead the Olympic movement’s focus on sport for social change, given her experience of life in the global south, where she has been a social activist for underprivileged youth.
The substantial growth of sport-for-change initiatives in the global south and beyond fuels the hope among scholars, including myself, that sport and athlete advocacy can achieve greater visibility. It can make an impact on global challenges, moving them from the sidelines to the heart of major sporting events.
Coventry’s political career, conducted in Zimbabwe’s challenging economic climate, suggests a potential for using sport as a catalyst for positive social transformation.
That said, while she may champion athlete advocacy on certain issues, her stated commitment to neutrality, particularly regarding the games, indicates a potential reluctance to engage with politically charged issues. The IOC’s status quo, the apolitical stance of the games, is likely to continue to limit the potential impact of athlete activism.
What will be closely watched will be her approach to the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women’s events. Her current position advocates for their exclusion from female categories. She’s emphasised the protection of women’s sport and the enforcement of gender eligibility standards.
It remains to be seen how closely her policies will align with, or diverge from, those of her predecessor. But for the IOC she no doubt represents a more diverse, gender equal movement.
Davies Banda is affiliated with University of Edinburgh in Scotland and University of Lusaka in Zambia as a Senior Visiting Scholar
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
UKHSA publishes first annual report summarising latest infectious disease trends
The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) first annual report summarising the latest infectious disease trends, bringing together all the key data from 2023 to early 2025 and outlining steps the organisation is taking to tackle these threats.
The Infectious diseases impacting England: 2025 report shows a rise in both endemic disease and vaccine-preventable infections. Infectious diseases were the primary reason for over 20% of hospital bed usage, at an annual cost of almost £6bn in 2023 to 2024. Developing scientific capability and effective interventions are having positive impacts, but more action is needed.
The report shows the re-emergence, re-establishment and an unrelenting rise in a number of infectious diseases since 2022 to 2023, with particular increases in endemic diseases and vaccine-preventable infections. The agency acknowledges that the return of social mixing, international travel and migration following the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to these patterns.
The report also shows some really positive impact in some areas due to the introduction of new public health interventions.
An intense influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) season was seen in 2024 to 2025, for the second consecutive year after the pandemic, with activity and hospital admissions at similar levels seen post-pandemic in 2022 to 2023. The introduction of the new RSV vaccine programmes for the elderly, and pregnant women are already helping to reduce winter pressures. Interim findings published today confirm a 30% reduction in the rate of RSV hospital admissions in the winter of 2024 to 2025 in 75 to 79 year olds; this cohort are eligible for vaccination under the new programme.
COVID-19 transmission has declined, with the virus circulating at baseline levels of activity for much of the current winter season. Incremental vaccine effectiveness was around 45% against hospitalisation, with vaccine uptake in older age groups at 60% to 70%. Vaccination of priority groups, in particular the elderly, remained an important intervention to protect against severe disease.
Tuberculosis (TB) cases have increased by 11% in 2023 compared to 2022, with provisional data for 2024 showing a further increase of 13%, which amounted to more than 600 additional notifications of people being diagnosed in 2024 compared to 2023. This trajectory would see the UK lose its World Health Organization (WHO) low incidence status if not reversed. UKHSA continues to work with NHSE and other partners on the TB action plan, which sets out steps to improve the prevention and detection of TB.
Continued progress in eliminating viral Hepatitis C (HCV) as a public health problem by 2030 has been made, with the number of people living with chronic HCV infection falling dramatically by 57% from 2015 to the end of 2023. England is also meeting and exceeding the WHO’s absolute targets on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) related mortality, incidence, mother-to-child transmission and vaccine coverage.
There has been surge in cases of measles in children under the age of 10 and an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) in 2024, with 433 cases in infants under 3 months of age, of whom 10 died. Both outbreaks highlight the critical importance of vaccination in eligible groups.
UKHSA analysis found that over 20% of secondary care bed days in 2023 to 2024 in NHS hospitals (admitted care) were primarily attributable to infectious disease, at a cost of £5.9bn. These infections are also distributed unevenly; in England, from 2023 to 2024, hospital admission rates due to infectious
Diseases and infections were nearly twice as high for people in the 20% most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. UKHSA is undertaking further work to better understand these disparities.
UKHSA continues to be at the forefront of the work being done to tackle the spread of TB, working closely with the NHS and local systems to ensure optimal prevention and control measures are implemented, for example. Also crucial is developing the evidence base for new interventions to support further policy development to help reduce transmission of the disease.
There are also novel interventions on the horizon for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), based on UKHSA evidence. A routine gonorrhoea programme using the 4CMenB vaccine for GBMSM (gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men) at high risk has been advised. UKHSA has also worked with the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV to develop their evidence-based clinical guideline for the use of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis for the prevention of syphilis, which is currently out for public consultation.
Richard Pebody, Director of Epidemic and Emerging infections at UKHSA, said:
It is clear that a number of factors altered the rates and impact of endemic and epidemic infectious diseases in England over recent years, and the reductions in transmission related to the COVID-19 pandemic have been followed by a rise in a range of infections since 2022 to 2023 due to the return of social mixing, international travel and migration.
We have also seen vaccine uptake decrease for a number of infectious diseases, including measles, whooping cough and in certain groups eligible for the flu vaccine, such as under 65 at risk, pregnant women and health care workers.
This winter has demonstrated that rises in rates of infectious diseases can cause significant strain, not only on the individuals directly affected, but also on the NHS. It is vital that we are not complacent about infections where we can reduce the burden of disease via interventions such as our world-class vaccination programmes.
Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said:
Our scientific capability and the introduction of new interventions are all helping to keep people safe and well, but our report also highlights that we have plenty of work and opportunities ahead.
Along with our partners across the healthcare sector, we need to be bolder. Behind this data there are real people, people who are sick or at risk of becoming sick, and in some cases dying. This brings with it a cost to our economy too. Yet much of this harm and distress is preventable.
Our rich data sources provide us with a huge amount of knowledge, and we will continue to use it, carefully and confidentially, to reduce the burden of infectious disease across the country, ensuring our interventions reach the people who need them most.’
CHICAGO, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VelocityEHS, the global leader in EHS & ESG software solutions, is excited to unveil an advanced AI-powered feature designed to streamline contractor safety management. This new capability automates contractor verification processes, reduces compliance risks, and significantly improves operational efficiency for organizations that manage contractors onsite.
As part of its Contractor Safety Solution, Velocity deploys AI to generate guided workflows, flag risks, and make intelligent recommendations, making it easier for non- or less-experienced EHS managers to verify contractor credentials like Certificates of Insurance and OSHA Logs to facilitate compliance.
Contractor workers face significantly higher risks on the job, with injury and illness rates 36% to 72% higher than those of full-time employees. Additionally, 37% of all temporary workers are employed in high-risk industrial sectors, underscoring the critical need for more effective safety and compliance solutions.
“Our mission is to help create safer workplaces,” said Matt Airhart, CEO of VelocityEHS. “We are dedicated to developing AI-driven innovation that enables our customers to reach better outcomes faster. Even before this new feature, our Contractor Safety & Permit to Work solution helped organizations achieve 70%-time savings compared to traditional third-party management processes. Now their operational efficiency will reach new heights.”
As regulatory demands and safety concerns continue to escalate, organizations need reliable, scalable, and intelligent solutions to ensure contractor compliance—particularly in safety-critical industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and food & beverage, where staying on top of complex requirements is a daily challenge.
Key Benefits of the AI-Powered Contractor Safety Feature
Faster, More Accurate Compliance Assessments: AI-driven automation accelerates document reviews, eliminating manual errors and ensuring precise contractor verification.
Reduced Compliance Risks: Quicker and easier access to crucial data to make informed decisions, ensuring contractors meet safety standards.
Lower Administrative Burden: Saves time by streamlining manual contractor verification processes, giving workers time to focus on higher-value safety initiatives rather than repetitive compliance tasks.
“Many businesses face challenges with manual compliance workflows, resulting in costly delays in contractor verification and increased exposure to risks,” said Dr Julia Penfield, VP of Research & Machine Learning.
“Over time, this leads to reactive risk management, human error, productivity losses and potential fines for non-compliance. Our new AI-powered Contractor Safety Solution is changing the game, transforming the process with an intuitive, automated solution that simplifies compliance and drives better overall safety outcomes,” she added.
For more information about VelocityEHS, visit www.EHS.com
About VelocityEHS Relied on by more than 10 million users worldwide to drive operational excellence and achieve outstanding outcomes, VelocityEHS is the global leader in true SaaS enterprise EHS & ESG technology. The VelocityEHS Accelerate® Platform is the definitive gold standard, delivering best-in-class software solutions for managing Safety, Ergonomics, Chemical Management, and Operational Risk. In addition, Velocity offers world-class applications for Contractor Safety & Permit to Work, Environmental Compliance, and ESG.
The VelocityEHS team includes unparalleled industry expertise, with more certified experts in health, safety, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, sustainability, the environment, AI, and machine learning than any other EHS software provider. Recognized by the EHS industry’s top independent analysts as a Leader in the Verdantix 2025 Green Quadrant Analysis, VelocityEHS is committed to industry thought leadership and to accelerating the pace of innovation through its software solutions and vision. Its privacy and security protocols, which include SOC2 Type II attestation, are among the most stringent in the industry.
VelocityEHS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with locations in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Tampa, Florida; Oakville, Ontario; London, England; Perth, Western Australia; and Cork, Ireland. For more information, visit www.EHS.com.
Media Contact Jennifer Sinkwitts jsinkwitts@ehs.com
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Inspection report published: An inspection of the Border Force operation to deter and detect clandestine entrants to the UK August 2024 – November 2024
This inspection examined the Border Force operation to deter and detect clandestine entrants at the juxtaposed controls in northern France (Calais, Coquelles, and Dunkerque), focusing on how efficiently and effectively staff resources and detection techniques are used and on Border Force’s engagement with security contractors, port and transport operators, and the French authorities.
Over the course of the last decade, the UK government has contributed hundreds of millions of pounds towards the strengthening of security measures in northern France with the aim of preventing migrants from entering the UK illegally. Since 2020, spending has been focused on combating ‘small boat’ crossings. Prior to that, the emphasis had been on improving the physical security measures at the juxtaposed ports, including through the installation of many miles of fencing on the approach roads. This has made incursions into the ports and clandestine entry by concealment in vehicles much more difficult, which many argue is the reason why the small boat crossings began.
It is clear that the numbers of clandestine entrants detected at Calais, Coquelles, and Dunkerque have fallen substantially. In 2016, there were over 56,000. In 2024, there were around 5,000. However, the relationship between small boats and clandestine entry through the juxtaposed ports is not well understood. This needs more attention, not least to get ahead of any displacement effect if new measures to reduce small boat crossings begin to work.
Meanwhile, this inspection has shown that the threat of clandestine entry at the juxtaposed ports remains high and is unrelenting, both from organised facilitations and from opportunistic ‘jump-ups’. Border Force resources and capabilities are stretched, and its operations and those of its security contractors are closely monitored by migrants and by smuggling gangs to identify and be ready to exploit any weaknesses. It is therefore vital that Border Force continues to invest in staff, detection equipment and IT systems at the juxtaposed ports. To do so with confidence that it is investing in the right places, it needs to record and analyse what is working and where the gaps are much more systematically than is currently the case.
One of the measures employed to deter clandestine entry is a penalty scheme that enables Border Force to levy fines on anyone found to have a clandestine entrant in their vehicle. When I looked at this scheme in 2018, I found that no penalties had been imposed since July 2016. My report described the system as “broken” and in need of urgent attention. I recommended that the Home Office should fix the scheme so that penalties were issued wherever appropriate, and payment was pursued promptly. This recommendation was accepted. In 2019, I found that significant headway had been made with the backlog of referrals, but some cases had been waiting almost three years for a penalty notice to be imposed, calling into question the deterrent value of any eventual penalty. There was a problem with the resourcing of the team managing the scheme, and it did not have the IT it needed. At the time, Border Force indicated that it was aware of these issues and was already taking action to address them.
Given this history, it was all the more disappointing to find in this latest inspection that the team is still not staffed appropriately and does not have the systems required to run the scheme efficiently and effectively. This is despite the fact that the scope of the scheme was extended in 2023 to take in hauliers and lorry drivers who are found not to have secured their vehicles. At the same time, the penalties were substantially increased.
Even if income-generation is not its primary purpose, and the monies recovered are not wholly retained by the Home Office, it is hard to excuse the perennial under-investment in this area when the scheme has recovered over £10 million since the beginning of 2022, with another £26 million still to be recovered, albeit that some of this is uncollectible. If the Home Office is unwilling or unable to resource the scheme so that it works efficiently and effectively, ensuring that penalties are demonstrably consistent and fair, it should give serious consideration to reforming the scheme in line with the resources it is prepared to invest in it.
My report contains seven recommendations, covering: ‘ownership’ of clandestine entry and responsibility for ensuring that recommended improvements are implemented and embedded; an improved range of analyses, assessments and intelligence products to support decision-making about resources, investments and operational deployments; the provision of training to frontline Border Force officers to enable them to be used more flexibly; the installation of an integrated Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system linking the juxtaposed controls at Calais, Coquelles, and Dunkerque; a ‘root and branch’ review of the working practices and processes of the civil penalties team; production and publication of an ‘engagement plan’ for industry stakeholders; and publication of an annual report on how the scheme is working.
In its formal response, the Home Office has accepted two recommendations and partially accepted four. While I had hoped that the department might have shown more ambition in some areas, including in its timescales for implementing improvements, it has set out its thinking and what it intends to deliver in a way that will enable the ICIBI and others to measure its progress. Meanwhile, it has rejected my recommendation regarding an integrated ANPR system on grounds of cost versus likely benefits, which I understand, but which reinforces my view that it needs to become better at analysing what is working in order to inform investment decisions.
My report was sent to the Home Secretary on 4 February 2025, so its publication today is well within the target of eight weeks, which is encouraging. The published report contains a number of redacted passages. These redactions were made by the Home Secretary in line with the UK Borders Act 2007 which empowers her to omit material if she thinks its publication is undesirable for reasons of national security. In my view, the redactions do not affect understanding of the key findings and recommendations.
My principal concern going forward is that whatever improvements Border Force makes to its processes and practices as a result of this inspection these are banked and become ‘business as usual’, so that when the ICIBI comes to look at this area again it is not having to repeat the same points.
David Bolt, Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
French string quartet Quatuor Béla set to stop off in Derry-Londonderry as part of NI tour
25 March 2025
Walled City Music and Moving On Music (Belfast) present Quatuor Béla, one of France’s leading string quartets on a rare tour of Northern Ireland, supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Queens University Belfast.
Guided by the personality and work of Béla Bartok, the quartet play and deliver programmes with sincere conviction. Recognized for their “diabolical technique” (Télérama), Quatuor Béla have become one of the leading European quartets working with contemporary composers such as Garth Knox, Kaija Saariaho and Francesca Verunelli.
Founded in 2006 by four musicians from the National Higher Conservatory of Music of Lyon and Paris, the Béla Quartet were brought together by a shared passion for the repertoire of the 20th century. The quartet is committed to championing new compositions and exploring the relationship between composers and performers.
This tour of NI will feature significant works of the classical repertoire with Beethoven’s Serioso Quartet, Fauré’s only string quartet, alongside works by Queens University associated composers Piers Hellawell, and world premieres by Simon Mawhinney and Pedro Rebelo.
The tour will begin in Christ Church Derry on Thursday 3rd April with Walled City Music, continuing to St Macartin’s Enniskillen with Music in Fermanagh, Market Place Theatre Armagh on Saturday 5th and finishing in Harty Room QUB Belfast on Sunday 6th April.
For concert details and tickets for the Derry performance, please visit www.walledcitymusic.com.
“The Lower Thames Crossing is a gargantuan waste of money that will dirty our air and increase road traffic danger and congestion across the South East.
“We have known for many decades that building new roads creates new traffic, and it’s estimated that this £10 billion scheme will only help journeys on the Dartford Crossing for five years while it induces new journeys to clog up all the roads in the area in short order. How many years before a multi-billion-pound relief road is suggested to cut congestion on the Lower Thames Crossing by those who want this scheme?”
“Instead of building ridiculously expensive and unnecessary new roads, we should be expanding our green public transport network to improve the day-to-day journeys of everyone who needs to get around, for a fraction of the cost.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
DWP appoints new Chair of Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC)
Professor Gillian Leng CBE has been appointed as the new Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) effective from 1 April 2025.
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the appointment of Professor Gillian Leng CBE as the new Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) effective from 1 April 2025.
Professor Gillian Leng CBE will succeed Dr Lesley Rushton, who has held the post of IIAC Chair since 1 April 2018.
Minister for Transformation Andrew Western MP said:
I am very pleased to welcome Professor Gillian Leng CBE to the role of IIAC Chair. Professor Leng CBE will bring a wealth of experience to this challenging but rewarding role. I would also like to thank Dr Lesley Rushton as the IIAC Chair, for her substantial contribution to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.
Professor Gillian Leng CBE said:
I am delighted to be appointed as the next chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. The Council has played a vital role in advising on industrial injuries since 1945 and is now entering an exciting time with the ability to commission additional scientific support. I look forward to playing a part in the next phase of its work.
Dr Lesley Rushton, outgoing Chair of IIAC said:
It has been my privilege to serve as Chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council for the past seven years. We have evaluated a wide range of occupation-related ill-health issues including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK workers, probably the most challenging issue in IIAC’s recent history. I am pleased to welcome Professor Gillian Leng CBE as the new IIAC Chair and I am sure she will find the role as rewarding as I have.
About IIAC
The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) is a non-departmental public body established under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act 1946, which came into effect on 5 July 1948. The Council provides independent advice to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in Great Britain and the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland on matters relating to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and its administration.
About Professor Gillian Leng CBE
Gillian is a clinician by background, with a passion for using evidence to improve care. She joined NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, in 2001 to establish its clinical guidelines programme. In 2020, she became only its second CEO. She led the development of a new 5-year strategy and set out updated methods and processes to put NICE at the forefront of evaluating new technologies and to deliver dynamic living guidelines for frontline staff.
She is now the President at the Royal Society of Medicine, and a non-executive director for the Department of Science Innovation and Technology. She retains her interest in the use of high-quality evidence and is a trustee of the Cochrane Collaboration and a Council member of Alive, the international Alliance for Living Evidence. In 2024 she was asked by government to lead an independent review into the roles of Physician and Anaesthesia Associates.
IIAC Chair
Professor Gillian Leng CBE takes up her 5-year appointment as IIAC Chair from 1 April 2025.
Professor Gillian Leng CBE is entitled to an annual remuneration of £22,000, reflecting a time commitment of approximately 60 days per year.
Last year, the G15 Group of affordable housing associations said that housing associations would need £54 billion of investment to build the number of social homes outlined in the London Plan over the next five years.1
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Housing Committee will meet to ask how to increase the amount of finance available to build social and affordable housing, the risks of different financing models, and whether private investment can help meet new housebuilding targets.
Committee Members will also examine Opportunity London – a partnership between the Mayor of London, the City of London, and London Councils to attract investment – and ask what more the Mayor can do to help finance more homes in the capital.
The guests are:
Panel 1: 2pm – 3.15pm
Will Jeffwitz, Head of Policy, National Housing Federation
Josh Ryan-Collins, Professor in Economics and Finance, University College London (UCL) Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose
Steve Partridge FCPFA, Director, Head of Housing Consultancy, Savills
Panel 2: 3.30pm – 4.45pm
Bek Seeley, Founder, Place Partners
Angela Wood, Deputy Executive Director of Development, Peabody Housing Association
Piali Das Gupta, Strategy Director, London’s Future & Places, London Councils
The meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 March from 2pm, in Committee Rooms 2 and 3 at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
‘Unknown’ soldier’s grave identified 107 years after his death
The final resting place of a Devonian man who served with the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) in World War 1 has been named in France almost exactly 107 years after his death.
The Reverend Paul Robinson CF conducts the rededication service at Ham British Cemetery (Crown Copyright)
A rededication service, at which Captain (Capt) Hubert Leslie Smith’s name was added to his gravestone, was held today (25 March) at his graveside in Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Ham British Cemetery near Saint Quentin.
The service was organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’ and was attended by serving soldiers of The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and The Royal Yorkshire Regiment.
Members of the Smith family stand at the graveside with the military party (Crown Copyright)
Capt Smith died on 24 March 1918 and after the war his remains were recovered and buried in Ham British Cemetery as an unknown captain of The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Because he was missing Capt Smith was commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
The location of Capt Smith’s grave came to light after a researcher submitted a case to CWGC hoping to have identified his final resting place. After further investigation by the National Army Museum and JCCC, it was confirmed.
JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron, said:
It has been a privilege to work with The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment to organise the rededication service for Capt Smith today and to have had his family present at the service. Although Capt Smith died 107 years ago, his memory has lived on within his family. It is important that men such as Capt Smith, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, are honoured and remembered for their bravery.
The service was attended by Capt Smith’s great nephews and their families, who had travelled from the UK and the USA to attend the service.
Peter Smith, great nephew of Capt Smith said:
Today’s Smith family in both the UK and the USA were both surprised and pleased to have this opportunity to understand and recognise the life and service of a man we never met in person. Thank you JCCC and all those involved for discovering our relative and providing this opportunity to pay tribute to his life, service, and death from long ago.
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 Service of Captain Hubert Leslie Smith. As an Army Chaplain, honouring the fallen is one of our most sacred tasks. It is our role to silently shepherd an often-beleaguered nation through grief and we revere those who have died and lay to rest those who have served our nation with dignity and honour and treat their families with respect and compassion. Memorials reflect the emphasis the British people place on the worth and value of the individual.
Captain Smith’s new headstone at Ham British Cemetery (Crown Copyright)
The headstone over the grave was replaced by CWGC. Director for the France Area at the CWGC, Jeremy Prince, said:
We are honoured to mark Capt Smith’s grave with a new Commonwealth War Graves headstone, more than a century after his death. We will care for his grave, and those of his comrades at Ham British Cemetery, in perpetuity.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
CMA seeks changes to the way Ticketmaster labels tickets and provides pricing information to fans
The CMA sets out its concerns over Ticketmaster’s sale of Oasis tickets.
iStock
CMA is concerned that Ticketmaster’s approach may have misled Oasis fans
CMA is engaging with Ticketmaster to improve information given to consumers
Today the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is providing a progress update on its investigation into Ticketmaster following widespread complaints about the sale of Oasis’ concert tickets.
Following a formal investigation, the CMA is now consulting with the ticketing platform on changes to ensure fans receive the right information, at the right time.
The concerns
The CMA is concerned that Ticketmaster, which sold more than 900,000 tickets during the Oasis ticket sale, may have breached consumer protection law by:
Labelling certain seated tickets as ‘platinum’ and selling them for near 2.5 times the price of equivalent standard tickets, without sufficiently explaining that they did not offer additional benefits and were often located in the same area of the stadium. This risked giving consumers the misleading impression that platinum tickets were better.
Not informing consumers that there were two categories of standing tickets at different prices, with all of the cheaper standing tickets sold first before the more expensive standing tickets were released, resulting in many fans waiting in a lengthy queue without understanding what they would be paying and then having to decide whether to pay a higher price than they expected.
Next steps
Since the opening of the investigation, Ticketmaster has made changes to some aspects of its ticket sales process, but the CMA does not currently consider these changes are sufficient to address its concerns.
The CMA has provided Ticketmaster with details of the further steps required to address its concerns and is seeking changes to Ticketmaster’s processes – including to the information it provides to customers, when it provides that information, and how it labels some of its tickets. The CMA is now consulting on these changes with Ticketmaster.
Hayley Fletcher, Interim Senior Director of Consumer Protection, says:
Fans reported problems when buying Oasis tickets from Ticketmaster and we decided those concerns warranted investigation.
We’re concerned that Oasis fans didn’t get the information they needed or may have been misled into buying tickets they thought were better than they were. We now expect Ticketmaster to work with us to address these concerns so, in future, fans can make well-informed decisions when buying tickets.
All ticketing websites should check they are complying with the law and treating their customers fairly. When businesses get it right, consumers benefit – and that’s the best outcome for everyone.
Ticketmaster UK Ltd (Ticketmaster) is a company which sells and supplies tickets to consumers for a range of third-party events via its website and mobile application in the UK. In particular, it sold tickets for the ‘Oasis Live ‘25’ tour.
As an enforcer under Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2002, the CMA currently enforces consumer law through the courts. It cannot currently levy administrative fines for breaches of consumer law. From 6 April 2025, the CMA will have new consumer powers, which will enable the CMA to decide when consumer law has been broken without taking a case to court. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) will, once it comes into effect, also enable the CMA to fine those firms that do break consumer law up to 10% of their turnover.
The main consumer protection legislation relevant to the CMA’s concerns about misleading claims and other harmful online selling practices is the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). The CPRs aim to protect consumers from unfair commercial practices such as the misleading provision or omission of information as part of sales processes. The CMA recently consulted on draft guidance in relation to unfair commercial practices (UCPs). Provisions prohibiting UCPs are due to replace and update the CPRs once the relevant provisions of the DMCCA come into force on 6 April 2025. The CMA currently has the ability to ask a court to enforce the CPRs. Under the DMCCA, the CMA will gain the ability to enforce the UCP provisions itself, without needing to apply to a court.
‘Primary’ tickets are tickets which are being sold for the first time, at the original price for tickets as determined by artists, event organisers or box offices. ‘Secondary’ tickets are those which are resold after their original sale, often (but not always) at prices other than the original ‘face value’.
All media enquiries should be directed to the CMA press office by email on press@cma.gov.uk, or by phone on 020 3738 6460.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Youngsters go wild for well-being in Cornwall this Easter
Natural England is joining forces with the NHS to run free sessions across Cornwall for primary aged children and a parent or carer.
A youngster enjoying one of last year’s sessions. Photo credit: Lian Jones
With Easter holidays just around the corner, youngsters in Cornwall are being given the opportunity to get out and go wild, thanks to a scheme being run at Natural England and National Trust sites in the county.
It is increasingly accepted that getting out in the fresh air and enjoying nature is good for our well-being. Now Natural England is joining forces with the NHS Cornwall Mental Health Support Team and partners, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the National Trust, to put on Wild Wellbeing workshops for children, mums, dads or carers during the up-coming holidays.
Sessions are being held at venues across Cornwall and are open to primary school children and a parent or carer. They are being organised by the Cornwall Mental Health Support Team in Cornwall, working in partnership with Natural England, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.
The workshops are built around the NHS Five Ways to Wellbeing initiative: Connect, Take Notice, Be Active, Keep Learning, Give. They link to the Five Pathways to Nature Connection: Sensory contact, Emotional bond, Beauty, Meaning, showing Compassion.
Last year similar sessions were held on Goss Moor, Golitha Falls and in Tywardreath, and their success has led to them being widened across the county this year.
Positive feedback from those sessions included from one youngster who attended saying: “We really enjoyed our session with MHST learning about the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing.’ We particularly enjoyed making our breathing sticks and we still use ours at home now if I am struggling with my emotions.”
A parent who went along said: “Thank you for a lovely afternoon. We have loved having some mindful time together.”
Morgan Stevens of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said:
This is a fantastic and exciting opportunity for organisations to work together to promote wellbeing, nature and the outdoors to the children and families of Cornwall.
Chris Waddle of Natural England said:
Nature’s ability to benefit our health and wellbeing is a blessing to us all. Having the opportunity to work with specialists from the NHS is incredibly valuable in supporting our delivery and understanding of balancing nature recovery with people.
Engaging young children and families has been an absolute pleasure. Partnering with the Wildlife Trust and National Trust will not only help to grow this service further, it creates an opportunity for the younger generation to engage with nature in a variety of ways.
Lydia Allt, Volunteering and Community Officer for the National Trust said:
We are thrilled to introduce these Wild Wellbeing sessions at Penrose, giving young people the chance to experience the uplifting effects of nature in this tranquil setting.
Amy Gosney, Community Engagement Officer with Cornwall Wildlife Trust said:
We’re really excited to be working with the CAMHS team to provide sessions to help young people connect with nature.
We know how important nature is for our wellbeing and the more connected we are to nature, the more we want to care for and protect it.
We are able to reach and have a much greater impact when we work collaboratively with different organisations and so this brilliant programme builds on our collect strengths and helps us to support more young people across Cornwall.
The free sessions at Natural England sites are being held at: Tuesday, 8 April at Golitha Falls, Thursday, 10 April at Tehidy Woods, Tuesday, 15 April at The Dipping Pond, Goss Moor, Tuesday 15 April at Widemouth Bay, Bude.
Each session will last approximately two hours and are being held at 10am and 1pm.
Sessions in West Cornwall are on: Wednesday, 9 April at Penrose and on Wednesday, 16 April at Kennack Sands. Also approximately two hours long, they will start at 10am and 2pm.
Derby City Council is excited to announce the second wave of traders set to move into the revitalised Derby Market Hall, marking another milestone in the transformation of the historic Grade II-listed building.
Following a £35.1m restoration, the Market Hall will reopen its doors to the public on Saturday 24 May, marking a new era for Derby’s independent shopping, dining, and entertainment scene.
A curated mix of traditional and contemporary traders will be in place when the Market Hall reopens its doors, creating a vibrant hub in the heart of the city and blending the Market Hall’s rich history with a modern experience. The newest announcement of traders offers something for everyone, with a variety of international flavours and diverse menus for all visitors.
Authentic international flavours:
Award-winning Back-A-Yard Cuisine is set to bring the vibrant and diverse tastes of Jamaica to the Market Hall, offering a unique experience for visitors. With freshly made and locally sourced food, Back-A-Yard Cuisine will take customers’ tastebuds on a tour of Jamaica with their award-winning jerk chicken dumplings and Portland jerk chicken. Honouring a motto of ‘serving quality with taste and smiles’, Back-A-Yard Cuisine holds the People’s Choice award from the British Street Food Awards 2024 and went on to represent Britain at last year’s European Street Food Awards in Germany. With 15 years of experience in catering, visitors can expect to expand their culinary horizons with a fresh taste of Jamaican spices.
SHIO (translating to ‘salt’ in Japanese), is bringing a taste of Japan to Derby. Originally located in Nottingham with a focus on small plate dishes, SHIO will offer Market Hall customers steamed rice bowls and their signature Japanese fried chicken, made using the finest locally sourced ingredients. With a unique approach, SHIO blends traditional Japanese techniques with innovative flavour combinations, offering a memorable dining experience at Derby Market Hall. Visitors can enjoy high-quality, flavour-packed dishes.
Tony’s Greek Street Food is gearing up to offer an authentic taste of Greece. Led by Tony, who has over 35 years of experience in the food industry in both Greece and the UK, Tony’s Greek Street Food was founded in 2017 as a mobile food stall. It is now a takeaway shop which was previously nominated for the Best 10 British Kebab Awards 2021. Tony’s Greek Street Food is now ready to offer its signature dishes at the Market Hall, including gyros, souvlaki, halloumi, moussaka, and more. The traditional recipes have been passed down through generations, offering customers a truly unique experience of Greek cuisine.
A unique twist on a classic:
Traditional classics are expected to be at the heart of the Market Hall’s culinary offer with Gourmegg bringing its multi-award-winning Scotch eggs alongside classic handmade dishes. With its innovative approach to Scotch eggs, Gourmegg uses ingredients that aren’t found on the high street to ensure the best quality. The range on offer includes classic pork, pork and nduja imported from Calabria, pork and Fruitpig black pudding (made using the UK’s only fresh blood black pudding) and pork with caramelised red onion chutney. Gourmegg will also offer a variety of handmade dishes for visitors, including fried chicken and brunch favourites.
A Taste of Holland:
Also joining the Derby Market Hall will be Cheeky Pancakes, who are offering a taste of Holland to visitors. Known for their freshly cooked Poffertjes (fluffy mini-Dutch pancakes) and Stroopwafels, Cheeky Pancakes offers an irresistible menu of sweet and savoury food inspired by popular Dutch street food. Claiming the Bristol Eats Better Award for their commitment to eco-friendly practices, sustainability, and locally sourced ingredients, the vendor has served countless customers across the UK. They have also worked with big names such as Warner Bros. Studios and Silverstone and have catered for private stars, including Gareth Bale and Tom Cruise. Customers at the Market Hall can enjoy signature dishes including Cheeky Cheese (Poffertjes topped with melted cheese, garlic butter, and smoked paprika). Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options will also be available.
Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:
I am thrilled to announce the second wave of traders who will be moving into the transformed Derby Market Hall when it reopens its doors on Saturday 24 May. We are bringing together the best of the region’s independent shopping, eating, drinking, and entertainment, and I’m incredibly excited for visitors to explore all the various international foods on offer.
Our traders offer something special for everyone. With a variety of cuisines available, I’m certain that the opening of the Market Hall will be met with much anticipation, and I am eager to welcome visitors upon opening.
The Market Hall will once again be Derby’s beating heart where people choose to come together to enjoy the buzz of the city, and I am certain that it will be a huge success.
Located at the heart of the city centre, linking Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter with the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell, the redeveloped Market Hall will play a key role in widening the diversity of the city centre and is expected to generate £3.64m for the local economy every year.
More traders, including street food traders, are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Written statement to Parliament
Maritime decarbonisation strategy and calls for evidence
Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security sets out the government’s vision for the future of the UK’s maritime sector.
By publishing our new Maritime decarbonisation strategy today, the government has set out plans to encourage and support our maritime sector in using fuels of the future and shipping ‘chargepoints’ to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The maritime decarbonisation strategy sets out the government’s vision for the future of the UK’s maritime sector, by setting new domestic decarbonisation goals for a 30% reduction by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2040 (both relative to 2008) and outlines our key policies to meet them.
To support this, we are also publishing 2 supplementary calls for evidence: on Net zero ports and on Smaller vessels – measures for small, sub-400 gross tonnage (GT) vessels and accelerating uptake in targeted subsectors. These calls for evidence will allow us to gather evidence to provide a more holistic understanding of the current state of play of the maritime sector and how to decarbonise the sector moving forward.
In 2019, the UK domestic maritime sector produced around eight million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, on a fuel lifecycle basis. Decarbonisation of our maritime sector will support this government’s missions: driving the uptake of clean fuels and energy helping to make Britain a clean energy superpower, seizing the green growth opportunities which will help to kickstart economic growth, and realise the co-benefits that reducing emissions can have for health, supporting our health mission, in line with our Plan for Change. It is conservatively estimated that the decarbonisation of the UK maritime sector could support £130 million to £180 million of gross value added (GVA) and around 1,400 to 2,100 jobs in the UK on average in each year between now and 2050. This is in respect to the provision of on-board technologies, fuel storage and engines alone. The investments required on land to support the decarbonisation of the sector, including the production of zero and near-zero GHG emission fuels and energy are also expected to further drive growth in the UK, and deliver energy security.
This ambitious, but credible and evidence-based maritime decarbonisation strategy is based on a state-of-the-art maritime emissions model, representing a significant step change in our ability to estimate the emissions from the UK maritime sector. Responses from the 2 calls for evidence will also inform the development of the maritime emissions model as we look to increase our understanding of how to decarbonise maritime.
Maritime decarbonisation strategy
The maritime decarbonisation strategy outlines this government’s vision for the how maritime sector can decarbonise. The strategy sets new goals for domestic maritime emissions, aiming for zero fuel lifecycle GHG emissions by 2050, with at least a 30% reduction by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2040, relative to 2008 levels. These interim goals are aligned with the level of highest ambition of the 2023 IMO’s GHG strategy, allowing us to take pragmatic action domestically whilst continuing to push for high ambition internationally.
These goals highlight our commitment to decarbonising the maritime sector and will provide the industry with the certainty it needs to invest, playing its part in kickstarting economic growth and making Britain a clean energy superpower.
The Strategy will cover 5 key policies to drive decarbonisation from now to 2050:
Fuel regulation. Alongside a fuel standard being developed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), we will, subject to consultation next year, introduce domestic fuel regulations to drive the uptake of zero and near-zero GHG emission fuels and energy sources.
Emissions pricing. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will be expanded to include UK domestic maritime GHG emissions from 2026. At the IMO, we are also continuing to push for emissions pricing through a global shipping levy, introduced from 2027.
Ports and emissions at berth. We are considering further action to reduce emissions at berth and are launching a call for evidence to inform this work alongside the maritime decarbonisation strategy.
Smaller vessels and targeted subsectors. We need to reduce emissions from the whole fleet over time, including smaller vessels. To build our understanding, we are launching a call for evidence to begin this policy development. We are aware that whilst this will be challenging for some sub sectors (such as fishing vessels), there are others that could move quickly (for example, offshore wind vessels).
Energy efficiency. We will support the IMO review of short-term measures to further incentivise energy efficiency and explore domestic energy efficiency measures.
This strategy continues to build on the innovation and expertise developed through our research and development programme UK SHORE, which, as well as accelerating the commercialisation of the future fuels and technologies necessary, positions the UK as a leader in clean maritime development and drives investment into clean maritime technologies. Supporting this will be the MCA’s new UK maritime innovation hub which will encourage innovation, research and development, and support economic growth by helping innovators bring new technologies to safe commercial use in the sector.
Net zero ports call for evidence
This publication will collect evidence to support the government’s consideration of an at-berth emissions requirement in the maritime decarbonisation strategy. It looks at the role of ports in enabling shipping to decarbonise and reduce shipping’s wider environmental impacts. This includes providing new infrastructure and aims to capture evidence on the future electricity demand at ports, recognising this is a shared asset to enable ports, shipping and port tenants to decarbonise and capture new commercial and economic opportunities.
The publication also looks at the progress ports are making in decarbonising their own operations and how government could potentially galvanise the sector to decarbonise. We focus on whether ports are planning to decarbonise their own operations, their goals and what they’ve included in their strategies, including wider environmental considerations.
Measures for small, sub-400 GT vessels and accelerating uptake in targeted subsectors call for evidence
This call evidence will provide government with essential information and data to help decarbonise and reduce the environmental impacts of vessels under 400 gross tonnage. It asks questions on the costs of these vessels, when the new technologies will be ready, what infrastructure will be required and where these vessels are likely to be built. It seeks to identify which subsectors have a clear decarbonisation pathway and may be able to move quickly. This call for evidence represents a balance between ambition and deliverability, recognising that some subsectors such as fishing will need more time, and that this is the start of a conversation with them. This means we will have a stronger evidence base to make informed policy decisions in the future.
Next steps
Following the publication of the maritime decarbonisation strategy, and the 2 calls for evidence, we will continue to work with the sector to deliver the domestic decarbonisation goals and to reduce wider environmental impacts. We will collect and analyse the responses from the calls for evidence to inform our next steps and will publish a consultation on future UK fuels regulation. Furthermore, we will continue to champion ambitious action at the IMO to drive the global maritime sector towards zero emissions and deliver the IMO GHG 2023 strategy.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to receive almost £2 million in government funding to reduce smoking in the City.
The city council’s cabinet is set to approve spending the grant money for the next five years when it meets on Tuesday 25 March.
The grant is awarded over five years, but approval will cover the grant award over the next four years, as last year’s grant has already been received.
The funding, provided by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), is part of a five-year programme running until 2029 to create a smoke free generation.
Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable death in the UK, with 64,000 people dying every year. In Stoke-on-Trent, smoking rates are higher than the national average and a leading cause of deaths in the city.
Being exposed to the wide range of health harms that smoking causes, is damaging many lives across the City even in those who don’t smoke.
The increased investment will help protect children from the many health problems tobacco causes and help people live longer, taking a big step towards a smokefree generation.
In 2024/25, the city council has already used funding to:
Create new roles to support an expansion of stop smoking offers to support more people to quit
Offer free Allen Carr’s Easyway quit-smoking seminars – available in Stoke-on-Trent for the first time.
Expand pharmacy support, giving more people expert advice in their neighbourhoods
Work within communities to give people tailored support to quit smoking or vaping
Work with councils across the West Midlands to share resources and cut smoking rates across the region.
Conducting work to better understand how people want to be supported
All of this work will be led by the newly formed Stoke-on-Trent Tobacco Alliance, bringing together a range of organisations to make a bigger impact.
Stephen Gunther, director of public health at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “I am really pleased that we have received this funding to build on the great work that is already being done to stop people from starting smoking and help those who are to quit.
“It gives us a better chance to create a smokefree generation and support those who want to quit. We are committed to creating a healthier standard of living for all our residents and this funding will ensure we can offer support where it’s needed most. This will help improve people’s health and reduce inequalities across the city.”
Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This money will make a real difference to people in Stoke-on-Trent. By offering more support and reaching more people, we can help people live healthier, longer lives. Smoking causes real harm to families and communities, so helping people quit is a big step towards a smokefree Stoke-on-Trent.
Poll cards have been issued to voters in St Albans District for important local elections on Thursday 1 May.
The elections are for Hertfordshire County Council with all 78 seats up for election including ten in St Albans District.
On the same day, a by-election will take place in the Redbourn ward of St Albans City and District Council following the resignation of a Councillor.
There will also be by-elections for one seat in each of the Harpenden North and Harpenden West wards of Harpenden Town Council as well as two seats in its Harpenden South ward.
St Albans City and District Council is administering the elections and has now posted poll cards to around 110,000 people who are registered to vote.
Voters should examine their cards carefully to check the location of their polling station as this may have changed from the last time they voted.
They do not need to bring their poll cards with them to vote, but doing so makes it easier for the polling station staff to find you on the electoral register.
Voters are reminded that they must show approved photo ID when voting at a polling station.
Amanda Foley, Returning Officer for St Albans City and District, said:
We are asking people to look out for their poll cards and to keep them safe for when they can vote.
We don’t want people turning up to the wrong place to vote, so it is important that they check the details, particularly the location of the polling station.
Hertfordshire County Council provides important public services such as education, social care, highways and transport, libraries and the county’s fire and rescue service.
Voter ID
Voters are required to present an approved form of photo ID to vote at a polling station. This includes a current or expired UK passport or driver’s licence provided the photograph is a true likeness of the voter.
Anyone who does not have approved ID can apply for free ID online, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.
The deadline for applying for the Voter Authority Certificate is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April.
Register To Vote
Residents in St Albans District have only a short time left to register to vote at this May’s elections.
Everyone aged 18 and above who is not registered at their current address should do so by midnight on Friday 11 April.
It takes only a few minutes to register at your current address by going online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
People who were eligible to vote in last year’s elections and whose details have not changed will still be registered. They can check by calling the Council’s Electoral Services Team on 01727 819294.
Postal and Proxy Votes
The Easter bank holiday weekend, Friday 18 to Monday 21 April, comes shortly before polling day.
Residents who may be away during the holiday and election period are advised to consider applying for a postal or proxy vote.
Postal vote packs are due to be despatched between 11 April and 22 April, depending on the date the postal vote was applied for, and must be completed and returned by 10pm on 1 May.
The deadline for applying to vote by post, or for amending an existing postal or proxy vote, is 5pm on Monday 14 April.
For applying to vote by proxy, the deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 23 April. In certain circumstances, an emergency proxy vote can be applied for up until 5pm on the day of the election.
Aisling Gillespie (PCSP), Lynette Cooke (PCSP), Deputy Lord Mayor Concillor Kyle Savage, Sandra Larmour, Fiona Spargo-Mabbs and Patricia Gibson (PCSP).
Over 300 young people from the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon area recently came to Portadown Town Hall to watch a hard-hitting and impactful theatre production based on the harrowing true story of a 16-year-old boy who tragically lost his life to an MDMA overdose in 2014.
The play, called ‘I Love You Mum – I Promise I Won’t Die’, delivered a powerful, verbatim account of the events leading up to the death of teenager Daniel Spargo-Mabbs, as told by his family and friends.
This event was organised by the ABC Policing and Community Safety Partnership, and in addition to the play, attendees also participated in an engaging workshop with the cast, hearing firsthand from Fiona Spargo-Mabbs – Daniel’s mother – as well as Sandra Larmour. Their deeply personal accounts reinforced the life-changing impact of drug misuse and the critical need for open conversations around the issue.
The workshop also featured presentations from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and Lydia Scholes from the Public Health Agency – Southern Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team (PHA – SDACT), further enriching the discussion with professional insights and expertise.
“This event was not just a performance – it was an opportunity for local schools and the wider community to come together, engage in interactive discussions, and hear directly from those whose lives have been deeply affected and changed forever by substance misuse,” commented the Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Kyle Savage.
“It was very difficult to listen to at times, but these difficult conversations must be had with our young people to encourage community engagement around drug awareness and to ensure that young people know the dangers surrounding sasubstance misuse.”
The play was written by acclaimed playwright Mark Wheeller.
A delegation from Aberdeen which recently attended CERAWeek, the world’s premier energy conference, has met Houston-based GlobalScots, Scotland’s international business network, to discuss energy transformation opportunities for the Granite City.
The ‘Team Aberdeen’ group included Council Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard and Julie Wood the Council’s Chief Officer for City Development and Regeneration, as well as representatives from Peterson Energy Logistics, the Net Zero Technology Centre, Robert Gordon University, and the University of Aberdeen.
Yesterday at the Aberdeen Houston Gateway, Julie Wood was able to build on earlier conversations with Justin Hoffman, CEO @ cSolutions, who is a Global Scot based in Houston.
Mr Hoffman said: “By working together with industry partners in Houston and Aberdeen, we can develop solutions to significantly reduce risk and emissions, while ensuring secure, reliable, and affordable energy. This type of collaborative approach creates the environment and efficiencies needed to meet our growing “All Of The Above” energy demand”
Events like those hosted by Scottish Development International recently in Houston and Granite PR in Aberdeen yesterday help maintain connections and discussions on energy transformation. The Aberdeen team’s connection with the GlobalScots network is invaluable as they provide the local expertise and presence in Houston and other cities around the world. Through continued collaboration with the GlobalScots network, Aberdeen is able to raise its profile globally.
Ms Wood said: “Collaboration is key to enabling our decarbonisation journey here in Aberdeen, in our partner city Houston, and around the world.
“We are delighted to continue discussions with members of the GlobalScots network as well as our colleagues at Scottish Development International as we all work together to achieve NetZero.”
Aberdeen and Houston have a close relationship through our membership in the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP). Aberdeen attends CERAWeek in Houston annually to participate in the conference and the WECP Board Working Group.
Like all partner WECP Member Cities, Aberdeen is home to many of the world’s largest energy companies which are leading initiatives to build a lower-carbon energy future, developing the full range of energy sources to power the world today and into tomorrow.
Photograph shows Justin Hoffman and Julie Wood at the Aberdeen Houston Gateway event
Children and young people from across Edinburgh took to the stage at the prestigious Usher Hall yesterday evening (Monday 24 March) for the City of Edinburgh Council’s spring concert.
The concert showcased the inspiring standard of music-making taking place across the city’s school bands, orchestras and ensembles, with the concert providing young musicians the opportunity to perform in a public concert hall, collaborate with their peers and perform to a large audience.
The programme for the spring concert included a variety of captivating music, performed by children and young people from schools across the city as part of various groups including the Edinburgh Schools’ Senior Brass Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ String Training Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Classical Guitar Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ Choir, Edinburgh Schools’ Jazz Orchestra, Edinburgh Schools’ Rock Ensemble, Edinburgh Schools’ Wind Ensemble and Edinburgh Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.
The City of Edinburgh Council’s schools instrumental service provides weekly lessons to over 5,000 primary and secondary school pupils across the city. Lessons are introduced to pupils from Primary 4 for upper strings, Primary 5 for woodwind, brass, cello, piping, Scottish drumming and clarsach, and S1 for voice, guitar, percussion, piano, keyboard and double bass.
This concert forms part of the celebration of Edinburgh 900, marking 900 years of formal ‘local democracy’ when, in 1124 King David I created the royal burgh of Edinburgh, one of the oldest in Scotland. This year, a series of events, talks, tours and tales will help to tell the fascinating and diverse stories of Edinburgh’s journey and unique story.
City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:
It was a true pleasure to hear our incredibly talented young people perform last night in celebration of Edinburgh’s 900 years as a Royal Burgh.
Edinburgh 900 is a year-long celebration of our city’s rich history, culture, and bright future. What better way to honour this milestone than with nearly 500 young musicians from across Edinburgh, filling the spectacular Usher Hall with their inspiring performances? From Bach to Bohemian Rhapsody, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
A heartfelt thank you to the Instrumental Music Service Team, teachers, families, and supporters who work so hard to make these events possible. And, of course, to our wonderful young musicians—your dedication and talent continue to make our city proud.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education and Children and Families Convener, said:
The school’s instrumental service concerts are always a special event for me, offering a fantastic opportunity to experience the musical talents of our youngsters in the setting of the Usher Hall. I am always astounded by the exceptional array of musical ability that is showcased by the young people who perform individually or as part of an ensemble or orchestra.
The performances represent hours upon hours of tuition from dedicated music teachers, and the hard work and practice put in by our young musicians. I am incredibly proud to be part of a city that invests in making music tuition accessible to such a large proportion of our learners and want to thank all those who work so hard to make concerts like this one possible.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Government paves the way for local people to build more homes
The government has announced a £20 million investment to support the delivery of community-led housing.
Thousands more homes to be unlocked through government investment in community-led housing
Local communities to get more power to locate, design and build high quality homes with £20 million package
All part of the government’s Plan for Change – delivering 1.5 million homes and the biggest boost in affordable housing in a generation
Thousands of new high-quality homes, including social and affordable, will be designed and built by local people for local people, thanks to new government investment to accelerate the delivery of community-led housing.
A £20 million package for community groups, such as community land trusts and housing co-operatives, has been confirmed by the Housing Minister that will directly support the construction of more than 2,500 new homes over the next decade. These housebuilding projects will be led by communities to specifically address local needs in their area.
Community-led housing is about placing power into the hands of local people who will take the lead in the design and location of new homes, with community groups being able to access land and receive planning permission where speculative developments cannot.
This is the first time the government has supported this approach to finance housebuilding at this scale and will help overcome critical barriers to community-led housing delivery, such as community groups accessing the capital needed for housebuilding.
The new investment announced today forms part of the government’s Plan for Change and commitment to build 1.5 million new homes as well as helping more working people and families achieve the dream of homeownership, boosting growth and raising living standards across the country.
Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:
“Community-led housing not only delivers social and affordable homes for local people, it also gives local communities a greater say on where new homes are built and how they are designed.
“This investment will help community-based organisations overcome barriers to housing delivery and will support the growth of the community-led housing sector.
“Through our Plan for Change we are boosting housing supply and reforming the housing system, delivering on our commitment to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.”
The community-led housing sector is grossly under-developed in the UK compared to other countries in Europe, resulting in a significant loss of potential social and affordable housing as well as depriving communities of the high-quality housing they want.
Recognising the value of community-led housing, the government is investing the £20 million in a social finance fund, which will be led by Resonance who have strong experience in working with community organisations to support the delivery of these homes.
This investment will be used to attract up to £30 million in match-funding from the private sector as well as local authorities and combined mayoral authorities.
Head of Developing Communities at Resonance, Jon Rolls said:
“This is a landmark moment for our fund and for the community-led housing movement. MHCLG’s investment will act as a vital catalyst, unlocking more support for communities determined to shape their own futures. It’s simple – when communities are in the driving seat, brilliant things happen.”
Chief Executive at the Community Land Trust Network, Tom Chance said:
“This investment will be welcomed by hundreds of communities working to build thousands of much-needed homes, from tourist hotspots where local are priced out to city neighbourhoods blighted by a lack of investment. Community-led development offers local people a tool to be builders rather than blockers.”
The new funding follows the government’s overhaul of the planning system with a new growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework, which has imposed new mandatory housebuilding targets for councils so they can play their part to meet local housing need.
The updated planning framework has also strengthened support for community-led housing, which includes broadening the definition of organisations able to deliver this housing and making changes to the size limit on community-led sites to allow more homes to be built.
Government investment in housing has increased to £5 billion for this year, including a top-up of £800 million being injected into the existing Affordable Homes Programme to help deliver tens of thousands of new social and affordable homes across the country.
An extra £2 billion injection of new grant funding to build up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes has also been confirmed today, helping to deliver the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation while making sure those homes go to the people who need them most.
As part of its Long-Term Housing Strategy, which is due to be published later this year, the government is considering further measures to help grow the community-led housing sector.
Further information
Community-led housing is developed by community-based organisations, such as community land trusts and housing co-operatives, to deliver much-needed affordable housing in their area.
The government has invested £20 million in the Resonance Community Developers social finance fund for a 10-year period. Resonance Limited is an established social finance company with experience in supporting the delivery of community-led housing.
Resonance is expected to begin investing directly into local housebuilding schemes across England over the next few weeks.
Community-led organisations and housebuilders across the country have already benefitted from previous funding. This includes Chagford Community Land Trust delivering nearly 30 affordable homes in Devon, YorSpace building 19 affordable homes and a common house in York, and Cohousing in Cambridge providing 42 apartments and town houses with community facilities and a sociable shared garden.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News story
Solihull man prosecuted for failing to remove waste from land
The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a Solihull man who failed to remove waste from his land.
Birmingham Magistrates Court imposes fines and costs totalling £7,752.85
Defendant given 4 months to completely clear outstanding waste
Plastics, metals and treated wood among waste found on land
Benjamin Summers ignored a formal Notice from the Environment Agency to remove the waste and also operated a waste facility without the necessary environmental permit.
At Birmingham Magistrates on Friday 21 March 2025, Benjamin Robert Summers, 80, of Pig Trot Lane, Tanworth-in-Arden, Solihull, admitted the offences.
He was fined £1107 and ordered to pay costs of £6545.85.
Additionally, the magistrates imposed a Remediation Order of 4 months to completely clear any outstanding waste from the land.
Environment Agency investigation
The Environment Agency commenced an investigation in February 2023, having been notified by the Local Authority. They provided evidence that approximately 35 cubic metres of mixed waste was being stored on the land, made up of plastics, metal, treated wood and derivatives.
Between February 2023 and August 2023, Environment Agency officers made a total of 5 site visits and requested Summers to clear the waste. However, the waste remained on site and was added to over time.
On 1 November 2023, a formal Notice was served on Summers to clear the waste by 1 January 2024.
On 9 January 2024, Environment Agency officers made a further site visit and discovered that no waste had been removed.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
The Environment Agency will pursue any person or company that fails to uphold the law to protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties.
Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health.
If anyone has environmental concerns, they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or Crimestoppers anonymously and in confidence on 0800 555 111.
The charges
1, Benjamin Summers, on 2 January 2024, being the occupier of land, namely Summerhill Cottage, Pig Trot Lane, Danzey Green, Tanworth-in-Arden, Solihull, B94 5BJ failed without reasonable excuse to comply with a Notice dated 1st November 2023 to remove controlled waste from the land, contrary to sections 59ZB (2) and 59ZB (6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
2, Benjamin Summers, prior to and between 17 February 2023 and 3 May 2024, operated a regulated facility on land at Summerhill Cottage, Pig Trot Lane, Danzey Green, Tanworth-in-Arden, Solihull, B94 5BJ which was not authorised by an Environmental Permit, namely a non- exempt waste operation involving the deposit, storage and disposal of waste, contrary to Regulations 12 (1)(a) and 38 (1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Case study
Tree planting at Ireby Green Farm provides a boost for biodiversity, business and communities
Ireby Green Farm used their England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) funding to invest in trees for a more sustainable future.
Ireby Green Farm facts:
site: Ireby Green Farm, Cowan Bridge, Carnforth, Lancashire
size: 7 hectares of new woodland
type: native broadleaf and non-native conifer
species: oak, birch, silver birch, alder, beech, Scots pine, Douglas fir and crab apple
date planted: 2022
grant: England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
Main objectives:
reduce the farm’s reliance on their sheep enterprise
provide a reliable income during a time of uncertainty
grow their caravan park
Trees planted on Ireby Green Farm. Copyright Ireby Green Farm
Ireby Green Farm is a 35 hectare, family-run farm located in the upper Lune Valley. With access to both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, the farm runs a successful caravan campsite alongside their sheep enterprise of around 150 ewes.
Despite great success in diversifying their farming operation, the landowner John Welbank was aware that the end of the Basic Payment Scheme would affect his family and business. They began to research other options for diversification and, after exploring funding for woodland creation and organic certification, John decided on tree planting as the next project for the farm.
Funding a greener future
In 2022, 7 hectares of native broadleaf woodland with a 20% conifer mix were planted with the help of EWCO. The grant funding included capital items, the cost of planting and supporting the early establishment of the trees, as well as additional contributions including nature recovery, water quality and riparian planting. These stackable payments provide extra support when the design of a new woodland delivers public benefits to nature and the environment.
Whilst initially hesitant about the complexity of the scheme, John was pleased to find that the grant was relatively easy to apply for. With the support of EWCO, Ireby Green Farm now proudly boasts 7 hectares of woodland, providing a boost for biodiversity, the business and the local community.
The benefits of tree planting
A year after planting, Ireby Green Farm was already seeing the benefits. Neighbours, visitors and the parish council are now making use of permissive footpaths and the environmental boost in the community. The farm has also seen benefits to:
biodiversity – kingfishers, hares and other native species are inhabiting the new woodland and surrounding area
business – increasing the woodland area has helped to reduce the costs of supporting their sheep enterprise, increasing their gross profit per hectare
soil structure – improved structure and nutrient content provided by the tree’s roots and leaf litter from fallen leaves, resulting in better grass coverage and growth, saving on feeding supplements for their sheep
flood mitigation – flood mitigation – the trees have helped to reduce nutrient run off, which has meant less inputs into the soil are required
John is also hoping the planting will successfully offset their carbon, demonstrating the environmental and social credentials of the farm and campsite.
The tree planting scheme has received additional contributions under EWCO for riparian planting and improving water quality. Copyright Ireby Green Farm
Managing woodland for long-term success
Ireby Green Farm has big plans for the woodland; they have planted with timber production in mind to provide another revenue stream for the future of the farm business. After 15-20 years, a portion of softwood can be extracted whilst maintaining the minimum canopy cover required under EWCO.
The new woodland also means that John has been able to proceed with plans to expand the caravan park, as the woodland minimises the visual impact from the road. This will increase business for their farm and the local area, providing more capacity for their often-sold-out holiday park.
Alongside these benefits, John is pleased that a legacy will be left in the woodland planted. He encourages others to investigate woodland creation as a potential opportunity for their farm.
John Welbank, Landowner, Ireby Green Farm said:
Local farmers have had mixed thoughts on planting woodland, but taking a more detailed view of finances and the opportunity trees can bring, is one to be enthusiastic about.
Top tips
Speak to your Woodland Officer early. Woodland creation can be a confusing process, but starting conversations can be the first step. Woodland Officers are local experts and can help you find useful resources and answer your questions.
Plan a woodland scheme that fits your farm and your objectives. Take time to work out what will work for you as a woodland is a long-term investment.
Invest in tree protection. Using proper tree protection throughout the process can massively reduce replacement and maintenance costs.
Look after your crop. In the same way that you wouldn’t spend £36,000 on a traditional farm crop and then close the gate and walk away, woodland needs to be managed if you want to optimise your outcomes.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
East West Rail services planned to begin this year as Chiltern Railways named operator
This milestone will unlock the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and provide greater connectivity across the region.
Chiltern Railways named as operator for first East West Rail services later this year
passengers will benefit from better and faster connections between Oxford and Milton Keynes, unlocking job, education and business opportunities
forms a critical part of the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth by unleashing the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor
In a significant step towards boosting connectivity and growth between Oxford and Cambridge, the Rail Minister has today (25 March 2025) named Chiltern Railways as the operator for the first stage of East West Rail.
This comes ahead of its planned launch later this year, which will support almost 100 new jobs at Chiltern, boost local economies along the route and see passengers benefit from slashed journey times and better access to jobs, education and business opportunities.
When delivered in full, East West Rail is set to generate £6.7 billion of growth per year in Oxford-Cambridge by 2050, bolstering the thriving life science cluster and supporting up to 28,000 jobs in Cambridge alone.
Serving 6 stations, the new line will initially link Oxford and Milton Keynes for the first time in nearly 60 years, accelerating the regeneration of town centres and helping build new homes across the full line as part of our Plan for Change.
Rail Minister Peter, Lord Hendy, said:
Appointing Chiltern Railways to run the first East West Rail services is one of the crucial last steps in getting the line up and running later this year and means local people in the area are closer to experiencing the benefits of this transformative project.
This milestone demonstrates that we are serious about unlocking the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, providing greater connectivity across the region and delivering on our Plan for Change mission to drive economic growth.
A brand-new station at Winslow will reconnect the town to the rail network for the first time since the 1960s, with trains also stopping at Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village and a revamped Bletchley station along the new line.
Chiltern will manage the newly constructed station in Winslow, opening up better employment opportunities, easier access to public services and reduced reliance on road travel.
Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said:
The first stage of East West Rail will provide fast, direct train services between Oxford and Milton Keynes and we are delighted that Chiltern has been announced as operator.
Chiltern has a proud track record of delivering new services and infrastructure, including our London to Oxford connections and introduction of new stations at Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village.
We are looking forward to carrying customers on this exciting new route which is set to make a critical contribution to the UK’s economic growth.
David Hughes, CEO of East West Railway Co, said:
This is a huge milestone which will allow Chiltern Railways to deliver a much-needed rail service linking the dynamic cities of Oxford and Milton Keynes, providing new opportunities for commuters and leisure travellers alike.
This is the first part of East West Rail’s vision to extend services to Bedford and Cambridge, which will transform connectivity across the region and unlock new opportunities for economic growth.
The announcement comes following a 10-week consultation period giving local people the chance to shape the second and third stages of East West Rail, which will see the line reaching Bedford from 2030 and Cambridge from the mid-2030s.
This outlined the government’s aim for trains to be powered on the route with greener traction and hybrid battery-electric trains, which would result in cleaner and faster journeys for passengers.
Gary Walsh, Route Director for West Coast South at Network Rail said:
We’re delighted by today’s announcement, which is fantastic news for passengers who will soon benefit from the new journey opportunities that East West Rail provides between Milton Keynes and Oxford.
Following completion of major construction, which included installing 70km of new track, 17 brand new bridges and a modern signalling system, we’re working closely with our partners at Chiltern Railways and the DfT ahead of passenger services starting later this year.