NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New homeless prevention drop-ins start

    Source: City of York

    L-r: Cllr Pavlovic, Jenny Newman and Evie Bailey at Carecent

    Published Wednesday, 26 February 2025

    As the risk of homelessness continues to worry many residents and be a reality for some, the Council is increasing support to help people keep their home with a new face-to-face service.

    At the monthly Homeless Prevention drop-in sessions, the friendly and knowledgeable team will work with residents on a wide range of issues.

    These include tackling rent arrears and debt, liaising with landlords, maximising income, addressing issues with neighbours and more. The team aims to resolve problems and prevent disputes arising, and to ensure residents can keep their homes and manage their tenancy.

    Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, said:

    The ongoing cost of living crisis and pressures on housing are still affecting many residents with whom we work hard to help keep their homes.

    “People facing homelessness each have their own challenges to address. To support them and avoid the devastation of losing their home, we are boosting homeless prevention work by running the drop-in sessions and helping people with mental health issues. Please use them and work with us to help you keep your home.”

    The new drop-in Homeless Prevention sessions start at Carecent, St Saviourgate YO1 8NQ on Wednesday 26 February from 1-3pm. They will take place on the last Wednesday of every month and are available for people aged 18 or over.

    For more information on homelessness and support to avoid it, please visit www.york.gov.uk/HousingOptions.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary article on defence spending: February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Authored article

    Foreign Secretary article on defence spending: February 2025

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy writes in the Guardian about the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war.

    There are moments in history when everything turns, but the extent of change is not perceived until later when the fog has cleared. These are hinge points that require clear leadership and bold action. In the late 1940s, my [political content redacted] predecessor and hero Ernie Bevin, alongside Clement Attlee, saw through the fog when they led Britain into Nato and the UN, and secured the development of Britain’s nuclear deterrent.

    In the 1960s, Harold Wilson saw through the paranoia of the cold war, refusing Lyndon Johnson’s request to send British troops to Vietnam. In the 1990s, Tony Blair understood that unless we stopped the president of Serbia, Slobodan Milošević, there would be no peace in the Balkans.

    Three years into Vladimir Putin’s brutal war, this is again a hinge point for Britain. Keir Starmer’s commitment to dramatically raise defence spending in both this and the next parliament shows his leadership through the fog. Putin’s Russia is a threat not only to Ukraine and its neighbours, but to all of Europe, including the UK.

    Over successive administrations, our closest ally, the US, has turned increasingly towards the Indo-Pacific, and it is understandably calling for Nato’s European members to shoulder more of the burden for our continent’s security. Around the world, the threats are multiplying: from traditional warfare to hybrid threats and cyber-attacks.

    The first duty and foundation of this government’s Plan for Change is our national security. Seven months ago, the public gave us this responsibility, and we hold it with a profound sense of duty. [political content redacted] We will deliver the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war (political content redacted).

    So we will hit our 2.5% promise in 2027 and, subject to economic conditions, go further, with defence spending rising to 3% during the next parliament. This is a pledge to safeguard our future – and act as a pillar of security on our continent –in a world plagued by more active conflicts than at any time since the second world war.

    To make this commitment, and stick within our fiscal rules, we have had to make the extremely difficult decision to lower our spending on international development. As the Prime Minister said, we do not pretend any of this is easy.

    This is a hard choice that no government (political content redacted)makes lightly. I am proud of our record on international development. It helps address global challenges from health to migration, contributes to prosperity, and supports the world’s most vulnerable people.

    It grows both our soft power and our geopolitical clout, while improving lives. For all of those reasons, this government remains committed to reverting spending on overseas aid to 0.7% of gross national income when the fiscal conditions allow.

    But we are a government of pragmatists not ideologues – and we have had to balance the compassion of our internationalism with the necessity of our national security.

    As we reduce the overseas aid budget, we will protect the most vital programmes in the world’s worst conflict zones of Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan. But there can be no hiding from the fact that many programmes doing vital work will have to be put on hold. The work of making further tough choices about programmes will proceed at pace over the weeks and months ahead, but our core priorities will remain the same.

    My vision for a reformed Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office fit for this more contested and dangerous world, in which diplomacy is more important than ever, remains paramount. We are working closely with the Treasury to ensure our diplomatic, intelligence and development footprint will align with our priorities. In a tough fiscal environment, all our spending must be laser-focused on delivering the maximum possible impacts for our national security and growth, equipping the FCDO to deliver the government’s plan for change internationally.

    At the height of the cold war, defence spending fluctuated between about 4% and 7% of GDP. At this moment of fiscal and geopolitical flux, not meeting the moment on defence would mean leaving Britain ill-prepared for a more dangerous world, potentially requiring even tougher choices down the line.

    I have written previously about this government’s foreign policy being founded on progressive realism. Being clear about our values, but treating the world as it is, not as we would wish it to be. These are the principles that guide our choices through these dangerous times. We will always do what is necessary to keep the public safe.

    This article was first published in The Guardian on 25 February 2025.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens press government to act on Grenfell oversight

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Responding to the government’s announcement that it will accept all the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (1), Green MP Carla Denyer urged the government to accept her Private Members’ Bill on preventing future deaths. 

    Carla’s Bill calls for the creation of a National Oversight Mechanism which would have responsibility for ensuring that recommendations made following inquests and inquiries are followed. Currently, there is no body which has this responsibility. 

    Reacting to the government’s statement, Carla Denyer MP said: 

    “The deaths of 72 people in the Grenfell tower fire was an unimaginable tragedy, but worse, it was an avoidable tragedy. We owe it to those who lost their lives to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

    “I welcome the Government’s commitment to taking forward all of the report’s recommendations, a vital first step towards justice. 

    “The Grenfell Inquiry recognised a failure of the state to properly follow up on the recommendations made by inquests and inquiries – meaning that too often, changes needed to prevent people from harm are simply not made. Time and time again, bereaved families go through the trauma of reliving the circumstances of a loved one’s death at an inquest only for the lessons from that death to be forgotten.

    “We urgently need an organisation responsible for making sure that recommendations from inquests and inquiries are actually followed, rather than being forgotten. I have put forward a Bill to create a National Oversight Mechanism for state-related deaths, which would do just that. It would be an independent body, able to scrutinise government action so bereaved families don’t have to be the ones fighting for change.

    “The National Oversight Mechanism proposal has the support of over 70 organisations, including Grenfell United, Amnesty, the Mayor of London, and the Institute for Government. It recently featured as a recommendation in the Health Services Safety Investigations Body’s report on deaths of mental health patients. It’s clear that this is badly needed, and I hope the government will support my Bill.” 

    (1) Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability  – GOV.UK

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enhanced registration service to reduce requisitions and delays

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Enhanced registration service to reduce requisitions and delays

    HM Land Registry is introducing enhanced digital checks to support our customers to submit error-free applications.

    MMD Creative/Shutterstock.com

    • Simple administrative errors, such as name or title number errors, will be highlighted on submission for all digital applications submitted through Business Gateway and the Digital Registration Service in the portal.
    • The enhanced service will be delivered in autumn 2025. We will be working with our existing third-party integrators to migrate to the new service in the following months.
    • Customers will be prompted to resolve highlighted errors before resubmitting applications.
    • By resolving these errors before accepting applications, we will save our customers thousands of hours spent on unnecessary administrative tasks and enable an improved speed of service by allowing caseworkers to focus on the more complex areas of land registration.

    From autumn 2025, customers submitting applications through the Digital Registration Service, on both the HM Land Registry portal and through third-party software providers, will be unable to submit applications containing simple errors. We’ll be working with third-party integrators to support the adoption of this new service. 

    Many of these checks are already being performed in the Digital Registration Service on the portal and will soon be available for all Business Gateway-enabled software. 

    By 2028 this could save customers an estimated 300,000 hours a year, waiting for an unnecessary, manual, administrative process, and end annoying requisitions that can be resolved much earlier. This is roughly 150 people, working full time, for a year.

    Mark Gray, Chief Transformation & Technology Officer, said

    This is another key milestone in improving our customer service and our processing times. By preventing errors up-front, automating routine tasks and removing unnecessary correspondence, we will save time for our customers and our caseworkers alike. And this is just the next step in modernising and automating more of our work, there is much more to come.

    HM Land Registry is focusing on easily avoidable, administrative errors to save customers’ time but also to enable further automation of HM Land Registry processes – removing time-consuming administrative work and improving overall service speeds.

    The organisation will continue to enhance the registration service by introducing further checks on the data contained in transfer and charge deeds in late 2026.

    Read through the full list of checks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How tourism and fish farming can thrive together

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mausam Budhathoki, Postdoctoral Researcher, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling

    The tourism and aquaculture sectors have been working together in Oban, on Scotland’s west coast. Rab Woods/Shutterstock

    In many coastal regions, tourism and fish farms are vital industries that drive economic growth. Yet, they often compete for space, raising concerns about how to balance these two sectors without compromising the environment or local livelihoods.

    In Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, the twin industries of tourism and aquaculture are learning to coexist – and even thrive together. Coastal communities can face economic challenges due to the seasonal nature of tourism as well as often limited job options. Their reliance on coastal resources, which are increasingly affected by environmental changes, can heighten the difficulties.

    Aquaculture in high-income countries hasn’t always had the best reputation. Public perception can be negative due to concerns about the environmental impact and resource use. But when it’s practised sustainably, aquaculture can in fact help meet global food demands and contribute to the UN’s sustainable development goals, a blueprint for economic growth that’s equitable and environmentally aware.

    Our recent study explored how tourists perceive aquaculture during their holiday and whether exposure to fish farms influences their willingness to consume locally farmed seafood. The results suggest that integrating aquaculture and tourism can increase awareness of sustainable seafood and create economic opportunities.

    Oban’s coastline is home to salmon farms, shellfish cultivation, including mussels and oysters, and new seaweed farms. All of these sit in waters popular for marine tours. The tours attract visitors eager to learn more about local wildlife and history. But, aquaculture often faces criticism due to its impact on the landscape and marine ecosystems.

    This tension is not unique to Oban. Across Europe, aquaculture growth has stagnated despite its potential to improve food security and sustainability. Regulatory challenges and conflicts over space are significant hurdles. This is especially true in coastal communities where the acceptance and support of the community – known as a “social licence to operate” – is crucial.

    But our study offers a promising solution: aquaculture–tourism integration. By showcasing aquaculture as part of the tourism experience, Oban can educate visitors, encourage greater acceptance of sustainable farming practices and boost the local economy.

    What tourists think about aquaculture

    We surveyed 200 tourists on marine tours in Oban to understand how they view aquaculture. The responses revealed three main types of tourists. These are those with multiple motivations (visitors drawn by nature, socialising and learning); “relaxers” (tourists seeking rest and relaxation, often with little previous knowledge of aquaculture); and outgoing nature enthusiasts (active travellers who value wildlife and environmental conservation).

    Despite their different motivations, most tourists responded positively to seeing fish farms during their tours. The most notable shift was among the “relaxers”, who were more interested in eating locally farmed seafood after learning about sustainable farming practices. This shows how education and direct experience can reshape the way seafood production is perceived.

    Aquaculture sites are often viewed as eyesores, but our findings show that when framed as part of local culture, they can actually enrich the tourist experience. Tourists appreciated learning about sustainable seafood production as the boats approached floating net cages and began to view aquaculture as a positive part of the community.

    Marine tours could include stops at aquaculture sites to let visitors see the operation, hear from farmers and even sample the products. This would present an opportunity to engage tourists and encourage a connection with the industry – potentially building trust with the public.

    A successful hybrid venture in the seas around Rhodes, Greece.

    This kind of integration offers several advantages. First, it can drive economic growth by attracting tourists interested in sustainable food and environmental practices. This can create a new revenue stream for both the aquaculture and tourism sectors. For example, a small farm on the Greek island of Rhodes partners with a diving centre to offer marine biology tours and dives around its site. Visitors learn about sustainable aquaculture and swim with sea bream in net pens, exploring how these practices support environmental conservation.

    Beyond the economic benefits, it can also raise environmental awareness. As tourists learn about sustainable seafood farming, they are more likely to support more environmentally friendly food production in general.

    By understanding how aquaculture contributes to food security, public perceptions could shift, leading to broader acceptance of aquaculture as a solution for global food challenges. And positive experiences of aquaculture not only shift perceptions but also make it easier for operators to win support from the community and encourage a more responsible approach to farming practices. However, it’s important that these efforts are honest and truly focused on environmental and social responsibility.

    While many of the benefits are clear, there are challenges. Both aquaculture and tourism can damage the environment. Tourism can lead to habitat disruption and pollution, while poorly managed aquaculture can affect water quality and marine biodiversity.

    But when farms are regularly visited as part of tourism activities such as boat tours or guided farm visits, there is a greater incentive to maintain high environmental standards. Nonetheless, careful planning and regulation are essential to ensure both sectors operate sustainably without harming ecosystems.

    Another challenge is the aesthetic impact of aquaculture, a common issue with industrial food production. Fish farms inevitably alter coastal landscapes, but operators can choose design solutions that balance production needs with preserving the outlook.

    Finally, competition for resources and space can lead to conflicts between tourism and aquaculture. Coastal communities must manage these demands carefully to ensure both sectors can thrive. This requires collaboration between tourism operators and aquaculture farmers to prevent clashes over infrastructure and resources.

    Oban’s successful integration of aquaculture and tourism offers a model that can could be replicated by coastal communities globally. But barriers, such as the remoteness of some farms or regulatory requirements, may limit feasibility. However, by transforming fish farms into educational attractions, Oban demonstrates how sustainable practices can benefit both sectors.

    With a focus on cooperation, education and responsible farming, an integrated approach between tourism operators and aquaculture companies could strengthen the reputation of local seafood. Ultimately, it offers a sustainable model for coastal communities.

    Mausam Budhathoki receives funding from the EATFISH project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant 956697).

    Dave Little receives funding from EATFISH project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant 956697).

    – ref. How tourism and fish farming can thrive together – https://theconversation.com/how-tourism-and-fish-farming-can-thrive-together-249835

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ESFA Update: 26 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    ESFA Update: 26 February 2025

    Latest information and actions from the Education and Skills Funding Agency for academies, schools, colleges, local authorities and further education providers.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    ESFA Update further education: 26 February 2025

    HTML

    ESFA Update academies: 26 February 2025

    HTML

    ESFA Update local authorities: 26 February 2025

    HTML

    Details

    Latest for further education

    Article Title
    Information Latest apprenticeship announcements
    Information Residency eligibility for adult learners with an eVisa

    Latest information for academies

    Article Title
    Information Residency eligibility for adult learners with an eVisa
    Events and webinars Buying ICT for your school or trust

    Latest information for local authorities

    Article Title
    Information Residency eligibility for adult learners with an eVisa
    Events and webinars Buying ICT for your school or trust

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Council Tax Reduction Scheme more equitable to support those in need

    Source: City of Salford

    Salford City Council’s Council proposals to make significant changes to its Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme are now approved and come into effect on 1 April 2025.

    Council Tax Reduction (CTR) is the way that councils help households on low incomes to pay their council tax bill. Residents were consulted on the proposals for the new scheme which will play a vital role in alleviating financial pressures for vulnerable households.

    The new, fairer and more flexible income-banded scheme in place for 2025/26 only assesses on income available to pay general bills. It uses Universal Credit notifications from the Department for Work and Pensions as the main way to determine household eligibility for CTR. 

    This change reduces the burden on the claimant, minimising the risk of them missing out on support and aligns with the move of most benefits to Universal Credit.

    Lead Member for Finance, Support Services and Regeneration, Jack Youd, said: “We’re proud to have created a more equitable scheme which targets support to those in need, in line with our priority to tackle poverty and inequality. 

    “Our new scheme uses the Universal Credit breakdown to identify those with the lowest income available for general expenses and bills so the assessment of eligibility is fair across all claims and household types. 

    “Providing different income bands for different household make-ups recognises differences in expense levels as well as capacities and limitations for earning and accessing more income. This creates more stability in the amount of support a household will receive.

    “By simplifying the eligibility and assessment criteria and enabling the claim to be driven by the Universal Credit claim, we can provide more certainty to recipients. 

    It also helps us get on the front foot with early intervention and prevention of debt in line with the council’s anti-poverty strategy.”

    Visit www.salford.gov.uk/counciltaxreduction for more information about the new scheme.

    Share this

    Date published
    Wednesday 26 February 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability 

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government responds in full to Grenfell Tower Inquiry, setting out tough new reforms to fix building safety and strengthen accountability 

    In the full response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report today (26 February), the government has accepted the findings and sets out its plans to act on all 58 recommendations.

    • Sweeping construction, building and fire safety reforms set out as government accepts findings and takes action on all 58 recommendations in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report   

    • Tough new rules on construction product safety, backed by a strengthened regulator to stamp out bad practice and drive higher standards 

    • Debarment investigations to be launched for seven organisations named in the report using tough new procurement powers 

    • Stronger, more enhanced protections for social tenants, including by empowering them to challenge landlords and demand safe, high-quality housing 

    Tough new reforms to ensure all homes are safe, secure and built to the highest standards will benefit millions of people across the country as the government takes decisive action to tackle the failures that led to the devastating Grenfell Tower tragedy – which resulted in the loss of lives of 72 innocent people. 

    In the full response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report today (26 February), the government has accepted the findings and sets out its plans to act on all 58 recommendations, driving a sweeping transformation to enhance building and fire safety standards.   

    Under the proposals, industry will be held to account for failure, with new regulatory measures to prevent a tragedy like the events at Grenfell Tower from ever happening again.   

    The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:   

    The Grenfell Tower tragedy claimed 72 innocent lives in a disaster that should never have happened. The final report exposed in stark and devastating detail the shocking industry behaviour and wider failures that led to the fire, and the deep injustices endured by the bereaved, survivors, and residents. 

    We are acting on all of the Inquiry’s findings, and today set out our full response, detailing the tough action we are taking to drive change and reform the system to ensure no community will ever have to face a tragedy like Grenfell ever again.   

    That means greater accountability, stronger regulation, and putting residents at the heart of decision-making. We must deliver the fundamental change required. We owe that to the Grenfell community, to the country, and to the memory of those who lost their lives.

    The Grenfell Inquiry’s final report exposed a system that ignored safety risks and failed to listen to residents. The report laid bare ‘systemic dishonesty’ in the industry, failures in the construction sector and by successive governments, and poor regulation in the run up to the disaster. 

    The government has apologised on behalf of the British state for its part in these failings and introduced significant changes to fix the worst issues exposed by the tragedy.   

    Reforms set out today include:

    • A new single construction regulator to ensure those responsible for building safety are held to account.   

    • Tougher oversight of those responsible for testing and certifying, manufacturing and using construction products with serious consequences for those who break the rules. 

    • A legal duty of candour through a new Hillsborough Law, compelling public authorities to disclose the truth, ensuring transparency in major incidents, and holding those responsible for failures to account.  

    • Stronger, clearer, and enforceable legal rights for residents, making landlords responsible for acting on safety concerns. 

    • Empowering social housing residents to challenge landlords and demand safe, high-quality housing, by expanding the Four Million Homes training programme. Make it easier for tenants to report safety concerns and secure landlord action by taking forward the Make Things Right campaign. 

    • Ensuring lasting transparency and accountability by creating a publicly accessible record of all public inquiry recommendations. 

    As well as changes in regulation, in December 2024, the government launched its Remediation Acceleration Plan which sets out tough new measures to get buildings fixed quicker and ensure rogue freeholders are held to account.   

    Building Safety Minister Alex Norris said:   

    The Grenfell Tower fire was a preventable tragedy, and the failings it exposed demanded fundamental change. 

    Our response today to the Inquiry’s findings sets out a comprehensive plan to reform the construction sector, strengthen oversight and make sure that residents are the priority when deciding on building safety issues. 

    We will continue working closely with industry, local authorities and the Grenfell community to make sure these reforms deliver real, lasting change and rebuild trust.

    Supplier Accountability  

    Today the government set out the next steps of its review to identify where the Inquiry’s report found failings by specific named organisations in relation to the Grenfell fire. 
     
    New powers under the Procurement Act will be used to investigate seven of the organisations criticised in the report. If certain grounds are met, their names will be added to a published debarment list which must be taken into account by contracting authorities when awarding new contracts.  

    A legacy of justice for the Grenfell community   

    The government remains fully committed to supporting the bereaved families, survivors and residents long-term, as well as to working with the independent Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission to ensure a fitting and lasting memorial, determined by the community. This will serve as a permanent tribute to honour those lives lost and those whose lives were changed forever.   

    The transformation set out today is not only about fixing the failures of the past but about ensuring a safer future for generations to come. The highest safety standards will be embedded into the 1.5 million homes the government is committed to delivering this Parliament, ensuring that every new home meets robust safety requirements.  

    The government response makes clear there is still much more to do and is committed to taking decisive action in response to every recommendation.    

    Notes to editors:

    • The government’s progress towards implementing Inquiry recommendations will be published every quarter from mid-2025. We will also provide an annual update to Parliament to ensure wider scrutiny of the pace and direction of work.  

    • We will deliver reform using a phased approach over the course of this Parliament, bringing together the recommendations directed at government and wider reform as coherent packages. The first phase (2025 to 2026) will focus on making sure that we effectively deliver our current programme of regulatory reform and change. The second phase (2026 to 2028) will focus on having fully developed proposals to deliver recommendations and wider reform, including via legislation. From 2028 onwards, the Government will focus on implementing these reforms.   

    • We will keep the new system under review to evaluate its effectiveness and ensure it is delivering the intended improvements to residents’ lives. We will make sure that we are taking on residents’ feedback as part of this.  

    • This response marks the start of a new relationship between government and industry that is based on transparency, clarity, collective responsibility and external scrutiny. We will hold actors in the system to account, effectively enforce standards, steward the highest standards of culture and behaviour and facilitate transparent conversations. However, we also expect industry to take responsibility to instil this change.  

    • Safe housing is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and these reforms will ensure that right is upheld in every community. A green paper is also being launched today which includes detailed proposals for system wide reform of the construction products regime.  

    • Debarment investigations into the organisations are set out in today’s Written Ministerial Statement.  

    • The government will continue to support for the Metropolitan Police’s independent investigation, ensuring that those responsible for the failures leading to the tragedy are held to account. 

    Other measures include:

    • Raising standards by consulting on a new College of Fire and Rescue later in 2025 to improve training and professionalism of firefighters. 

    • Stopping unqualified individuals from making critical fire safety decisions, by legally requiring fire risk assessors to have their competence certified. 

    • Continuing implementation of new Residential PEEPs policy to improve the fire safety and evacuation of disabled and vulnerable residents in high-rise and higher-risk residential buildings, engaging with relevant stakeholders on the implementation.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Media Release – Hustings Thurs 6 March 2025 Wednesday 26 February 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Hustings on Thursday 6 March 2025 for election of two States Members

    I will be hosting a Hustings on the 6th of March in the Island Hall.

    The candidates will be available in the Anne French Room at the Island Hall from 5.30pm to 6.45pm, to answer questions on a one-to-one basis.

    At 7.00pm I will chair a “Question Time” format for a maximum of 90 minutes.

    Members of the community are invited to submit questions in advance to me.

    The topics that receive the most number of questions will, time permitting, be put by one member of the community on behalf of all those who have submitted a question on the same topic.  All four candidates will be asked to respond to each question.  Members of the community are invited to submit their questions to my office on president.alderney@gov.gg by 5pm on Tuesday 4th of March.

    It is not intended to share the questions in advance.  This will enable those who attend to assess the strengths and potential weaknesses of each candidate in order to assist in deciding where to place their votes.

    It is hoped that the combination of both formats will provide the best opportunity for the candidates to persuade the members of the community who attend to vote for them.

    Whether selected to ask a question or not, all members of the community are invited to attend.

    William Tate, President

    Note to editors:For further information please contact The President’s Office by telephoning 01481 820001 or by email topresident.alderney@gov.gg.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Health trainers launch weekly drop-ins across city

    Source: City of York

    City of York Council’s Health Trainer team have launched new weekly drop-ins at 3 Explore libraries across the city.

    They’re offering help and advice for anyone wanting to stop smoking, lose weight, lower their drinking or get more active.

    The team already provide residents with programmes of one-to-one confidential support, as well as working with groups in the community, providing training and attending events. Residents can self-refer for the CYC Health Trainers service online, or by calling telephone: 01904 553377.

    Now they hope the weekly face-to-face drop-ins at Explore libraries will enable people to find out more about the service at easy-to-reach locations:

    Visitors to the drop-ins can find out York’s Swap2Stop offer, and smokers can try a simple breath test to find out how much carbon monoxide is in their blood.

    The Swap2Stop offer provides York residents aged over 18 with either:

    • a free, 4-week vape starter kit that will be posted out to them
    • or a 10-week programme of one-to-one support with free vapes or nicotine replacement products

    Recent figures showed the team were providing the most effective stop smoking service in the country, with 82% of people who set a quit date with the service having successfully stopped smoking 4 weeks after that date.

    Since the Swap2Stop offer was launched, aimed at encouraging smokers to make the switch from smoking to vaping to improve their health, referrals to the service have more than doubled.

    Glyn Newberry, Health Trainer Service Manager, at City of York Council, said:

    Anyone interested in finding out more about our service or who needs general advice about improving their health can now drop in and speak to one of our friendly and experienced health trainers in an informal setting.

    “Hundreds of clients across the city have already benefited from the service we provide and we want to reach even more people to help them live healthier lives. Come and find out about our Swap2Stop offer and all the other ways in which we can support you – for free!”

    Jenny Layfield, Chief Executive of York Libraries and Archives, said:

    We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Health Trainer team. We hope that by offering these drop-ins in our busy and welcoming spaces, even more York residents will take advantage of this supportive and valuable free service.

    Residents can find out more about the CYC Health Trainers service online, or by calling telephone: 01904 553377.

    Find out more about the Swap2Stop offer.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HSBC Leader Encourages York Businesses to embrace ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’

    Source: City of York

    HSBC UK’s Head of Technology Sector has encouraged York businesses to adapt to thrive in the climate of ‘functional disruptive change’ represented by the rapid development of AI.

    In his keynote address to over 60 businesses at the first York Tech Forum on 13 February, Roland Emmans from HSBC UK explored the fast-moving tech landscape and underlined the importance for businesses of all shapes and sizes of keeping pace with rapid technological change.

    Roland Emmans said:

    AI has vast potential to help businesses solve challenges and serve their customers better. The pace of change is increasing day by day, we need to embrace this change, its impact on technology, our teams and consumer demands.

    “A combination of great technology and great people is key – leveraging complementary strengths like AI’s processing power alongside expert human judgement.”

    The event, held at City of York Council’s West Offices headquarters on Thursday 13 February, began with a welcome from Cllr Pete Kilbane, the council’s portfolio holder for Economy and Culture, who reflected on how York’s tech sector has thrived in recent years.

    Cllr Kilbane highlighted major local developments, from the Institute for Safe Autonomy, a £45 million purpose-built facility which launched at the University of York in 2023, to the 6G Lab of the North, which works with the next generation of innovative telecommunications systems.

    Attendees also heard from Doug Winters, Founder and CTO of Isotoma Ltd, a York-based software development agency. Doug shared challenges and lessons from his business’ 20 year-journey, advising businesses that AI technologies, while useful for businesses, need to be used according to the situation, and are not a ‘silver bullet’ Doug also shared tips on the value of continuous planning throughout a project. 

    Cllr Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture at City of York Council, said:

    We have big ambitions for York as a vibrant tech hub. Tech sector investment will bring well-paid jobs and marked economic benefits.

    “To truly embrace the benefits of rapid technological change, we need to help businesses in all sectors, from retail to rail, adapt to using technology to become more efficient, innovative, resilient and sustainable. This event is part of a series which includes our upcoming AI skills training for retail and hospitality businesses, delivered by our partners at the Coders Guild, and the Reignite events which have bolstered York’s status as a UNESCO City of Media Arts.

    “I’d like to thank all of our speakers and everyone who joined us for this inspiring and thought-provoking session. To find out more about how we can support businesses to grow and adapt to technological change, start a conversation with our Business Growth Managers at economicgrowth@york.gov.uk.”

    This event was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enforcement cameras brought in to combat illegal cycle lane parking in South Manchester

    Source: City of Manchester

    Portable enforcement cameras are being brought in to combat inconsiderate motorists who park illegally in cycle lanes.

    The Chorlton to Manchester Cycleway is one of the Council’s flagship cycling schemes. Providing a segregated cycling experience from a district centre to the heart of Manchester has been a key example of the Council’s commitment to providing people additional ways of travelling.

    Unfortunately since the scheme’s completion it has been noted that a small minority of motorists have chosen to park across the cycle lane, blocking its intended purpose.

    Not only is this illegal, but it is dangerous as it forces cyclists into the road to get around. For anyone in a wheelchair, with mobility issues or a pram this is especially hazardous, and something we want to avoid wherever possible.

    In response to concerns raised by residents this is why from March 3, enforcement cameras will be in operation around the cycle route to monitor and penalise anyone caught breaking the law. This will be on top of the usual enforcement officers which patrol on foot.

    Motorists who are caught parking in a cycle lane may be liable to pay a £70 penalty charge notice (PCN).

    A driver issued with a PCN who believes it was incorrectly issued has the right to appeal the charge via the Council’s website.

    Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport said: “After the completion of any major scheme we listen to feedback around how it’s working, and sadly people have reported frequent problems with vehicles being parked in the cycle lanes.

    “These lanes are intended to be a quick and safe way for people wanting to cycle to and from the city centre. However, if people are confronted with cars and vans parked on the lanes, they are rendered totally useless.

    “It’s not only inconsiderate to those trying to use them, but incredibly dangerous forcing people into the main road to go around an obstacle. Hopefully this period of additional enforcement will encourage people to think twice before parking illegally and plan their journeys ahead.

    “In Manchester we are working to improve opportunities to walk and cycle and over time we hope to encourage a ‘people first’ mindset, rather than vehicles. Ultimately and most importantly we want Manchester to be clean, safe and attractive for everyone.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 February 2025 UHC-Partnership: Namibia tackles antimicrobial resistance

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In June 2024, a 66-year-old woman was admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Intermediate Hospital Katutura in Windhoek, Namibia. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, and tests showed that the organism responsible for her severe illness was resistant to all antibiotics except tigecycline. At the hospital, the pharmacy department had to obtain a compassionate clearance permit to procure and import tigecycline for the patient.

    “The patient completed the course, stabilized, and was discharged from the intensive care unit to a general ward. Unfortunately, due to various complicated comorbidities, the patient eventually passed away”, said Ms Taimi Ipinge, a Chief Pharmacist at Intermediate Hospital Katutura.

    Tragically, this type of resistance to antibiotics is all too common in Namibia, as with elsewhere in the world.

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. As a result, the medicines become ineffective and infections persist in the body, increasing the risk of spread to others.

    AMR is one of the top global public health and development threats. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.

    In 2019, Namibia recorded 451 deaths attributable to AMR and 1,900 deaths were associated with AMR.

    Acting to stop AMR

    The Government of Namibia recognizes that AMR is a threat to health security across the country and region and that a range of health system interventions are necessary to protect the population’s health and ensure good progress towards universal health coverage (UHC).

    The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), with support from WHO through the UHC Partnership and others, is implementing various activities in line with the AMR National Action Plan in compliance with the Global Action Plan to address AMR.

    The Government responded to the overuse of antibiotics by setting up a national multi-sectoral AMR governance to guide, oversee, coordinate, and monitor AMR-related activities in all sectors to ensure a systematic and comprehensive implementation of Namibia’s National Action Plan on AMR.

    In November 2021, Namibia commemorated its first World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). In 2023, MoHSS in collaboration with AMR quadripartite organizations, commemorated the week under the theme of ‘Preventing antimicrobial resistance together’ with the slogan ‘Antimicrobials: handle with care’. The event brought together the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.

    Namibia launched its infection prevention and control action plan and national guidelines. WHO provided support to a range of activities for this including distribution of information, education and communication materials around infection prevention and control, regional orientation on quality standards, in-service training focal points, and training on water, sanitation, and hygiene for hospital quality improvement plans. Thanks to capacity-building support from WHO, Namibia also reached a significant milestone for the first submission of data on AMR to GLASS in December 2023.

    “AMR is extremely serious. If left unchecked it means we are heading to a world where medical treatment of routine ailments or operations is life threatening and a greater number of people might stop responding to drugs. It challenges all our efforts to strengthen health systems and achieve universal health coverage. WHO commends the Namibian Government for the strategic and multiple approaches taken through collaboration between sectors and work across the region to raise awareness amongst the public,” said Dr Richard Banda, WHO Representative to Namibia.

    Strengthening health security

    Namibia’s response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is part of the broader effort to strengthen health security across the country. By integrating a One Health approach and engaging key sectors, Namibia is actively working to strengthen its health systems, improve surveillance, and ensure that it is prepared to respond to emerging health threats. The launch of the National Tripartite One Health Strategy 2024-2028 further underlines the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health, both within the country and in collaboration with regional and international partners.

    The UHC Partnership operates in over 125 countries, representing over 3 billion people. It is supported and funded by Belgium, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Japan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermex Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company delivers ~10% EPS growth in 2024

    Company to Host Conference Call Today at 9 a.m. ET

    MIAMI, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International Money Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMXI) (“Intermex” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s leading omnichannel money transfer services to Latin America and the Caribbean, today reported operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2024.

    Financial performance highlights for the full-year:

    • Revenues of $658.6 million
    • Net income of $58.8 million
    • Diluted EPS of $1.79 per share
    • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $2.14 per share
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $121.3 million

    Financial performance highlights for the fourth quarter of 2024:

    • Revenues of $164.8 million
    • Net income of $15.4 million
    • Diluted EPS of $0.49 per share
    • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.57 per share
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $30.9 million

    Bob Lisy, Chairman, President, and CEO of Intermex, stated “We have delivered another year of strong EPS growth and continued providing solid operating results for our shareholders. As a highly efficient provider of the premium product at retail, we are now turning our attention to invest and expand our high margin digital business. We continue to be a highly profitable operator, and a strong generator of cash. At this afternoon’s Investor Day, we look forward to sharing our 2025 plan which will scale our digital business while continuing to leverage the strength of the underlying retail model we have built.”

    The Company also reported that, consistent with the recommendation of its independent Strategic Alternatives Committee (“SAC”), the Board of Directors (“Board”) has unanimously determined to suspend the Company’s previously announced assessment of strategic alternatives.

    The Board conducted the review of strategic alternatives through the SAC, composed solely of independent members of the Board. The SAC, along with its independent financial advisor, Lazard Freres, the Company’s financial advisor, FT Partners, and the assistance of its independent legal counsel, evaluated a comprehensive range of strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value and held discussions with a wide array of strategic and financial investors since the process was announced in November of 2024 regarding potential alternatives, including a sale or merger of the Company and other transactions. The robust strategic review did not, however, result in a definitive offer at a price that offered a superior alternative to the long-term stockholder value potentially created by Intermex’s current business model and its strategic plan, which includes a significant investment to increase the revenue from the Company’s digital services.

    Accordingly, after considering views of Company stockholders, significant internal discussion and consultation with external financial and legal advisors, and the recommendation of the SAC, the Board concluded that the best interests of all stockholders are served by continuing to focus on the execution of the Company’s strategic plan, including opportunities to drive growth and enhance value as an independent public company.   As such, the Board has suspended the review process. The Intermex’s Board and management team are committed to maximizing stockholder value and remain open to all opportunities to achieve this objective.

    Mr. Lisy commented, “Since becoming a public company, we have built Intermex into one of the nation’s leading omnichannel money transfer services to Latin America and expanded our reach to additional markets while consistently generating strong and recurring bottom line results and free cash generated.   We are committed to building upon that foundation of success, which has been driven by our retail service offerings, by applying our cash resources and liquidity to invest in the expansion of our digital services and products that offer the potential for increased revenue and wider margins.   In addition, we have ample financial resources and flexibility to provide liquidity to our stockholders through share repurchases under our previously authorized share repurchase program.

    Our 2025 guidance reflects a large and aggressive investment on digital customer capture, along with additional staff and marketing to bolster our profitable, cash-generating retail engine. We will discuss how these – and the political and macro backdrop – impact our outlook at our Investor Day later this afternoon.”

    Financial Results for full-year 2024 (all comparisons are to the full-year 2023)
    Revenues remained relatively flat at $658.6 million, primarily due to slowing of the overall remittance market growth to Latin America, partially offset by our continued growth of our agent base and of our digital offering. Total principal sent from remittance activity decreased slightly by approximately 0.8% to $24.4 billion. Foreign exchange gains increased by 1.1% primarily due to improved foreign currency spreads.

    The Company reported net income of $58.8 million, a decrease of 1.2%. Diluted earnings per share were $1.79, an increase of 9.8%. The decrease in net income was driven primarily by the items noted above for revenues, partly offset by lower services charges from agents and banks. Lower salaries and benefits and income tax provision also positively impacted net income. The Company also incurred $1.8 million in transaction costs for the full year, primarily legal and professional fees incurred in relation to the evaluation of strategic alternatives. Diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchases.

    Adjusted net income totaled $70.4 million, a decrease of 0.8%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share totaled $2.14, an increase of 9.7%. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were impacted by the items noted above, adjusted for certain items detailed in the reconciliation tables below. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchases.

    Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.1% to $121.3 million, attributable to the higher net effect of the adjusting items detailed in the reconciliation tables below following the consolidated financial statements.

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results (all comparisons are to the Fourth Quarter 2023)
    Total revenues for the Company were $164.8 million, down 4.1% versus last year due to slowing of the overall remittance market growth to Latin America – especially in retail. Revenue was positively impacted by 48.3% growth in revenues for digitally-sent money transfers. The Company’s user base generated 14.8 million money transfer transactions, down 3.2% from last year. The total principal amount transferred for the period was $6.1 billion, down 1.6%.

    Net income was $15.4 million, a decrease of 12.1%. Diluted earnings per share was $0.49, the same as in the prior year. The decrease in net income was driven primarily by the items noted above for revenues, partly offset by the same items noted above for the full year. The Company also incurred $1.7 million in transaction costs in the fourth quarter alone, primarily legal and professional fees incurred in relation to the evaluation of strategic alternatives. Diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchases.

    Adjusted net income decreased 10.6% to $17.8 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.57, an increase of 1.8%. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were impacted by the items noted above, adjusted for certain items detailed in the reconciliation tables below. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchases.

    Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.2% to $30.9 million, driven primarily by business operating results discussed above.

    Adjusted and other non-GAAP measures discussed above and elsewhere in this press release are defined below under the heading, Non-GAAP Measures.

    Other Items
    The Company ended the fourth quarter of 2024 with $130.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. Net free cash generated for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $4.5 million, down from the fourth quarter of 2023, mainly due to the acquisition of the Amigo Paisano brands (“Amigo Paisano”) for $12.0 million and the $1.7 million in transaction costs incurred in the fourth quarter. The decrease in year-over-year net free cash generated reflects the fourth quarter factors mentioned above, the impact of assets placed into service as a result of the Company’s move to its new U.S. headquarters facility, and the impact of costs incurred in relation to business restructuring of the Company’s acquisitions.

    The Company repurchased 1,025,821 shares of its common stock for $20.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2024 through its share repurchase program and $63.2 million remains currently available for future share repurchases under the share repurchase program. During the full-year 2024, the Company purchased 3,765,320 shares for $75.1 million, which repurchases are expected to resume in the current quarter.

    In the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company incurred restructuring costs of approximately $3.1 million. The charges were primarily related to the Company’s foreign operations and constituted reorganizing the workforce, streamlining operational processes, and integrating technology.

    Guidance
    The Company provides the following full-year and first quarter guidance:

    Full-year 2025:

    • Revenue of $657.5 million to $677.5 million
    • Diluted EPS of $1.76 to $1.91
    • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $2.09 to $2.26
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $113.8 million to $117.3 million

    First quarter 2025:

    • Revenue of $145.5 million to $149.9 million
    • Diluted EPS of $0.32 to $0.34
    • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.40 to $0.43
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $23.3 million to $24.0 million

    The above guidance does not reflect an estimate of transaction costs related to the now suspended process to review strategic alternatives.

    Non-GAAP Measures
    Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Net Free Cash Generated, each a Non-GAAP financial measure, are the primary metrics used by management to evaluate the financial performance of our business. We present these Non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they are frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. Furthermore, we believe they are helpful in highlighting trends in our operating results, because certain of such measures exclude, among other things, the effects of certain transactions that are outside the control of management, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the jurisdictions in which we operate and capital investments.

    Adjusted Net Income is defined as Net Income adjusted to add back certain charges and expenses, such as non-cash amortization of intangible assets resulting from business acquisition transactions, non-cash compensation costs, and other items outlined in the reconciliation table below, as these charges and expenses are not considered a part of our core business operations and are not an indicator of ongoing future Company performance.

    Adjusted Earnings per Share – Basic and Diluted is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted).

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net Income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes, and adjusted to add back certain charges and expenses, such as non-cash compensation costs and other items outlined in the reconciliation table below, as these charges and expenses are not considered a part of our core business operations and are not an indicator of ongoing future Company performance.

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Revenues.

    Net Free Cash Generated is defined as Net Income before provision for credit losses and depreciation and amortization adjusted to add back certain non-cash charges and expenses, such as non-cash compensation costs, and reduced by cash used in investing activities and servicing of our debt obligations.

    Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Net Free Cash Generated are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, net income, net income margin or earnings per share, as a measure of operating performance or cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. Non-GAAP financial measures are not necessarily calculated the same way by different companies and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP.

    Reconciliations of Net Income, the Company’s closest GAAP measure, to Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, and Net Free Cash Generated, as well as a reconciliation of Earnings per Share (Basic and Diluted) to Adjusted Earnings per Share (Basic and Diluted) and Net Income Margin to Adjusted EBITDA Margin, are outlined in the tables below following the consolidated financial statements. A quantitative reconciliation of projected Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS to the most comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because of the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying the amounts necessary under GAAP guidance for operating or other adjusted items including, without limitation, costs and expenses related to acquisitions and other transactions, share-based compensation, tax effects of certain adjustments and losses related to legal contingencies or disposal of assets. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

    Investor and Analyst Conference Call / Presentation
    Intermex will host a conference call and webcast presentation at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. Interested parties are invited to join the discussion and gain firsthand knowledge about Intermex’s financial performance and operational achievements through the following channels:

    • A live broadcast of the conference call may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.
    • To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register HERE. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call.
    • Following the conference call, an archived webcast of the call will be available for one year on Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.

    Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, which reflect our current views concerning certain events that are not historical facts but could have an effect on our future performance, including but without limitation, statements regarding our plans, objectives, financial performance, business strategies, projected results of operations, restructuring initiatives and expectations for the Company. Such forward-looking statements include all statements regarding the Board’s evaluation of strategic alternatives, including exploring options for a potential sale in a private transaction. These statements may include and be identified by words or phrases such as, without limitation, “would,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “approximately,” “shall,” “our planning assumptions,” “future outlook,” “currently,” “target,” “guidance,” and similar expressions (including the negative and plural forms of such words and phrases). These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments, projections about our business and our industry, and macroeconomic conditions, and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, estimates, contingencies, and other factors, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity. Such factors include, among others: potential adverse effects on the Company’s stock price from the suspension of the Company’s strategic alternatives evaluation process; our success in expanding customer acceptance of our digital services and infrastructure, as well as developing, introducing and marketing new digital and other products and services; new technology or competitors that disrupt the current money transfer and payment ecosystem, including the introduction of new digital platforms; loss of, or reduction in business with, key sending agents; our ability to effectively compete in the markets in which we operate; economic factors such as inflation, the level of economic activity, recession risks and labor market conditions, as well as volatility in market interest rates; international political factors, including ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and the Middle East, political instability, tariffs, including the effects of tariffs on domestic markets and industrial activity and employment, border taxes or restrictions on remittances or transfers from the outbound countries in which we operate or plan to operate; volatility in foreign exchange rates that could affect the volume of consumer remittance activity and/or affect our foreign exchange related gains and losses; changes in applicable laws and regulations; changes in immigration laws and their enforcement, including its effects on the level of immigrant employment and earning potential; consumer confidence in our brands and in consumer money transfers generally; expansion into new geographic markets or product markets; our ability to successfully execute, manage, integrate and obtain the anticipated financial benefits of key acquisitions and mergers; the ability of our risk management and compliance policies, procedures and systems to mitigate risk related to transaction monitoring; consumer fraud and other risks relating to the authenticity of customers’ orders or the improper or illegal use of our services by consumers, sending agents or digital partners; cybersecurity-attacks or disruptions to our information technology, computer network systems, data centers and mobile devices applications; our ability to maintain favorable banking and paying agent relationships necessary to conduct our business; bank failures, sustained financial illiquidity, or illiquidity at the clearing, cash management or custodial financial institutions with which we do business; changes to banking industry regulation and practice; credit risks from our agents, digital partners and the financial institutions with which we do business; our ability to recruit and retain key personnel; our ability to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including those intended to prevent use of our money remittance services for criminal activity, those related to data and cybersecurity protection, and those related to new business initiatives; enforcement actions and private litigation under regulations applicable to money remittance services; changes in tax laws in the countries in which we operate; our ability to protect intellectual property rights; our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and remain in compliance with our credit facility requirements; public health conditions, responses thereto and the economic and market effects thereof; the use of third-party vendors and service providers; weakness in U.S. or international economic conditions; and other economic, business, and/or competitive factors, risks and uncertainties, including those described in the “Risk Factors” and other sections of periodic reports and other filings that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement is made and we undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements.

    About International Money Express, Inc.
    Founded in 1994, Intermex applies proprietary technology enabling consumers to send money from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany to more than 60 countries. The Company provides the digital movement of money through a network of agent retailers in the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany; Company-operated stores; our mobile apps; and the Company’s websites. Transactions are fulfilled and paid through thousands of retail and bank locations around the world. Intermex is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with international offices in Puebla, Mexico, Guatemala City, Guatemala, London, England, and Madrid, Spain. For more information about Intermex, please visit www.intermexonline.com.

    Alex Sadowski
    Investor Relations Coordinator
    ir@intermexusa.com
    tel. 305-671-8000

    Consolidated Balance Sheets
     
        December 31,   December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)   2024   2023
    ASSETS   (Unaudited)    
    Current assets:        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 130,503   $ 239,203
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,546 and $2,610, respectively     107,077     155,237
    Prepaid wires, net     49,205     28,366
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     10,998     10,068
    Total current assets     297,783     432,874
             
    Property and equipment, net     50,354     31,656
    Goodwill     55,195     53,986
    Intangible assets, net     26,847     18,143
    Other assets     32,198     40,153
    Total assets   $ 462,377   $ 576,812
             
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
    Current liabilities:        
    Current portion of long-term debt, net   $ —   $ 7,163
    Accounts payable     19,520     36,507
    Wire transfers and money orders payable, net     85,044     125,042
    Accrued and other liabilities     47,434     54,661
    Total current liabilities     151,998     223,373
             
    Long-term liabilities:        
    Debt, net     156,623     181,073
    Lease liabilities, net     18,582     22,670
    Deferred tax liability, net     250     659
    Total long-term liabilities     175,455     204,402
             
    Stockholders’ equity:        
    Total stockholders’ equity     134,924     149,037
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 462,377   $ 576,812
             
    Consolidated Statements of Income
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars, except for per share data) 2024   2023   2024   2023   2022
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)        
    Revenues:                  
    Wire transfer and money order fees, net $ 137,443   $ 145,185   $ 554,801   $ 561,540   $ 469,162
    Foreign exchange gain, net   21,843     23,669     88,944     87,908     72,920
    Other income   5,472     2,929     14,904     9,287     4,723
    Total revenues   164,758     171,783     658,649     658,735     546,805
                       
    Operating expenses:                  
    Service charges from agents and banks   106,317     110,882     428,968     430,865     364,804
    Salaries and benefits   16,010     18,606     68,247     70,203     52,224
    Other selling, general and administrative expenses   12,010     11,181     47,894     47,652     34,394
    Restructuring costs   322     69     3,060     1,214     —
    Transaction costs   1,733     33     1,819     445     3,005
    Depreciation and amortization   3,664     3,355     13,645     12,866     9,470
    Total operating expenses   140,056     144,126     563,633     563,245     463,897
                       
    Operating income   24,702     27,657     95,016     95,490     82,908
                       
    Interest expense   2,748     2,783     11,745     10,426     5,629
                       
    Income before income taxes   21,954     24,874     83,271     85,064     77,279
                       
    Income tax provision   6,569     7,375     24,450     25,549     19,948
                       
    Net income $ 15,385   $ 17,499   $ 58,821   $ 59,515   $ 57,331
                       
    Earnings per common share:                  
    Basic $ 0.50   $ 0.51   $ 1.81   $ 1.67   $ 1.52
    Diluted $ 0.49   $ 0.49   $ 1.79   $ 1.63   $ 1.48
                       
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding:                  
    Basic   30,998,252     34,638,245     32,430,755     35,604,582     37,733,047
    Diluted   31,406,360     35,426,435     32,850,497     36,429,714     38,625,390
                                 
    Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted Net Income
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars, except for per share data) 2024   2023   2024   2023   2022
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
                       
    Net income $ 15,385     $ 17,499     $ 58,821     $ 59,515     $ 57,331  
                       
    Adjusted for:                  
    Share-based compensation (a)   186       1,894       7,043       8,111       7,118  
    Restructuring costs (b)   322       69       3,060       1,214       —  
    Transaction costs (c)   1,733       34       1,819       445       3,005  
    Legal contingency settlement (d)   —       —       (570 )     —       —  
    Loss on bank closure (e)   —       —       —       —       1,583  
    Other charges and expenses (f)   308       294       1,239       1,850       1,141  
    Amortization of intangibles (g)   926       1,178       3,820       4,740       4,102  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments (h)   (1,047 )     (1,042 )     (4,820 )     (4,914 )     (4,376 )
    Adjusted net income $ 17,813     $ 19,926     $ 70,412     $ 70,961     $ 69,904  
                       
    Adjusted earnings per common share:                  
    Basic $ 0.57     $ 0.58     $ 2.17     $ 1.99     $ 1.85  
    Diluted $ 0.57     $ 0.56     $ 2.14     $ 1.95     $ 1.81  
                                           
    (a) Represents share-based compensation relating to equity awards granted primarily to employees and independent directors of the Company.
     
    (b) Represents primarily severance, write-off of assets and, legal and professional fees related to the execution of restructuring plans.
     
    (c) Represents primarily financial advisory, professional and legal fees related to business acquisition transactions and strategic alternatives.
     
    (d) Represents a gain contingency related to a legal settlement.
     
    (e) Represents losses related to the closure of a financial institution in Mexico during 2021.
     
    (f) Represents primarily loss on disposal of fixed assets.
     
    (g) Represents the amortization of intangible assets that resulted from business acquisition transactions.
     
    (h) Represents the current and deferred tax impact of the taxable adjustments to Net Income using the Company’s blended federal and state tax rate for each period. Relevant tax-deductible adjustments include all adjustments to Net Income.
     
    Reconciliation from GAAP Basic Earnings per Share to Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    GAAP Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.50     $ 0.51     $ 1.81     $ 1.67  
    Adjusted for:              
    Share-based compensation   0.01       0.05       0.22       0.23  
    Restructuring costs   0.01       —       0.09       0.03  
    Transaction costs   0.06       —       0.06       0.01  
    Legal contingency settlement   —       —       (0.02 )     —  
    Other charges and expenses   0.01       0.01       0.04       0.05  
    Amortization of intangibles   0.03       0.03       0.12       0.13  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments   (0.03 )     (0.03 )     (0.15 )     (0.14 )
    Non-GAAP Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share $ 0.57     $ 0.58     $ 2.17     $ 1.99  
     
    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding
     
    Reconciliation from GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.49     $ 0.49     $ 1.79     $ 1.63  
    Adjusted for:              
    Share-based compensation   0.01       0.05       0.21       0.22  
    Restructuring costs   0.01       —       0.09       0.03  
    Transaction costs   0.06       —       0.06       0.01  
    Legal contingency settlement   —       —       (0.02 )     —  
    Other charges and expenses   0.01       0.01       0.04       0.05  
    Amortization of intangibles   0.03       0.03       0.12       0.13  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments   (0.03 )     (0.03 )     (0.15 )     (0.13 )
    Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share $ 0.57     $ 0.56     $ 2.14     $ 1.95  
     
    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding
     
    Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars) 2024   2023   2024   2023   2022
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Net income $ 15,385   $ 17,499   $ 58,821     $ 59,515   $ 57,331
                       
    Adjusted for:                  
    Interest expense   2,748     2,783     11,745       10,426     5,629
    Income tax provision   6,568     7,375     24,450       25,549     19,948
    Depreciation and amortization   3,664     3,355     13,645       12,866     9,470
    EBITDA   28,365     31,012     108,661       108,356     92,378
    Share-based compensation (a)   186     1,894     7,043       8,111     7,118
    Restructuring costs (b)   322     69     3,060       1,214     —
    Transaction costs (c)   1,733     34     1,819       445     3,005
    Legal contingency settlement (d)   —     —     (570 )     —     —
    Loss on bank closure (e)   —     —     —       —     1,583
    Other charges and expenses (f)   308     294     1,239       1,850     1,141
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 30,914   $ 33,303   $ 121,252     $ 119,976   $ 105,225
     
    (a) Represents share-based compensation relating to equity awards granted primarily to employees and independent directors of the Company.
     
    (b) Represents primarily severance, write-off of assets, and legal and professional fees related to the execution of restructuring plans.
     
    (c) Represents primarily financial advisory, professional and legal fees related to business acquisition transactions and strategic alternatives.
     
    (d) Represents a gain contingency related to a legal settlement.
     
    (e) Represents losses related to the closure of a financial institution in Mexico during 2021.
     
    (f) Represents primarily loss on disposal of fixed assets.
     
    Reconciliation from Net Income Margin to Adjusted EBITDA Margin
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
      2024   2023   2024   2023
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
    Net Income Margin 9.3 %   10.2 %   8.9 %   9.0 %
    Adjusted for:              
    Interest expense 1.7 %   1.6 %   1.8 %   1.6 %
    Income tax provision 4.0 %   4.3 %   3.7 %   3.9 %
    Depreciation and amortization 2.2 %   2.0 %   2.1 %   2.0 %
    EBITDA Margin 17.2 %   18.1 %   16.5 %   16.4 %
    Share-based compensation 0.1 %   1.1 %   1.1 %   1.2 %
    Restructuring costs 0.2 %   — %   0.5 %   0.2 %
    Transaction costs 1.1 %   — %   0.3 %   0.1 %
    Legal contingency settlement — %   — %   (0.1 )%   — %
    Other charges and expenses 0.2 %   0.2 %   0.2 %   0.3 %
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin 18.8 %   19.4 %   18.4 %   18.2 %
     
    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding
     
    Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Free Cash Generated
     
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars) 2024   2023   2024   2023   2022
      (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
                       
    Net income for the period $ 15,385     $ 17,499     $ 58,821     $ 59,515     $ 57,331  
                       
    Depreciation and amortization   3,664       3,355       13,645       12,866       9,470  
    Share-based compensation   186       1,894       7,043       8,111       7,118  
    Provision for credit losses   1,375       1,227       6,411       4,997       2,572  
    Cash used in investing activities   (16,087 )     (5,092 )     (43,946 )     (18,280 )     (12,529 )
    Term loan pay-downs   —       (1,641 )     (3,281 )     (5,469 )     (4,375 )
                       
    Net free cash generated during the period $ 4,523     $ 17,242     $ 38,693     $ 61,740     $ 59,587  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Scotland: Amnesty warns Scottish government to review human rights checks on arms sales

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Grants to arms companies seemingly waived through on a regular basis

    FOI requests reveal that over £3.5 million in grants have been awarded to major arms companies since January 2023

    ‘When Scottish public money has been awarded to arms companies involved in the manufacture of F-35 jets used as part of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, looking the other way can is no longer an option’ – Neil Cowan

    Amnesty International has today warned MSPs that the Scottish Government is not taking seriously its concerns about public funding for arms companies.

    The organisation said Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes failed to adequately address Amnesty’s concerns about awarding public money to arms companies linked to states accused of serious human rights violations – and told MSPs to demand ministers acknowledge their international obligations.

    The warning comes ahead of a Scottish Parliament debate today (Wednesday 26 February) on ending all Scottish Government support for arms companies involved in the sale of arms to Israel, led by the Scottish Greens.

    Recent freedom of information (FOI) requests submitted to the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise by Amnesty revealed that over £3.5 million in grants have been awarded to major arms companies, including ones linked to Israel and Saudi Arabia, since January 2023. The FOI responses also confirmed no company has ever failed Scottish Enterprise’s human rights checks.

    Following the FOI disclosures, Amnesty wrote to Kate Forbes on 11 November 2024. In the letter, Amnesty Scotland expressed concern that Scotland may be failing to meet its international obligations and called on Forbes to launch an urgent review of Scottish Enterprise’s human rights checks and of Scottish Enterprise’s funding for arms companies. After receiving a response to that letter on 23 February, Amnesty have described it as “not good enough” with ever growing concern that the issue is not being taken seriously by the Scottish Government. In the letter, Forbes failed to respond directly to questions around the monitoring and impact of the grants and instead placed responsibility on Scottish Enterprise.

    Neil Cowan, Scotland Director at Amnesty International UK, said:

    “The Deputy First Minister’s response to our letter is not good enough. It underlines our deep concern that the Scottish Government is not taking seriously its potential indirect complicity in international humanitarian law violations or crimes against humanity, including genocide.

    “We have repeatedly stated our view that, with grants to arms companies seemingly waived through on a regular basis, the credibility and robustness of Scottish Enterprise’s human rights checks are seriously undermined.

    “When Scottish public money has been awarded to arms companies involved in the manufacture of F-35 jets used as part of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, looking the other way can is no longer an option.

    “MSPs should use today’s Scottish Parliament debate to demand the Scottish Government acknowledges its international obligations in relation to funding for arms companies and takes urgent steps to ensuring those obligations are being met.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TUV welcome joint venture between the IFA Galgorm Resort

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    TUV MP Jim Allister and MLA Timothy Gaston have today tabled parallel motions in the House of Commons and the Assembly welcoming the joint venture between the IFA and Galgorm Resort.

    The Assembly version of the motion tabled by Mr Gaston reads:

    “That this Assembly welcomes the joint venture between the Irish Football Association and Galgorm Resort, whereby a state of the art training facility will be provided for the Northern Ireland Football Teams, at Galgorm Co Antrim; notes that this project will fill a long existing void in national football provision and preparation, as well as affording community use and involvement; commends the commitment, foresight and dedication of all involved in promoting this project; and encourages the Executive to play its part in bringing the proposal to fruition.”

    Commenting on the venture TUV leader Jim Allister said:

    “The news of a national training centre for the Northern Ireland Football Teams, men and women, is both exciting and very welcome. The fact it is coming to Galgorm, here in North Antrim, is the icing on the cake.

    “This project will fill a long existing void in national football provision and preparation, as well as affording community use and involvement. The commitment, foresight and dedication of all involved in promoting this project is commended and Government is encouraged to play its part in bringing the proposal to fruition.

    “The fact that our national team had no where suitable to train within Northern Ireland has long been a substantial drawback. Now, allied to the premier hotel at Galgorm Resort, this state of the art provision will be a facility of which all can be proud.

    “When I was briefed on this project a few weeks ago, I was naturally delighted it was coming to North Antrim. I am disappointed I cannot be at the official launch today, but it clashes with NI Questions at Westminster.

    “I have already spoken to the Secretary of State about the need for the government to get behind this wonderful opportunity.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrests illegal Jamaican national charged with assault, battery in Massachusetts

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Jamaican alien charged in Massachusetts with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a family member when officers arrested Jahmari Taffari Westcarth, 26, in Boston Jan. 25.

    “Jahmari Taffari Westcarth stands accused of assaulting and victimizing a family member in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He represents a significant threat to the residents of our community,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We simply refuse to tolerate such dangers to the law-abiding residents of our New England neighborhoods. ICE Boston stands firm in our commitment to prioritizing public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our neighborhoods.”

    The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Westcarth after he illegally entered the United States near San Ysidro, California, Dec. 30, 2022, and served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge.

    The Dorchester District Court arraigned Westcarth Jan. 8 for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a family member.

    ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Westcarth with later that day with the Dorchester District Court but the court refused to honor the immigration detainer and released Westcarth from custody.

    Westcarth remains in ICE custody following his arrest.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X: @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Change of British High Commissioner to Australia: Dame Sarah MacIntosh

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Change of British High Commissioner to Australia: Dame Sarah MacIntosh

    Dame Sarah MacIntosh DCMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to Australia in succession to Mrs Victoria Treadell CMG, MVO.

    Sarah MacIntosh

    Dame Sarah MacIntosh DCMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to Australia in succession to Mrs Victoria Treadell CMG, MVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Dame Sarah will take up her appointment during April 2025.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Dame Sarah MacIntosh DCMG

    Year Role
    2022 to 2024 Prime Minister’s Adviser on International Affairs and Deputy National Security Adviser
    2017 to 2022 NATO, Brussels, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
    2014 to 2016 FCO, Director General, Defence & Intelligence
    2011 TO 2014 FCO, Director, Defence & International Security
    2009 to 2010 FCO, Director, Strategic Finance
    2008 to 2009 Harvard University, Fellow
    2006 to 2008 Freetown, British High Commissioner, and Her Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to Liberia
    2004 to 2005 UN Mission in Kosovo, Strategy Coordinator
    2003 to 2004 FCO, Deputy Head, Conflict Group
    2002 to 2003 FCO, United Nations Dept, Deputy Head
    2000 to 2002 New York, UK Mission to the UN, Development, Macroeconomics and Health
    1997 to 2000 FCO, Strategic Planning
    1996 to 1997 Madrid, EU and Economic Affairs
    1994 to 1995 Vienna, UK Mission to the UN, Nuclear and Drugs
    1991 to 1993 FCO, UN Peacekeeping

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A House Like Mine: Council launches new resource for homeowners and landlords to improve energy efficiency of homes

    Source: City of Oxford

    A new resource has launched this week for homeowners and landlords who want to learn how to improve the energy efficiency of their home.  

    The ‘A House Like Mine’ project, is a new partnership between Oxford City Council, Low Carbon Hub, and Cosy Homes Oxfordshire that aims to showcase how home-owners and landlords can improve the energy efficiency of their home – helping to make it warmer, healthier, cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly – whatever their budget.  

    The project features 12 real-life homes from across Oxford which received a Whole House Plan detailing the steps they could take to improve the energy performance of their homes. The case studies includes how homeowners could prioritise work on their homes and the potential impact on their energy performance rating. 

    About the case studies 

    The 12 case studies feature eight homeowners and four landlords across a range of property types – from Victorian terraces to modern flats – which aim to show the different ways that people could improve the energy efficiency of their homes: 

    The guide covers a range of different property types, including:  

    1. Pre-1900s mid-terrace, Kingston Road, Oxford
    2. 1950s semi-detached, Marston, Oxford
    3. 1900s detached, Botley, Oxford
    4. 1950s steel-framed ‘Howard House’, Rose Hill, Oxford
    5. 1920s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford
    6. 1930s semi-detached, Rose Hill, Oxford
    7. 1940s semi-detached, St. Clements, Oxford
    8. Pre-1900s mid-terrace, Osney Island, Oxford
    9. Pre-1900s end-terrace, Jericho, Oxford  
    10. 1950s end-terrace, Blackbird Leys, Oxford
    11. 1900s mid-terrace, Littlemore, Oxford 
    12. 1990s top-floor flat, Temple Cowley, Oxford  

    How to use the resources 

    The case studies take a ‘fabric first’ approach, prioritising improvements to the house to reduce heat loss. This means starting with upgrades like insulation – whether that’s cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, or internal wall insulation – to create a solid foundation for further improvements. 

    The project emphasises that homeowners are not required to install all the measures at once. Instead, they are encouraged to take a step-by-step approach – starting with smaller measures or room by room. 

    A House Like Mine was funded by the MCS Foundation, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, and Lucy Group, and delivered with support from the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership (ZCOP).  

    Housing emissions in Oxford 

    The Zero Carbon Oxford Roadmap found around 60% of Oxford’s carbon emissions come from buildings, with residential buildings accounting for 29% of total emissions. 

    Oxford has the goal of becoming a net zero carbon city by 2040 and decarbonising buildings is key to this.  

    Comment 

    “A House Like Mine aims to help everyone in Oxford get access to the information and support they need to live in a healthy and energy efficient home. This project highlights how many ways there are to make your home more energy efficient, whatever your house type, personal circumstance, or budget.” 

    Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council

    “A House Like Mine is centred around encouraging people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. By creating case studies with real people and real houses, we are showing what energy improvements could be possible in a range of house types across Oxford. We want people to see these stories, recognise ‘a house like mine’ and be inspired to act.” 

    Barbara Hammond, CEO, Low Carbon Hub

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BP renewables cuts will have devastating impact on people and planet

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Feb 2025 Climate

    BP is damaging our climate and communities.

    More in Climate

    Fossil fuel giant BP’s reported decision to slash renewables investment and double down on fossil fuels shows that the industry cannot be trusted to self-regulate and that governments need to act now for our planet, say the Scottish Greens.

    The party’s Co-Leader Lorna Slater has slammed the oil giant, calling for a stronger windfall tax without the perverse incentives that encourage domestic drilling.

    Ms Slater said:

    “After years of greenwashing and spin, it seems that BP has stopped even pretending to care about our climate.

    “This is a conscious act of climate vandalism and environmental negligence that can only have a devastating impact on people and planet.

    “Companies like BP have spent years raking in obscene profits at the expense of the world around us while making false promises that they would use it to diversify away from fossil fuels. Some of us will remember their cynical Beyond Petroleum campaign.

    “The reality is that the climate emergency is only getting worse, and some of the worst polluters are doing even less to stop it.

    “Time and again the oil and gas industry has shown that it simply cannot be trusted to make the transition to green energy without robust regulations in place to force them to do so.”

    Ms Slater added:

    “Our best defence against global oil and gas prices is to make the investment that is needed in clean, green renewable energy so that we can have proper energy security while lowering bills.

    “It is time for Labour to live up to its rhetoric on renewable energy and make the kind of bold investment programme that is needed to realise our renewables potential.

    “It must finally close the loopholes in the windfall tax and ensure that these climate wreckers are paying their fair share so that we can fund the transition to a greener future.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CCC report must sound alarm bells for Labour Government

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Feb 2025 Climate

    Labour must work for people and planet.

    More in Climate

    The UK’s independent climate change advisor, known as the Climate Change Committee (CCC), has published their Seventh Carbon Budget. The report lays out how the UK Government must take urgent action to meet their legal carbon reduction targets.

    Scottish Greens Co-Leader Patrick Harvie said:

    “Tackling the climate crisis is the greatest national priority that all governments must be working towards. But for too long, we’ve seen successive Prime Ministers fail to turn their warm words on climate into real action.

    “Inaction has cost us already. 2024 was the warmest year on record, and we’ve seen natural disasters around the world and in the UK at an increasing rate. For the UK government to consider approving new oil and gas drilling or expanding airports would be simply climate vandalism.

    “The advice sets out the huge benefits which will come from climate action, greatly cutting the cost of living for households, and that these benefits can be won at lower cost than previous estimates – a fraction of what Keir Starmer committed to military spending yesterday.

    “The CCC is clear that these benefits will only come if action is taken now to reduce carbon emissions in all sectors, including heat, agriculture and especially in transport, which remains one of the biggest polluters in the UK. 

    “Rail travel in the UK is amongst the most expensive in Europe, and our infrastructure is still damaged from the brutal Beeching cuts in the 60s. It doesn’t have to be like this.

    “With real investment in public transport, we can make it cheaper and accessible to all whilst protecting out planet. With new rail routes, reliable buses and integrated ticketing, we could end the reliance on private cars. This investment in public transport infrastructure would benefit us for decades to come.

    “The SNP must also take heed. Specific advice for the Scottish Government will come next, but it’s already clear that their energy strategy, their Heat in Buildings Bill, and their plan for cutting road traffic are all missing in action.

    “It’s time for both Labour and the SNP to stand up and take real action to tackle the climate crisis, stop new oil and gas, reject absurd proposals for airport expansions and invest in our future.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How the council is still helping residents with cost of living

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The council has invested £15 million helping residents over the last few years with the cost of living using the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF). Another £5.2 million has been allocated by the Government for twelve months from April.

    Latest data shows over the last 6 months, since the current Government extended the HSF funding from October to end of March, just over £300,000 has been used to help residents specifically with food. This is way ahead of the next largest amount distributed on day to day essentials for households, such as bedding and furniture, of just over £200,000.

    Essentials linked to energy and water came next at around £60,000 of funding allocated.

    Households with children were overwhelmingly the largest group who accessed cost of living support with nearly 3 quarters of a million households helped in that category.

    Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins said:

    ‘We’re as committed as ever to helping our residents cope with the cost of living, which is still stretching household budgets to the limit.

    ‘Please come and talk to us if you need help. I don’t want anyone to be in dire straits and struggling in silence. We have experts on hand who can work with you to find the best solutions whatever the situation. Just talk to us.’

    There is now a Food Alliance in the city where the council is working with a wide range of partners to help people access good food at affordable prices. The community shop network is also continuing to grow with new stores opening soon.

    There’s also the council’s Pocket to Plate initiative – sign up now to get the latest weekly recipes from Wolverhampton’s own tiktok sensation Mitch Lane and community chefs Prince and Simon. Just follow @pockettoplate on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

    And another new project City Homemakers is coming soon, which will help people make small improvements to their homes without spending a fortune.

    It will encompass a number of ways residents can prevent waste, re-use, recycle and improve their homes even during these difficult financial times.

    Residents can find out more about all support available for cost of living on our dedicated webpages.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trading Standards take action on illegal cigarettes

    Source: Scotland – Highland Council

    After receiving numerous complaints from businesses and the public, Highland Council Trading Standards has seized a significant quantity of illicit tobacco products from a retailer in the Highlands. This operation underlines the Council’s commitment to protecting consumers and supporting legitimate businesses.

    During a targeted inspection of several businesses, Trading Standards officers uncovered a substantial store of illicit tobacco products, including counterfeit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. Some of the seized goods are pictured alongside Boo, the tobacco sniffer dog who assisted officers to find the concealed material.

    Trading Standards Manager, David MacKenzie commented, “This seizure highlights the persistent efforts of our Trading Standards team to combat the illegal tobacco trade. These products not only evade taxes but also pose serious health risks to Highland residents. We will continue to take robust action against those involved in such criminal activities.”

    It is a criminal offence under the Trade Marks Act to sell or have in your possession illicit goods which can result in a fine of up to £5000.

    Mr MacKenzie continued: “The sale of illicit tobacco undermines public health and safety, as these products often fail to meet regulatory standards.  Additionally, the illegal trade deprives the government of essential tax revenue, impacting public services and the wider community and reputable local businesses are adversely affected by the unfair competition”.

    Trading Standards works with HMRC under Operation CeCe to report illicit tobacco which fails to have the presence of unique identifiers as detailed in the Tobacco Products (Traceability and Security Features) Regulations 2019.  Where a tobacco product is found not to comply, this allows Trading Standards to refer this evidence to HMRC to consider applying a civil penalty called a sanction. For a first offence the maximum sanction is £10,000. See here for more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stronger-powers-to-combat-illicit-tobacco-come-into-force

    Highland Council Trading Standards urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco. Information can be provided anonymously through the Trading Standards webpage – Report Counterfeit Goods https://self.highland.gov.uk/service/Report_counterfeit_goods

    Consumers can also report concerns and receive advice from Trading Standards partner agency Advice Direct Scotland on telephone 0808 164 6000 or at www.consumeradvice.scot

    Highland businesses can contact Trading Standards with specific queries on trading.standards@highland.gov.uk

    End of Release

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Green Party demands ambitious action in wake of Climate Change Committee report

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    As the Climate Change Committee publishes its 7th carbon budget [1], the co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay MP, has demanded the Government ensure ambitious climate action isn’t delayed any further – and for polluters to pay the highest price, not the poorest in our communities. 

    Adrian Ramsay MP said: “Today’s advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) makes clear that a climate safe future is still within our grasp – and that the cost of not reducing climate emissions will be far higher for our economy than the cost of investment in net zero. Crucially, we need to see the Government make investment choices that result in households benefiting financially from climate action too – both by ensuring everyone can access renewables and energy efficiency and because they are paying lower bills. The public are clear that they want to see the worst climate polluters pay, and we need to make sure that the costs of climate action never fall on those least able to afford it.

    “A thriving green economy is also vital if we are to prevent climate deniers, like Reform, from weaponising the mass destruction of climate chaos. Instead, we must help the most vulnerable and build resilience in communities to adapt to climate breakdown.”

    He continued: “Without an immediate acceleration of climate ambition, our economy, national security and environment are all at serious risk. That’s why we are disappointed not to see the CCC go even further on measures to reduce energy demand. In the face of impending airport expansion decisions by this Labour government, more ambitious policy is urgently needed to keep the aviation sector in check. Their advice shows strong public support for limiting airport expansion and introducing a frequent flier levy where the small percentage of the population who take the vast majority of the flights have to pay more .

     “The CCC have shown that a positive, fairer, jobs-rich, greener future is possible, and they have set a clear pathway for the Government to follow. Now, we need the Government to step up, stop the vested interests who are intent on delaying, and show the ambition and leadership this moment demands.”

    Notes

    1. The Seventh Carbon Budget – Climate Change Committe

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Using AI and drone technology to protect seals in Norfolk

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Using AI and drone technology to protect seals in Norfolk

    The survey results of a Natural England two-year pilot project to monitor seal populations are in.

    AI analysis of drone images. Credits: Natural England

    The two-year project has used drone technology combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor seal populations and their pups off the coast of Norfolk.

    In December 2024, a team of specialists from Natural England launched a drone over the beach at Winterton-on-Sea in Norfolk. Instance segmentation (a type of AI), was then used to automatically detect individual seals from the drone imagery and distinguish between adult seals and whitecoat pups, even when grouped closely together.

    The survey identified over 8,500 seals along an 8 kilometre stretch of shoreline, in comparison to a volunteer-led ground count which recorded more than 6,200 seals. 

    Traditionally, seal population monitoring relied on manual ground observations and aerial surveys, which posed a challenge in terms of collecting accurate data, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Now, drones equipped with high-resolution cameras can capture imagery from 110 meters above, minimising disturbance to the seals.

    Gabriella Fasoli, Earth Observation Higher Data Scientist at Natural England, said: “The AI model detected over 8,500 seals while the volunteers on the ground counted 6,200. This difference is likely due to the drone’s aerial perspective, which provides a unique viewpoint from above, allowing for a more accurate count by detecting seals that may be hidden or less visible from the ground.”

    Although these new monitoring methods have the potential to enhance the accuracy of our population assessments for the UK’s seals, volunteers on the ground will remain crucial to documenting and protecting them.

    Emma Milner, Senior Marine Mammal Specialist at Natural England, said: “This project has shown that drones and the use of AI technology can be a cost and time efficient alternative method of monitoring seal populations.

    “This cutting-edge technology will help contribute to a comprehensive national picture of seal populations, allowing us to better understand population changes over time and to assess the impact of human activity on these crucial habitats, enabling better conservation efforts. 

    “It is our hope that in the future, the methods from this two-year pilot project can be developed to allow drone surveys at other important sites around the country, and for other species as well as grey seals.”

    The UK is a crucial breeding ground for grey seals, hosting 35% of the global population. Despite their recovery from a worldwide total of 500 seals in the early 20th century to over 160,000 today, ongoing monitoring remains essential to their protection.

    Natural England has special permission to fly drones for the purpose of this scientific survey and followed the appropriate best practice guidelines to minimise disturbance to the seals. Members of the public should not fly drones over seal colonies without the appropriate permissions.

    New technology is unlocking possibilities at Natural England and helping inform nature-based solutions. Whether it’s managing flood risk, improving farming practices, or monitoring wildlife, these innovations are showing how modern tools can work in harmony with, not against, nature. 

    For more information, please contact:

    • Natural England & Environment Agency – East Anglia press office: Communications_East@environment-agency.gov.uk

    • Follow us on Twitter: @NENorfolkSufflk

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to disease outbreak of unknown cause in the DRC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment to an unknown disease breakout in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

    Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia (UEA), said:

    “This is another cluster of fatalities in one of the poorer African countries. These are not rare. We saw another such cluster in DRC last November/December time. That last one turned out to be malaria and the was likely more severe as a result of increased malnutrition.

    “So far I am not aware of much information about the current problem other than it is in the northwest of the country there are apparently two separate clusters in the area.  The earlier cluster was reported in 21 January 2025 and is centred on Boloko Village in Bolomba Health District. The more recent cluster is in Bomate Village in Basankusu Health Zone and this was reported on the 9th February. No link is known between these two clusters. So far test results are negative foe Ebola and Marburg.

    “The only other bit of information is that in the earlier cluster some of the children who died had apparently consumed bat carcasses. But the relevance of that is not yet known.

    “What is causing these two clusters is not yet known or indeed whether the same thing is responsible for both. It is certainly possible that we have a similar issue to last autumn with malaria and malnutrition. But we need to wait the results of ongoing investigations to know the cause.”

    Declared interests

    Prof Paul Hunter “None”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to new research that found a bat-infecting coronavirus that can enter human cells similarly to COVID-19

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New research published in Cell found a bat-infecting coronavirus can enter human cells in a similar way to COVID-19. 

    Dr Samuel Ellis, Research Fellow, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (GOS ICH), University College London (UCL), said:

    “Virologists have been studying coronaviruses in bats and mammals for a long time, with the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrating the significant risks if such viruses evolve the ability to infect humans. This latest study has identified a new member of the coronavirus family that is able to infect some cells by targeting the human ACE2 receptor, similar to SARS-CoV-2. This similarity means it should be further studied as part of surveillance for future threats, but the researchers do highlight that this virus is currently suboptimal for human adaptation and not to exaggerate any immediate risk. Furthermore, this research only showed infection of cells in the lab not animals or humans, and promisingly they found that antibody and antiviral drug therapies developed for COVID-19 could also be effective against this new virus. This sort of study is an example of the important work scientists are performing around the world to identify risks early and develop countermeasures to try and prevent future viral pandemic threats.”

     

    Prof Simon Clarke, Associate Professor in Cellular Microbiology, University of Reading, said:

    “The finding of another bat coronavirus that gains entry human and animal cells by unlocking them in the same way as Covid-19 is naturally of concern and will worry people, but it shouldn’t be all that surprising.  This way of accessing cells is probably far more common than we realise, and the more scientists look for these things, the more examples they’re likely to find.  Many viral infections in humans are of animal origin, so it’s important that we keep improving our understanding of possible future threats.

    “We shouldn’t get too hung up on what is just one part of the way the virus interacts with our bodies; things are much more complicated.  This coronavirus is more closely related to the one that caused MERS which was never able to spread as quickly and efficiently as SARS or Covid-19 and so far, there’s no indication that this one would be any different.”

     

    Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia, said:

    “There are very many different coronaviruses infecting bats worldwide, probably over 3,000 [1] All of these have the potential to develop into a human pathogen.

    “But that does not mean they will cause significant health problems in human populations. I really doubt that covid will be the last pandemic due to an emergent coronavirus from bats. But whether that in in 10, 20, 50 or 100 years from now I would not like to guess.

    “For a bat coronavirus to cause a pandemic in humans there needs to be a number of events.  

    “1, The virus has to infected at least one human either directly from a bat or more likely indirectly through another intermediate mammal like the civet cat in the 2005 SARS pandemic, camels with MERS, or possibly pangolins with covid. The involvement of an intermediate animal probably increases the amount of virus compared to what would be found in bats.

    “2, The virus has to then spread to other people, more likely in crowded cities then in remote rural communities

    “3, The virus needs to evolve to be more transmissible in humans. I suspect most animal to human transmission events do not spread to more than the occasional further cases. But if the virus evolves to be more infectious then we can have a problem.

    “So, is HKU5-CoV-2 something we need to worry about? Not specifically. But we do need to remain vigilant about all coronaviruses. At some point a coronavirus will trigger another pandemic, maybe not in the next few decades. When that does happen will it be  HKU5-CoV-2? Again probably not but it may be.”

    1. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/bats-are-major-reservoir-coronaviruses-worldwide.

     

    Dr Efstathious Giotis, Lecturer in Molecular Virology, University of Essex, said:

    “Scientists have identified a new bat coronavirus, HKU5-CoV-2, in China that can bind to human ACE2 receptors, the same entry point used by SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19. HKU5-CoV-2 belongs to a different group of coronaviruses than SARS-CoV-2 called merbecoviruses, which include the MERS virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). Until now, merbecoviruses were not known to use ACE2 as a receptor, making this discovery scientifically significant.

    Can it cause an epidemic?

    “There is no evidence that HKU5-CoV-2 can cause an epidemic in humans. While it can bind to human ACE2 receptors, its ability to do so appears weaker than SARS-CoV-2, making infection less likely. There are no known human cases, and no proof of human-to-human transmission.”

    Shall we be concerned?

    “There is no cause for concern at this stage. The study was conducted in laboratory conditions,  and there is no evidence that HKU5-CoV-2 is circulating in humans or if it’s able to spread among humans. Its ability to bind to ACE2 appears weaker than SARS-CoV-2, making human infection less likely. Therefore, HKU5-CoV-2 is not an immediate threat, but its ability to use ACE2 means it should be closely monitored.”

      

    Dr Gary R McLean, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, said:

    “The study in Cell is from virology groups in China that study bat coronaviruses that have potential for the jump into humans. They are based in Wuhan and Guangzhou, where previous coronavirus spillovers to human have occurred. Interestingly this newly discovered virus lineage (HKU5-CoV-2), despite evolving in bats, can effectively use human entry receptor protein ACE2 for infection of human cells and tissues. However, these are biochemical studies that show the potential for this new bat virus to infect humans cells and there is no evidence for this occurring in nature. Thus there is the potential for this new virus to spillover to human like previous coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2. Hopefully the Chinese authorities now have good surveillance systems in place and the laboratories work to rigid safety standards that minimise the risk of spillover occurring. This paper does suggest that bat coronaviruses can evolve to use human entry receptors for infection, sidestepping the traditional route of amplification via an intermediate species – yet to be unequivocally found for SARS-CoV-2.”

     

    ‘Bat-infecting merbecovirus HKU5-CoV lineage 2 can use human ACE2 as a cell entry receptor’ by Chen et al. was published in Cell on Tuesday 18th February.

     

    DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.042

     

     

    Declared interests

    Dr Samuel Ellis “I have no direct COIs to declare on this news/study, but have been involved in some previous COVID-19 trials of antiviral drugs, such as PANORAMIC (NIHR).”

    Dr Gary R McLean None

    Prof Paul Hunter None

    Dr Efstathious Giotis None

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Review of Article 4 Direction and Planning Approach to Houses in Multiple Occupancy

    Source: City of Preston

    Stakeholders and the public are asked to feedback their views on a proposed new planning policy in the local plan and a new Article 4 Direction, which will introduce a more restrictive approach to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) within certain locations of the city.

    The Article 4 Direction HMO area is proposed to provide greater planning control over the number of new HMOs.

    In a recent review, the Council found over 900 HMOs operating across the city. This high number of HMOs within Preston’s urban area is negatively impacting on the amenity and quality of life of residents, including on-street parking, cleanliness of streets and anti-social behaviour.

    The new proposed policy approach will give Preston City Council the power to say no and have more control of proposed HMOs in the area.

    The Article 4 Direction will cover Preston’s main urban area, north of the River Ribble, east of the A582 (Edith Rigby Way), south of the M55 motorway, and west of the M6 motorway.

    Councillor Amber Afzal, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation, said:

    “There is evidence that there are too many HMOs in the city, more than are necessary to meet local needs. This has an impact on residents’ quality of life and reduces the supply of much-needed family accommodation.

    “The Council are therefore consulting on introducing additional controls to limit the number of new HMOs through the planning process and we encourage the public to come along to our consultations to feedback on our proposed approach.”

    Consultations events will run throughout the next seven weeks, alongside the Central Lancashire Local Plan, giving stakeholders and the public the opportunity to feedback on the HMO review and the Central Lancashire Local Plan.

    Face-to-face events in Preston

    • Wednesday 26 February, Preston Markets, 11am to 2pm
    • Wednesday 5 March, UCLan Cottam Campus, 3pm to 6om
    • Thursday 6 March, Grimsargh Village Hall, 3.30pm to 6.30pm
    • Thursday 13 March, Preston Town Hall, 3pm to 7pm
    • Thursday 20 March, Fulwood Methodist Church, 3pm to 7pm  

    You can provide feedback online by completing our consultation form

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Enforcement cameras brought in to combat illegal parking in South Manchester

    Source: City of Manchester

    Portable enforcement cameras are being brought in to combat inconsiderate motorists who park illegally in cycle lanes.

    The Chorlton to Manchester Cycleway is one of the Council’s flagship cycling schemes. Providing a segregated cycling experience from a district centre to the heart of Manchester has been a key example of the Council’s commitment to providing people additional ways of travelling.

    Unfortunately since the scheme’s completion it has been noted that a small minority of motorists have chosen to park across the cycle lane, blocking its intended purpose.

    Not only is this illegal, but it is dangerous as it forces cyclists into the road to get around. For anyone in a wheelchair, with mobility issues or a pram this is especially hazardous, and something we want to avoid wherever possible.

    In response to concerns raised by residents this is why from March 3, enforcement cameras will be in operation around the cycle route to monitor and penalise anyone caught breaking the law. This will be on top of the usual enforcement officers which patrol on foot.

    Motorists who are caught parking in a cycle lane may be liable to pay a £70 penalty charge notice (PCN).

    A driver issued with a PCN who believes it was incorrectly issued has the right to appeal the charge via the Council’s website.

    Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport said: “After the completion of any major scheme we listen to feedback around how it’s working, and sadly people have reported frequent problems with vehicles being parked in the cycle lanes.

    “These lanes are intended to be a quick and safe way for people wanting to cycle to and from the city centre. However, if people are confronted with cars and vans parked on the lanes, they are rendered totally useless.

    “It’s not only inconsiderate to those trying to use them, but incredibly dangerous forcing people into the main road to go around an obstacle. Hopefully this period of additional enforcement will encourage people to think twice before parking illegally and plan their journeys ahead.

    “In Manchester we are working to improve opportunities to walk and cycle and over time we hope to encourage a ‘people first’ mindset, rather than vehicles. Ultimately and most importantly we want Manchester to be clean, safe and attractive for everyone.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cuts to frontline services avoided after city’s share of council tax agreed

    Source: City of Norwich

    The final part of the city council’s budget for next year was agreed last night (25 February) after council tax levels were set.

    The 2.99 per cent increase in the city council’s share of council tax (a total of £306.11 for a Band D property per annum) means the £400,000 additional income has helped the council to avoid making cuts to essential frontline services.

    The council’s wider budget plans also revealed ongoing and significant investment in services that residents regularly told us matter most to them – including investing in parks and open spaces, waste and recycling and housing.

    Thanks to a much higher than average response rate to our 2025-26 budget survey (2,176 compared to an average of 1,427), we heard more about what matters to our residents:

    • People love Norwich as a place to live – 67% reported being happy/very happy with Norwich as a place to live, work and visit.
    • The majority of people (64%) were supportive/very supportive of our investment approach to services and major projects for the city.
    • 50% of people were in favour of increasing the city council’s share of council tax by 2.99% to safeguard services while 30% were against this approach.

    Mike Stonard, leader of the council, said: “We have worked hard to find a way to prevent cuts to frontline services again for another year, despite this getting increasingly difficult with each passing year.

    “We know how much our residents rely on us to continue to provide them with services that make a really positive difference to their lives. I’m proud that all that work has paid off and that we are in a position to be able to invest in our services, invest in our people and invest in our city.”

    Next year the council will spend a total of £107m on vital public services for the city, having identified a total of £3.2m in savings as part of the solution to balance the books.

    Alongside the delivery of day-to-day services, next year’s budget set out plans to invest £29.9m in critical infrastructure for the city next year, which forms part of a total of £46.9m of capital investment over the next five years up to 2030. 

    The council will also continue to prioritise housing in the city, with a budget commitment of £7.6m to invest in new social housing.

    In addition, there was a commitment to retain the current council tax reduction scheme, which provides relief of up to 100 per cent on tax bills for those on the lowest incomes.

    Read more about this year’s council tax.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –