Source: Scotland – City of Perth
A public consultation event on Perth and Kinross Council plans to build housing at the former Balhousie Primary School site in Perth will be held on Thursday 6 March.
Category: United Kingdom
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Homeless children need better information and independent advocacy to help understand their rights
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Press releaseHomeless children need better information and independent advocacy to help understand their rights
Ofsted has today published new research on how local authorities support homeless children aged 16 and 17.
- Children and young people need more information about their options, including becoming a looked-after child, when they present as homeless.
- Only 9% of homeless children and young people surveyed said they had been offered an advocate to help them understand their rights.
- Pressures on resources mean some children are not getting admitted to care when they should be.
- Some local authorities are still using bed and breakfasts and hostels as temporary or emergency accommodation for homeless children.
Ofsted has today published new research on how local authorities support homeless children aged 16 and 17. It follows data published by the Children’s Commissioner in November 2023, which showed that only 40% of homeless 16- and 17-year-olds are accommodated as looked-after children.
Read the report: Good decisions: supporting children aged 16 and 17 who need help when they are homeless
When a 16- or 17-year-old child presents as homeless there are three ways to accommodate them:
- They can become a looked-after child under section 20 of the Children Act 1989. This means the local authority becomes the child’s corporate parent. Looked after children are automatically entitled to support, including funding for educational courses and priority access to certain types of accommodation, which must be regulated.
- They can be accommodated as a child in need under section 17 of the Act. Children in need are not entitled to any of this support.
- They can be accommodated under the Housing Act 1996 (part 7).
Statutory guidance is clear that in most cases a local authority should accommodate a child as a ‘looked-after child’. There are only 2 reasons not to do this:
- The child is not ‘a child in need’.
- Having been fully advised of the implications and having the capacity to reach a decision, the child has decided they do not want to be accommodated under section 20.
Today’s report finds that, while some local authorities work effectively with homeless children and young people, many of those surveyed felt they lacked information about their options. Some children told Ofsted they were not given enough information to decide their next steps, including the option to become a looked-after child.
Government guidance states that homeless young people should have access to an independent advocate to help them understand their rights, but less than one in 10 of those surveyed said they were offered an advocate. Researchers found that some local authorities contacted an advocate any time a child declined to become looked after, but this practice was not widespread. Ofsted also found little evidence that local authorities were routinely monitoring the uptake or impact of their advocacy services.
Today’s report also finds that a lack of suitable placements, and shortfalls in budgets and staff, may be influencing local authorities’ decisions about whether children become looked after or not. Children’s advocates told Ofsted that they believe homeless children are sometimes ‘steered away’ from choosing to become a looked-after child by children’s services departments, who fail to properly explain the benefits and overemphasise the potential negatives. And some housing authority representatives said they felt it was an easier and cheaper option for local authorities to treat children as a child in need instead. However, local authorities told researchers that children themselves often prefer to be accommodated as a child in need, despite efforts to encourage them to enter care.
Some local authorities are still using inappropriate bed and breakfasts and hostels as temporary or emergency accommodation for homeless children. While supported accommodation is the most common placement type for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, the level of support on offer can vary widely, and does not always meet children’s needs.
Ofsted’s National Director of Social Care, Yvette Stanley, said:
Finding yourself homeless must be distressing at any age, but when you’re still a legally defined child, it’s vital that local authorities and their partners work hard to ensure these children are supported in the way that works best for them.
It’s also important that all homeless children have access to independent advocates, who can help them understand their rights, including the benefits of being a child in care, and help them make the best decision about their next steps.
To improve their provision and support for homeless 16- and 17-year-olds, Ofsted suggests some next steps for local authorities:
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make sure children get the right information about their choices, and are properly supported to make the right decision for them
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review the advocacy offer for homeless children, including how it is promoted to children and monitored for uptake and effectiveness
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consider the benefits of working with homeless children to co-create important documents and policies that affect their experiences and options
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take urgent action to address cases where bed-and-breakfast accommodation is being used as emergency accommodation
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assess children’s safety and wellbeing on a continual basis to make sure their accommodation remains right for them
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provide children with adequate follow-up support and aftercare – regardless of whether they are accommodated through section 17 or section 20
For its part, Ofsted will:
- consider how to get better data or insights from local authorities on inspection into whether homeless children are accommodated under section 17 or section 20
- ask inspectors to routinely consider the take-up and impact of advocacy for homeless children when looking at those children’s experiences in local authority inspections
- share learning resources and materials about homeless 16- and 17-year-olds with education and social care providers
- consider how to share best practice in a way that makes it easier for local authorities and partners to see examples of good practice
Press office
8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday 0300 013 0415
Notes
- The research underpinning today’s report was gathered from focus groups held between April and May 2023, involving local authority children’s services, housing authorities, advocates and His Majesty’s Inspectors. Ofsted also commissioned the youth homelessness charity, St Basils, to conduct a survey and focus group with homeless-experienced children and young people.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New chair appointed at the Office for Nuclear Regulation
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Press releaseNew chair appointed at the Office for Nuclear Regulation
The Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, has announced today that Dr Nicola Crauford will take up the role of chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on 1 March 2025.
- Dr Nicola Crauford has been appointed as the new Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
- As part of her role, she will ensure ONR continues to regulate the nuclear industry efficiently and effectively on behalf of the public
ONR is the UK’s independent nuclear regulator for the 36 nuclear sites in Great Britain, including the existing fleet of operating reactors, fuel cycle facilities and waste management and decommissioning sites. It also regulates the design and construction of new nuclear facilities including the supply chain as well as the transport of civil nuclear and radioactive materials.
ONR also plays a crucial role in delivering the government’s energy security and growth missions
This is done principally through their approach to regulation, being open to innovation and new, efficient cost-effective ways of working, being ready to regulate new projects and providing trusted, timely, independent advice and guidance to Government.
Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said:
I am pleased to confirm Dr Nicola Crauford as the next chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation. She brings a wealth of experience to this challenging but rewarding role.
I would also like to thank Dame Judith Hackitt for all she has done as interim chair and her valuable contribution to nuclear safety and security.
Dr Nicola Crauford said:
I am delighted to join ONR at a time when the nuclear sector embarks upon significant growth, diversification and change.
As the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, ONR has a vital role in holding the industry to account on behalf of the public, but it also needs to continue to strive for the most effective ways of working and regulatory excellence in order to help the sector to succeed.
Dr Crauford’s appointment comes as the government announces more nuclear power plants will be approved across England and Wales.
These reforms will clear a path for smaller, and easier to build, nuclear reactors – known as Small Modular Reactors – to be built for the first time ever in the UK. This will create thousands of new highly skilled jobs while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people.
Additional Information
- Dr Nicola Crauford takes up her five-year appointment as ONR Chair from 1 March 2025. The current Interim Chair, Dame Judith Hackitt stands down on 28 February 2025.
- Dr Nicola Crauford has extensive governance and senior management experience in infrastructure and engineering. She has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a doctorate in applied science from the University of Southampton and has worked in the oil and gas, energy and banking sectors.
- Dr Crauford’s governance portfolio has spanned utilities (particularly electricity and water), ports and logistics, science research and development, environmental protection, fire and emergency management, housing/urban development and regulation.
- More on the government’s plans for nuclear power: Government rips up rules to fire-up nuclear power – GOV.UK
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NDA funds Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with universities
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
News storyNDA funds Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with universities
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has announced it’s establishing a Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield.
Nuclear fuel reprocessing plant product store
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has announced it’s establishing a Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield.
It follows a commitment from NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, of a £5 million investment over the next five years in postgraduate research to contribute the NDA’s nationally important plutonium disposition strategy work.
In January, the UK Government made a policy decision to immobilise the UK’s inventory of civil separated plutonium at Sellafield, putting the material beyond reach, further mitigating the long-term safety and security risks associated with it more efficiently.
The Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub will fund around 20 PhD and 2 post-doctoral researchers engaging in cutting-edge research to identify the preferred technology for immobilisation, converting the material to an even safer and more stable form.
Dr Rick Short, NDA Research Manager, said:
The NDA group has invested in PhD students and post-doctoral researchers supporting many aspects of our mission for several years.
It’s a key element of our strategy to develop the capability we need for the future with the skills and expertise we know will be critical to drive forward our nationally important mission.
The Hub will be central to developing the technical expertise and subject matter experts we need to deliver the plutonium disposition strategy and continue to meet our commitment to safely, securely, and sustainably deal with the UK’s civil nuclear legacy.
The inventory could be immobilised into a ceramic material which binds the plutonium in a stable form, suitable for disposal in a GDF, and puts it beyond use. This collaboration with academia will help improve our understanding of the materials and build the fundamental skills required to underpin and deliver a solution.
Key Objectives of the Hub:
- Innovative Research: Conduct ground-breaking research to develop key ceramic and manufacturing technologies for safe and effective plutonium disposition.
- Academic Excellence: Foster a collaborative environment that promotes academic excellence and innovation.
- Future Leaders: Train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to address future challenges in nuclear decommissioning.
Led by Dr Robert Harrison at the University of Manchester the Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub aligns with the goals of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, which aim to grow the scale and scope of the university’s world-class nuclear activities, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
It also supports the Henry Royce Institute’s Nuclear Materials Research Area, which focuses on enhancing the UK’s strengths in nuclear energy and supporting net-zero ambitions through innovation in radioactive materials research.
Dr Rob Harrison, Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub Lead at the University of Manchester, said:
We are thrilled to be leading the £5m NDA Plutonium Academic Ceramics Hub at the University of Manchester in collaboration with the University of Sheffield.
Our combined expertise and state-of-the-art facilities uniquely position us to successfully deliver the Hub and develop future subject matter experts in the field. This initiative will enable us to continue supporting the safe management of the UKs plutonium stockpile, addressing a critical challenge in the NDAs mission.
Dr Lewis Blackburn, Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub Co-Lead at the University of Sheffield, said:
We are very pleased to play a pivotal role in the delivery of this exciting initiative for NDA. The safe and timely disposition of separated plutonium is a key aspect of NDA strategy. The Universities of Manchester and Sheffield are well placed to support this mission, allowing us to contribute to a national resilience in nuclear materials skills and expertise.
While work continues on developing a suitable immobilisation solution to submit for Government approval to progress to the next phase, plutonium will continue to be stored in a suite of custom-built facilities at Sellafield that ensure its safety and security in line with regulatory requirements.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rough sleeping hub on the move
Source: City of Portsmouth
A progress report to be discussed by Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet has set out the current funding situation for rough sleepers in the city and unveiled the new plans. [Rough Sleeping funding update.pdf]
The rough sleeping hub has operated out of a temporary space in Elm Grove for the last four years and the council is grateful for the support from businesses and residents in the area. Now the hub is set to move to 6 Queen Street, Portsea and is due to open on 1 April this year. The premise move will provide rough sleepers and the staff that work with them with a newly-renovated venue, whilst also creating the opportunity to provide help more quickly and in a more joined-up way.
The rough sleeping hub is a free service that anyone who is sleeping rough can access. It provides people with breakfast, hot drinks, shower and laundry facilities, access to the internet, locker facilities for people to store their belongings, and help with clothing. Around 15 to 20 people access the service on a typical day.
Staff help people to address their immediate needs, including help with benefits, registering with a GP, help with substance misuse problems, and help to find accommodation.
People using the hub can also access activities including educational sessions to help people improve their literacy and numeracy skills, and life-skills workshops.
The current hub was opened as a temporary solution during the Covid-19 pandemic and is based in a repurposed flat within a residential block and has limitations.
The new hub will provide more facilities, laid out in a better way, and will include more showers and lockers, better meeting spaces, and an enclosed, off-street, smoking area. The council carried out a full feasibility study on available buildings within the budget for the project, carefully considering factors including ease of access for people who are rough sleeping, proximity to other support services, and potential community impact.
Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, said: “Not everyone who is homeless sleeps rough, but those who do are often experiencing a very difficult time in their lives. The council and our partners work very hard to make sure time spent sleeping rough is prevented, and where that is not possible, is for as short a period as possible. The new hub will help with this, providing people with much-needed privacy and dignity, as well as access to further help.
“We work to provide the best possible service for people experiencing homelessness with the funds that we are given from government, but we are never given enough to help as much as we need to. That’s why we allocated £203,000 in the council’s budget last year to fund the setting up of this new hub.”
The hub runs alongside the council’s rough sleeping pathway which provides over 100 beds across the city to prevent and shorten the incidences of rough sleeping. In the twelve-month period between July 2023 and June 2024, 301 people were provided with accommodation in the pathway as an alternative to rough sleeping. In the same twelve-month period, 155 people moved successfully from the pathway to suitable alternative housing. There were only 11 evictions from the pathway during those 12 months.
It is anticipated that the relocation of the rough sleeping hub will reduce the number of people accessing support in Elm Grove, which is a busy area with a high concentration of shops, pubs, restaurants, and other local businesses. The council also provides accommodation in Elm Grove that will remain.
The rough sleeping team has learnt a lot over the previous four years and the new premises have been designed to reduce issues and minimise disruption to the local area. The council will be working with local residents and businesses to ensure a smooth transition.
The average number of people sleeping rough each month in Portsmouth has fallen slightly for 2024/25 to 53, whilst across the country numbers continue to rise. Government policies such as early prison release have put increased pressure on rough sleeping services.
In December 2024 the government announced that one further year’s funding would be provided to local authorities for rough sleeping interventions. After March 2026 rough sleeping will be funded differently, and the government has said the council will be expected to “reduce demand for rough sleeping services, focus on those with most complex needs and least likely to access services, and establish a sustainable approach to community integration that prevents returns to rough sleeping and homelessness”. The council is working hard to understand how to further evolve and improve its services for rough sleepers, and has developed an action plan as part of its five year homelessness strategy. [Homelessness Strategy 2024]
Find out more about the rough sleeping hub Sleeping rough – Portsmouth City Council]
If you’re concerned about someone you think is sleeping rough, go to the StreetLink website and log the details. Local agencies can then try to connect the person with help available.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Budget: Greens secured vital action for people and planet
Source: Scottish Greens
The Scottish Greens have secured investment in our climate and communities.
The Scottish Greens have secured cheaper bus travel, expanded free school meals and increased funding for schools, says the party’s finance spokesperson Ross Greer ahead of the final budget vote taking place today.
Through budget negotiations the Scottish Greens secured record investment in climate action, more money for local services including schools, social care and bin collections, free ferry travel for young islanders and free bus travel for people seeking asylum.
The party also secured the expansion of free school meals for thousands more S1-S3 pupils, more funding for nature restoration and a year-long trial where bus fares in one region of the country will be capped at £2. They also increased the tax paid when buying a second or holiday home, giving a boost to first-time home buyers and raising more money for public services.
Mr Greer said:
“More children will be fed and lifted out of poverty, buses will be cheaper and nature will be protected because of Scottish Green MSPs.
“We want to build a fairer and greener Scotland where no child is hungry at school and where public transport is always affordable and accessible. This budget is an important step in that journey.
“Scotland’s Green MSPs worked to deliver record funding for nature restoration, building on the huge progress we delivered when we were in government. That money will create more well-paid jobs across the country, especially in rural communities.”
Mr Greer added:
“There is a stark contrast between what Green MSPs have achieved and the antics of Scottish Labour, who asked for nothing and got nothing.
“Other parties may have been happy to play silly games, but the Scottish Greens worked to support families in poverty, create jobs and protect the world around us.”
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens to bring vote on cutting the cost of rail
Source: Scottish Greens
A people’s railway has to be accessible and affordable for all.
The Scottish Greens will use debate time tomorrow to bring a vote on halting the above inflation rail fare hikes that are set for April and permanently removing peak rail fares.
The debate, which will be led by the party’s transport spokesperson, Mark Ruskell MSP, will focus on making rail a cheaper and easily accessible option for workers, students and regular commuters.
When in government the Scottish Greens secured a landmark scheme to remove peak rail fares for 12 months, with the SNP reintroducing them last year.
Mr Ruskell said:
“Train fares in Scotland are among the highest in Europe, with peak fares being particularly punishing.
“If we want more people to leave their cars at home then rail has to be affordable and accessible for all.
“Particularly at a time when so many people are struggling, it is wrong to be asking them to pay even more just to get to work or study.
“When the Scottish Greens were in government we removed peak rail fares, only for the SNP to bring them back once we were out of the room. It is time to scrap them permanently.
“It was right to take ScotRail into public ownership, but there is no point in having a people’s railway if nobody can afford to use it.”
Mr Ruskell added:
“The Scottish Parliament has the chance to stand with households, families and regular commuters who are being stretched to their limit.
“I hope that MSPs from across our parliament will back my motion and join the call for cheaper, greener and more accessible rail across Scotland.”
Wording of Mr Ruskell’s motion
Mark Ruskell: Cheaper Rail Fares—That the Parliament believes that rail fares in Scotland must be cheaper; regrets the decision by the Scottish Government to end the off-peak all-day pilot in September 2024, despite an increase of passenger demand by 6.8% and an average 17% cost saving to passengers; understands that expensive and complex ticketing deters passengers from choosing to travel by train; acknowledges that, in order to fulfil the Scottish Government’s ambition of reducing car kilometres by 20% by 2030, rail services and public transport must be cheaper and more accessible, and calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to reverse the 3.8% increase to rail fares coming into effect from 1 April 2025, to permanently remove peak-time rail fares, and to simplify public transport fares, through the introduction of integrated ticketing, as soon as possible.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Her Majesty The Queen to unveil iconic statue in Canterbury city centre
Source: City of Canterbury
Her Majesty The Queen will visit Canterbury in Kent today (Tuesday 25 February) to unveil a statue of the first full-time professional woman writer in the English language, Aphra Behn.
Her Majesty will then visit The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge and Canterbury Library to help celebrate the city’s passion for heritage and literature.
The statue has been given to Canterbury City Council, and therefore to the city, by the Canterbury Commemoration Society.
Its Chair, Stewart Ross, said: “We’re very excited to be able to welcome Her Majesty to our wonderful city in the heart of the garden of England.
“The A is for Aphra campaign started five years ago when members of the community began asking why one of Canterbury’s most famous literary heroes was not celebrated in the city where she grew up.
“The campaign group joined forces with the Canterbury Commemoration Society to celebrate Aphra and to raise the statue back in the same streets Aphra knew as a child.
“Over the course of the campaign, many people from the community have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for a sculpture to be placed in the city.
“This included an academic conference at the University of Kent, a revival of Behn’s play The Amorous Prince by the Canterbury Players and a public exhibition about Behn at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge last year.
“Canterbury City Council’s successful Levelling Up Fund bid was able to support this project and The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge was chosen as a location that highlights the city’s passion for heritage and literature.”
Aphra (1640–1689) was baptised in Harbledown, just outside Canterbury, and spent her formative years in the city during the English Civil War.
The creation of the bronze statue by sculptor Christine Charlesworth followed an extensive period of research, consultation and fundraising.
After an international design competition, four shortlisted maquettes were toured across the UK and the public asked which they thought would be the most fitting memorial.
The design by Christine Charlesworth won the public vote.
The winning design presents a 17-year-old Aphra, book in hand and theatrical mask behind her back, looking wistfully about her as she sets out for London with her family.
After the unveiling, Her Majesty will be treated to a tour around The Beaney, one of Canterbury City Council’s museums, and Canterbury Library which is run by Kent County Council (KCC).
The city council’s Head of Culture, Leisure and External Development Michelle Moubarak said: “The Beaney is home to the museum collection, art galleries, the city’s visitor information centre, the library and registration services.
“It underwent an extensive renovation in 2012 to enable more people to enjoy it especially among those who have been underrepresented in the past.
“Since its transformation, it has attracted 3.5million visitors including almost 50,000 schoolchildren, seen more than 7,000 people take part in health and wellbeing activities and has benefited from 360 volunteers giving up 12,245 hours of their time.”
KCC’s Head of Libraries, Registration and Archives James Pearson said: “Canterbury Library stands as one of our most popular libraries in the county.
“It is a cherished cornerstone of the community offering a warm and welcoming environment for people to sit, relax, read and learn.
“It currently houses 50,215 books and continues to expand including a Home Library Service with dedicated volunteers delivering books to those in need that are unable to access our physical or mobile library network.
“The service has recently introduced a collection of books in Ukrainian to support those who have temporarily relocated to Canterbury at such a difficult time for Ukraine.
“There is a dedicated community hub for reading groups, Talk Time sessions and literacy groups.
“The local studies collection boasts a wealth of materials, ranging from maps to books of local interest.
“Among these treasures is our oldest book, Somner’s Antiquities of Canterbury, published in 1640.
“The modern Canterbury Library continues to evolve in step with the ever changing and diverse needs of the community – forever fostering a love for reading, community, connection to others, inclusivity and lifelong learning. It is a place where everyone is truly welcome.”
The Queen’s visit, which will celebrate the work both councils undertake around health and wellbeing, will include:
- an Aphra Behn workshop with Year 3 children from St Peter’s Primary School
- a look around the library with a focus on community engagement, volunteering, its collection of literature from Ukraine, its Book Club and Reading Well group
- a look around The Beaney’s Curious Stories exhibition and the different ways of experiencing it with the Sensing Culture visually impaired group and their assistance dogs and the Power of the Object group which supports people living with dementia and their carers
- a performance of an excerpt from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Behn’s play The Rover directed by Loveday Ingram
- a reading by Pilgrims Way Primary School pupil Ahmad Raza of his poem All About Me which won the five to eight-year-old category in the Canterbury Festival’s Poet of The Year competition
- a reading by St Anselm’s School pupil Emily Corbett of her poem Counting Stars which won the nine to 11-year-old category in the same competition
- a reading of a Behn poem by Gyles Brandreth, President of the Aphra Behn Society of Canterbury
Her Majesty will also be invited to view the first edition of Behn’s novel Oroonoko and meet its donor, Anna Astin, before signing the visitors’ book at the end of the visit.
Music for the statue unveiling will be provided by the 2nd Whitstable Sea Scout Band, led by Bandmaster Mark Wilkins.
Published: 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – media conference – Eastern Creek Truck Stop
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
CHRIS BOWEN [FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MCMAHON]: Well, thanks for coming, everyone. Australia lives on trucking, and western Sydney relies on trucking more than anywhere else because western Sydney is the industrial heartland of Sydney, the home to the biggest industrial estate in the southern hemisphere, the Smithfield Wetherill Park, Erskine Park Industrial Estate. Even more so with the development of the M7, of course, which has made our area a distribution centre for New South Wales. And the M7, M4 is the first freeway to freeway intersection in Australia. And of course, just as we rely on our truckers, our truckers deserve nothing but the best. We rely on them and they rely on us to provide world class facilities.
So I’m very, very excited for this announcement today here in my community, but one which has implications beyond this community for truckers to ensure they’re getting the very best support so that they can stay on the road safely and can keep our economy moving. So I’m delighted to welcome my friend Catherine King to my community, together with John Graham, for a very significant announcement. Catherine.
CATHERINE KING [MINISTER]: Thanks, Chris, and it’s terrific to be here in your part of the world, but also here alongside my state colleague John Graham, who’s been doing terrific work. Can I also acknowledge the state MPs who are here with us as well, as well as Senator Glenn Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, who know very well how important this is. Well, this is a terrific announcement, not just for western Sydney. You can see just how busy the M4 is. With the amount of freight that is moving on, it is one of the busiest freight networks in the country. But this is actually important for the whole country. We know how important it is for truck drivers to be able to rest. We know that there is no dedicated rest area for truck drivers along this incredibly busy stretch of this freight route. And what we also know is that when truck drivers have access to decent rest areas, decent areas to shower and to toilet and to eat, that they are much safer driving on our roads. So this is very much a win for road safety as well. Our roads, our trucks, are truck drivers’ workplaces and they deserve to have safe, proper places that they can actually rest and safe workplaces in the same way every single other working Australian does.
This announcement today that an Albanese Labor Government will be partnering with the New South Wales Government, 40 million from us, 40 million from the New South Wales Government here at Eastern Creek, at the intersection of the M4 and M7, building the first dedicated truck rest stop area. Hard stand shade areas, showers, toileting facilities for a substantial number of trucks into this region making sure that we actually provide the safety that truck drivers need. This is very much part of our over $18 billion of investment that is coming from the Albanese Labor Government into infrastructure in western Sydney. We know that our freight task is only going to be increasing and actually investing here, investing in this truck rest stop area is incredibly important.
I want to particularly acknowledge Senator Glenn Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, but also all of the truck drivers in our country. When we came to government, we set up a fund to look at how can we better get rest stops on our great freight networks. And Glenn has been sharing that alongside. He called together truck drivers and trucking companies because they are the people who will use these areas and they know where they need to stop and where the rest areas are best located. This is very much part of the advocacy that we’ve had, trying to bring truck drivers in to make sure that we actually build these where people will stop, and that we make sure that our freight routes are as safe as possible.
I’m going to hand over to John, and then I think we’re going to hear from TWU, from Glenn and also the representative of the freight truck industry here in New South Wales as well. And then we’ll be happy to take some questions. Thank you.
JOHN GRAHAM [NSW ROADS MINISTER]: Thanks so much, Catherine. I’m here with Kylie Wilkinson, with Karen McKeown and Stephen Bali from the state parliament. You can see how important this announcement is from the support it’s got today. People turning up backing in this plan for a rest stop here in the heart of Sydney. I want to thank firstly, the Federal Government, Minister Catherine King and the team, Glenn Sterle, Tony Sheldon and Chris Bowen. As soon as we raised this with the federal government, they were instinctively on board. They could see how important this was to Sydney. And there is a big problem. Sydney’s got a reputation as the least friendly city for truckies in the country, and that’s something that we want to change. You can understand why. It’s not just the tolls and the traffic. You expect those, but you also expect to be able to find a toilet. And the truth is, you can’t do that between Wyong and Pheasants Nest. That’s a couple hours’ drive. That’s 180 kilometres between dedicated rest stops for truck drivers moving through Sydney. That’s not safe. It’s not dignified. It needs to change. You can see why Sydney’s got that reputation. It’s the least friendly city for trucks in the country.
We’re going to change that. This will be a crucial part of that plan to change that. Having this large site with dedicated stopping areas. We’ve talked about 800 members of the freight community to be able to work out what’s required here. And it really is a place to stop and sleep, toilets, a hot shower, maybe a little bit of shade. These are reasonable things to ask for, but they’re things that simply don’t exist in a place that can be used in the Sydney Basin. And that has to change. That’s why I’m so excited to be here with the federal government working hand in hand to really change that.
I particularly want to give a shout out to Tony Sheldon and to Glenn Sterle. Glenn in particular, during COVID, led the fight to make sure that drivers were able to pull over and get access to restrooms up and down New South Wales, also around the country. It was a real moment to realise just how the basics matter, and we’ll deliver on the basics here. It’ll make a real difference not just to these drivers but also to the community around these areas. This will mean trucks off suburban streets in western Sydney. That’s great news for the residents and the community as well.
So thanks to the Federal Government, thanks to Richard Olsen and the TWU team who’ve argued the case for this strongly, passionately over a long period. Simon O’Hara from Road Freight New South Wales. This has been a call for a long time. Finally, we’re delivering on it.
SENATOR GLENN STERLE: Thank you very much, John. Thank you. Catherine, can I just come to- have the opportunity to share this with you as a semi-retired, long distance interstate truck driver, I cannot stress the importance of this announcement. I want to sincerely thank Minister Graham. John, when you were in opposition alongside Premier- now Premier Chris Minns, you had made it very clear in the lead up to the election, not just in the last couple of days, how important it was to progress proper facilities for long distance truckies to get the rest they need. So John, thank you so much and thank you for carrying the can.
To Minister King, Catherine, my very dear friend and close colleague. I can’t thank you, Catherine, enough. Not only the work that you’ve done, bringing the voice of the Australian truck driver and the voice of the Australian truck operator to the halls of that great place down in Canberra, where you’ve created the opportunity for truckies and trucking operators to share with you, Minister, where we need these rest areas. I do applaud you. Thank you so much.
I tell you what, I’m so jealous. I’m from Western Australia, but I know in 2025 we still expect men and women in the trucking industry to carry around a roll of toilet paper and to try and just find a bush somewhere here in Sydney or Melbourne in our capital cities. This facility will provide up to 100 truck drivers a safe haven to pull over and manage their fatigue.
So once again to the New South Wales Government, once again to the Federal Government, and special call out: Simon O’Hara. Simon, the work that you and I did together in the pandemic, mate, yes, it seemed like it was- where are you, Simon? It was you and I against the world where we actually realised just how important our truckies are and our transport operators and our supply chains and our logistics operators to the betterment of this nation. We were shut out of toilets. We were not allowed to even use them to have a shower. And didn’t that highlight in 2022 at the time, Simon, just how disrespected we were as an industry. Well, thank goodness we’ve got the grown-ups in charge. Thank goodness we’ve got magnificent state and federal governments now putting an end to that. I applaud you. And please can we roll you out to Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and heck even Tasmania? Thank you John. Thank you Catherine.
RICHARD OLSEN [NSW FREIGHT TRANSPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL]: Thank you so much. And I’ll just answer that question, Glenn, no. We’re here in New South Wales and we are delighted to be a part of this announcement. We’ve been advocating, as has been previously said, and we’ve been working hard behind the scenes for many years and decades to get where we’re at today and today is a remarkable day for the transport industry as a whole. We have been subject to- having to drive as has been previously stated from Pheasants Nest up to Wyong in a truck that is three hours plus on any given bad day on our freeways, expressways, transurban ways if you like, and that needed to stop. That put a whole amount of pressure on the driver in relation to their fatigue and rest in which they are required to have by law, and what they are required to have because they are in charge of 60 to 80 tonne of equipment.
When you’re driving along that, you want to know that the truck driver has been given a decent rest and is free of fatigue as far as reasonably possible, and that we can do and we can do that now in this great city of Sydney when this establishment opens very shortly. It’s been waiting here for quite a while, a long time for us to get to this base. And we don’t want to waste a minute in getting this established, and get it so that the drivers both coming through this great state or this city, but also local drivers who need to utilise this space as well. It’s for everyone within the transport industry, and I’m very delighted to be a part, and partnering up with both federal and state government, employer organisations. This is the transport community coming together and winning for drivers. Thank you so much.
SIMON O’HARA [CEO, ROAD FREIGHT NSW]: Good morning all, and thank you Richard Olsen. It’s with such delight that we’re here today. This is a really positive announcement about the announcement relating to the heavy vehicle rest area here in western Sydney. This is a terrific development. For generations, the trucking industry has sought a rest area within metro Sydney, and now we’re looking at an announcement that will make that a reality. This is a terrific announcement today. This means that truckies will be able to rest. We’ve got members who come in from Wagga, come in, go out every day. This allows them to be able to rest, get some food, use the toilet facilities, have a shower. Over the course of the next couple of years, this will lead to greater results in terms of road safety on the roads.
This means as well that truckies particularly- and Glenn mentioned before the point about dignity and respect. We are absolutely committed to dignity and respect for truckies. This is part and parcel of a key step to being able to make that a reality. During COVID, we had a lot to say, particularly around truckies not having any rest areas, having to keep moving all the time. And what this does today- and I’d like to particularly acknowledge Minister Graham, Minister King, Minister Bowen, Senator Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, this makes what we’ve been seeking for some time- we’ve advocated for this for a significant amount of time. This makes it a reality. Thanks very much.
CATHERINE KING: Happy to take questions, for John or me. No one?
JOURNALIST: Question for Minister Graham. What were the other sites being considered and why did this one get the nod?
JOHN GRAHAM: Yeah. So we’ve done a big search across the Sydney basin to look at a range of sites, and we’ve also talked extensively to the freight community, 800 people involved in that consultation. The key really was accessibility. It’s no use having the best site in the world that’s too far from the M4 and the M7. So we’ve looked intensively around this area for the best site. And here we are five minutes from the M7, ten minutes from the M4. That really is the key to be able to allow drivers to get off those freeways, rest, and then get back on their journey as fast as possible. Of course, there’s a limited number of sites- their sites had a premium. That’s why this hasn’t happened before, but that’s why we’re so pleased that we’ve now found the site and this process can unfold.
JOURNALIST: One more question. Sorry. In ‘22, you came out and said Sydney was the worst city in Australia for truckies. And here we are in ’25, we’ve got an announcement but still no work. Why did it take so long?
JOHN GRAHAM: Oh look, this has been a tough problem to crack for generations. This has been a call from the industry. Now we’re here, where truckies will be resting as they come off the M4, come off the M7 as they’re delivering to the communities around Sydney. Even better news, they won’t be parked on suburban streets in these communities. So this isn’t an easy problem to solve. We never said it would be, but I’m so pleased to get to this moment today.
CATHERINE KING: All good. Beautiful. Thank you.
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MIL-OSI Australia: Active transport boost for New South Wales
Source: Australian Ministers 1
People living in NSW will have more opportunities to walk, cycle and actively move through their communities thanks to support from the Albanese Government.
$16 million will be invested in 10 projects across NSW to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths.
Lake Macquarie City Council will receive $1.3 million to construct a shared path from Soldiers Road to Lake Macquarie Airport via Pacific Highway. The approximately 280m of shared path will provide the missing link between existing shared user paths and will deliver improved road safety with a designated path for pedestrian and cyclists separate from traffic on the road.
Further north, in Bellingen $3.36 million will be invested to design and construct 2940m of shared paths and footpaths from South Urunga Urban Release Area to Urunga CBD. A favourite location for tourists and locals, the new paths will make the area safer and more accessible.
The Brewarrina Shire Council will receive $3 million for the design and construction of four pedestrian and cycle paths to connect the Brewarrina Township to the Barwon River. The project will also include solar-powered lighting, shaded rest areas and seating.
Other projects receiving funding include:
- Over $2 million for Blue Mountains City Council to construct a shared path from White Cross Road, Winmalee to Hawkesbury Heights Lookout.
- $88,000 for Port Macquarie Hastings Council to construct a footpath at St Agnes Primary School.
- $877,000 for Canterbury-Bankstown Council to design and construct a cycleway at Phillips Avenue, Canterbury.
- $2.9 million for the Wilson Street West Cycleway in Newtown to be delivered by Transport for NSW.
- $781,000 for Lake Macquarie City Council to design and construct a shared path in Cooranbong.
- $1 million for the Goodooga Town Centre to Bore Baths Connection Project in Brewarrina.
- $596,000 for the design and construction for a footpath and pedestrian crossings along Palace Street, Petersham.
The Albanese Government is making our cities and regions even better places to live, building social infrastructure, connecting place and designing healthier, more liveable towns.
Our new Active Transport Fund is one part of this, providing safe and accessible transport options that are good for the planet and good for ourselves.
This program supports the Government’s commitment to invest in infrastructure planning, design and construction that improves safety outcomes for vulnerable road users under the National Road and Safety Strategy 2021-2030.
For more information visit: investment.infrastructure.gov.au/resources-funding-recipients/active-transport-fund-resources
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“From the Blue Mountains to Bellingen, we’re investing in active transport options right across New South Wales to shape the way locals and visitors move around our great towns.
“Whether you’re on a motor scooter, pushing a pram, walking or cycling, we’re making it easier for people to get to school, work or local services, without having to jump in the car.
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy:
“This is about so much more than bike lanes and footpaths, it’s about increasing mobility for all our citizens. It will also improve safety and accessibility for the residents of Pelican and everyone who visits our beautiful part of the world.”
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MIL-OSI Australia: $28 million for life-saving road upgrades in NSW
Source: Australian Ministers 1
Local roads across New South Wales will receive important safety upgrades thanks to more than $28 million in new Albanese Government funding.
The Albanese Government recognises that local governments are crucial to maintaining and upgrading transport infrastructure.
That’s why we’ve been progressively doubling our Roads to Recovery funding for councils to fix their local roads, and why we’ve lifted and back-dated the freeze on road maintenance indexation instated by the former Coalition Government.
Today’s significant investment will help fund 14 new projects under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) throughout the state.
This includes more than $3.7 million for Maitland City Council for upgrades to Haussman Drive in Thornton.
The project will involve lane duplication between Raymond Terrace Road and Taylor Avenue to provide dual carriageways each direction, shared path and bicycles lanes and improved property accesses.
These improvements will deliver significant benefits for the residents and visitors of Maitland and its surrounds by alleviating traffic congestion, reducing travel times and increasing road safety.
The SLRIP is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthen investment to support the delivery of safer and more productive roads across Australia.
For more information and the list of projects, visit Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government recognises that local governments are crucial to maintaining and upgrading transport infrastructure.
“We have increased funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to make sure we continue to invest in better, safer local roads across New South Wales and Australia.
“We are committed to delivering the funding local councils need to improve road safety and in a way that reduces the burden on them, allowing more money to be spent on projects and less on administration.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson:
“I welcome this announcement of $3.7million for the duplication of Haussman Drive, Thornton as I have had many community members voice their safety concerns about this road.
“This significant investment to upgrade Haussman Drive will alleviate congestion, reduce travel times and improve road safety for all who use this transport corridor.
“As more families move into Thornton, Chisholm, and the broader Maitland area, these road upgrades will enhance connectivity and provide safer travel options across our region.”
Funded projects:
Local Council
Project
AG Funding
Moree Plains Shire Council
Terry Hie Hie Road Upgrade
$ 5,000,000
Bogan Shire Council
Remove and replace the existing informal low-level crossing with Box Culvert at Monkey Bridge Bypass at Bogan River, Coolabah
$ 412,000
Wentworth Shire Council
Design and upgrade of Milpara Road, Anabranch South
$ 559,417
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Glynmar Road Causeway Design and Upgrade Project
$ 1,219,092
Gwydir Shire Council
Design and Construction to upgrade Buckie Road, Croppa Creek.
$ 5,000,000
Lismore City Council
Chelmsford Rd – Bridge Renewal
$ 1,676,000
Waverley Council
Construction of Continuous Footpath Treatments on Mitchell Street, Bondi Beach
$ 121,750
Lismore City Council
Channon Rd, Dunoon Upgrade
$ 2,015,708
Mid-Coast Council
Replacement of Mt. Coxcomb Rd Bridge No.1, Upper Lansdowne
$ 1,433,225
Waverley Council
Construction of Raised Pedestrian Crossing on Newland Street at Walter Street, Bondi Junction
$ 96,250
Waverley Council
Construction of Bourke Street Upgrades, Bondi Junction
$ 444,299
Maitland City Council
Thornton North Road Infrastructure Lane Duplication of Haussman Drive
$ 3,745,400
Goulburn Mulwaree Council
Lansdowne Street Heavy Vehicle Route Pavement Rehabilitation Project
$ 1,909,687
Shellharbour City Council
Yellow Rock Road Safety Upgrades, Tullimbar
$ 5,000,000
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MIL-OSI New Zealand: The Most Important Fact Schools Don’t Teach
Source: ACT Party
The Haps
The Chinese navy has made a big mistake. Sending what Defence Minister Judith Collins called a ‘formidable ship’ so close to Sydney, and interrupting Air New Zealand domestic flights, shows the New Zealand public we need to spend more on defence. ACT supporters have been alone in voting for two per cent of GDP on defence, we predict there will now be more.
We remember the Ukrainians who’ve lost their lives and their homes in the three years since the Russian invasion. Free Press remains resolute. There are basic facts that cannot be changed. Russia is the aggressor. The war is not just or legal. The breach of borders by force is dangerous to free people everywhere. We must never accept might is right, but we must build our strength so the world doesn’t end up that way.
The Most Important Fact Schools Don’t Teach
Schools are teaching children all sorts of things, but so far as we are aware they are not teaching the most important fact of human life. The fact they’re not teaching this fact tells us how mindless education has become, and it limits children’s thinking.
The fact we’re talking about is the astonishing growth of human life expectancy in the last two centuries. For 100,000 years, people lived to thirty on average. Now, the global average is 72 years.
People have different ideas about what a good life is. But (except for a few terrorists and cults), everyone agrees being alive is better than being dead. Something in the last 200 years gave us a whole extra life.
If the education system teaches children nothing else, it should teach that something happened in the last 200 years and it doubled life expectancy. Once they know that, they can learn what works.
We think the answer might be the problem. The education bureaucracy, academics, and teacher unions don’t want to teach that capitalism is a raging success.
They’d have to teach about the genesis of the free market in the swamps of the Netherlands. People driven to the lowlands by violence decided to make something of themselves. They drained swamps and built dykes, creating usable land that was theirs.
The result was a society where ordinary people could make a difference in their own lives. They demanded property rights because they’d literally created their own property. If you couldn’t take then you had to trade, and tribalism gave way to the market. It was around this time Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand for Europe.
William of Orange, a Dutchman who became King of England, helped take the revolution across the sea, where it germinated on an island buffered from invasion. The common law and the market, along with the enlightenment made the industrial revolution possible.
In turn the British Navy opened up the world’s sea lanes to trade, and spread their system of democracy and capitalism to the new world, ensuring it would endure for centuries even when they themselves came under attack from fascism.
All the while ordinary people could get enough calories to be healthy, live in cities with sanitation free of disease, and medical care would stop children and their mothers dying in childbirth or shortly after. Violence that was normal for most humans most of the time, and shortened many lives, is now an exceptional event for most people most of the time.
The revolution spread further after the Cold War, lifting billions from poverty in the East the same way they had thrived in the west. That same prosperity has raised their life expectancy too. Now the whole world lives twice as long on average as it did before the industrial revolution, but your teacher won’t dwell on that basic fact in most of the world’s schools.
Instead we have an epidemic of anxiety and depression amongst young people. The tremendous gains of the last two centuries are barely understood. Instead the gains are banked and forgotten while children worry about comparatively small problems.
We spend a lot of time worrying about differences between people living today when, in reality, everyone is doing vastly better than everyone was even a few generations ago. So much division, so little reality, and not enough hope.
Imagine if the most important thing children learned was that we’ve doubled our lives in 200 years after 100,000 years of misery. That could be springboard for asking what works and building a much more hopeful future. We just need the Left to make peace with capitalism.
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MIL-OSI Australia: NSW records first death of person with Japanese encephalitis since 2022
Source: New South Wales Health – State Government
NSW Health continues to urge the public to be vigilant and take precautions against mosquitoes as NSW records its first death of a person with Japanese encephalitis (JE) since May 2022.
A man aged in his 70s from northern Sydney died on 23 February in a Sydney hospital, where he had been receiving care for JE since early February.
It is likely the man acquired JE while holidaying in the Murrumbidgee region in January. This is the state’s third confirmed death from JE since the virus was first detected in NSW in 2022.
NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to his loved ones.
Further, an additional case of JE has been identified in a woman in her 60s in northern NSW. She likely acquired the infection on her rural property in Tenterfield Shire and is receiving care in hospital.
NSW Health’s Executive Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said these developments are a reminder of the importance for people to take precautions against mosquitoes, including vaccination.
“These two cases of JE virus, one of which was infected while travelling for a holiday, shows it is very important all people take precautions against mosquitoes, not just those living in affected regions,” Dr McAnulty said.
“If you plan on travelling west of the Great Dividing Range, whether for work or holiday, and you plan to spend time outdoors, JE is a risk you must consider.
“Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to avoid mosquitoes, and there is also a safe and effective vaccine available.”
JE vaccine is available through local general practitioners, Aboriginal health services and pharmacists to anyone who lives or routinely works in various inland LGAs or high-risk occupations.
People who meet the eligibility criteria should make an appointment and let the provider know it is for the JE vaccine, as they may require a few days’ notice to order the vaccine.
JE virus is spread by mosquitoes and can infect animals and humans. The virus cannot be transmitted between humans and it cannot be caught by eating pork or other pig products.
There is no specific treatment for JE which, in some cases, can cause severe neurological illness with headache, convulsions, reduced consciousness and death.
The best thing people throughout the state can do to protect themselves and their families is to take steps to avoid mosquitoes.
Simple actions you can take include:Applying repellent to exposed skin. Use repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Check the label for reapplication times
Re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming. Be sure to apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent
Wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts, long pants and covered footwear. and socks
Avoiding going outdoors during peak mosquito times, especially dawn and dusk
Using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes (mosquito coils should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas)
Covering windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no gaps
Removing items that may collect water such as old tyres and empty pots from around your home to reduce the places where mosquitoes can breed
Using repellents that are safe for children. Most skin repellents are safe for use on children aged three months and older. Always check the label for instructions
Protecting infants aged less than three months by using an infant carrier draped with mosquito netting, secured along the edges
While camping, use a tent that has fly screens to prevent mosquitoes entering or sleep under a mosquito net.Information on eligibility for a free JE vaccine is available on Japanese encephalitis vaccination.
For further information on JE virus and ways to protect yourself visit Mosquito borne diseases.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to observational study of antidepressant prescriptions and cognitive decline in people with dementia
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
An observational study published in BMC Medicine looks at antidepressant use and cognitive decline in people with dementia.
Prof Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Group Leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and President of the British Neuroscience Association said:
“Mo and colleagues’ study examined data from over 18,000 people with dementia enrolled in a Swedish national registry to look for associations between antidepressant use and dementia symptoms. They observed faster cognitive decline in people with dementia who were taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type antidepressants. This was a large study that looked at data over time, which is a strong design. However, this type of data cannot prove that it was antidepressant use that caused the faster decline. People who needed antidepressants may have had more aggressive disease or the depression itself could have been affecting disease progression. It is also worth noting that the effect was not the same for all types of dementia; people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) did not have accelerated cognitive decline when taking antidepressants. In people with FTD, antidepressants were associated with slightly slower decline. Previous studies have also reported mixed results, highlighting the need for more research before we have a full understanding of the effects of antidepressant use on dementia progression.”
Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director for Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“This study suggested that antidepressants led to faster rates of memory and thinking decline in people with dementia. But it did not rule out the possibility that the changes were due to the presence of depression rather than antidepressant use, so further research is needed to understand the effects of antidepressants.
“Alzheimer’s Society wants to see the severity of an individual’s dementia recorded on their primary care records as either mild, moderate or severe. This is especially important as the study shows a decline in memory and thinking skills was stronger in people with more severe dementia who took antidepressants than those who didn’t.
“It’s vital that regular reviews are carried out when prescribing antidepressants, but recent research showed that less than half of people with a dementia diagnosis had their medication reviewed in the preceding 12 months.
“Alzheimer’s Society is funding research to better understand depression and anxiety in people living with dementia, how to manage it, and how genetics might be involved.”
Dr Emma L Anderson, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University College London, said:
“As the authors themselves acknowledge, there is substantial risk with this study design for confounding by indication, which could explain the results either in part, or entirely. Confounding by indication is where the outcomes we observe are actually due to the underlying reason people take these medications in the first place (e.g. mental health conditions), rather than the medication itself. More robust study designs, which overcome this very important limitation, are needed before such bold conclusions can be made. When based on limited evidence, these claims can be very damaging for public understanding of antidepressants, which we know help millions of people around the world.”
Dr Prasad Nishtala, Reader, University of Bath, said:
“This large population-level study from Sweden uses real-world data and is well-conducted. However, there are some important limitations that should be considered. One major issue is that the severity of depression in dementia patients wasn’t fully accounted for, which has the potential to bias the results. Additionally, there may be a “channelling bias,” meaning that certain antidepressants like citalopram and sertraline might have been more commonly prescribed to patients with severe dementia, which could also bias the results.
“Another key limitation is that the study found only a small change in MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) scores, which may not be meaningful in everyday clinical practice. Previous research has shown that older adults taking tricyclic antidepressants can experience faster cognitive decline because these drugs interfere with the activity of acetylcholine—a chemical in our brain critical for maintaining cognition. Even among SSRIs (a common type of antidepressant), some, like paroxetine, are known to have stronger anticholinergic effects that could impact cognition negatively. There is also a problem of “residual confounding”,- meaning there could be other risk factors that can affect cognition, and it is unclear if they have accounted for other anticholinergic drugs like oxybutynin, which many dementia patients take to treat their urinary incontinence. The analyses were done on dispensed data (medication sold by pharmacists), and it is unclear if patients actually took them.
“This study suggests that SSRIs like citalopram and sertraline might also speed up cognitive decline. However, it doesn’t explain how or why this happens at a biological level. Because of these limitations, the study’s findings should be interpreted with caution and ideally replicated using other real-world data sources.”
‘Antidepressant use and cognitive decline in patients with dementia: a national cohort study’ by Minjia Mo et al. was published in BMC Medicine at 01:00 UK time on Tuesday 25th February.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-03851-3
Declared interests
Prof Tara Spires-Jones: I have no conflicts with this study but have received payments for consulting, scientific talks, or collaborative research over the past 10 years from AbbVie, Sanofi, Merck, Scottish Brain Sciences, Jay Therapeutics, Cognition Therapeutics, Ono, and Eisai. I am also Charity trustee for the British Neuroscience Association and the Guarantors of Brain and serve as scientific advisor to several charities and non-profit institutions.
Dr Emma L Anderson: I have no declarations or conflicts of interest.
Dr Prasad Nishtala: I sit on the editorial board for BMC Medicine.
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MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – Radio 2SM Sydney – Breakfast with Ron Wilson
Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements
RON WILSON [HOST]: Truck drivers in western Sydney are set to benefit from the city’s first dedicated heavy vehicle rest stop. It’s considered a crucial infrastructure project aimed at improving safety and reducing fatigue for long haul truckies. It’s located at Eastern Creek and the site is strategically placed near key motorway junctions. It comes with a $40 million investment price tag from both the Albanese and Minns Labor governments. The project was part of an election promise by the New South Wales Labor government, and marks a significant step in enhancing road safety and ensuring truck drivers have the facilities they need to rest and recharge during their long journeys.
Catherine King is the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government in Australia as well. She’s on the line right now. Catherine, good morning.
CATHERINE KING [MINISTER]: Hi, Ron. It’s great to be with you.
RON WILSON: Tell us about this truck stop. How important is it in the overall scheme of transport?
CATHERINE KING: Well, it’s incredibly important. We know just how much- how busy that freight route is between Melbourne right the way through to Brisbane. Truck drivers are required under our law to actually have rest and rest stops. We can’t have fatigued drivers on the road. But in that area, particularly where there is such a high volume of freight going through, there just really isn’t anywhere for truck drivers to safely rest. And this will be the first dedicated area specifically for trucks ever in western Sydney and at Eastern Creek. We often hear, you know, truck drivers are parking on suburban roads. They’re parking on the side of the road, trying to make sure that they comply with their rest hours. And that is not safe for anybody. It’s certainly not safe for them.
The other thing we know is that we’re seeing increasing numbers of female drivers. They want, as should anyone in their workplace, access to decent toilet facilities, decent shower facilities, safe places to be able to rest and shaded places to be able to rest as well. So this is a really important project. 40 million from the Albanese government, 40 million from the Minns government. They took it to the last state election. We’re saying we’re going to back this in. This is budgeted funding. This is not an election commitment. This is something we want to fund, really as part of the infrastructure program.
It’s been identified by truck drivers as the area- really a missing spot. So this is a really important announcement both for truck drivers but also for road safety. We want drivers who are on our roads that have had- you know, have got decent workplaces that are well rested and have places where they can rest and actually shower and recover from what is a really gruelling and difficult job.
RON WILSON: Boy, a total of over $80 million. It must be some truck stop.
CATHERINE KING: Well, it takes a lot to, you know, build roads to actually get the hard surfacing, but also to get the services out there. You obviously need electricity, you need water, you need sewerage out there as well. Unfortunately, it just does take that amount of money to be able to do that and to build those proper dedicated facilities. Unfortunately, infrastructure is expensive.
RON WILSON: Well, that’s one truck stop. It’s an awful big country. Have you got more of these planned?
CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Well, what we’ve done, I’ve had a $180 million fund. And Senator Glenn Sterle, who might be known to all of you, he’s still driving trucks himself. Every now and again, he gets behind the wheel. He’s from over in the west. I asked him to chair- basically to bring trucking companies together and truck drivers together to identify sites to fund that. And we’ve put the first tranche out of that. There’s smaller stops, often in the regional areas, because we wanted truck drivers to identify, well, where are you stopping? Where are the facilities that are needed? How can we actually fund these? So that’s been part of the government- we took that to the last election, and that’s been steadily rolling its way out, as well as as we build big scale infrastructure. So you’d be aware, you know, there’s big projects up in the Hunter. We look at opportunities there to partner with state and local government to also build those facilities in at the same time. But there’s no doubt that we could have more. And we need to continue to look at opportunities to do that, which is why we’ve got the funding program to try and roll them out. But this will be a single biggest one, and it’s a really big missing area. Like there just isn’t anywhere in that area really. And often you’ll see truck drivers just trying to plough- keep going. But they’ve got to, you know, make sure that they’ve stopped within the hours that [indistinct] drive a certain number of hours.
RON WILSON: [Talks over] Yeah, that’s right.
CATHERINE KING: So it’s really difficult for them to then, you know, get that push through to get to the next stop where they can. And there’s really just nothing in that area for them to stop at.
RON WILSON: Yeah. Minister, this is such good news for all road users, not just the trucking industry. So very pleased that you’re able to come on and have a chat to us about it this morning, I appreciate it.
CATHERINE KING: Really good to be with you.
RON WILSON: The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in Australia, Catherine King, talking about this new truck stop. It’s located at Eastern Creek. It comes at a cost of over $80 million.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Shortlist Of Design Teams Announced For National Memorial For Queen Elizabeth II
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press releaseShortlist Of Design Teams Announced For National Memorial For Queen Elizabeth II
The Government is pleased to announce the shortlisted design teams for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.
The Government is pleased to announce the shortlisted design teams for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II.
The shortlisted design teams include:
- Foster + Partners with Yinka Shonibare and Michel Desvigne Paysagiste
- Heatherwick Studio with Halima Cassell, MRG Studio, Webb Yates and Arup
- J&L Gibbons with Michael Levine RDI, William Matthews Associates, Structure Workshop and Arup
- Tom Stuart-Smith with Jamie Fobert Architects, Adam Lowe (Factum Arte) and Structure Workshop
- WilkinsonEyre with Lisa Vandy and Fiona Clark, Andy Sturgeon Design, Atelier One and Hilson Moran
The finalists were shortlisted following the first stage of a two-stage open competition. Designers were required to submit examples of previous projects relevant to the vision for the memorial set out by the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, alongside details of the unique skills of their multi-disciplinary teams. The competition attracted a wide range of excellent creative talent from across the UK and internationally. The shortlisted teams will be required to submit their design concepts later in the Spring.
The winning design team will be announced in Summer 2025 after the Selection Panel reviews the five shortlisted teams’ concepts. Design teams have been asked to create a memorial masterplan that celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary life of service and provides a space for pause and reflection. The designs will also be assessed against wider criteria, including value for money, placemaking and visitor experience.
The team that is ultimately selected following the competition will add, in discussion with the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, an artist or sculptor for the figurative representation of Her Late Majesty, and this appointment will be announced in Summer 2025.
The site for the new national Queen Elizabeth II Memorial will include the area of St James’s Park adjacent to The Mall at Marlborough Gate, and land surrounding the pathway down to the lake, including the Blue Bridge. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the ceremonial route of The Mall, its historical and constitutional significance and personal connection to Queen Elizabeth.
The final design will be formally announced in April 2026, to coincide with what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s hundredth birthday year.
The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee was established by the UK Government and Royal Household in 2023 and comprises eight senior figures from across British public life, selected for their expertise, and chaired by The Late Queen’s former Private Secretary Lord Robin Janvrin.
The Committee is also continuing its work to develop proposals for a UK-wide legacy programme to commemorate Queen Elizabeth.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Professor Sir Ian Chapman appointed next CEO of UK Research and Innovation with renewed focus on economic growth
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press releaseProfessor Sir Ian Chapman appointed next CEO of UK Research and Innovation with renewed focus on economic growth
Sir Ian will lead the team at UKRI in backing thousands of researchers and innovators in developing solutions which improve people’s lives and help grow the economy
Professor Sir Ian Chapman appointed as new UKRI CEO
Professor Sir Ian Chapman will become the next CEO of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), leading a refreshed mission that puts economic growth at the heart of public investment in R&D, helping to fulfil the potential of science and technology in improving lives, Science Minister Lord Vallance has announced today (Tuesday 25 February).
UKRI is the country’s largest public research funder, with a budget of £9 billion per year, giving it a central role in ensuring public funding is invested in ambitious, pioneering research that will benefit the whole of the UK and provide a clear return on investment for hardworking taxpayers.
Its work in recent years includes backing the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, which has saved countless lives and the construction of the world’s most advanced wind turbine test facility, helping the UK to become a clean energy superpower. It has also been a major contributor to the £1 billion of UK public investment in AI R&D so far so the UK captures the technology’s opportunities to enhance growth and productivity as the third largest AI market in the world.
Sir Ian will lead its team in supporting thousands of bright researchers and innovators in developing solutions from life-saving medicines to protecting our environment – ultimately making a visible, positive difference to people’s lives and supporting the missions at the heart of the Government’s Plan for Change.
His experience will be a major asset in drawing on the UK’s world-leading research talent, facilities, universities and businesses, as drivers of R&D which will kickstart economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower and build an NHS fit for the future.
During his time as CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Sir Ian has led the transition from an organisation rooted in deep R&D excellence, to one that is now also delivering a major infrastructure project to design and build a prototype powerplant; driving inward investment and economic growth; and enabling development of a skilled workforce and supply chain.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:
“Growing the economy is this government’s number one mission and taking full advantage of the innovative ideas, talent and facilities across our country is key to reaching that goal and improving lives across the UK.
“Sir Ian’s leadership experience, scientific expertise and academic achievements make him an exceptionally strong candidate to lead UKRI in pursuing ambitious, curiosity-driven research, as well as innovations that will unlock new benefits for the UK’s people and drive our Plan for Change.
“We also thank Dame Ottoline Leyser ahead of her stepping down this summer, recognising her pivotal work in guiding UKRI through challenging times, notably during the Covid pandemic and through the UK’s return to participation in Horizon Europe.”
Incoming UKRI CEO, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, said:
“I am excited to be joining an excellent team at UKRI focussed on improving the lives and livelihoods of UK citizens.
“Research and innovation must be central to the prosperity of our society and our economy, so UKRI can shape the future of the country.
“I was tremendously fortunate to represent UKAEA, an organisation at the forefront of global research and innovation of fusion energy, and I look forward to building on those experiences to enable the wider UK research and innovation sector.”
Through our world-class universities and institutes, UKRI develops and nurtures future talent who can maintain the UK’s position as a global hub of research, development and deployment in the long term while collaborating with partners around the world so that scientific and technological advances driven in the UK can benefit lives at home and around the world.
UKRI plays a key part in driving up UK participation in the world’s largest research programme, Horizon Europe, helping to build a more efficient and joined-up approach to research funding and unleashing the power of UK research and innovation.
UKRI will also play an increasing role in steering our long-term industrial strategy, removing barriers to growth and building on the UK’s strategic advantage in its fundamental science capability.
UKRI Chairman, Sir Andrew Mackenzie, said:
“The board and I are delighted that Ian will become UKRI’s next CEO in the summer.
“Research and Innovation are fundamental to UK growth. Ian has the skills, experience, leadership and commitment to unlock this opportunity to improve the lives and livelihoods of everyone. We look forward to working with him on the next phase of UKRI’s development and our stewardship of the UK’s innovation culture and systems.
“We thank Ottoline for an outstanding five years as UKRI’s CEO. She has delivered a step-change in operational effectiveness and cross-discipline work through collective and inclusive leadership and secured more social and commercial impacts from our investments.”
Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said:
“I’d like to thank Sir Ian for his many years of dedicated service at UK Atomic Energy Agency, the last nine as CEO. In that time, he has transformed the organisation into a world leading hub for fusion energy commercialisation and driven the UK and global strategy for fusion development forward.
“I am delighted that the UK will continue to benefit from his drive and expertise in his new role. We will shortly begin recruiting a new UKAEA CEO to lead the UK’s world-class fusion programme into the next decade.”
Notes to editors
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Established in 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body that combines the strengths of nine distinct research and innovation funders:
- Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
- Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
- Innovate UK (IUK)
- Medical Research Council (MRC)
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- Research England (RE)
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Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
- Sir Ian – who currently sits on UKRI’s Board – will take up the post in the summer, bringing strong leadership experience from his role as CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority since 2016 and links to academia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Physics, and a visiting Professor at Durham University.
- With a background in fusion and firm grasp of the part that ambitious and targeted R&D can play in improving lives, he has published over 100 journal papers and received several awards for his research.
- His appointment follows an open recruitment process launched in August 2024, after Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser announced her intention to stand down as UKRI’s CEO from June 2025.
- Having held the post since 2020, Dame Ottoline leaves a strong foundation to build on, from navigating the continued delivery of research through the pandemic to supporting the UK’s return to participation in Horizon Europe – putting UKRI in a strong position to bolster its role as an engine for delivering pioneering research to improve lives and grow our economy.
- The UKAEA Board has provisionally agreed that Tim Bestwick (UKAEA deputy CEO) will take over as interim CEO of UKAEA after Sir Ian leaves, whilst a permanent replacement is appointed.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK businesses lead the way with record numbers of female leaders
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press releaseUK businesses lead the way with record numbers of female leaders
FTSE Women Leaders Review and UK Government publish latest report on women in leadership roles at FTSE350 companies.
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UK leads the world in drive to increase the number of women on boards and in leadership at the top of firms.
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More than 60% of FTSE350 companies within striking distance of the 40% target for women’s representation in boardrooms
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Supporting women into leadership roles could unlock billions in economic growth and deliver on Plan for Change
Top British companies are continuing to lead the way for gender equality in boardrooms with women occupying nearly 43% of roles on company boards according to a new report published today (Tuesday 25 February).
The FTSE Women Leaders Review report for 2025, backed by the government and sponsored by sector giants Lloyds Banking Group and KPMG LLP, shows that women now occupy 1,275 or 43% of roles on company boards and 6,743 (35%) of leadership roles at the 350 FTSE companies.
This marks a year-on-year increase and means the target of 40% women’s representation by the end of this year continues to be achieved by FTSE350 businesses. The results of this review show the progress being made to break down barriers to opportunity at the highest levels, within some of the most innovative and important companies in the UK.
Delivering equal opportunities for women is at the heart of the government’s growth mission as part of the Plan for Change, by ensuring they have fair access to a stable, well-paid jobs which will also help drive up living standards.
At a London event this evening, business leaders, ministers and the leaders of the Review will come together to reflect upon and celebrate this progress as well as the contribution it is making to creating a stronger, more dynamic economy.
But the government recognises there is still more to do to bring more women into roles such as company Chairs and CEOs and to increase the number of women on boards and in leadership who hold executive roles. The government will work with FTSE companies and other organisations to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential based on their talent.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
The UK is leading the charge for gender equality in boardrooms, but we cannot rest on our laurels.
We must break down the barriers that stop many women being represented in decision-making roles, so that top talent reaches the highest levels of leadership in businesses driving economic growth across Britain.
Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson OBE said:
I know from founding my own business how strong female voices inspire positive change throughout an organisation, bringing new ideas and adding greater value.
Today’s report shows that whilst the momentum is with us, we have so much further to go. Working with business leaders and investors, we will do everything we can to unlock more opportunities for women at the highest levels as we go for growth and deliver our Plan for Change.
The UK’s approach to gender equality in boardrooms is setting an international precedent for inclusive business, coming second only to France in the G7, with 43.4% representation compared to 45.4%.
Whilst France and many other countries employ the use of quotas, the action taken by British companies has been entirely voluntary demonstrating the ability of the private sector to lead the way, alongside government support, but without overburdening regulation.
By leading the way and committing to improving gender equality companies are demonstrating the market value of increased representation of women in senior roles and the diversity of thinking that this brings, trickling down into small and medium sized businesses who look to replicate this success.
The government’s flagship Employment Rights Bill and Plan to Make Work Pay will further strengthen women’s rights in the workplace and increase protections for women going through the menopause, as well as protections from dismissal whilst pregnant or on maternity leave.
Vivienne Artz, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, said:
In an increasingly disruptive world in which companies are faced with a combination of economic, geo-political and technological change British businesses are setting an international standard for balanced and inclusive leadership.
With its unique Government-backed and business-led voluntary approach, the UK has spearheaded a world-leading transformation in the highest ranks of industry. Whilst FTSE 350 company boards are now gender-balanced, sustained effort and determination is required to achieve the 40% target for women in leadership by the end of this year.
We look forward to working with businesses to deliver on this ambition.
Penny James and Nimesh Patel, Co-Chairs of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, said:
The UK is nothing short of world-leading in driving gender balance at the top of business with business leaders delivering change through voluntary action rather than quotas. Despite many competing priorities companies continue to see equality of opportunity as key to improving productivity and achieving growth.
Balance on FTSE 350 boards has been achieved and women’s representation on executive teams is steadily increasing but a step-up in commitment is required to deliver parity in the key leadership roles.
Over the coming year we urge UK business to remain focused on sustaining momentum, harnessing all of the available talent and driving towards a business environment that offers opportunity for all.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The FTSE Women Leaders Review (the Review) is sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group and KPMG LLP.
Sir Robin Budenberg, Chair of Lloyds Banking Group, said:
As proud co-sponsor of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, we applaud the significant progress made over the years in increasing gender balance on both the boards and leadership teams of the UK’s biggest companies.
A strong, diverse workforce is fundamental to business success. When leadership reflects the society it serves, companies are better equipped to understand their customers, drive innovation and deliver long-term sustainable growth. And if business does not employ the full breadth of society, it will not benefit from all the talent available.
At Lloyds Banking Group we have a gender-balanced board and over 45% representation of women at leadership level but we recognise that progress is neither linear nor inevitable. The responsibility lies with all of us to lead inclusively and to keep gender equality at the top of the agenda. By doing so, we strengthen our businesses and help build a more dynamic, successful economy.
Bina Mehta, Chair of KPMG LLP, said:
With the final year of the FTSE Women Leaders Review ahead, I’m delighted we have continued to make substantial progress in achieving greater gender balance in senior roles, something that reflects many years of voluntary effort and collective action.
It’s particularly encouraging to see the progress made by the UK’s Top 50 Private companies in their first three years of reporting. These companies are keeping pace with the FTSE100 and are currently reporting 35% of Executive Committee roles are held by women.
As Chair of KPMG UK, I am proud that our firm continues to grow the number of women in leadership roles, maintaining our position in the ‘Top Ten Best Performers’. As a firm we recognise the importance of creating an environment where everyone can succeed and thrive.
With the country’s renewed focused on economic growth, if businesses continue to work together, we can help to deliver long term prosperous and sustainable growth.
The Review
The FTSE Women Leaders Review is the independent, business-led framework supported by the Government, which sets recommendations for Britain’s biggest companies to improve the representation of women on their boards and leadership teams. The scope of the Review covers the FTSE 350 and 50 of the UK’s biggest private companies.
Adopting a voluntary approach, the Review captures and publishes progress on 26,000 roles on boards and in leadership two layers below the board, across all sectors of British business on an annual basis.
Women on Boards: 2024
- Reported numbers for Women on Boards of FTSE 350, as of 10th January 2025, show:
Source – BoardEx:
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FTSE 100 is at 44.7%, up from 42.6% in 2023
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FTSE 250 is at 42.6%, up from 41.8% in 2023
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FTSE 350 is at 43.4.%, up from 42.1% in 2023
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50 largest UK private companies are at 30.5% (30.6% in 2023)
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Almost three quarters of FTSE 350 Boards (73.4%) have met or exceeded the current 40% target with that number now standing at 257 up from 235 in 2023.
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The UK FTSE 350 is in 2nd place when compared internationally to the G7 countries but this is being achieved at a greater scale and through entirely voluntary action as opposed to mandatory quota systems. In the UK 350 companies are in scope compared with 40 in France which has quota legislation in place.
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FTSE 100 companies top the rankings for women on boards compared with international indices including the Euronext 100, IBEX and S&P ASK FTSE 100: 44.7% v Euronext 100: 42.2%, IBEX: 40.9% S&P ASX: 40.2%
Women in Leadership: 2024
- Reported numbers for Women in Leadership (defined as the Executive Committee & Direct Reports to the Executive Committee on a combined basis) show:
Source – FTSE Women Leaders, Leadership Data Collection Portal as at 31 October 2024:
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FTSE 100 is at 36.6% up from 35.2% in 2023
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FTSE 250 is at 34.2% up from 33.9% in 2023
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FTSE 350 is at 35.3% up from in 34.5% in 2023
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50 largest UK private companies are at 36.8% up from 35.6% in 2023
Four Key Roles: 2024
1. Women continue to be appointed to the Chair role with a gain of seven FTSE 350 women Chairs in 2024. As a result, the number of women in the Chair role in the FTSE 350 has increased from to 53 in 2023 to 60 in 2024 (17%).
2. The number of women SIDs has increased to 192 across the FTSE 350 in 2024, up from 162 in 2023. Now over half of FTSE 350 companies (56%) have a woman SID.
3. The percentage of women Finance Directors in the FTSE 350 has increased from 48 in 2023 to 57 in 2024 (22%).
4. FTSE 350 women CEOs have reduced from 20 in 2023 to 19 in 2024.
The Recommendations for the Review
There are four Recommendations that were announced in February 2022 to fuel further progress in delivering gender balance at the top of British business:
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The voluntary target for FTSE 350 Boards and Leadership teams was increased to a minimum of 40% women’s representation by the end of 2025.
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Companies should have at least one woman in the Chair, Senior Independent Director role on the board and/or one woman in the Chief Executive Officer or Finance Director role by the end of 2025.
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Key stakeholders should continue to set best-practice guidelines or use alternative mechanisms to encourage any FTSE 350 Board that has not yet achieved the previous 33% target for the end of 2020, to do so.
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The scope of the Review is extended beyond FTSE 350 companies to include 50 of the UK’s largest private companies.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £120 million to roll-out more electric vans, taxis and motorbikes
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release£120 million to roll-out more electric vans, taxis and motorbikes
We are making it easier, faster and cheaper for people across the UK to switch to electric vehicles.
- government extends support to help drivers, businesses, fleets and cabbies make the switch to cleaner vehicles
- red tape blocking businesses from switching to zero emission vans to be cut
- part of £2.3 billion to help make a supported transition to zero emissions vehicles, creating jobs and delivering the Plan for Change
Drivers, cabbies and businesses are set to benefit from £120 million in government funding to make the switch to cleaner vans, wheelchair accessible vehicles and taxis easier, faster and cheaper.
Today (25 February 2025) Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed that the department is extending the Plug-in van grant for another year, to help van drivers and businesses transition to zero emission vehicles.
The extension will mean businesses and van drivers can receive grants up to £2,500 when buying small vans up to 2.5 tonnes and up to £5,000 for larger vans up to 4.25 tonnes.
The Plug-in van grant has helped sell over 80,000 electric and zero emission vans since its launch, as the government continues to back businesses all over the country.
The department is also making it easier to switch to zero emission vans – which can be heavier than their petrol and diesel counterparts despite being of the same size – by removing the requirement for additional training that is currently in place only for zero emission vans but not their petrol and diesel equivalents.
This will help businesses by taking away training costs, cutting red tape and making it easier to hire drivers when operating electric vans.
Today’s funding is part of over £2.3 billion to help industry and consumers make a supported switch to electric vehicles (EVs). This is creating high paid jobs, supporting businesses up and down the country and tapping into a multi-billion pound industry to make the UK a clean energy superpower and deliver the government’s Plan for Change.
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:
From van drivers and businesses, to drivers with accessibility needs, bikers and cabbies, today we are making it easier, faster and cheaper for people to switch to electric vehicles.
By making the transition to zero emissions a success, we’re helping to drive growth all over the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets and rebuilding Britain to deliver our Plan for Change.
The department is also supporting taxi drivers make the switch to electric for another year, by making £4,000 available to buy an iconic zero emission black cab amongst other models, making journeys cleaner and more comfortable for passengers.
The Plug-in wheelchair accessible vehicle grant cap is also being increased from £35,000 to £50,000, giving consumers a wider choice of vehicle models and removing barriers for disabled passengers, so that they can get around more easily and with greater peace of mind.
Today is a positive day for bikers as well, who will continue to enjoy a £500 grant from government to buy an electric motorbike for another year.
Alongside this financial support, the government strengthened incentives to purchase zero emission vehicles in the Autumn Budget 2024 by maintaining generous ZEV incentives in the Company Car Tax regime.
The transition to electric continues at pace. With over 382,000 electric cars sold in 2024 – up a fifth on the previous year – there’s never been a better time to switch to EVs, with one in 3 used electric cars under £20,000 and 21 brand new electric cars RRP under £30,000.
Owning an electric car is also becoming increasingly cheaper, with drivers able to save up to £750 a year if they mostly charge at home compared to petrol.
There are now over 74,000 public chargers in the UK, with a record of nearly 20,000 added last year alone. With 24/7 helplines, contactless payments, and up-to-date chargepoint locations, charging has become easier than ever.
With £200 million announced in the budget to continue powering the chargepoint rollout and £6 billion of private investment in the pipeline, the UK’s charging network will continue to see tens of thousands of chargers added in the coming years so that EV owners can drive with the confidence that they’re never too far from a socket.
Last year saw record numbers of people making a supported switch to electric vehicles, with the UK leading Europe in sales, and growth of more than a fifth on the previous year. The government has been engaging closely with car manufacturers on how to support them to deliver the transition to electric vehicles with a consultation recently closing, which sought views from industry on how to deliver the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars.
The average range of a new electric car is now 236 miles – that’s about 2 weeks of driving for most people – all the while emitting just one-third of the greenhouse emissions of a petrol car during its lifetime.
Roads media enquiries
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Switchboard 0300 330 3000
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government announces raft of new policies and major investment to boost profits for farmers
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press releaseGovernment announces raft of new policies and major investment to boost profits for farmers
Environment Secretary to announce reform package to boost farmers’ profitability as part of the Plan for Change
New reforms to make farming more profitable will be announced today by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed.
Speaking to farmers at the NFU conference in Westminster, Steve Reed will reveal new plans to deliver a profitable farming sector, while reaffirming Government’s cast iron commitment to food production, and unlocking rural growth.
The speech will announce a raft of new policies to put money into the pockets of British farmers including:
- Extending the Seasonal Worker visa route for five more years giving farms a pipeline of workers and certainty to grow their businesses. Annual quota reviews will ensure we strike the right balance – supporting farms while gradually reducing visa numbers as we develop alternative solutions.
- Back British produce: British farmers handed a major boost under new requirements for government catering contracts to favour high-quality, high-welfare products that local farms and producers are well placed to serve. The move marks a major leap in achieving the government’s ambition for at least 50% of food supplied into the £5 billion public sector catering contracts to be from British producers or those certified to higher environmental standards.
- £110 million investment in technology: The Farming Innovation Programme which supports research and development of agri-technology for farmers, for example the chemical free cleaning for integrated milking equipment, which lowers energy costs and chemical use. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides grants of up to £25,000 to buy new equipment such as electric weeders to reduce chemical use.
- Protecting farmers in trade deals: The government will uphold and protect our high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade deals.
- Strengthening Britain’s biosecurity: Setting up a new National Biosecurity Centre to transform the Animal and Plant Health Agency animal health facility at Weybridge, investing £200 million to improve our resilience against animal disease to protect farmers and food producers.
Speaking about profitability, Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is expected to say:
The underlying problem is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment they put in.
I will consider my time as Secretary of State a failure if I do not improve profitability for farmers across the country.
My focus is on ensuring farming becomes more profitable because that’s how we make your businesses viable for the future. And that’s how we ensure the long-term food security this country needs.
This builds on the commitments made at the Oxford Farming Conference, where the Environment Secretary set out the government’s vision for farming including:
- Using planning reforms to support food production: Ensuring our reforms make it quicker for farmers to build the buildings, barns and other infrastructure they need on their farms to boost food production.
- Diversifying income streams: Helping farmers make additional money from selling surplus energy from solar panels and wind turbines by accelerating connections to the grid, supporting them during difficult harvests and supply shocks.
- A fair supply chain: Boosting profitability through fair competition across the supply chain. New rules for the pig sector will come this spring, ensuring contracts clearly set out expectations and changes can only be made if agreed by all parties. Similar regulations for eggs and fresh produce sectors will follow with the government ready to intervene with other sectors if needed.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Emergency homelessness fund boosted to £60 million
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
News storyEmergency homelessness fund boosted to £60 million
An extra £30 million has been confirmed for the Winter Pressures Funding this year.
- Urgent homelessness funding, previously tripled, has now been increased sixfold for this year to reach more people
- Extra cash boost will see thousands of struggling people avoid homelessness, with councils stepping in early to help prevent evictions and secure accommodation
- Builds on the government’s Plan for Change to deliver the biggest increase in tenant protections and affordable housing in decades, ensuring safe and secure housing for all
Thousands on the brink of homelessness will receive lifechanging support to remain in their homes, thanks to new emergency funding of £30 million for homelessness services announced today.
Today’s funding is targeted at 295 areas that are facing the highest risks of homelessness through housing costs and rent arrears. The cash will be specifically given to councils to step in early and keep people in their homes before eviction notices are served, or support people off the streets into accommodation – a lifeline for thousands to regain financial stability, stay in their communities and maintain access to local GPs and support networks.
For councils, this emergency funding means fewer people reaching crisis point and ending up on the streets which will free up resources and ease demand on social services, healthcare, and emergency housing teams.
Last year alone, 146,360 households turned to their council for help, with many on the brink of eviction through no fault of their own, whether from a sudden job loss, a health emergency, an unexpected bill, or a relationship breakdown.
It brings the total Winter Pressures Funding for homelessness and rough sleeping to £60 million this year, with this extra £30 million to bolster resources at councils to act fast when negotiating with landlords, covering emergency rent shortfalls, and making sure people can get on with living their lives in safe and secure housing. This builds on the largest-ever investment in homelessness prevention services of almost £1 billion.
Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali said:
“No one should be forced live in constant fear of losing their home and too many people are being pushed to the brink of homelessness as a direct consequence of the system we’ve inherited.
“That’s why I’m providing an extra £30 million in emergency support for councils– taking real, immediate action to stop people falling through the cracks, stay in their homes, and help them rebuild their lives.
“Our Plan for Change is tackling the worst housing crisis in a generation by delivering the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation, fixing the broken rental market and getting us back on track to end homelessness once and for all.”
The Deputy Prime Minister has personally directed the Ministry of Housing to prioritise remaining departmental funds towards homelessness support. This comes as her dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group is developing a long-term strategy – with ministers across government – to tackle the root causes of rough sleeping and get the country back on track to ending homelessness for good.
This comes as the government’s landmark Renters’ Rights Bill remains on track to become law this year that will abolish one of the leading causes of homelessness, Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. This is alongside stopping rental bidding wars for tenancies and empowering tenants to challenge unreasonable rent increases, providing much-needed stability for millions of working people and families.
Today’s emergency cash injection is just one branch of the government’s Plan for Change to raise living standards for working people and families, strengthen rights and protections for tenants, and drive forward the biggest overhaul of the private rented sector in over 30 years.
The government recently announced a further £20 million to ensure rough sleepers have a safe, warm place to stay with hot meals and specialist care. This is on top of the £10 million announced before Christmas, providing additional resources for emergency accommodation and targeted interventions aimed at getting people off the streets and into stable housing.
As part of long-overdue reforms to the Right to Buy scheme, councils can now keep all receipts from sales to invest in building and buying more homes. On top of this, councils received an additional £450 million last year to secure and create housing for families at risk of homelessness.
Government investment in housing has now increased to £5 billion for this year, including a top-up of £800 million for the existing Affordable Homes Programme, which is supporting efforts to build tens of thousands of affordable and social homes across the country.
Further information
Last year, the government launched an emergency £10 million package for rough sleepers, with a further £20 million in January.
A full breakdown of funding allocations for each council is available here.
Updates to this page
Published 25 February 2025
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: There needs to be a lasting and just peace with Ukraine’s voice at the heart of any talks: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
SpeechThere needs to be a lasting and just peace with Ukraine’s voice at the heart of any talks: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
Today marks the third year of President Putin’s full-scale invasion, forced on the Ukrainian and Russian people, in clear breach of the UN Charter.
So first of all today, of all days, we pause to remember and honour the victims of this war. Those who have lost their lives, their homes, their futures, their limbs, their childhoods, family members and friends. Millions who have been displaced, tens of thousands who have lost their lives.
They’ve lost schools, playgrounds, farms, churches, hospitals.
While Russian forces have used rape, torture and execution as weapons of war and put nuclear safety at risk.
This is a war that Putin said would take three days.
Three years on, Ukrainians have paid a terrible price.
And the impact of this war is not limited to Ukraine.
Hunger, poverty and energy insecurity have increased worldwide.
So second, as we look forward to peace, let’s be clear, no country wants peace more than Ukraine. Ukraine is more than ready for this war to end.
But there needs to be a lasting and a just peace, with Ukraine’s voice at the heart of any talks.
A peace that is not just a pause in fighting but a peace that leaves Ukraine secure and free from Russian attack. A peace that shows that aggression does not pay. And a peace that ends forever Putin’s imperialist ambitions.
And we have to remember that Putin by contrast, only wants capitulation.
So if Russia is allowed to win, we will live in a world where might is right, where borders can be redrawn by force, where aggressors think they can act with impunity. The consequences for peace and security around the world are dire.
So third then, a lasting peace must come from strength.
Strength and courage that Ukraine has shown abundantly in the last three years.
But that strength and courage needs to be underpinned by robust security agreements from the outset because Putin has repeatedly shown that he will break a weak deal.
He has long denied Ukraine’s right to exist as a free state.
So the UK, with our European partners and the United States, will work closely together for Ukraine and Europe will continue to take responsibility for our continent’s security.
The UK is ready to play a leading role to support Ukraine in its right to self-defence. To support the negotiation and implementation of a peace agreement, a just and lasting peace agreement, which protects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, its internationally recognised borders, in line with the UN Charter.
Updates to this page
Published 24 February 2025
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MIL-OSI Australia: Broken Hill’s energy future secured by hi-tech air energy storage system
Source: New South Wales Premiere
An old Broken Hill mine site will soon be transformed into a first-of-its-kind compressed air energy storage system, delivering energy security, jobs and investment to Broken Hill.
The Minns Labor Government has provided planning approval for Hydrostor’s compressed air energy storage system with a capacity of 200 megawatts (MW) / 1,600 MW-hours (MWh). The Silver City Energy Storage Centre could power about 80,000 homes in peak demand and will maintain a reserve capacity of 250 MWh to provide back-up to Broken Hill during times of planned and unplanned outages.
The project is the first-of-its-kind in Australia. It utilises advanced technology that uses compressed air to store energy and generate electricity, without producing greenhouse gases.
The $638 million project will boost the local economy, creating up to 400 full-time construction jobs and around 26 ongoing operational jobs.
During periods of low-energy demand, excess electricity is used to compress air and store it in large underground caverns or tanks.
When energy demand is high, the compressed air is released, heated and expanded through turbines to generate electricity.
The project will be supported by a 65-year government lease on a Crown land site near the Potosi mine at Broken Hill.
The energy storage system will support different renewable energy sources in the region to reliably power homes and businesses in and around Broken Hill.
Broken Hill City Council will receive $3.1 million under a Voluntary Planning Agreement, paid over five years, to benefit the local community.
With work expected to start this year, it is estimated construction of the project will take three to four years.
For more information visit Silver City Energy Storage System | Planning Portal – Department of Planning and Environment
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“Hydrostor’s Silver City Energy Storage Centre boosts the reliability of the NSW electricity grid and provides back-up for homes and businesses in the state’s far west in times of planned and unplanned outages.
“Energy storage solutions like this will go a long way to preventing blackouts like the ones the Far West experienced last year.
“The project will provide construction and ongoing jobs, and will put Broken Hill on the map as a nation leader in renewable energy.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“The city needs a reliable supply of power and this project will provide certainty and reliability for local residents and businesses.
“The Minns Government is working with proponents to see industrial sites rehabilitated and renewed for future use.
“This technology not only supports our transition to cleaner energy sources but also promotes economic growth through job creation in the energy sector.”
Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:
“It’s fantastic to see planning approval confirmed for the Hydrostor project which will be further supported by a 65-year government lease on a Crown land site near Broken Hill.
“The Silver City Energy Storage Facility will be the first of its kind for Australia, generating both vital backup energy for Broken Hill and significant ongoing jobs and investment spending for the Far West economy.”
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MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Government taking action on waste crisis
Source: New South Wales Premiere
Minns Labor Government is taking strong action to prevent a waste crisis in NSW, with landfill due to reach capacity in Greater Sydney by 2030.
NSW has just passed landmark legislation to become the first state to implement a statewide mandate for Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) recycling, to divert food waste from landfill into compost.
The legislation mandates FOGO collection services for households by July 2030, and for businesses and institutions in stages from July 2026.
FOGO bins will be rolled out at premises such as supermarkets, pubs, cafes, universities, schools, hotels and hospitals. Large supermarkets will also be required to report on the amounts and types of surplus food donated to charities like OzHarvest, Second Bite and Foodbank.
With FOGO taking up to a third of household red bin capacity, this legislation will help take some pressure off landfill. It also takes us one step closer to a circular economy in NSW, where resources are recycled, reused and repurposed.
The new laws are backed by a $81 million FOGO Fund to go largely to Councils for infrastructure including bins, kitchen caddies and liners, contamination audits, community education programs and staffing, including a $9 million boost in funding allocated to:
- $4 million to support implementation in apartments and multi-unit dwellings
- $3 million for a statewide advertising campaign to raise awareness and encourage behaviour change
- $1 million for councils with existing FOGO services to conduct annual ‘booster’ education campaigns
- $1 million for a pilot to tackle contamination hotspots using artificial intelligence.
The new laws are projected to divert up to one million tonnes of organic waste from landfill each year. Most will be transformed into high-quality compost for parks, sporting fields and agriculture, promoting healthier soils and sustainable food production.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority is working closely with communities, councils and industry to ensure a smooth and effective transition.
A step-by-step Best Practice Guide has also been launched to help councils introduce FOGO and manage contamination risks.
To learn more about the rollout, visit the NSW EPA website.
The next step to tackle the waste crisis is the refinement of the Energy from Waste framework in NSW.
A discussion paper outlines some small, proposed changes to the existing Energy from Waste framework, including clarification around the definition of thermal treatment.
Public consultation is open from Tuesday, 25 February until Tuesday, 8 April, and feedback can be provided through the NSW Government’s Have Your Say platform.
Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe:
“NSW has ignored the crisis for landfill capacity for too long. We cannot kick this can down the road any longer.
“The new FOGO laws mean NSW is leading the nation in combating food waste, becoming the first to mandate this recycling revolution across the state.
“These new laws are backed by $81 million to support councils to move to FOGO by 2030.”
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MIL-OSI Australia: New Early Career Academy to support more of our best and brightest to take on teaching in NSW
Source: New South Wales Government 2
Headline: New Early Career Academy to support more of our best and brightest to take on teaching in NSW
The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to rebuild public education across New South Wales with the $20 million Innovative Teacher Training Fund to support NSW’s best and brightest students to embark on a successful teaching career.
In a NSW first, the NSW Government is establishing the Early Career Academy for Teachers, fulfilling an election commitment which will serve as a centre of excellence for new and future teachers, with expanded support, enhanced development opportunities and stronger partnerships with universities and across schools.
The Academy will be a one-stop-shop for attracting and supporting new teachers, featuring a digital hub, new scholarships, tailored learning and resources, and embedded department support with a dedicated employee stationed at key universities.
University Admissions Centre data shows growing interest in applications and offers for students studying Education degrees, following several years of decline.
Applications by school leavers for Education degrees have risen by 500 or 23 per cent compared to the same time last year, while offers have risen by 642 or 36 per cent compared to 2024.
The Early Career Academy will focus on making a teaching degree the first preference for more students, improving the classroom readiness of beginning teachers and retaining more early career teachers in NSW public schools.
This initiative builds on the historic pay rise in teachers’ salaries, which took NSW beginning teachers from the worst paid in the country to among the highest. Targeted strategies to address the unsustainable workloads of teachers are also bearing fruit, leading to a greater attractiveness of the teaching profession.
The Early Career Academy for Teachers will develop a range of programs and opportunities including:
- An enhanced scholarship program including early offers to future teachers in high priority regions and specialist areas
- Revamped professional experience placements to facilitate consistent and high quality experiences for pre-service teachers before they enter the classroom
- Greater system-led support for pre-service and beginning teachers, including enhanced resources and collaboration opportunities, to enhance the quality of assistance available to early career teachers
- Stronger strategic partnerships with universities, including Department of Education University Partnership Leads to provide tailored support with those seeking employment opportunities in NSW public schools
- Department-led professional learning to support classroom readiness, curriculum expertise and teaching practices
- A Digital Hub with personalised content to support new and future teachers throughout their educational and professional pathway
The Academy will also continue and expand existing, successful programs such as the school-based Future Teachers Club and rural and remote Beyond the Line study tours.
The Early Career Academy will formally commence in Term 1, 2026, following co-design and engagement with the profession, union and key stakeholders.
The NSW public education system is the largest employer of teachers in Australia with more than 96,000 educators working in our schools every year.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“The Minns Labor Government promised we would do everything we can to get more of our best and brightest into teaching and keep them in the classroom – and we are delivering.
“The Early Career Academy will be a game-changer for new and prospective teachers, provide co-ordinated, multi-faceted support and ensuring we have highly skilled, classroom-ready teachers getting jobs in NSW public schools.
“With the NSW Department of Education being the largest employer of teachers in Australia, it is crucial that universities understand the needs of our public schools, and the Academy will play an important role in ensuring partner universities offer the right courses for our future teachers.
“Our government has delivered nation-leading pay rises for teachers and reduced teacher vacancies by 40%, and we are building on this work to attract more of our best and brightest to teaching careers in our schools – while ensuring they are supported and valued to stay.
“The Academy is not just about getting more people to choose a career in teaching or ensuring they are prepared for the classroom from day one, it is about letting our early career teachers know that the Department and the Government is backing you to succeed.”
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MIL-OSI Australia: Funding for regional groups for stocking native fish in local waters now available
Source: New South Wales Government 2
Headline: Funding for regional groups for stocking native fish in local waters now available
The Minns Labor Government has announced that funding for fishing clubs and native fish stocking groups is now available for restocking regional rivers and dams with iconic native fish such as Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
These fish are also appreciated as highly sought after angling fish that support recreational fishing and local tourism.
The NSW Government is committed to delivering for recreational fishers and the NSW regional environment to preserve the many locations and lifestyles that are special for families and locals.
Two dollars in funding is provided from for every dollar raised by the community to purchase Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod from accredited commercial fish hatcheries for stocking into public waterways.
This program is part of the Government’s commitment to recreational fishers and helps boost native fish stocks to deliver enhanced fishing opportunities into regional waterways where factors such as carp and drought may have hindered native fish stock levels.
The program also supports the regional aquaculture ventures which produce the high-quality fish stock that are released release into public waters to benefit recreational fishers. These ventures provide local jobs in the regions at hatcheries and breeding sites.
Last year 70 grants were approved under the program and delivered fish stocks for local fishing clubs to restock waterways in places like Lake Cargelligo, Leeton, Walgett, Bermagui, Nowra, Goulburn, Tumut and Yass.
Australian bass live in coastal rivers along the east coast and downstream for breeding from may to August. Golden Perch occur throughout the Murray-darling river system and are migratory species following increases in water flow up stream during spring and summer.
Murray Cod encompass most of the Murray Darling Rivers and mature adults will travel long distances to spawn during spring and summer.
Fish stocking in NSW is carefully managed under a fish stocking fishery management strategy to ensure sustainability to ensure the activity is conducted with appropriate environmental controls and generates quality recreational fishing outcomes.
Groups interested in applying for the grants, can apply online before the closing dates for the Community Native Fish Stocking (CNFS) 2025/26 grants program. Fish stocking is expected to take place between November 2025 and April 2026.
A minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $6,000 per application per group is required. Only one application per group may be submitted.
Applications to stock Australian Bass close on 28 March 2025.
Applications to stock Golden Perch or Murray Cod close on 9 May 2025.
To apply https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/stocking/CNFS
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
“Our Government is focused on delivering great recreational fishing and environmental outcomes. This program delivers in every way for fishers by populating highly popular native sportfish in regional waterways.
“These fish stocking events will help diversify and enhance our valuable native fishery, increase fishing amenity and support local businesses.
“Millions of fish are produced and stocked by government and private sector hatcheries each year into rivers, streams and dams across the State to improve recreational fishing opportunities in NSW that create jobs for regional people.
“Native fish stocking provides many economic and social benefits, as well as positive environmental outcomes due to the importance of native fish in the landscape.
“This is another great example of your fishing licence fees at work. More information on fish stocking can be found online.”
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: There can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
SpeechThere can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, following the vote on the UN Security Council Resolution 2774 on Ukraine.
Today marks three years since Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today, we remember the millions of Ukrainians displaced, the tens of thousands of civilians killed, the lives destroyed by President Putin’s imperial ambition.
As the Secretary-General said again yesterday, this war is illegal, a clear violation of the UN Charter and a threat to the core principles of the UN.
No-one wants peace more than Ukraine.
But the terms of that peace matter.
Only a just peace, one that honours the terms of our Charter, will endure.
And the terms of the peace must send a message that aggression does not pay.
This is why there can be no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine in how this Council refers to this war.
If we are to find a path to sustainable peace, the Council must be clear on the war’s origins.
We also owe it to the people of Ukraine who have suffered so much.
Russia chose to launch a war of aggression against a sovereign state, but again today is seeking to obfuscate that fact.
We must also insist on respect for the UN Charter, and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognised borders.
Upholding the Charter is the responsibility of every member of the UN, and especially every member of this Council.
Every member.
What, how and on what terms this war ends can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine.
No peace will be sustainable without Ukraine’s consent.
We regret that our proposals making these points clear were not taken on board, and as such we could not support this resolution.
But we share the ambition to find a lasting end to this war, supported by robust security arrangements that ensure Ukraine never again has to face Russia’s attack.
As my Prime Minister has made clear – the UK remains ready to play its part.
We will continue to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to protect and defend itself and its people.
We remind the Council that Russia could achieve this tomorrow – by ceasing its aggression and withdrawing its forces from all of Ukraine.
Updates to this page
Published 24 February 2025
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MIL-OSI: Alaris Equity Partners Provides Corporate Update
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAW.CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (all numbers in this release are in US dollars (US$) unless otherwise noted) Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust (the “Trust“) (TSX: AD.UN) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Alaris Equity Partners USA Inc. (collectively, with the Trust and its other subsidiaries, “Alaris“) has made an investment of $21.0 million into Berg Demo Holdings, LLC (“Berg“) (the “Berg Investment”) and $61.1 million into Professional Electric Contractors of Connecticut, Inc. (“PEC“) (the “PEC Investment“). Alaris is also pleased to announce the redemption of Alaris’ investment in Unify Consulting LLC (“Unify“), which closed in December, and resulted in gross proceeds of $12.3 million to Alaris (the “Unify Redemption“).
“A productive start to 2025 with the closing of two new partnerships and the successful exit of another. Berg and PEC both signify the forming of partnerships with very strong entrepreneurs. David Berg and Jim Bisson from Berg and PEC respectively are exactly what we look for in partners. Long track records of success and a strong passion to continue to grow their businesses. Both partners have the capacity and desire to grow through acquisitions in addition to continued organic growth.
I’d like to thank Darren Alger and his team at Unify for a wonderful eight years as our partner. Alaris originally funded a management buyout for Darren and we are proud of how well he has done as majority owner. Crystallizing another investment with an IRR of 20% is also an excellent result for our management team,” said Steve King, Chief Executive Officer, Alaris.
Berg Investment
The Berg Investment consists of: (i) $17.15 million (the “Berg Preferred Contribution“) of preferred equity, entitling Alaris to an initial annualized distribution of $2.40 million (the “Berg Distribution“); and (ii) $3.85 million (the “Berg Common Equity“) for a minority common equity ownership in Berg. The Berg Distribution will reset annually based on the percentage change in gross profit, subject to a collar of +/- 7%.
Berg has an earnings coverage ratio between 1.5x and 2.0x based on Berg’s trailing twelve-month financial results and giving effect to certain other changes to Berg’s capital structure. The Berg Investment will be used for capital investment and to provide partial liquidity to equity holders.
“We are thrilled to partner with Alaris, a partnership that strengthens our leadership team’s ability to drive future growth. As a third-generation demolition, scrap, and hazardous materials company, Berg has built a legacy of excellence. With Alaris’s strategic support and expertise, we are confident that Berg will continue to thrive as an industry leader for generations to come,” said David Berg, Founder, Berg.
Berg is a leading demolition solutions provider serving public, commercial and industrial end markets in the Baltimore and DC, Maryland & Virginia (“DMV”) metropolitan area in the United States. Founded in 1998 by David Berg and headquartered in Baltimore, MD, Berg has become the preeminent hazardous material abatement, selective structural and building razing operation in the region.
PEC Investment
The PEC Investment of $61.1 million consists of a $37.0 million investment in debt and preferred equity (the “PEC Contribution“) as well as an investment of $24.1 million in exchange for a minority common equity ownership in PEC (the “PEC Common Equity“). Included within the $37.0 million PEC Contribution is $10.0 million of preferred equity redeemable at par. The PEC Contribution will result in an annualized cash distribution to Alaris of $5.18 million (the “PEC Distribution“), an initial combined annual yield of 14% and will reset annually +/- 7% based on changes in PEC’s revenue. The proceeds from the PEC Investment were used for partial liquidity to existing PEC shareholders.
PEC has an earnings coverage ratio between 1.5x and 2.0x, based on PEC’s trailing twelve-month financial results and giving effect to changes to PEC’s capital structure following the Alaris investment.
“When we first met Alaris, we liked their people and their unique model immediately; Alaris’ combination of financial strength and M&A acumen will allow us to focus on growth, while their approach recognizes our desire to protect and preserve PEC’s culture, which has always been a competitive advantage and our defining attribute,” said Jim Bisson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, PEC.
PEC is a full-service electrical contracting firm with a broad range of capabilities ranging from commercial installations, historical structural retrofits and large scale Photovoltaic (PV) projects. In addition, through its subsidiary North American Renewables, Inc, PEC is a leading solar engineering, procurement and construction (“EPC”) contractor. PEC serves the Greater New England and New York area.
Unify Redemption
Alaris successfully exited its partnership with Unify after eight years resulting in total gross proceeds over the life of the investment of CAD$51.6 million. Alaris’ total return on the Unify investment is CAD$38.6 million, equating to an unlevered IRR of 20% and MOIC of 1.9x.
Following the Berg and PEC Investment, and the Unify Redemption, Alaris will have approximately CA$412.9 million drawn on its senior credit facility (the “Facility“) and $87.1 million available for investment purposes while the total senior debt to EBITDA on a proforma basis is approximately 2.43x. Alaris estimates its run rate payout ratio to be approximately 57.6% following today’s announcement.
About Alaris:
The Trust, through its subsidiaries, invests in a diversified group of private businesses (“Private Company Partners“) primarily through structured equity. The primary goal of our structured equity investments is to deliver stable and predictable returns to our unitholders through both cash distributions and capital appreciation. This strategy is enhanced by common equity positions, which allow us to generate returns in alignment with the founders of our Private Company Partners.
NON-IFRS MEASURES:
Earnings Coverage Ratio refers to the Normalized EBITDA of a Partner divided by such Partner’s sum of debt servicing (interest and principal), unfunded capital expenditures and distributions to Alaris. Management believes the earnings coverage ratio is a useful metric in assessing our partners continued ability to make their contracted distributions.
Normalized EBITDA refers to EBITDA excluding items that are non-recurring in nature and is calculated by adjusting for non-recurring expenses and gains to EBITDA. Management deems non-recurring charges to be unusual and/or infrequent charges that our Partners incur outside of its common day-to-day operations.
EBITDA refers to earnings determined in accordance with IFRS, before depreciation and amortization, net of gain or loss on disposal of capital assets, interest expense and income tax expense. EBITDA is used by management and many investors to determine the ability of an issuer to generate cash from operations.
IRR is a supplementary financial measure and refers to internal rate of return, which is a metric used to determine the discount rate that derives a net present value of cash flows to zero. Management uses IRR to analyze partner returns. The Trust’s method of calculating this supplementary financial measure may differ from the methods used by other issuers. Therefore, it may not be comparable to similar measures by other issuers.
MOIC is a supplementary financial measure and refers to multiple of capital invested, which is a financial metric used to evaluate the value of an investment relative to the initial capital. Management uses MOIC to analyze partner returns. The Trust’s method of calculating this supplementary financial measure may differ from the methods used by other issuers. Therefore, it may not be comparable to similar measures by other issuers.
The terms Earnings Coverage Ratio, Normalized EBITDA, EBITDA, IRR and MOIC (the “Non-IFRS Measures“) are not standard measures under IFRS. Alaris’ calculation of the Non-IFRS Measures may differ from those of other issuers and, therefore, should only be used in conjunction with the Trust’s annual audited and unaudited interim financial statements, which are available under the Trust’s (and its predecessor’s) profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of “safe harbor” provisions under applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this news release may be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, management’s expectations, intentions and beliefs concerning the Berg and PEC Investments and the Unify redemption. Many of these statements can be identified by words such as “believe”, “expects”, “will”, “intends”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “continues” or similar words or the negative thereof. Forward looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements regarding: the annualized distributions for the Berg and PEC Investments; the earnings coverage ratios for Berg and PEC; and Alaris’ outstanding indebtedness and use of the balance of the Facility. Any forward-looking statements herein which constitute a financial outlook or future-oriented financial information (including the impact on Run Rate Payout Ratio) were approved by management as of the date hereof and have been included to provide an understanding of Alaris’ financial performance and are subject to the same risks and assumptions disclosed herein. There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which these forward-looking statements are based will occur.
By their nature, forward-looking statements require Alaris to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Assumptions about the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies over the next 24 months and how that will affect Alaris’ business and that of its Partners are material factors considered by Alaris management when setting the outlook for Alaris. Key assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that: interest rates will not rise in a matter materially different from the prevailing market expectations over the next 12 to 24 months; no widespread global health crisis will impact the economy or any Partners’ operations in a material way in the next 12 months; the businesses of the majority of our Partners will continue to grow; the businesses of new Partners and those of existing partners will perform in line with Alaris’ expectations and diligence; more private companies will require access to alternative sources of capital and that Alaris will have the ability to raise required equity and/or debt financing on acceptable terms. Management of Alaris has also assumed that the Canadian and U.S. dollar trading pair will remain in a range of approximately plus or minus 15% of the current rate expectations over the next 6 months. In determining expectations for economic growth, management of Alaris primarily considers historical economic data provided by the Canadian and U.S. governments and their agencies as well as prevailing economic conditions at the time of such determinations.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions and should not be read as guarantees or assurances of future performance. The actual results of the Trust and the Partners could materially differ from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of certain risk factors, including, but not limited to: the ability of our Partners and, correspondingly, Alaris to meet performance expectations for 2025 and beyond; any change in the senior lenders’ outlook for Alaris’ business; management’s ability to assess and mitigate the impacts of any local, regional, national or international health crises like COVID-19 or its variants; the dependence of Alaris on the Partners; reliance on key personnel; general economic conditions in Canada, North America and globally; failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefit of Alaris’ financing arrangements with the Partners; a failure of the Trust or any Partners to obtain required regulatory approvals on a timely basis or at all; changes in legislation and regulations and the interpretations thereof; risks relating to the Partners and their businesses, including, without limitation, a material change in the operations of a Partner or the industries they operate in; inability to close additional Partner contributions in a timely fashion, or at all; a change in the ability of the Partners to continue to pay Alaris’ distributions; a material change in the unaudited information provided to Alaris by the Partners; a failure of a Partner (or Partners) to realize on their anticipated growth strategies; a failure to achieve the expected benefits of the third-party asset management strategy or similar new investment structures and strategies; conflicts of interest that may arise under the asset management strategy or otherwise; a failure to achieve resolutions for outstanding issues with Partners on terms materially in line with management’s expectations or at all; and a failure to realize the benefits of any concessions or relief measures provided by Alaris to any Partner or to successfully execute an exit strategy for a Partner where desired. Additional risks that may cause actual results to vary from those indicated are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Forward Looking Statements” in the Trust’s Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, which is filed under the Trust’s profile at www.sedar.com and on its website at www.alarisequitypartners.com.
This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, “FOFI”) about increases to the Trust’s net operating cash from activities and revenues, each of which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications as set forth above. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI and forward-looking statements. Alaris’ actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Trust will derive therefrom. The Trust has included the forward-looking statements and FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on Alaris’ future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Alaris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. Statements containing forward-looking information reflect management’s current beliefs and assumptions based on information in its possession on the date of this news release. Although management believes that the assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Alaris does not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new events or circumstances except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
ir@alarisequity.com
P: (403) 260-1457
Alaris Equity Partners Income Trust
Suite 250, 333 24th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2S 3E6 -
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council agrees extra funding for vital care services in 2025/26 budget
Source: City of Plymouth
An annual budget that injects more than £30 million of additional funding to meet ongoing cost and demand pressures in essential social care and homelessness services has been agreed by Plymouth City Council.
The additional funds have been included in the £253.4 million revenue budget for 2025/26 approved by at the Full Council meeting on Monday (24 February).
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “Despite the huge financial challenges we continue to face, we have not only managed to balance the books but also delivered a budget that remains hugely ambitious for growing Plymouth’s prosperity and delivering what Plymouth residents say matters most – creating jobs, more affordable housing, improving health, increasing safety and most importantly, supporting the elderly and protecting the most vulnerable children in Plymouth.
“It is also a budget that protects and enhances valued services such as libraries, grass cutting, street cleansing and repairing our roads and pavements.
“This is a budget that allow Plymouth to continue to do remarkable things in difficult circumstances.”
The additional funding includes £16 million additional funding for protecting vulnerable children, £2 million for school transport for children with a Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND), £12 million for adult social care and £724,000 to support the homeless.
An extra £770,000 has also been allocated to help reduce the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) waiting list.
The additional funding means that 83 per centof the Council’s total revenue budget is now spent on social care services.
The 2025/26 budget also maintains a £300,000 uplift in the grass cutting budget and an additional £425,000 to increase the staff resource in the Street Services team, which manages grass cutting, street cleansing and waste collection services.
It also includes an additional £250,000 to support funding the Council’s Net Zero commitment, an extra £141,000 to support the Council’s leisure provider Plymouth Active Leisure and £226,000 to support foster carers with an additional allowance.
To deliver a balanced budget the Council needs to continue to transform how it operates to increase efficiency and reduce cost. The agreed budget requires that a total of £9.6 million savings need to be delivered by all Council departments.
They include £3.1 million of savings plans through the ongoing transformation of Children’s Services and £2.7 million of savings in the Adults, Health and Communities directorate through its modernisation plans and contract savings.
To support the budget a Council Tax increase of 2.99 per cent and a two per cent precept to support adult social care services was agreed.
The full council also agreed a capital programme of £395.8 million for 2024/25 to 2028/29.
This includes funding for the transport improvement schemes, such as the Woolwell to The George scheme; the rail station regeneration scheme; investment in housing projects and tackling homelessness; projects delivering the city’s net zero ambitions; introducing zero emission buses; delivering Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, the Armada Way regeneration scheme; highway maintenance, drainage and essential engineering projects; and the regeneration of key waterfront assets such as Tinside Lido through the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A peace that rewards aggression is not real peace: UK Statement in the UN General Assembly
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
SpeechA peace that rewards aggression is not real peace: UK Statement in the UN General Assembly
Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, in the UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.
The United Kingdom welcomes the resumption of this Special Session on Ukraine.
Three years on, Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion has caused untold suffering, most recently in the massive wave of drone attacks over the weekend, reportedly the largest in a single night in three years.
Millions of Ukrainians have fled their homes, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed.
Children forcibly deported.
Schools, homes, hospitals, places of worship destroyed.
And Russia’s forces have committed the most appalling crimes – summary executions, torture, rape.
Enough is enough, as the Secretary-General reminded us.
Russia’s aggression did not begin three years ago, but long before that.
When my Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy this week, he was clear that any outcome to the war must safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A peace that rewards aggression is not a real peace.
And a peace that rewards aggression will not last.
Because Putin has a long track record of making deals with his fingers crossed behind his back.
Well, not this time.
We must not make the mistake of weak deals of the past.
This time, there must be peace through strength.
And that is why there can be no negotiations about Ukraine, without Ukraine.
Colleagues, it is not just Ukraine’s security that is at stake.
It is Britain’s too.
But it is the security of all of us.
Every single Member State who does not want to see tanks driving over their border, killing their people, stealing their children and redrawing their borders on a whim.
Today 93 countries again stood with Ukraine, voting to reaffirm our respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the UN Charter.
We all want an end to this war.
No country more so than Ukraine and its people.
As my Prime Minister has said, the UK is ready to play its part to support efforts for peace.
We will continue to support Ukraine to defend itself and to have its voice heard.
But let us not forget a simple truth: that Russia could end this war tomorrow, by ceasing its aggression and withdrawing its forces from Ukraine.
But the Kremlin shows no more sign of that than they have done at any point in the last three years.
So today, as for the last three years and for the future, we stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and with our allies for as long as it takes.
Until Ukraine wins a peace that respects the UN Charter and delivers a secure future for its people and for all of us.
Updates to this page
Published 24 February 2025