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Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford kicks off Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 preparations with a special reception for Eccles RFC women and girls teams

    Source: City of Salford

    To launch the city’s preparations for the Women’s Rugby World Cup and celebrate the incredible contribution of women and girls’ rugby in Salford, the Ceremonial Mayor hosted a special reception at Salford Civic Centre for players, coaches, and volunteers from Eccles RFC.

    The event also recognised Eccles RFC’s achievement in receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. As Salford’s largest community Rugby Union club, Eccles RFC plays a vital role in promoting rugby and supporting the local community, offering opportunities for women and girls to get involved in the game.

    Ceremonial Mayor, Councillor Tanya Burch, said: “Eccles RFC is a shining example of what sport can achieve. Not only does it help people stay active, but it also brings communities together and offers fantastic opportunities for women and girls to be part of something special. Congratulations again to Eccles RFC for their well-deserved King’s Award for Voluntary Service, and thank you to everyone who continues to support and grow women’s rugby in Salford.”

    Councillor Robinson-Smith, Lead Member for Culture, Heritage, Equalities, Sports and Leisure, said: “With just over six months to go until Salford Community Stadium hosts four Rugby World Cup pool games, we’re working hard to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting legacy in our city. From schools programmes to non-contact rugby sessions led by Salford Community Leisure, we’re creating exciting opportunities for more women and girls to experience and enjoy the game.”

    The Rugby World Cup 2025 will see the world’s best women’s teams compete in venues across England, with Salford Community Stadium hosting four pool games. This is a fantastic opportunity for local residents to experience international rugby at the highest level and cheer on teams like Australia, Scotland, and Wales right here in Salford. The tournament aims to inspire the next generation of players and leave a lasting legacy for women’s rugby in the city.

    Salford Community Stadium will host the following Women’s Rugby World Cup pool games:

    Saturday 23 August 2025

    • Australia vs Samoa
    • Scotland vs Wales

    Saturday 30 August 2025

    • Canada vs Wales
    • Scotland vs Fiji

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    Date published
    Friday 14 February 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Salford managing agent fined for serious safety breaches in House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

    Source: City of Salford

    • Salford City Council inspection results in court action with a £6,600 fine, costs totalling £4,500 and a victim surcharge of £2,000. (Total cost £13,160)
    • Three offences of failing to comply with The Licensing and Management of a House in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006, of which the most serious relates to failure to ensure adequate fire escape routes
    • HMO landlords and managing agents in Salford advised to take immediate action to ensure their properties meet the required standards

    Salford based Student-Haus Limited pleaded guilty at Tameside Magistrates’ Court following action taken by Salford City Council after an inspection at the HMO where they were found  breaching critical safety regulations. 

    In failing to comply with The Licensing and Management of HMO Regulations 2006 following an inspection in November 2023 carried out by Salford City Council, Student-Haus Limited has been ordered to pay a £6,600 fine, £4,500 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000 (totalling £13,160).

    Student-Haus Limited was found guilty of three offences relating to fire safety breaches.

    The three offences included breaches of:

    1. Regulation 4(1)(b) – the manager must ensure that all means of escape from fire in the HMO are maintained in good order and repair.
    2. Regulation 7(1)(a) The manager must ensure that all common parts of the HMO are maintained in good and clean decorative repair.
    3. Regulation 7(1)(b) The manager must ensure that all common parts of the HMO are maintained in a safe and working condition.

    With its commitment to building a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all, Salford City Council strongly encourages landlords to take immediate action to ensure their properties meet the required standards, focusing on key compliance areas and adopting a proactive management approach. This will not only help in avoiding financial penalties but also in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of tenants.

    Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty stated: “I’m pleased with this outcome, which clearly reinforces the importance that tenants deserve to live in safe and well managed properties. This action by the court and through civil penalty notices issued by the Council should be a warning to other landlords to check they are meeting all their obligations.

    “Negligent landlords who put tenants’ health and safety at risk have no excuse to abandon their legal duties. Residents of Salford living in HMOs can be assured that the council will take action against landlords and agents who don’t stick to the rules.”

    A HMO can be bedsit, shared house or flat occupied by more than one household and more than two people, with shared kitchens or bathrooms. If you are a landlord of an HMO you need to have a licence. Apply to Salford City Council for an HMO licence.

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    Date published
    Friday 14 February 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local businesses urged to take part in Freebie Fortnight

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Local small and medium-sized businesses can now apply to take part in a new city centre promotion designed to drive more people into the area – Freebie Fortnight.

    The promotion will run next month in co-ordination with local retail and hospitality businesses to boost city centre footfall, visitor numbers, and local spend.

    Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “I’d urge local eligible businesses – particularly those near the current construction works at Union Street Central and the new market building – to apply and take part in the Freebie Fortnight promotion.

    “This initiative will help towards providing a truly vibrant city centre which attracts locals, visitors, residents and tourists to the area.”

    Finance and Resources Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Freebie Fortnight will be a help to local shops, cafes, and restaurants, in the city centre to further develop and diversify their offering to customers while taking part in a fun promotion.

    “Shifts in consumer behaviour, pandemic recovery, and rising energy and living costs have all had an impact on why and how often people visit their local high street. Promotions such as Freebie Fortnight will help to attract people into the city centre.”

    The Freebie Fortnight is to take place from 10 March to 23 March, dates which would avoid existing key events such as Aberdeen Restaurant Week and Mother’s Day.

    Each retailer will be asked to select an in-store offering of value up to either £5 or £10, to be made available to a set number of customers per day over the period, for free. Customers will need to use a verbal code to access the offering.

    The expectation around free in-store offerings, for up to £5, could be a hot drink or baked good for example. For up to £10, could be a lunch deal with soft drink in a restaurant, or a free gift in a retail setting. Participating businesses will have an opportunity to devise their own deal based on stock and deliverability.

    A variety of offerings will be ensured, from ‘grab and go’ options which may attract workers and commuters, to sit-down or browsing options which may attract visitors and increase dwell time spent in the city centre.

    Customers will be required to use a verbal code to access the offering will avoid cannibalisation of regular sales for the participating business. There is also the likelihood of additional spend, with customers purchasing extra items to ‘complement’ the free offering, ie a cake with a coffee. In a retail setting, it will be suggested that the free offering is attached to a minimum spend, ie customers spending £10 will receive a £10 voucher to spend next time they return.

    There will be a supporting marketing campaign to accompany the ‘Freebie Fortnight’ for participating retailers alongside support from Aberdeen Inspired, Business Gateway, Opportunity North East, Our Union Street, and the Federation of Small Businesses. 

    There will be a particular emphasis on targeting businesses near the current construction works at Union Street Central and the new market building.

    It is expected that funding will support up to 20 businesses to take part, and criteria will be set around these being local SMEs, with fewer than three stores, rather than national chains. Care will be taken to ensure that the participating businesses are representative of multiple sectors.

    Funding from UK Government administered by Aberdeen City Council will meet the cost of the promotion by reimbursing each participating business.

    The deadline to apply is 21 February or once all funds have been allocated. More information and how to apply is at Freebie Fortnight | Aberdeen City Council

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: El Salvadoran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – An El Salvadoran national living in Methuen, Mass. pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to illegal reentry.

    Agustin Landaverde-Romero, 57, pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S.  District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for May 21, 2025. Landaverde-Romero was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024.

    On or about July 13, 2020, Landaverde-Romero was found in the United States without having received express consent of the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Landaverde-Romero was previously removed to El Salvador on Oct. 7, 1999.  

    The charge of illegal reentry provides for sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.  

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Goldmoney Inc. Reports Results for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2024; Announces Restatement of 2024 audited comparative Financial Statements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands, Feb. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Goldmoney Inc. (TSX:XAU) (US:XAUMF) (“Goldmoney” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for the fiscal 2025 third quarter period ended December 31, 2024. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

    Financial statements are available online at Sedar+ www.sedarplus.ca.

    Financial Highlights

    • Group Tangible Capital of $138.8 million, an increase of 2.6% QoQ
    • Group Tangible Capital per Share of $10.40, an increase of 1.4% QoQ
    • Group Tangible Capital per Share excluding MENE of $9.45 per share, an increase of 1.6% QoQ
    • Adjusted Net Income of $3.9 million, a decrease of 11.2% QoQ

    Quarterly Performance Metrics Table

      Q3 Q2   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2 Q1   Q4  
    Key Performance Metrics (Balance Sheet)      
    Shares outstanding 13,348 13,182   13,060   13,137   13,449   13,777 13,926   13,996  
    Shareholder equity 152,487 149,026   147,984   141,178   173,761   172,602 173,224   172,123  
    Tangible equity inclusive of MENE 138,832 135,299   133,780   126,100   147,078   143,019 143,475   142,203  
    Tangible equity exclusive of MENE 126,164 122,631   113,217   105,457   113,059   108,396 108,756   107,599  
    Tangible equity per share ($CAD) 10.40 10.26   10.24   9.60   10.94   10.38 10.30   10.16  
    Tangible equity per share exclusive of MENE 9.45 9.30   8.67   8.03   8.41   7.87 7.81   7.69  
    Key Performance Metrics (Operational)      
    Net income (loss) 2,891 (3,896 ) 5,132   (32,095 ) 6,005   2,009 1,995   (4,050 )
    Total comprehensive income (loss) 2,628 792   6,077   (30,640 ) 7,391   627 1,651   (4,053 )
    Adjustments for revaluations, FX, stock
    compensation, and non-cash items    		 1,246 3,569   550   34,857   (1,350 ) 2,310 1,903   7,020  
    Non-IFRS adjusted net income 3,874 4,361   6,627   4,217   6,040   2,937 3,554   2,966  
    Key Performance Metrics (Earnings per Share)      
    Basic earnings (loss) per share 0.22 (0.29 ) 0.39   (2.42 ) 0.44   0.15 0.14   (0.27 )
    Diluted earnings (loss) per share 0.22 (0.29 ) 0.38   (2.42 ) 0.44   0.14 0.14   (0.27 )
    Non-IFRS adjusted net income per share 0.29 0.33   0.51   0.32   0.45   0.21 0.26   0.21  
                                 

    Financial Statement Restatement

    Goldmoney also announces the restatement of previously issued financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (the “Restatement”).

    Since the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Goldmoney.com was founded, client cash and client precious metals had been treated as an off-balance sheet item and clearly disclosed as such in the Notes to the Company’s audited annual financial statements. The Restatement recognizes and presents client cash within Goldmoney.com on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet with a corresponding liability. This has been presented in prior years as a line item separate from the Company’s cash and cash equivalents. Consequently, the March 31, 2024, audited consolidated financial statements have been restated to capture this change in presentation, along with the related management’s discussion and analysis, and the 2024 Annual Information Form (collectively, the “Restatement Package”). This restated accounting presentation for client cash has also been reflected in the Company’s December 31, 2024, unaudited interim financial statements. There has been no impact to the Company’s financial statement presentation of historic equity or earnings as a result of this restatement.

    The Restatement has been approved by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Audit Committee and management in connection with a review of its historic accounting treatment of client cash as off-balance sheet assets. Management considers these restatements to result from a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting, and accordingly has implemented measures to address this weakness. As described in the restated annual information form and other public disclosure, Goldmoney Inc.’s wholly owned subsidiary Goldmoney.com operates an online platform which provides clients with access to purchase and sell precious metals, and to arrange for custody and storage in accordance with the terms of a standard-form client agreement available on the Goldmoney website (the “Client Agreement”). Cash balances used to settle purchases and sales are held in Company bank accounts.

    Shareholders and users of Goldmoney’s financial statements should note that the Restatement is not a result of any change to its operations, business or financial operating performance for the restated periods. The Company continues to hold customer cash on behalf of its clients in accordance with and in full compliance with all of the terms of the Client Agreement.

    The Restatement Documents have been filed at Sedar+ www.sedarplus.ca with the unaudited interim financial statements for the three- and nine-month period ended December 31, 2024, with restated unaudited comparative interim financial statements the three- and nine-month period ended December 31, 2023.

    The effect of the restatement on the condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position and condensed consolidated interim statements of cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 are as follows:

                 
    Effect on Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position        
                 
    As at June 30, 2024   Previously
    Reported
    ($)    		   Adjustment
    ($)    		   Restated
    ($)
                 
    Client cash   –     61,472,682   61,472,682  
    Total assets   193,484,934     61,472,682   254,957,616  
                 
    Client liabilities   –     61,472,682   61,472,682  
    Total liabilities   45,500,586     61,472,682   106,973,268  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   193,484,934     61,472,682   254,957,616  
                 
    As at September 30, 2024   Previously
    Reported
    ($)    		   Adjustment
    ($)    		   Restated
    ($)
                 
    Client cash   –     67,446,073   67,446,073  
    Total assets   195,538,391     67,446,073   262,984,464  
                 
    Client liabilities   –     67,446,073   67,446,073  
    Total liabilities   46,512,066     67,446,073   113,958,139  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   195,538,391     67,446,073   262,984,464  
                 
    Effect on Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows        
                 
                 
    For the three month period ended June 30, 2024   Previously
    Reported
    ($)    		   Adjustment
    ($)    		   Restated
    ($)
                 
    Net cash provided by operating activities   7,683,278     2,859,508   10,542,786  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (6,963,178 )   –   (6,963,178 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (1,328,262 )   –   (1,328,262 )
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents and client cash   (608,162 )   2,859,508   2,251,346  
                 
    For the three month period ended September 30, 2024   Previously
    Reported
    ($)    		   Adjustment
    ($)    		   Restated
    ($)
                 
    Net cash provided by operating activities   4,726,457     5,973,391   10,699,848  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (6,793,363 )   –   (6,793,363 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (1,640,059 )   –   (1,640,059 )
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents and client cash   (3,706,965 )   5,973,391   2,266,426  
                     
    For the six month period ended September 30, 2024   Previously
    Reported
    ($)    		   Adjustment
    ($)    		   Restated
    ($)
                 
    Net cash provided by operating activities   12,409,735     8,832,899   21,242,634  
    Net cash used in investing activities   (13,756,541 )   –   (13,756,541 )
    Net cash used in financing activities   (2,968,321 )   –   (2,968,321 )
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents and client cash   (4,315,127 )   8,832,899   4,517,772  
                 

    About Goldmoney Inc.

    Founded in 2001, Goldmoney (TSX:XAU) is a TSX listed company invested in the real economy. The leading custodians and traders of precious metals, Goldmoney Inc. also owns and operates businesses in jewelry manufacturing and property investment. For more information about Goldmoney, visit goldmoney.com.

    Financial Information and IFRS Standards

    The selected financial information included in this release is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read together with, the Company’s amended and restated consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards (“IFRS”) and the corresponding restated management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”), which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Non-IFRS Measures

    This news release contains non-IFRS financial measures; the Company believes that these measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of its business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating its business. Although management believes these financial measures are important in evaluating the Company’s performance, they are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies. For certain non-IFRS financial measures, there are no directly comparable amounts under IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with IFRS. Moreover, presentation of certain of these measures is provided for year-over-year comparison purposes, and investors should be cautioned that the effect of the adjustments thereto provided herein have an actual effect on the Company’s operating results.

    Tangible Capital is a non-IFRS measure. This figure excludes from total shareholder equity (i) intangibles, and (ii) goodwill, and is useful to demonstrate the tangible capital employed by the business.

    Non-IFRS Adjusted Net Income is a non-IFRS measure, defined as total comprehensive income (loss) adjusted for non-cash and non-core items which include, but is not limited to, revaluation of precious metal inventories, fair value movements, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange fluctuations and gains and losses on investments.

    For a full reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures used herein to their nearest IFRS equivalents, please see the section entitled “Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures” in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended March 31, 2024.

    Media and Investor Relations inquiries:

    Sean Ty
    Chief Financial Officer
    Goldmoney Inc.
    +1 647 250 7098

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains or refers to certain forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “may”, “potential” and “will” or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. All information other than information regarding historical fact, which addresses activities, events or developments that the Goldmoney Inc. believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information does not constitute historical fact but reflects the current expectations the Company regarding future results or events based on information that is currently available. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information will not occur. Such forward-looking information in this release speak only as of the date hereof.

    Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: financial performance and growth of the Company’s business; expected results of operations, the market for the Company’s products and services and competitive conditions; the establishment of a real estate investment strategy and the success of the Company’s real estate portfolio; the expected value and return on investment in the Company’s real estate acquisitions, and the properties described herein (the “Properties”) in particular, the ability of the current tenants on the Properties to meet their rental obligations, the future state of the Properties and the environment surrounding it, the ability of the Company to maintain and service the indebtedness incurred to acquire the properties, including any future refinancings, the ability of the Company to redevelop the properties as anticipated and, in general, return value from the Properties to shareholders; and the basis for the Restatement. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time it was made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: the Company’s operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; fluctuations in the market price of the Company’s common shares; the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry; legal and regulatory change and uncertainty; jurisdictional factors associated with international operations; foreign restrictions on the Company’s operations; product development and rapid technological change; dependence on technical infrastructure; protection of intellectual property; use and storage of personal information and compliance with privacy laws; network security risks; risk of system failure or inadequacy; the Company’s ability to manage rapid growth; competition; the ability to identify opportunities for growth internally and through acquisitions and strategic relationships on terms which are economic or at all; the ability to identify and complete the acquisition of suitable real estate investment opportunities on terms which are economic or at all; the global inflationary environment and its effect on real estate prices, interest rates, and the Properties in particular; the ability of the Company to integrate the Properties into its current operations; the anticipated value and income growth in connection with the Properties; the ability to maintain current and procure future commercial tenants for the Properties; the surrounding environment and infrastructure of the Properties remaining suitable; the ability to redevelop the Properties on terms which are economic or at all; the anticipated variable interest rate for the loan used to finance the acquisition of the Properties, and the effect on this interest rate from the SONIA as set by the Bank of England; the ability to successfully develop and manage the Company’s real estate portfolio; the risks of concentration of the Company’s real estate portfolio in the United Kingdom; effectiveness of the Company’s risk management and internal controls; use of the Company’s services for improper or illegal purposes; uninsured and underinsured losses; theft & risk of physical harm to personnel; precious metal trading risks; and volatility of precious metals prices & public interest in precious metals investment; the potential that additional restatements of the financial statements will be required; the impact on the Company’s reputation and customer relation in respect of the Restatement; risks associated with regulatory reviews and investigations; risks that the Restatement or any future required restatement may negatively affect the Company’s financial condition or result in additional liabilities; the potential impact on investor confidence, market perception, and the Company’s reputation in respect of the Restatement; risks related to maintaining adequate liquidity and access to capital while resolving restatement matters; and those risks set out in the Company’s most recently filed annual information form, available on SEDAR. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: European partners urged to develop sanctions to smash people smuggling gangs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Foreign Secretary will press partners to replicate Britain’s world-first plans for a sanctions aimed at organised immigration crime gangs. 

    • Foreign Secretary urges international action on one of the defining security threats of our time – irregular migration
    • Partners pressed to replicate UK’s world-first plans for sanctions targeting people smugglers
    • £8m additional funding will short-circuit people smugglers’ business model, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change and commitment to protect UK borders

    European partners will be urged to join up with the UK’s pioneering efforts to smash the business model of people smugglers to help tackle irregular migration.

    The Foreign Secretary David Lammy will press partners at the Munich Security Conference to replicate Britain’s world-first plans for a sanctions regime aimed squarely at organised immigration crime gangs and their networks. 

    On the first day of the conference (today), the Foreign Secretary met Vice President of the US J.D. Vance. They discussed the importance of the special relationship, the war in Ukraine, their shared commitment to NATO and AUKUS, and building on our strong trade which already delivers growth and jobs for millions.

    The UK and Italy will co-host a migration roundtable on the second day of conference, gathering representatives from The Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany and others to promote the use of innovative tools to tackle migrant smuggling and organised immigration crime.

    The UK’s plans to freeze the assets of and slap travel bans on smugglers who facilitate the deadly trade in people will help to cripple people-smuggling crime rings and starve them of illicit finance fuelling their operations, delivering on the government’s commitment to secure borders.    

    The Government is targeting irregular migration through a ‘whole-of-route’ approach, tackling both smugglers and the drivers of migration – such as limited opportunities in would-be migrants’ region.

    A new £8m funding package announced today will give more people in East Africa an alternative to making perilous journeys to the UK in small boats by boosting access to education alongside employment opportunities across the region.

    This programme has already helped to deliver entrepreneurship training to over 650 would-be and returned migrants in Ethiopia and Kenya, enabling many of them to set up their own businesses in their home countries, rather than migrating further afield. 

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:  

    Criminal gangs enabling irregular migration are a national security threat across Europe. We must deliver on our mandate to smash the gangs, secure this country’s borders and deliver the Plan for Change. 

    Only by working together with our neighbours will we take the wind out of their sails and degrade the appalling trade in people. 

    We must also target the root causes of migration, which is why we are boosting opportunities across Eastern Africa – making people less likely to travel to the UK in the first place.

    This will further boost this government’s progress on irregular migration. Nearly 19,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and other immigration offenders have been returned since the election to countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and South America following a major escalation in immigration enforcement by the Home Office.

    The government’s success in ramping up removals is a key part of our Plan for Change to deliver on working people’s priorities and finally restoring order to the asylum system. This new approach focusses on breaking the business model of smuggling gangs through tougher law enforcement powers than ever before, rapidly removing those who are here illegally and ending the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats.

    Following a drive from this government to have more deployable enforcement staff, a renewed crackdown on those attempting to undermine the UK’s borders last month saw the highest January in over half a decade for enforcement activity.  

    Throughout January alone, Immigration Enforcement teams descended on 828 premises, including nail bars, convenience stores, restaurants and car washes, marking a 48% rise compared to the previous January. Arrests also surged to 609, demonstrating a 73% increase from just 352 the previous year.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work to start in four parks and gardens

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Home  »  Latest News   »   Work to start in four parks and gardens

    Our exciting plans to transform some of the city’s parks and gardens through our Connected Canterbury project are coming along nicely.

    As part of this, you will notice some early work taking place at four sites over the next couple of weeks – the Dane John Gardens, Canterbury Castle grounds, Greyfriars Gardens and the Three Cities Garden.

    This will involve some shrub and vegetation clearance and some crown lifting of trees (not tree felling) and has been timed for now to ensure we are complete before the start of the bird nesting season.

    This is the basic equivalent of a private homeowner clearing out overgrown vegetation from their garden prior to a revamp, but just on a bigger scale and right in the public eye.

    The majority of the shrub clearance is the removal of overgrown non-native species that you might describe as having ‘got a bit out of hand’. These areas will be replaced with new planting such as wildflower meadows and perennial flower beds.

    The new landscape and planting scheme has been designed by HTA, a landscape architect company who are currently designing a new garden in London’s Regent’s Park to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, and leading planting designer and writer Noel Kingsbury.

    We want people to be reassured that while some areas may look a bit bare for a while, this is simply a necessary part of the process in order to achieve what we believe will be fantastic looking parks a few months down the line.

    The picture above shows some of the area around the Dane John Mound where work will take place, and for which there is a landscaping and planting scheme.

    Published: 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Efanesoctocog alfa approved to prevent and treat bleeding in children and adults with severe or moderate haemophilia A

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 14 February 2025, approved efanesoctocog alfa (brand name Altuvoct) to be used to treat and prevent bleeding in patients aged 2 years and above with severe or moderate haemophilia A.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 14 February 2025, approved efanesoctocog alfa (brand name Altuvoct) to be used to treat and prevent bleeding in patients aged 2 years and above with severe or moderate haemophilia A.

    Efanesoctocog alfa, the active substance, is a replacement factor VIII protein. This protein is naturally found in the body and is necessary for the blood to form clots and stop bleeding.

    People with severe haemophilia A have undetectable factor VIII and, if untreated, may experience up to about 40 episodes of bleed per year.

    This medicine is administered as an intravenously (into a vein).

    Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

    “Patient safety is our top priority, which is why I am pleased to confirm approval of efanesoctocog alfa to treat and prevent bleeding in patients 2 years and above with severe or moderate haemophilia A.

    “We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards of safety, quality and efficacy for the approval of this new formulation have been met.

    “As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.”

    In a study with 159 patients aged 12 and above with severe haemophilia A, weekly injections of Altuvoct as prophylaxis led to 65% patients reporting zero overall episodes of bleed over the course of the year-long study; the remaining 35% had much reduced episodes of bleed. Altuvoct was also used to treat individual bleeds.

    In a study involving 74 children under 12 years of age with severe haemophilia A, treatment with efanesoctocog alfa yielded similar results to those in older patients.

    Efanesoctocog alfa was therefore considered effective for the prophylaxis and treatment of severe haemophilia A in children aged 2yrs and above.

    The company extended the indication to those with moderate haemophilia A by means of a modelling exercise.

    Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some of the potential side effects include headaches and arthralgia (joint pain).

    For the full list of all side effects reported with this medicine, see Section 4 of the PIL or the SmPC available on the MHRA website.

    Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.   

     ENDS  

    Notes to editors   

    • The new marketing authorisation was granted on 14 February 2025 to Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB

    • This product was submitted and approved via an international recognition  procedure. 

    • More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval. 

    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 

    For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Three Coventry leisure centres receive Sport England funding to boost sustainability

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry City Council has successfully secured National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) to enhance sustainability efforts at three leisure centres in the city.

    Almost £750k has been awarded to The Alan Higgs Centre, Centre AT7 and Xcel Leisure Centre, all of which are operated by CV Life.

    A capital grant of £250,000 has been awarded to install solar panels at The Alan Higgs Centre, whilst Centre AT7 has received £270k for the installation of solar panels and the replacement of fluorescent lighting with LED lighting.

    Xcel Leisure Centre will also see the installation of LED lighting as well as an upgrade to its building management system which will be covered by a £220k grant.

    Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, added: “This funding is a real boost for CV Life leisure centres, helping them to become more energy efficient and sustainable.

    “By installing solar panels, LED lighting and upgrading building management systems, we are taking steps to cut carbon emissions and reduce our reliance on traditional energy sources.

    “Not only will these upgrades lower running costs over the coming years, they also contribute to our broader efforts to make Coventry a cleaner, greener city.”

    Work to the centres started in January and is expected to be finished later this month. The installation of PV panels will contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability, ensuring long-term benefits for the facility and the local community.

    Cllr Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, added: “It’s fantastic to see that Coventry has been awarded funding from Sport England to support three hugely popular leisure centres in the city.

    “Day to day running costs of leisure centres is constantly on the rise. This funding will help the centres continue to provide high quality facilities to residents whilst reducing energy bills by around £140k per year.”

    Funding was awarded based on a selection of sites serving areas with the highest need. The allocation of funding aligns with Sport England’s national funding scheme aimed at supporting public leisure centres with swimming pools across the country.

    Steve Wiles, Chief Operating Officer at CV Life, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this funding, which will make a real difference to the sustainability of our leisure centres. 

    “These improvements will help us reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and create more environmentally friendly facilities for the community. By investing in solar panels, LED lighting, and building management upgrades, we’re ensuring that our centres remain accessible, efficient and fit for the future.”

    For further details on the Swimming Pool Support Fund, please visit the SPSF webpage.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Travelling Gallery returns with new exhibition

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Travelling Gallery is delighted to be partnering with the University of St Andrews this February to present the exhibition Between Women.

    The exhibition features the work of Franki Raffles, Sylvia Grace Borda, Sandra George, Carolyn Scott and Niu Weiyu.

    Between Women takes images made by the photographer Franki Raffles from her base in Edinburgh during the 1980s and 1990s as a starting point to explore relationships between gender, labour, education, care and activism in documentary photography since the 1950s in Scotland and internationally. Raffles’ photographs will appear alongside images by Sylvia Grace Borda, Sandra George, Carolyn Scott and Niu Weiyu which together illuminate how gender is produced and reproduced through workplaces, housing, healthcare, and particularly schools, playgrounds and nurseries, across urban and rural landscapes.

    In examining the relationships and power structures between women, this exhibition takes inspiration from two projects by Raffles. The first is a trip Raffles made in 1984–85 to the Soviet Union and Asia, including an extended period in China, during which her concern with women at work crystallised. The second, Picturing Women, was part of a 1988–89 educational initiative organised by Stills Gallery, Edinburgh, aimed at helping young people analyse photographs, for which Raffles studied the working relationships between women at a school. These two projects provide a framework through which connections and comparisons with Niu Weiyu, Carolyn Scott, Sandra George and Sylvia Grace Borda’s photographs emerge.

    One of the few women photographers to gain professional recognition in twentieth-century China, Niu worked for state-run media organisations and produced a large number of photographs that portray women’s roles as workers throughout the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Carolyn Scott’s documentary photographs images of children and families in Newcastle’s Rye Hill area where she lived between 1967-68 observe the relationships and socialisation forged through play, but also the effects of deindustrialisation on the community. Sandra George’s photographs of Edinburgh during the 1980s and 1990s attest to the importance of community educational groups and spaces in activism and organising, alongside public demonstrations and gatherings. Sylvia Grace Borda’s studies of schools, leisure centres and nurseries in the New Town of East Kilbride reflect on the complex legacies of post-1945 Welfare State architecture from the perspective of the early 2000s.

    Together, these photographs highlight the possibilities for solidarity between women in sites and spaces spanning the local and the global, but also the importance of recognising differences and intersectional identities that account for the constructs of gender, sexuality, race, disability and class in activism and organising.

    Launching in Edinburgh at the Community Wellbeing Centre on Monday 17 February from 11am to 5pm, the exhibition will tour throughout the week visiting the following locations:

    • Tuesday 18 February, 10am – 4pm – Glasgow Women’s Library
    • Wednesday 19 February, 10am – 4pm – Dundee International Women’s Centre
    • Thursday 20 February, 10am – 4pm – Fluthers Car Park, Cupar
    • Friday 21 February, 10am – 4pm – East Sands Leisure Centre, St Andrews

    Between Women is curated by Vivian K. Sheng and Catherine Spencer, with support from the University of St Andrews Impact and Innovation Fund.

    Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:

    It’s brilliant to see the Travelling Gallery return for 2025.

    It’s crucial that art and culture is as accessible to as many people as possible. I’m proud that through our ongoing support of the Travelling Gallery, and the recent increased Creative Scotland investment, art is brought straight into the hearts of towns and cities across Scotland. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to visit the exhibition, bringing together work which illuminates how gender is produced and reproduced through workplaces.

    Here in Edinburgh, we’re clear that that our residents should be able to easily access a variety of cultural activities, and this exhibition brings art closer to people’s communities.

    Louise Briggs, Curator, Travelling Gallery said:

    We’re delighted to be working with Vivian, Catherine, and the University of St Andrews to present this exhibition. We’re looking forward to discussing the work of each artist with our visitors, who we believe will have their own stories and experiences to share that chime with many of the references (and local sites) found in the work on display.”

    With thanks to the University of St Andrews Libraries and Museums, Edinburgh Napier University, Franki Raffles Estate, Craigmillar Now, Gaofan Photography Museum, Sylvia Grace Borda and Carolyn Scott.

    Travelling Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in a bus. Since 1978 it has been bringing exhibitions to communities throughout Scotland. We recognise that art can change lives and we create fair conditions and remove barriers to allow access and engagement to audiences in their own familiar surroundings. The gallery space offers an open and welcoming environment for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to discover and enjoy contemporary art. Over the past forty years, Travelling Gallery has brought innovative exhibitions to every part of Scotland reaching hundreds of thousands of visitors and school pupils. Travelling Gallery is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, regularly funded by Creative Scotland and supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.

    For more information, please vist the Travelling Gallery website.        

    The gallery has ramp access for wheelchairs; hearing loop and will have large print format exhibition interpretation.

    Artist Biographies

    Sylvia Grace Borda is an artist working with photography, net art, video installation, and eco-art, who has undertaken projects in Canada, Finland, Northern Ireland, Latvia, Scotland, Ethiopia and Taiwan. Her artwork is concerned with establishing systems of public understanding that underpin literacy, advocacy, and action to conserve the built and natural environments. In Scotland, she focused on New Town architecture in EK Modernism (2005–10) and A Holiday in Glenrothes (2008), and created an edible photo artwork, the Lumsden Biscuit (2016–17). Her roles at Queen’s University Belfast (2008–10); University of Salford (2011), and University of Stirling (2012–15) have focused on visual arts and social histories, digital engagement and innovation. In 2023, she received the Mozilla Foundation Rise 25 award in recognition of her transformative media arts practice to democratize the web for communities. Exhibitions include National Galleries of Scotland, RIAS, Street Level Photoworks, and The Lighthouse, Glasgow.

    Sandra George (1957–2013) was an Edinburgh-based social documentary photographer, multi-disciplinary artist, and a community worker in Craigmillar. George studied Photography at Napier University, Drawing and Painting at Edinburgh College of Art, and Community Education at The University of Edinburgh. For over 30 years she worked extensively as a freelance photographer for organisations and publications including the Sentinel, Tollcross Community Newspaper, Shelter, Craigmillar Festival News, and Craigmillar Chronicle, and taught photography and art to communities across Edinburgh. She started working in community development in Wester Hailes in the 1980s, and in Craigmillar from the 1990s, and was an integral member of initiatives including McGovan house, the Thistle Foundation, and the Craigmillar Arts Centre. Alongside a commitment to community work, anti-racism and social justice, George’s photographs document children at play and their educational and leisure environments. George’s archive is held at Craigmillar Now, a community-led arts and heritage organisation in Craigmillar.

    Franki Raffles (1955–1994) was a feminist photographer specialising in social documentary. Raffles studied philosophy at the University of St Andrews from 1973–1977, where she was an active member of the Women’s Liberation Movement. After experimenting with photography while living on the Isle of Lewis, she moved to Edinburgh in 1983, and started documenting women at work, as well as organising and campaigning. Raffles frequently collaborated with Edinburgh District Council’s Women’s Committee, including on the project To Let You Understand: Women’s Working Lives in Edinburgh (1989) Zero Tolerance campaign against domestic violence in the early 1990s. She travelled widely throughout her career, including extended trips to Asia and the Soviet Union. Raffles’ work is currently the focus of a major exhibition Franki Raffles: Photography, Activism, Campaign Works at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Her archive is held at the University of St Andrews.

    Carolyn Scott is an artist working in photography, film and installation. She was raised in Edinburgh and now lives in Cupar, Fife. Carolyn lived in the Rye Hill district of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the late 1960s where, in the spring and early summer of 1968, using a twin-lens Rollieflex camera, she photographed the immediate area in which she lived. Her  Rye Hill Social Documentary Photography Collection images were unseen for nearly 40 years until she revisited them during her studies at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee University, where she received a BA and MFA. Carolyn’s work has been shown in the Cupar Arts Festival, St Andrews Photography Festival, Royal Scottish Academy and The Centre for Theology and Inquiry, Princeton. The Rye Hill Social Documentary Photography Collection is now held at the University of St Andrews. 

    Niu Weiyu (牛畏予) (1927–2020) worked as a photojournalist and photographer for North China Pictorial, Southwest Pictorial, and the News Photography Bureau. She later joined the Xinhua News Agency, where she worked for various branches from the 1950s to the 1980s. Weiyu was one of the few women photographers during this period, who were often assigned to feature women workers, such as the first women pilots, as well as public figures and officials in the Chinese Communist Party, and she travelled extensively throughout her career.

    Vivian K. Sheng is an art historian working on contemporary Chinese and East Asian art in transnational contexts and an assistant professor in contemporary art at the University of Hong Kong. In Fall 2022, she was a Global Fellow hosted by the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews. Her research investigates the intricate interrelations between women, domesticity and art practices in contexts of ever more intensified cross-border movements and exchanges, provoking reflections on notions of identity, home and belonging beyond the territorial fixity of natio-state. Relevant issues are explored in her forthcoming monograph book— The Arts of Homemaking: Women, Migration and Transnational East Asia. Her writings have appeared in ASAP/Journal, Art Journal, PARSE Journal,Third Text,  Sculpture Journal, Yishu and INDEX JOURNAL.

    Catherine Spencer is an art historian at the University of St Andrews. She is currently working on a book entitled Abstract Subjects: Art, Borders and ‘Britain’, and co-editing Grassroots Artmaking: Political Struggle and Activist Art in the UK, 1960–Present with Maryam Ohadi-Hamadani and Amy Tobin (Bloomsbury, forthcoming). Her writing on Franki Raffles has been published in Art History (2022) and the catalogue for the 2024–5 exhibition Franki Raffles: Photography, Activism, Campaign Works at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. In 2021, she co-curated Life Support: Forms of Care in Art and Activism with Caroline Gausden, Kirsten Lloyd, and Nat Raha at Glasgow Women’s Library. Her essays have appeared in Art History, Art Journal, ARTMargins, Tate Papers, Parallax and Oxford Art Journal.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Open competitions launched for Independent Prevent Commissioner and Commissioner for Countering Extremism

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    The government has launched open competitions for two roles.

    Today, two open competitions have been launched for the role of permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner and the role of Commissioner for Countering Extremism.

    In December 2024, the Home Secretary announced the introduction of a new Independent Prevent Commissioner role. In January 2025, Lord David Anderson KC was confirmed as the Interim Prevent Commissioner until the appointment of a permanent holder. The commissioner will have the specific remit of reviewing the programme’s effectiveness, identifying gaps and problems before they emerge. The appointment will be announced in due course.

    The Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) provides the government with independent expert advice on extremism, with the current commissioner, Robin Simcox’s fixed term due to end in July. He has held the appointment since March 2021, first in an interim capacity, then on a substantive basis since July 2022. The appointment of a new commissioner will also be announced in due course.

    The role of Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption, previously held by Lord Walney, will come to an end. The CCE will take forward work as part of its new strengthened remit. 

    Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

    To continue our fight against extremism and terrorism in whatever form they take we need expert advice and oversight. The role holders will be crucial in those efforts, and I look forward to working with the successful candidates.

    I would also like to thank Lord Walney and Robin Simcox for their work in their respective roles as Independent Advisor on Political Violence and Disruption and as Commissioner for Countering Extremism.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Drivers warned to keep hands on the wheel, eyes on the road

    Source: City of Liverpool

    An alarming increase in the number of young people distracted while driving has been reported by road campaigners.

    In a bid to combat the rising tide of mobile phone use behind the wheel, Liverpool City Council has launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at young drivers.

    The message is clear: Driving demands 100 per cent focus, and any distraction, especially from mobile phones, can have devastating consequences.

    The campaign comes as alarming statistics reveal a surge in mobile phone use among young drivers. According to the RAC’s 2024 Report on Motoring, a staggering 43 per cent of young motorists admit to listening to voice notes while driving without hands-free technology, and 40 per cent confess to recording messages. These figures starkly contrast with the overall driving population, where the rates are just 14 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.

    Merseyside Police enforced nearly 2,500 mobile phone offences across Merseyside in 2024 – up from just over 1,600 in 2023.

    The consequences of getting caught using a handheld phone while driving are severe: six penalty points on your license and a £200 fine. If you get six or more points within two years of passing your test, your licence will be revoked – which means you’ll also have to apply and pay for a new provisional licence and pass both theory and practical parts of the driving or riding test again to get a full licence.

    You can also be taken to court where you can:

    • be banned from driving or motor cycle riding.
    • get a maximum fine of £1,000.

    Liverpool City Council is committed to making the City’s roads safer for everyone. This campaign is just one step in ongoing efforts to educate drivers and enforce the law.

    Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said: “Driving is a responsibility, not a game.

    “When you’re behind the wheel, your only ‘screen time’ should be looking through the windscreen. A momentary glance at your phone can lead to a lifetime of regret.

    “It’s deeply concerning to see such a high proportion of young drivers putting themselves and others at risk,” Cllr Barrington added.

    “We need to change this culture of distraction and make it clear that using a mobile phone while driving is simply unacceptable.

    “We understand the temptation to check your phone, especially for young people who are constantly connected,” Cllr Barrington acknowledged. “But no message, no notification, no call is worth risking your life or the lives of others. Put your phone away, focus on the road, and arrive safely.”

    Inspector Gavin Dixon of Merseyside Police, Roads Policing Department, said: “As a Roads Policing Department we have to deal with the very real consequences of distracted driving.

    “Every year people are killed or serious injured by drivers not paying attention, whether that be mobile phone use or some other in car distraction. We use a number of tactics to catch drivers that wish to put their own convenience before other people’s safety.

    “In the last 12 months, we have deployed unmarked vehicles, unmarked motorcycles, AI camera detection equipment and arial CCTV resulting in more and more people getting caught.

    “Our message is simple, leave your phone alone or we might be speaking to you next. We can’t be everywhere, but we can be anywhere.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Probate waiting times halved thanks to Government push

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Families, individuals, and charities will receive funds left to them in wills twice as quickly as they did last year, with probate applications now being granted in less than half the time.

    • Outstanding caseload hits lowest level since early 2023
    • Overall wait times cut to just over four weeks, as around eight out of ten of applications go digital
    • Additional staff trained as part of Government’s Plan for Change to restore public services

    The data published yesterday shows that HMCTS has slashed average wait times in December 2024 to just over four weeks. This compares to twelve weeks at the end of 2023 and over eight weeks at the end of June 2024. The improvement is a result of decisive Government action to reduce the backlog of cases which built up because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Around 80 per cent of grant applications are now completed online, with digital applications taking on average just over two weeks to complete – improving support for those who need it and easing the burden on people who are navigating what is often a challenging time. For those who complete the application online and submit their documents without any issues probate is granted in less than a week on average.

    Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman KC MP, said: 

    We know that handling probate can be tough for families at a difficult period in their lives. That is why so we’ve worked hard to reduce delays and make the process easier. 

    By cutting wait times and going digital, we’re ensuring people receive the support they need quickly at what can be a challenging time.

    We’re getting public services back on their feet again as part of this Government’s Plan for Change.

    The change comes after action was taken to recruit extra staff who have been trained to handle applications quickly and ensure fair and efficient processing, preventing delays. 

    In 2024, the average number of monthly grants issued was 27,400, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous year. As a result, the number of outstanding cases is at its lowest point since early 2023 when data was first published.  

    The probate system has achieved a remarkable turnaround, reducing its backlog by over 50,000 cases since August 2023 and ensuring faster estate settlements for families.

    Charities also benefit from a more efficient probate system because they now have quicker access to funds which have been entrusted to them – easing financial pressure on the third sector.

    Even paper applications, which historically take longer to process than the digital system, have seen significant improvements in timeliness with waiting times reducing from just over 22 weeks to under 15 weeks.

    James Stebbings, Chair of the Institute of Legacy Management, said:

    We are delighted to see that HMCTS have reduced probate application processing times to where they were 5 years ago.

    Each year the public leave charities £4bn of gifts in their wills and the relief in the charity sector that this income is flowing again is huge.

    On behalf of the charity sector and all who benefit from it we would like to say a huge thank you.

    Alex McDowell, Vice Chair of Remember A Charity and Director of Fundraising at the Duke of Edinburgh Award, said: 

    With more and more people across the UK choosing to support good causes through their Wills each year, an efficient and effective probate service is vital for sustaining charitable services and charities’ financial planning.

    It ensures charitable gifts in wills can be put to good use swiftly, in line with supporters’ wishes.

    We are hugely grateful to HMCTS for the improvements they have made and their ongoing engagement with the charity sector.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A926 Blairgowrie to Alyth – essential gas works

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The road was temporarily closed last week for an emergency repair to the gas main.

    However, further investigation has revealed that an entire 600-metre length of the gas main needs to be replaced.

    Due to its location in the middle of the road, it would be dangerous to operate a contraflow system while engineers are working.

    We appreciate the inconvenience this will cause for many motorists but these works by SGN are vital for ensuring the safety and reliability of the gas supply.

    As the local authority, we will be looking to bring forward any other works scheduled for this road so they can happen concurrently, reducing inconvenience for motorists.

    Diversions will be put in place, and there will be changes to public transport to assist commuters during this period.

    Stagecoach Service 57/57A will be impacted by this closure.  Dundee and Perth bound services will operate between Meigle and Blairgowrie Wellmeadow via the A94 – Coupar Angus – A923. Services will not operate via Rattray, New Alyth & Alyth.

    Passengers from Rattray will require to access Service 57/57A at Blairgowrie Wellmeadow.

    Passengers from New Alyth & Alyth will be linked to Service 57/57A at Meigle by a shuttle bus operating a reduced timetable.

    Blairgowrie Freedom Coach will operate the earlier morning commuter journeys on Mondays to Saturdays for the six-week period, while Stagecoach will undertake off peak journeys during the day and the early evening journeys. No late evening journeys or Sunday shuttle service will operate.

    For further information on the shuttle service, please contact Stagecoach (Blairgowrie) tel: 01250 872772.

    School transport will operate as normal on the morning of Monday 17 February, and the Council’s Public Transport Unit will be liaising with schools, operators and families affected by the closure to put in revised arrangements for the Monday afternoon journeys onwards. These arrangements will be the same to those put in place last week.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City prepares for 30th varsity Aberdeen Boat Race Scotland’s longest continuous running boat race will celebrate its 30th contest when Aberdeen’s two universities battle it out along the River Dee next month.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Scotland’s longest continuous running boat race will celebrate its 30th contest when Aberdeen’s two universities battle it out along the River Dee next month.
    Taking place on Saturday 15 March, the Aberdeen Boat Race will see the top crews from both Robert Gordon University (RGU) and University of Aberdeen face off to claim city bragging rights.
    The nation’s answer to the famous Oxford-Cambridge rivalry takes in 3.5km of the River Dee, beginning by the Bridge of Dee before crossing the finishing line at Aberdeen Boat Club and the respective university boathouses.
    Setting this year’s race day apart from any other, there will also be a special 500m double skull contest that will see RGU’s Principal and Vice Chancellor Steve Olivier join forces with Sports President Abhishek Kumar as they take on Aberdeen University’s Tonis Tilk, Vice President for Activities, and Dr Heather May Morgan, Dean for Enterprise and Innovation.
    Professor Steve Olivier said: “The 30th Aberdeen Boat Race provides a great opportunity to not only support the sporting prowess of our students but also celebrate the city and make the most of what’s on offer in Aberdeen.
    “I look forward to the event and wish good fortune to all of those involved. If you can make it, it would be great to see a strong crowd lining the banks and bridges to encourage each crew over the finish line.”
    Leaders of each crew are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them. For RGU, Laura Stewart is President of the University’s Boat Club as well as a fourth year Business with Marketing student. She said: “The build up to race day is on and I’m excited to see how the crews match up against each other. With a few different races throughout the day, it should shape up to be an entertaining event for all to come and watch.
    “We’re currently training hard to try and win back the title. Aberdeen University’s had a few years in a row so winning on the 30th occasion would be something special. I’m excited to see everyone down at the river cheering on the crews.”
    Her counterpart is Katharina Kusserow, President of the Aberdeen University Boat Club and third year PhD researcher in Medical Sciences. She added: “I am excited for the crews to race and celebrate the 30th Aberdeen Boat Race. We have trained hard in the run up to the day and will do our best to defend the title. We’re really grateful for all our supporters and can’t wait to feel that encouragement on the day.”

    The day promises to bring together the communities of both universities with the north-east’s public and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this very special event.” Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen

    Professor George Boyne, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, said: “This year marks a significant milestone as the Aberdeen Boat Race has now been a major highlight in the city’s sporting calendar for 30 years.
    “Every year students from the two universities give it their all and their sporting excellence is evident on the water. The day promises to bring together the communities of both universities with the north-east’s public and I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for this very special event.”
    The event at Aberdeen Boat Club will include both a second crew race and an alumni boat race. The head-to-head standing for the main race makes for pleasant reading for University of Aberdeen who take a 21-8 lead into the 30th contest.
    The showpiece race will also bring the curtain down on the final event of this year’s Granite City Challenge, where sports clubs from both city universities compete against each other in 40+ contests.
    This year’s race has gained sponsorship from neospace, a flexible workspace and wellness facility on Riverside Drive adjacent to the River Dee and the route that the crews will take.
    Scott Paton, Managing Director, said: “neospace is proud to sponsor the Aberdeen Boat Race, a fantastic local event just steps from our door. With wellness at the heart of our ethos, we’re excited to support competitors with NeoGym’s state-of-the-art training facilities.”
    Both universities are partners alongside Scottish Rowing to comprise University Rowing Aberdeen, a rowing programme established in 2012 that presents Aberdeen-based students the opportunity to learn to row, train, compete and fulfil their ambitions within the sport.
    The Aberdeen Boat Race, which first began in 1996, regularly attracts crowds to the River Dee. Hot refreshments will be available within the Aberdeen Boat Club boathouse.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Work begins on state-of-the-art nursery

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    Today (Friday 14 February) marks an exciting milestone as the first turf is cut for a state-of-the-art standalone nursery on the Ferryhill School site in Aberdeen.

    The new nursery is Phase 1 in a two-phase project which is part of Aberdeen City Council’s wider suitability improvement initiative to create an enhanced learning environment for nursery and primary school-aged children in the Ferryhill area.

    Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It’s great to get the shovel in the ground so that this major upgrade project at Ferryhill School can begin. I am delighted that the school will benefit from a new nursery building as well as significant refurbishment and extension work.

    “The considerable investment of £17.1m by Aberdeen City Council will really improve the learning environment for the pupils for generations to come. The excellent new facilities will enhance the opportunities to support and care for the young people. It is a place where they can be inspired to be creative and adventurous.”

    Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I share the excitement and anticipation of Ferryhill School pupils and staff as work begins on their new nursery ahead of major improvement works to the school building.”

    The nursery will address the limitations of the existing provision and provide significantly upgraded facilities for pupils and staff. The construction work is being undertaken by Morrison Construction North with local architects Mackie Ramsay Taylor responsible for the design work.

    Designed with modern learning and play in mind, the nursery will feature a large, open-plan, and well-lit playroom and covered external spaces, seamlessly connecting indoor and outdoor environments to offer year-round access to play and learning areas. The building is designed to achieve high environmental standards, reflecting the Council’s and architects’ commitment to sustainability.

    The nursery building will meet high energy-efficiency standards, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. Heated by air-source heat pumps and powered in part by rooftop photovoltaic panels, it will be an example of responsible design.

    The construction work is expected to be finished this summer with pupils set to move into their new nursery in August 2025.

    Ferryhill Nursery will be completed as work begins on Phase 2, which will see Ferryhill School handed over to Morrison Construction at the start of the summer to begin a major refurbishment and extension of the building. 

    The Ferryhill School improvements will mean greater flexibility and better use of space across the whole school site; a modern dining facility providing a much improved experience for the pupils and staff, and facilitate any future free school meals expansion; a double-court PE hall, which conforms with Sport Scotland guidance; and the improved nursery provision including direct access to the outdoors.

    Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North, said: “Morrison are delighted to be involved in the construction of Ferryhill Nursery, these works will involve the Nursery, playing field and the attenuation system for the Primary School extension due to start this summer. As ever we will be using local Sub Contractors, with our own labour planned to complete the kit frame which is due to start next month.”

    Bruce Ballance, Director, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects, said: “This project marks a significant milestone in Mackie Ramsay Taylor’s broader vision to create an innovative, sustainable, and community-focused educational setting.

    “While the first phase is the state-of-the-art standalone nursery, future phases will include the extension of the primary school and the creation of a central landscaped area, further enhancing the educational environment. We look forward to the positive impact this development will have on the school community.”

    Ferryhill School Nursery pupils at the turf-cutting ceremony expressed their excitement about the new facilities.

    Three-year-old Brian said he is looking forward to watching the “Builders making our nursery, building the walls.” 

    Four-year-old Rosie added that she is looking forward to “Playing in the big sandpit in the new garden.”

    While Henley, also four, said she is looking forward to “Our new nursery with its new big playroom.”

    During Phase 2 of the project, the pupils and staff at Ferryhill School will temporarily relocate to the vacant Walker Road School building, to ensure uninterrupted learning.

    Councillor Martin Greig, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee; Allister McKechnie, Architect, Mackie Ramsay Taylor Architects; Mike Bruce, Managing Director, Morrison Construction North; Councillor Jessica Mennie, Vice-Convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee; with Ferryhill School Nursery pupils, Henley, Brian and Rosie. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International trade mission to Ukraine deepens industry ties and boosts growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    First-of-its-kind international defence trade mission to Kyiv deepens industry ties between Ukraine and its allies

    The UK and allies have deepened industry ties with Ukraine by leading a first-of-its-kind international defence trade mission to Kyiv this week.

    Led by the Minister for the Armed Forces, the trade delegation, which included Norway and The Netherlands, met with Ukrainian ministers, officials, and industry partners to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance defence cooperation in support of Ukraine.  

    This was the fifth trade mission to Ukraine by Britain’s Task Force HIRST, but the first in conjunction with allies, setting a blueprint for future trade missions to be international as the norm.

    Following the visit, UK companies have agreed to work more closely with Ukrainian partners, agreeing to new commitments that will build on previous agreements and boost their capabilities.

    Despite a significant Russian airstrike targeting Kyiv on Wednesday morning this week, which killed one innocent civilian, the trade mission went ahead successfully, highlighting that the UK and our Allies will not be intimidated by Putin’s brutal tactics.

    With firms across the UK ramping up defence production to meet Ukraine’s requirements, support for Ukraine will directly boost the UK defence sector, create UK jobs, and deliver on this Government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

    The UK is continuing to lead the way on global support for Ukraine. By strengthening defence industry ties with allies, we are providing Ukraine with the firepower it needs on the battlefield, whilst bolstering our own defence industrial base —creating jobs and driving investment.

    Our partnerships with The Netherlands, Norway, and Ukraine will help build resilient supply chains to ensure we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to achieve a just and lasting peace through strength.

    We will stand with our allies to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    The Minister, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence and Department for Business and Trade, attended meetings focused on continuing to develop the industrial relationship with Ukraine, boosting their capabilities on the battlefield, whilst supporting growth back in the UK.

    The Ministry of Defence set up Task Force HIRST to drive increases in UK, Ukrainian and allies’ industrial capacity to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as national military resilience.

    Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:

    Our continued industrial partnership with the Ukraine will be pivotal if we are to strengthen our collective security. It is an honour for ADS and our members to work in such close collaboration with Ukraine.

    UK support to Ukraine has, at its heart, the knowledge that helping Ukraine is protecting our values and way of life.

    The visit coincided with the NATO meeting of defence ministers, where the Defence Secretary announced a new £150 million package of military aid to Ukraine. 

    The £150 million package includes thousands of drones, dozens of battle tanks and more than 50 armoured and protective vehicles to be deployed to Ukraine by the end of spring, building on the thousands of pieces of equipment the UK has already given to Ukraine. 

    In a boost to the UK’s economy, the package also includes a multi-million-pound contract with UK defence firm Babcock, who will train Ukrainian personnel to maintain and repair crucial equipment such as Challenger 2 tanks, self-propelled artillery, and combat reconnaissance vehicles inside Ukraine. Through this agreement, equipment can be serviced and returned to the frontline quicker. 

    This is part of the UK’s unprecedented £4.5 billion pledge for Ukraine this year, its highest-ever level.

    The Government is clear that the security of the UK starts in Ukraine and is therefore committed to Ukraine’s long-term security as a foundation for the government’s Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Magical Thinking in Whitehall and Brussels

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    The following article by TUV leader and North Antrim MP Jim Allister recently appeared in the News Letter.

    Magical Thinking in Whitehall and Brussels

    Newsletter readers may well recall my article of 14thJanuary in which I explained why I would force a vote on the Official Control Amendment Regulations later that day. A debate in the House of Lords on 29thJanuary has since shed further light on the innovative aspect of these regulations, which should be understood by all unionists as we approach 24 February when the Government will begin to apply new aspects of the Irish Sea Border on goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

    On the one hand, in accommodating the GB side of the Irish Sea border, these regulations are implicated in giving effect to all the border difficulties with which we are increasingly familiar, the disenfranchisement of 1.9 million UK citizens, not just in relation to one law, or 300 laws, but 300 areas of law, and all the attendant economic disruption and disinheritance that arises from the EU disrespecting the territorial integrity of the UK.

    On the other hand, however, the regulations present a new difficulty for the Government. The justification for the construction of the Irish Sea Border was the need to avoid having Border Control Posts on the UK-ROI land border. Its champions claimed that this was required by the Belfast Agreement notwithstanding the fact that the text of the Agreement says no such thing, and notwithstanding the fact that insisting on their alternative Irish Sea border solution has made them the instigators of the biggest reversal of democracy in the history of the western world, violating three central provisions of the Belfast Agreement. The Regulations, however, make provision for the border to be moved to the Irish Sea, while dispensing with infrastructure on the border by means of allowing checks to take place away from Border Control Posts and making provision for inland Border Control Posts located away from the border, (see regulations 14, 7, 11, 16 and 17).

    In doing so, they remove the justification for moving the customs and phytosanitary (SPS) border from the international border. Speaking in the Lords on 29 January, Baroness Hayman confirmed: 

    ‘The instrument (the Regulations) also provides the power to allow for inland border control posts …’

    She further stated, in an attempt to placate concerns about this move: 

    ‘…this instrument only provides provision to be made for documentary, identity and physical controls to be undertaken at places other than border control posts or control points, and that we have robust, evidence-based risk modelling that can place SPS into categories based on the inherent risk that the product poses to animal, food, biosecurity and public health.’

    The use of the word ‘only’ in this instance is interesting because the checks that take place at border control posts are documentary, identity and physical checks!

    The political implications of, first, moving the border to the Irish Sea, supposedly on the basis that we could not have a hard border across the island of Ireland, only to then make provision for that border without infrastructure, were then spelt out very clearly by Baroness Hoey and Lord Morrow but the minister did not respond.

    Had the Minister attempted to defend this arrangement she might have said that while the UK is content to have a border with no hard infrastructure for goods moving from the Republic and wider EU into the UK, the EU is not prepared to have such a border with respect to goods moving the from Northern Ireland into the Republic. Now that the new regulations are in place, though, demonstrating the option of a better way, this is an increasingly weak defence.

    Going forward the Government has to explain why, knowing: i) that such a solution is workable, and ii) that the proportion of goods entering the Republic from Northern Ireland in 2020 was tiny (only worth 0.003% of EU GDP in 2020), they agree with a border ‘solution’ that is giving the EU the right to both make Northern Ireland an EU colony in 300 areas of laws and then imposing a hard border interrupting a far greater flow of goods from one part of the UK, GB, to another, NI. This is not only absurdly disproportionate but also deeply dishonourable, sacrificing key aspects of the citizenship of its own people and disrespecting the territorial integrity of the UK.

    In this the EU also faces real difficulties. Given its stated commitment to democracy in both its accession criteria, requiring that candidate countries demonstrate the ‘stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities’, and in its aid policy, why is the EU needlessly threatening the stability of our democratic institutions? Its intervention is both instigating the most pompous act of colonial disenfranchisement since democracy became a norm of western society and the removal of cross community consent, the most important political protection for minorities – in certain critical contexts.

    Quite apart from demonstrating that far from representing ‘magical thinking’, running a border, while removing hard infrastructure from that border, constitutes government policy, the Official Controls Amendment Regulations remind us that the first such solution was advanced to give effect to Brexit by the EU itself. Mutual Enforcement was developed by Sir Jonathan Faull who served as EU Commission ‘Director General of the Task Force for Strategic Issues related to the UK Referendum’, together with Prof JH Weiler and Prof Daniel Sarmiento. Providing a means of delivering Brexit that protects the integrity of both the UK and the EU Single Markets without a hard border, Mutual Enforcement presents the solution proposed by my EU Withdrawal Bill currently before Parliament.

    Instead of pressing ahead with the further needless division of our country into two with the arrival of the red lane parcels border on 31st March, the Government should adopt my Bill.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New car parks and improved drainage works to start at Herrington Country Park

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Car parking at one of Sunderland’s most popular parks is being boosted with new spaces for 90 more vehicles

    Works at Herrington Country Park, which at over 320 acres is also one of the city’s biggest park, are due to begin on Monday 17 February.

    The park has had a 20 year run of annual Green Flag awards from Keep Britain Tidy and alongside its lakes, paths, play areas and wildlife, is known for its views of Penshaw Monument. It is also a major events space and hosts a weekly 5k park run and the annual Kubix festivals. This year’s Kubix festival is due to be held on Saturday 12 July.

    New car parking is to help meet its growing popularity and prevent inconsiderate visitor parking which has damaged some grassed areas and verges. The car park project was agreed as part of Sunderland City Council’s ongoing investment budgets and maintenance programmes into the city and its infrastructure.

    The City Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Portfolio Holder, Councillor Lindsey Leonard said: “We have unrivalled parks and green spaces in our city which are the envy of many. We all understand how important they are for the thousands of residents and visitors who access and enjoy them annually.

    “But when the car parks are full we do get some inconsiderate parking and this in turn damages grassed areas and verges and can make parts of the park look unsightly. Increasing the number of parking spaces will help prevent this as while a relatively small grassed area is lost, even more is protected because drivers will not be parking on it.”

    The current number of spaces at the café car park is 62 with 55 of those being standard spaces, five are disabled parking and two are electric vehicle charging bays, and there are nine standard bays at the skate park.

    The expanded car parking will see the existing car park close to the café expanded to a total capacity of 129 which includes five accessible bays, provision for seven future EV charging bays and four minibus bays. There will also be a new layout and improvements to footpaths, cycle and motorbike parking and landscaping. The skate park parking will increase to 33 standard bays with plans to create a wildflower meadow nearby.

    Existing drainage will be upgraded as part of the project to mitigate current flooding issues occurring in the main cafe car park and on the highway leading to the skate park.

    Cllr Leonard added: “We’re continuing our City Plan for a more dynamic, healthy and vibrant smart city, and city parks are an important part of this work so that everyone can enjoy our outdoor spaces.

    “We appreciate the patience of Herrington’s many visitors while we carry out these improvements at one of our most popular parks.”

    This development is estimated to take 15 weeks and will be completed by June 2025. The park and businesses will continue to be open throughout with minimal disruption.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Parents urged to vaccinate children against measles amid a rise in cases

    Source: City of Leeds

    Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.

    Parents and carers are being urged to ensure their children have the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine amid a rise in measles cases nationwide, including in Leeds.

    Measles is a serious disease which can be spread easily amongst unvaccinated people with babies, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immunity, at highest risk.  It can lead to hospitalisation and in rare cases tragically can cause death.

    The uptake of routine childhood vaccinations nationally, including the MMR vaccine, is the lowest in a decade. In January 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) declared a national measles incident to coordinate the wider investigation and response to the rise in cases.

    The majority of cases nationally and locally are among children under the age of 10 who have missed their MMR vaccine. Normally the first dose of MMR vaccine is given around a child’s first birthday; the second dose is given at around three years and four months old, before starting school.

    However, it is never too late to get vaccinated, people can be vaccinated at any age with the two doses providing the best protection.

    Young adults are also being urged to catch up on any missed doses, particularly before thinking about starting a family given the risk of the disease to pregnant women.

    Over the past few months Leeds City Council has been working in partnership with the NHS, UKHSA, schools, higher education settings and community organisations to increase uptake of the MMR vaccine in communities in Leeds and provide advice on how to recognise symptoms and where to access the vaccine.

    Victoria Eaton, director of public health, Leeds City Council, said:

    “Measles can be a very serious disease; it can have similar symptoms to chickenpox but the health complications from measles can be much more severe and in some cases could lead to brain inflammation and pneumonia. Measles symptoms often start with a cough, high fever, runny nose and sore watery eyes, usually followed by a rash a few days later, this often starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

    “If you do think you have symptoms, ring 111 or contact your doctor’s surgery immediately – please don’t go to hospital or your doctor’s surgery without first calling ahead, it’s extremely important you don’t spread the disease to vulnerable people.

    “Having two doses of the MMR vaccine at the right time gives long-term protection against measles and it is free from your GP practice. 

    “A non-porcine version of the MMR vaccine is also available which does not contain any pork products; however, you may need to request this from your GP practice ahead of vaccination.”

    Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said:

    “We’ve done a lot of work with our NHS partners and other organisations to increase public awareness and understanding of the risk of measles and as a result we are pleased that more parents are coming forward to get their children vaccinated, however there is still more work to do.

    “If you or your child have missed your vaccine doses, it’s never too late, call or contact your GP surgery and request the MMR vaccine as soon as possible.”

    For more information on measles, and the MMR vaccine, visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/measles/.

     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Call for industry experts to join key PackUK advisory groups

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    PackUK invites industry experts to join key advisory groups.

    PackUK, the newly appointed administrator for the pEPR scheme, is committed to working with experts from across the packaging value chain to guide it in its work.

    This close working relationship will be supported by expert advice from the following four advisory boards:

    • Scheme Administrator Steering Group
    • Recyclability Assessment Methodology Technical Advisory Committee
    • Effectiveness and Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee
    • Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group

    The recommendations from these groups will play a central role in guiding PackUK as it grows and develops.

    These four voluntary advisory groups will provide expert advice and recommendations to the PackUK leadership team. The groups will not be decision-making, but a trusted source of knowledge and experience comprising members who will have a wealth of operational and policy expertise from a variety of both public and private sector organisations.

    Expression of interest to join PackUK’s Advisory Committees now open

    We are excited to announce that we are now welcoming expressions of interest to join the following three advisory groups:

    • Recyclability Assessment Methodology Technical Advisory Committee
    • Effectiveness and Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee
    • Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group

    Fifteen positions will be available on each on these advisory groups, subject to a fair and open competitive application process.

    Applications will close 10 March 2025. Demonstrable experience in the sector will be essential. Further information on how to apply can be found below.

    Details on each advisory group

    Recycling Assessment Methodology Technical Advisory Committee (RAM TAC)

    The RAM TAC will provide technical advice on packaging sustainability and supporting PackUK to deliver iterations of the RAM which reflect both recyclability and consider different bases of assessment. They will ensure that the advice that the PackUK Scheme Administrator (SA) receives regarding packaging recyclability and other environmental characteristics is up to date and reflects trends and innovations.

    The SA RAM TAC will also assess selected technical queries and issues relating to packaging materials and advise the SA of the outcome of their technical assessment.

    The RAM TAC will meet quarterly.

    Efficient and Effective Technical Advisory Committee (E&E TAC)

    The E&E TAC will be an independent technical committee who understand local authority and waste management best practice from across the UK and using their expertise they will make recommendations to PackUK on how to support LAs who operate in a range of different scenarios.

    The committee will provide well evidenced, expert advice, guidance and recommendations to the SA Executive Committee (SA ExCo), but is not a decision-making body.

    The E&E TAC will meet quarterly.

    Communications and Behaviour Change Advisory Group (CBCAG)

    The CBCAG will bring together value chain expertise, four nation representation and behavioural change knowledge to guide and provide expert advice to the PackUK Executive Committee on impactful communications and behaviour change strategies.

    The CBCAG will meet quarterly.

    We will share opportunities to join the Scheme Administrator Steering Group (SASG) later in spring 2025.

    How to apply

    More information can be found in the candidate packs:

    To apply for any of these voluntary positions, your CV and supporting statement should be returned to packuk.governance@defra.gov.uk by mid-day on 10 March 2025, marking which advisory group you would like to join in the subject field.

    All candidates are also required to submit the following:

    • diversity information and conflicts of interest form
    • CV of no more than two sides of A4 outlining professional qualifications
    • a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria, providing specific examples (500 words maximum)

    Please submit any queries to packuk.governance@defra.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Westminster City Council is cracking down on graffiti as part of its work to tackle antisocial behaviour in the city. | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    The Council is increasing its presence and investing more money to further tackle antisocial behaviour in Westminster. This includes a new cleaning van with a generator and water tank to dedicated to cleaning graffiti and deep cleaning of pavements

    Graffiti and other forms of antisocial behaviour cause real problems for local residents and visitors, and the Council is committed to tackling it.

    The Council’s waste contractor, Veolia, runs three teams, seven days a week to tackle graffiti in the city.  Any offensive graffiti is always removed within 12 hours from the moment it’s reported, and other types of graffiti are cleaned within three days. Around 80-100 cleaning jobs are undertaken weekly, totalling around 400 every month.

    This form of antisocial behaviour has been on the rise across London in recent years. There were a reported 4,141 graffiti cases within Westminster, with the Soho, St James’s and the West End areas seeing the most cases.

    That is why the Council is investing £2 million in measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, which is at the heart of Westminster City Council’s proposed budget.

    This comes shortly after the Council announced a new front-line team to tackle antisocial behaviour. The six-person unit consists of officers with experience in city management and can be deployed wherever antisocial behaviour is reported.

    Cllr Max Sullivan, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Streets, said:

    “At Westminster Council we’re committed to keeping our streets clean and safe. Adding another deep cleaning vehicle to our arsenal means we’ll be able to remove graffiti even more quickly.

    “Help us by reporting graffiti on public property or street furniture to us , and we will make sure it’s gone within 3 days, or within 12 hours if its offensive.”

    Please report unsightly markings on public property or street furniture so it can be inspected and removed.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foster carers celebrated at annual summit

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Local foster carers came together last week to share their views and experiences at Foster for Plymouth’s second annual fostering summit. 

    Foster carers and practitioners at Dartmoor Zoo for the 2025 summit

    Foster for Plymouth is Plymouth City Council’s own fostering service. The summit provides a valuable opportunity for the Council to thank foster carers for their hard work, and also to listen to their feedback about the kinds of improvements that could be made to better support them and the children in their care. 

    More than 20 foster carers and Connected Carers (friends or family approved to care for specific children) attended the event, alongside more than 20 practitioners working in Children’s Services and partner agencies across health and social care.  

    The first fostering summit last year led to the creation of a new package of support for foster carers that included increased financial allowances and more training and support. 

    This year’s summit was held at Dartmoor Zoo who generously donated the event space free of charge. This is part of the zoo’s ongoing support for Foster for Plymouth, which has also included giving all fostering households a free family pass to enjoy a day out at the zoo.  

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “Our foster carers are simply brilliant and it was fantastic to be able to say a huge thank you to so many of them in person at the summit. It is absolutely inspiring to see their dedication to their role and the passion they have for supporting children and young people in our city. 

    “I’d also like to say a big thank you to the team at Dartmoor Zoo for their ongoing support of Foster for Plymouth, they have been really generous towards our fostering families and it is greatly appreciated.”  

    Councillor Jemima Laing speaking at the 2025 Fostering Summit

    David Haley, Director of Children’s Services at Plymouth City Council, said: “The summit provides us with the opportunity to recognise and value the vital role that foster carers make in the life of a child or young person from Plymouth and to listen to their feedback about the Foster for Plymouth offer and services that they engage with so that we can keep making the offer even better.   

    “This is incredibly important, because it means that we come away with practical ideas about changes that can be made that will not only support the retention and recruitment of foster carers but that will also mean better support for the children and young people in our care.”  

    At the summit, foster carers received an update about the success of the Mockingbird programme. Mockingbird uses an extended family model in the form of ‘constellations’, consisting of a central hub home which supports several satellite homes of other foster carers. The hub home carers are specially recruited for their experience and will help the satellite carers with peer support, social activities and respite care in the form of sleepovers.  

    The first constellation in Plymouth launched in November 2024 and has been hugely beneficial to the fostering families involved. The second constellation is due to launch this summer, so that more carers and children can benefit from family-style support.   

    About fostering  

    To be a foster carer, you need to be over 21 years old, have a spare room and have a genuine interest in supporting the wellbeing of children and young people in care.  

    There are fewer barriers to fostering than many people realise and foster carers receive financial, emotional and practical support to enable them to take on the role.  

    If you’d like to find out more, visit fosterforplymouth.co.uk. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Boost of nearly £10m for Wolverhampton city highways improvements

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Investment from the highways capital programme for 2025/26 will be bolstered by an extra £500,000 City of Wolverhampton Council commitment, bringing the total to £9.7 million.

    Potholes are a priority for the council and over the past year more than 7,900 have been repaired. But with more than 740 kilometres of carriageway to manage, prevention work is key.

    That is why the council uses a data driven, informed strategy to identify where targeted surfacing works can extend the life of roads – reducing the need for reactive repairs.

    Surface dressing is completed quickly with little disruption to traffic and protects the road from water and frost – one of the key causes of potholes.

    Where required the council also carries out full road resurfacing projects.

    Over the past 5 years the council has treated more than 560 square kilometres of carriageway by resurfacing or surface dressing and repaired more than 58,000 defects in roads and footways – up to 44 per working day.

    A range of new surface dressing and full resurfacing works are included in the proposed highway improvements for 2025/26.

    Other planned improvements include road safety and traffic management work with upgrades to the council’s car park management systems.

    There will also be a completion of the streetlighting upgrade, with almost 30,000 streetlights now switched to energy and money saving LED, helping cut carbon emissions.

    Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City, said: “By investing we can ensure an efficient, safe and smooth flowing network for all modes of transport that supports businesses and helps achieve our sustainable regeneration ambitions and climate change commitments.

    “We know potholes are an important issue for people, as they are up and down the country.

    “We have a clear data led, long term strategy to tackling this which strikes a safe and prudent balance of reactive and preventative maintenance as we move forward.”

    The council will carry out the 2025/26 work under the next phase of its Highway Capital Programme. Funding has come through external grants and council resources.

    The programme has delivered £37.5 million worth of improvements and development work since 2020.

    Completed improvements in 2024/25 include several road safety and Safer Routes to Schools projects and a raft of maintenance works to carriageways, footpaths and structures, alongside surface treatments.

    There has been an expansion of the CCTV network and smart technology systems and further rollout of electronic driver information signs, helping to manage car parks across the city.

    The Highway Capital Programme aligns with the ongoing work of the Black Country Transport and Wolverhampton Major Transport Investment Programme to deliver transport schemes across the city and wider region, developed mainly with external funding.

    Projects for delivery under this programme include the development of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure across the region, active travel schemes and the ongoing development of the A4123, A449 and A454 corridors.

    The planned improvements are pending approval at City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet meeting on 19 February. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Partnership can transform education for Met Police

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    A major new partnership, Policing Futures London, has been announced with the potential to transform the delivery of police degree apprenticeships in the capital.

    The collaboration brings together Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and the University of West London (UWL) – two universities that are at the forefront of police education in the UK – with the aim of leading the Metropolitan Police’s initial recruit training from 2026, in line with the Mayor’s Police and Crime Plan 2025-2029.

    Policing Futures London’s mission closely aligns with the A New Met for London strategy, ensuring that officers are not only highly skilled but are deeply connected to the city’s communities and its policing priorities.

    With world-class facilities in east London, near Canary Wharf, and west London, the two universities have already been providing policing education at scale since 2021, all within 60 minutes travel of the Metropolitan Police’s 12 Basic Command Units.

    Anglia Ruskin University and the University of West London have a track record for delivering quality, integrated Police Constable Entry Route (PCER) programmes and could accommodate the full cohort of Metropolitan Police’s recruits at any one time.

    Anglia Ruskin University has successfully co-delivered PCER programmes alongside the seven forces in the South East and East of England to over 2,600 student police officers since 2021, while together Anglia Ruskin and the University of West London have four years’ experience of working with the Metropolitan Police, training more than 3,870 Met officers.

    Building on the delivery over the last four years, with the rich knowledge and experience of the collective academic staff, new programmes would be co-designed with the police service and led by teams who live and work in London, ensuring that officers are fully equipped to police the communities they serve.

    Policing Futures London would prioritise support for widening access and inclusive outreach recruitment programmes, would embed community engagement models to build trust between new officers and the diverse communities of London, and would be delivered by both police professionals and academic experts.

    Policing Futures London is backed up by world-class research, with Anglia Ruskin University home to both the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute and the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Uniformed Public Services.

    In the last 18 months, Anglia Ruskin University has been named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards, the Times Higher Education University of the Year, and is in the top 20% of universities in the country for teaching quality, having been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

    University of West London was the number one London university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2024* and was named best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

    “This partnership is about more than just delivering quality education – it’s about shaping the future of policing in London. By bringing together two institutions with deep experience in police education, we are ensuring that London’s officers receive the highest quality training, close to the communities they serve, and preparing them for the challenges of 21st-century law enforcement.”

    Sara Archer, Head of Police Education at Anglia Ruskin University

    “This exciting partnership brings together two powerhouses in policing education, not only in London but nationally, ready to deliver police training programmes that London deserves: resilient, innovative, and reflective of its communities. Policing Futures London is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build that.”

    Adrian Ellison, Pro Vice-Chancellor and executive lead for policing education at the University of West London

    “As a London university we understand London and its unique policing needs. We have directly influenced the design of the new PCDA standard, based on our extensive experience working with the MPS, to place practice-based learning and assessment at its heart. Understanding the need for everyone to work to ever tightening budgets, we will never sacrifice quality for cost.

    “This exciting new partnership combines a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise with the aim of giving Londoners the continued quality of policing they deserve.”

    Andy Rose, Head of the Institute for Policing Studies at the University of West London

    *calculated as the average of all questions by registered populations. Excludes specialist providers, National Student Survey 2024.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing staff to support tenants experiencing domestic abuse

    Source: City of York

    To help support Council tenants who are experiencing domestic abuse, City of York Council’s housing staff will be trained and supported to spot the signs and support victims and survivors.

    As part of the Council’s wider work to tackle or prevent domestic abuse, a new policy was agreed on 5 February which commits the Council to better supporting its tenants and leaseholders as part of its ongoing journey of improvement.

    This policy sits alongside city-wide work to tackle domestic abuse including the latest Valentine’s Day awareness campaign.

    Some 4,000 residents across York are estimated to be currently living with domestic abuse, with a further 16,000 residents having experienced it at some point in their lives.

    Whether it involves ‘love bombing’, coercive control, psychological, financial or emotional abuse, domestic abuse is often carried out at home. With training, staff who visit tenants will be better able to spot the signs. They can then help prevent or tackle it, discreetly signpost tenants to support, and back action to bring perpetrators to account.  

    Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Communities at City of York Council, said:

    Those experiencing domestic abuse can feel they have nowhere to turn. We are saying you are not alone, you will be believed and we care about you.

    “Domestic abuse is simply not acceptable in our homes. A home should be a safe haven but sadly that is not always the case. Fearing what might happen in it or feeling that you have to leave it to escape abuse, should never be an issue, but all too often it is.

    “I want to reassure tenants that any concerns raised about domestic abuse with us will be met with empathy and an appropriate response. This is part of our commitment to being the best landlord we can as we work hard to improve, and our new policy embeds this approach into all we do.”

    Any York resident concerned about a relationship, whether their own or that of someone they know, please speak to someone you trust, or find advice and support from IDAS, either online or by calling 03000 110 110.

    If domestic abuse puts you at risk of becoming homeless or if you’re being threatened with homelessness, please call 01904 554500 or visit www.york.gov.uk/HousingOptions

    Any Council tenant experiencing or concerned about domestic abuse can contact their Housing Management Officer (HMO) via www.york.gov.uk/OpenHousing or, visit www.york.gov.uk/HousingManagementOfficers or call Housing Services on 01904 551550.

    Support is also available for those causing harm from Foundation’s Positive Choices programme or by calling 01904 557491.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: University of Essex

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    The University of Essex is a public research university in Essex, England. Established by royal charter in 1965, it is one of the original plate glass universities.

    The university comprises three campuses in the county, in Southend-on-Sea and Loughton with its primary campus in Wivenhoe Park, Colchester.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: PM meeting with President Trump’s Special Envoy to the UK Mark Burnett: 13 February 2025

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

    The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s Special Envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night.

    The Prime Minister was pleased to host President Trump’s Special Envoy to the United Kingdom, Mark Burnett, at Downing Street last night, during which he took a call from President Trump and discussed his forthcoming visit to the US.

    Mr Burnett and the Prime Minister agreed on the unique and special nature of the UK-US relationship, the strength of our alliance and the warmth of the connection between the two countries. 

    Mr Burnett reflected on his personal connections to the UK, and his mother’s experience working part time in Downing Street as a waitress over 30 years ago.  

    They emphasised the huge potential for even stronger collaboration on trade, tech and cultural matters between the US and the UK and looked forward to working together.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SS Mendi 108th anniversary commemoration service at Milton Cemetery

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Residents are invited to Milton Cemetery on Friday 21 February, from 10.45am-11.15am, to mark the 108th anniversary of the sinking of SS Mendi, with a wreath-laying ceremony and short service.

    On 21 February 1917, the SS Mendi was headed for France carrying men of the 5th Battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps to support allied forces in France during World War 1.

    After midnight, thick fog covered the sea making it extremely difficult to navigate. 20km off the Isle of Wight the SS Darro suddenly struck the Mendi, cutting a massive hole. The SS Darro did not stop to pick up survivors.

    The SS Mendi sank within 25 minutes and 646 men, both crew and labour corps, lost their lives that day. Nine soldiers from the 5th Battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps, who died in this, one of the worst British maritime disasters, are buried in the cemetery.

    Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Cllr J. Fazackarley said: “It’s important for Portsmouth, our maritime city, that we continue to tell the story of the SS Mendi and the 646 brave men who died in this tragic disaster. This great loss must never be forgotten, and I am honoured to attend and be a part of this service.”

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Omega Centre SEND plans boosted to £7.5m as part of investment in Portsmouth schools

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    An ambitious extension to plans for the building is included in budget proposals set to be considered this month by Portsmouth City Council.

    If approved, the new total investment in the project would reach £7.5m, allowing a 25% increase in the school’s capacity.

    Plans were announced last year to return the building to its original use as a school with the latest news meaning it could offer 76 places to support secondary and post-16 education for young people in the city.

    Like most of the country, Portsmouth has seen a significant increase in demand for SEND school places in recent years and this additional funding will help to deliver the places that are needed to ensure local schools have the right provision to meet pupil’s needs.

    Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “These proposals continue our ongoing investment in Portsmouth schools to ensure we can give the city’s children the best education possible. There is a growing number of children in the city with special educational needs and it’s vital we give them the environment they need to thrive, so I’m very pleased we’ve been able to allocate funding specifically for creating those places in the city.”

    The budget proposals also include more than £1.5m to support essential maintenance at schools across the city to ensure they can continue to offer children the facilities they require.

    These proposals are part of the Council’s capital budget, which can be used for major one-off projects and statutory improvements. The capital funding can’t be used for funding the ongoing delivery of council services.

    The budget proposals will be considered at the Full Council meeting on 25 February for approval.

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