NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI USA:  UConn Hosts Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Cameron Brady was the only woman in her undergraduate class to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in physics. While Brady found it easy to work alongside her predominantly male peers at Rowan University, it wasn’t until she attended a conference for undergraduate women in the field that she gained the confidence to pursue the study further. 

    On Jan. 24, Brady, now a UConn Ph.D. candidate in physics, served on a graduate panel at the first UConn Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CU*iP)—the same conference that helped launch her career. 

    “The higher-level classes in physics, I was the only woman,” Brady says. “At first, it was hard to have confidence and maybe answer questions or speak out. But eventually, over time, I just learned.” 

    UConn was one of 14 universities selected by the American Physical Society (APS) to host a CU*iP conference. The event was organized by a committee of UConn faculty and graduate students, led by Nora Berrah, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of physics. 

    Berrah says physics has historically been a male-dominated field, but while men’s attitudes toward accepting women into the profession have become more positive, women may still wonder if it’s a supportive, friendly environment. 

    “We want to give them a chance and provide a place for them to ask any questions that they have on their minds, because we want them to stay in physics,” Berrah says. 

    Brady hopes this conference will provide attendees with the same opportunities it did for her. After attending a virtual CU*iP conference, Brady said she was inspired by women who continued their careers in physics. That experience propelled her to apply for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), a competitive program that provides funding for undergraduates to conduct research at universities across the country. 

    “The graduate students on the panel had done that and talked about it, so it made me want to apply,” says Brady, who went on to complete two REU internships. 

    To support another cohort of women and gender minorities in the field, Brady was one of the many graduate students who helped host about 100 undergraduates from across New England for UConn’s first CU*iP conference, held in Gant West from Jan. 24 to 26. 

    “I want to give back to the community,” says Kaley Wilcox, another physics Ph.D. candidate and conference volunteer. “I know I’m only here because of all the support from my female friends and various underrepresented genders in physics.” 

    Wilcox says her participation in the conference is a way to acknowledge the contributions of other women in the field and to be a mentor and beacon for others so more women can pursue the field. 

    UConn’s Department of Physics hosts the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics in the Gant Science Complex on Jan. 24, 2025. (Bri Diaz/UConn Photo)

    Berrah spent nearly two years putting the conference together. She and her organizing committee studied previous conferences to gather insight into what students needed, made a conference program featuring presentations from professors and industry leaders, and raised funds to sponsor all the participants’ attendance. 

    For three days, students attended panels and lectures on a variety of topics, including technical knowledge, career paths in the industry, gaining research experience, and navigating mental health in the field. They also had a very important opportunity to meet with students from other institutions and network with their peers and professionals. 

    Josephine Singleton, a junior astronomy major at Mount Holyoke College, says that while her university may be a women’s liberal arts school, there are still very few women who share her major. She says the conference is an opportunity to connect with other women and gender minorities in the field. 

     “Most of us are women or in the LGBTQ community so many of us do support each other in this sphere,” Singleton says. “There’s still a large gap for anyone other than cis men in the field of physics, but I think it is getting better now because I know a lot of Mount Holyoke’s graduates who are now working at places like NASA. It’s good to see that.”   

    Brady hopes the attendees come away with the same confidence she did to pursue her interests. 

    “I didn’t always think I could go to grad school for physics. I didn’t know if I would be good enough to get in,” she says. “I hope from this conference they can see women who have already achieved that and know they can do it themselves.” 

    The conference was funded by APS, NSF, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Additional support was provided by the UConn Department of Physics; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Office of the Provost; the Vice President for Research; College of Engineering; Institute of Materials Science; Ed Eyler and Karen Greer Fund; Mark Miller Fund; City College of New York Physicists William Miller and Myriam Sarachik Memorial Fund; Mirion Technologies; Del Boca family gift; American Astronomical Society; New England Section of APS; and Startorialist Science and Fashion Shop. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New partnerships for growth: FCDO Minister’s speech at the LSE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    FCDO Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds gave a keynote speech to the UK financial sector at the London Stock Exchange today on partnerships for growth.

    Thank you so much, Julia [Dame Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange], and a very good morning to all of you.

    Thank you so much for joining us today, I really appreciate it.

    It was an absolute thrill to see the market open this morning.

    I am very keen to hear from as many of you as possible, so I’m not going to speak for too long.

    I want to leave plenty of time for questions.

    But I do want to share a few reflections with you this morning.

    This is, as Dame Julia kindly said, the second time I had the privilege of opening the London Stock Exchange.

    I had the privilege of speaking in this room almost two years ago, and it was then as now a very moving moment, because sat in the front row were some of the first women, in fact the first women, and others who set foot on the London Stock Exchange because they had not been allowed to do so until then.

    What a privilege to have been there for that moment, as for this moment.

    Two years ago, when I was here, I spoke about my own family background – with my dad having worked in financial services.

    And I want again to place on record, my respect for the work that goes on in this building, and across the country.

    Businesses in the financial sector power jobs and growth across the UK, and indeed often around the world as we’ve just heard.

    Well, of course, a lot has changed in the last two years, since I was last here.

    I am addressing you, not as a shadow minister – but now as the Minister for Development, and for Women and Equalities.

    We have a new government focused on growth and restoring our reputation on the world stage.

    And the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have set us all a guiding mission to grow our economy, and bring opportunity to people across our country.

    They have been clear that supporting growth and development around the globe is not just the right thing to do.

    It is an essential part of how we unlock growth, jobs, trade, investment, and pride in our economy here at home as well.

    Indeed, as the Foreign Secretary said in a major speech at the start of the new year, in today’s contested, competitive world, what we need now is a whole new level of global engagement – drawing on our greatest strengths.

    That absolutely includes the expertise, experience, and dynamism in this room.

    Clearly, the City of London and wider UK financial sector must be at the heart of how we meet the opportunities and challenges of our time.

    Twenty years ago, people marched and campaigned to Make Poverty History.

    [Political content redacted]

    That call was heeded and huge progress was made.

    Debt was cancelled, and development assistance was ramped up.

    Lives were saved and lives were changed.

    Today, the challenges we face are growing and becoming increasingly complex – not least because our world is so deeply interconnected.

    We have all seen how shocks can indeed reverberate across the globe.

    A vicious cycle of conflicts.

    The pandemic.

    The climate and nature crisis, and others.

    We have seen supply chains disrupted, and investor confidence shaken – harming our economy, here at home.

    Yet we have all seen the power of harnessing this interconnectedness as well.

    By working together – we can get ahead of global shocks, mitigate their impact, and unlock new opportunities for growth.

    For outward investment by UK businesses.

    To build future markets for UK exports.

    To support low-and-middle-income countries to grow their economies as well.

    As the UK’s Minister for Development, and for Women and Equalities, I am determined to build genuine partnerships across the Global South, based on genuine respect, and in service of our mutual interests.

    Indeed, in all of the visits I’ve undertaken over the last 6 months, from Indonesia to Malawi, to the major global gatherings of the UN General Assembly, the World Bank Annual Meetings, and the climate summit at COP29 – I heard loud and clear that our drive for growth is an ambition our partners all share.

    They want respectful, modern partnerships that benefit us all, too.

    They want to tap into your expertise and the innovative financial solutions you are pioneering – to harness the power of private finance.

    They want to work with us to build resilience to shocks.

    To escape the trap of unsustainable debt.

    To break down the barriers to private investment.

    And they want to work with us to champion much-needed reform of the global financial system, so we unlock more opportunities for everyone – from millions of women and girls around the world whose game-changing potential has yet to be unleashed, to investors right here in the City of London.

    Your hard work is at the heart of these partnerships.

    Already, 115 African companies are listed here.

    London is the world’s number one hub as I said before for green finance.

    All of this puts the UK in pole position to be the leading source of investment for emerging markets – and to build on the reputation you have worked so hard to develop.

    So today, I want to focus on four key areas, where the government and the City can make the most of the important roles we have to play – to support stable, resilient long-term growth, here at home, and around the world.

    Mobilising private capital – to help us maximise the impact of public and private finance.

    Reforming international financial institutions – to make sure they are bigger, better, and fit for the future.

    Tackling unsustainable debt – to achieve the fast, orderly restructuring that helps countries avoid default and supports stability.

    And scaling up insurance – to get more finance in place before disasters strike, to protect and promote growth across the world.

    First – mobilising private capital.

    Together, we can maximise the impact of billions of dollars of public money – and unlock many billions more.

    Consider that globally, there are some $121 trillion of assets under management.

    Currently, Africa accounts for less than 1% of the overseas portfolio allocation of UK pension funds.

    Yet Africa’s GDP growth – and I know I don’t need to tell many in this room of this – is projected to outpace the global average – and almost 70% of UK savers say they want their investments to consider impact on people and the planet.

    It is time to lean in.

    So, I was delighted to hear the Chancellor announce her plans – to consolidate the UK’s fragmented £1.3 trillion pension fund landscape, and create larger, more agile funds, capable of investing in high-growth emerging and developing markets.

    This is exactly the kind of opportunity we need to embrace.

    And I’m delighted that today, a new report from leading UK-based institutional investors sets out how the UK can continue to be the climate finance hub for the world.

    The report makes it clear that investing in other countries to accelerate the transition to clean energy is critical – to growing our economy at home, and to building financial stability long-term, in the UK, and right around the world.

    The Energy Secretary is rightly championing this through the new Global Clean Power Alliance, that the Prime Minister launched at the G20 in Rio.

    Well, today I am pleased to announce that alongside the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, I am convening an Investor Taskforce – to increase UK private investment for climate and development, in markets around the world.

    We are building partnerships with public markets like the London Stock Exchange to pursue this.

    In just four years, our flagship MOBILIST initiative has mobilised almost $250 million for listed products focussed on climate and development globally – including recent investments, like the infrastructure securitisation through Bayfront.

    This method of structuring bank infrastructure loans makes it possible for institutional investors to purchase them through investment-grade listed instruments.

    MOBLIST also helped achieve a $100 million first close for the Green Guarantee Company that will provide up to $1 billion of guarantees – for institutional investors buying green bonds, including those listed on the London Stock Exchange, and green loans issued in the private credit market.

    Today, I am pleased to announce up to £100 million of additional funding for MOBILIST – so we can build on this innovative work pioneering public market investment in emerging markets.

    This will allow MOBILIST to provide a platform for even more partners to draw on UK financial expertise – unlocking opportunities for investments in green growth, and helping more businesses to access new and affordable sources of capital across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

    MOBILIST is not the only way that we are doing this.

    When I visited the London-based Private Infrastructure Development Group, funded by the UK and others – I saw how they are developing and de-risking infrastructure projects across Africa and Asia.

    The UK financial sector has been a key partner for them.

    For example, one arm of the group – GuarantCo – has guaranteed bonds and loans, to unlock $5.7 billion of private investment in infrastructure, benefitting over 44 million people.

    And – breaking news – I am delighted that a new $50 million deal with Standard Chartered Bank – signed today – will allow them to expand further.

    As another example, take British International Investment, or BII – the world’s oldest Development Finance Institution, at the forefront for 75 years.

    The BII teams were full of ambition when I visited their HQ in November.

    I am always proud to tell our partners that 25% of BII’s new investment commitments already meet the 2X Challenge standard – to increase investment in women.

    By making this a priority, BII is funding everything from affordable housing led by women in India, to making lines of credit accessible to small-scale retailers run by women in Nigeria – supporting jobs and growth.

    And when I sat down with key African investors alongside partners from the City in the autumn, I was able to highlight that over half of BII’s portfolio is invested in Africa, and at least 30% of BII’s investments are in climate finance.

    So today, I want to encourage you to engage with their live call for proposals that is open right now.

    BII are looking for innovative pilots to be funded through a new facility announced by the PM at UNGA in New York – that we expect to mobilise over $500 million of institutional investment.

    We are supporting public markets to mobilise finance in other ways as well.

    UK support has been instrumental in helping Ethiopia to launch its first public stock exchange just a few weeks ago, with support from the UK government through Financial Sector Deepening Africa – or ‘FSD Africa’ for short.

    This exchange brings transparency and international-standard accounting to listed companies – and the diverse ownership that should improve accountability, and broaden both the gains from growth, and the buy-in.

    We are sharing UK expertise on financial regulation with our partners as well.

    Through a partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, the Bank of England is now supporting more than 10 countries to improve monetary policy and strengthen financial stability – from Nigeria to South Africa, and from Bangladesh to Indonesia.

    And in the last few days we have signed a new partnership with the Financial Conduct Authority, that will lead to them sharing knowledge with partner countries – to ensure that markets are competitive and fair.

    That is good for our partners – and it is good for us as well.

    Last year, Tanzania’s NMB Bank cross-listed East Africa’s first sustainability bond on the London Stock Exchange and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange – again, with support from FSD Africa, and an anchor investment from BII.

    The $73 million raised through this ‘Jamii’ Bond will support renewable energy, food security, jobs, and growth.

    In fact, thanks in no small part to your hard work, these sorts of listing are becoming a trend on the London Stock Exchange.

    Last year, the Brazilian Government dual-listed its first $2 billion sovereign sustainable bond on the London Stock Exchange.

    That was followed by a full listing of its second $2 billion sustainable bond, a few weeks later.

    All of this was enabled by UK support that helped Brazil develop a Sovereign Sustainable Bonds framework.

    Now, as we heard earlier, just a few weeks ago, the first $500 million Climate Investment Funds Capital Markets Mechanism bond was issued on the London Stock Exchange.

    It generated considerable investor interest.

    As has already been mentioned of course, it was over-subscribed six times over.

    Further issuances could raise up to $7.5 billion over ten years, for new investments in clean energy in developing countries – leveraging UK government contributions, and those from our international partners.

    So, I could not have been more delighted to open the market this morning – and to congratulate the Climate Investment Funds and World Bank Treasury on issuing this promising new bond today.

    Now, of course, no one in this room is going to invest in developing economies, or provide climate finance – simply because it is a nice thing to do.

    You are making those investments and building those partnerships because they represent a remarkable opportunity – to marry investment in the economies and technologies of the future, with the experience and expertise of the City of London.

    [Political content redacted]

    Let us keep up the momentum – so the London Stock Exchange continues to be the preferred choice.

    My second point is about reforming international financial institutions.

    We are asking a lot of all of you – but of course, there are certain things that only governments can do.

    And reforming the multilateral development banks or MDBs is one of the biggest ways that we are holding up our end of the bargain.

    Every year, the World Bank Group and various regional development banks multiply every pound the UK government and other shareholders put in.

    Last year alone, they raised around £30 billion from bond issuances in London.

    Together with finance raised on other markets around the world, this allowed them to deploy over $170 billion to low-and-middle-income countries.

    This finance is on much more affordable terms than many of our partners could access directly – thanks to the banks’ triple-A credit ratings.

    They use this to invest in high-impact public and private projects.

    Green infrastructure, healthcare, education, women and girls – all underpinning the foundations for growth around the world, and here in the UK.

    So clearly, pursuing reforms that make the MDBs bigger, better, and fit for the future is key.

    As the Prime Minister set out at the UN General Assembly last year –that is exactly what we are using the UK’s influence to do, in partnership with the Global South.

    Indeed, when I travelled to Washington D.C in October, as the UK Governor of the World Bank Group, I made it my priority to agree changes to its risk appetite, that will unlock an additional $30 billion over ten years.

    This builds on UK government guarantees that have made it possible for the World Bank and other MDBs to lend an additional $6 billion, across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

    Ahead of the next big ‘Financing for Development’ summit in Seville this summer – we must do more.

    To make sure the MDBs can shoulder more risk.

    To create more opportunities for private companies to invest in emerging markets.

    And to empower the women and girls who have the power to lift up whole families, communities, countries, and economies.

    Thirdly – we have to tackle the unsustainable debt that is dampening global growth.

    As we take the next steps now, we need the City to be at the forefront of expertise and solutions, to make sure that countries facing unsustainable debt burdens can restructure it effectively.

    Clearly, fast, orderly restructuring can help countries avoid default, and support stability.

    This is squarely in the interest of lenders, such as bondholders and commercial lenders here in the City.

    Obviously, it is squarely in the interests of borrowers too.

    I heard that loud and clear from the governments of Malawi and Zambia during my visit at the end of last year.

    With some 95% of African bonds issued under English Law, the UK has a key role to play.   We need to leverage this.

    Half of the lowest income countries are now in debt distress, or at high risk of it.

    Some 3.3 billion people are living in countries that are spending more on servicing their debt, than on the health and education services that underpin long-term, global growth.

    So, I want us to build on the successes of Collective Action Clauses that featured in over 90% of new bond issuances.

    These have been rolled out widely since their introduction in 2004.

    They have played an important role in ensuring a smooth process and strong private sector participation, in recent debt restructuring negotiations in Ghana and Zambia – avoiding situations where one or two bondholders can hold up a deal.

    This is a great example of what market-friendly innovation can achieve.

    My challenge to the commercial banks now is to introduce the equivalent clauses for syndicated lending – that the UK government has worked with the International Capital Markets Association, legal and financial advisors based in the City, and international partners to develop.

    No lender has implemented them – yet.

    So today, I am announcing that the UK government will offer support for the first ten transactions that put ‘majority voting provisions’ into existing or new lending to low-or-middle-income countries.

    Together, we can speed up debt restructuring negotiations with syndicated lenders – and get growth recovering more quickly in cases where debt has become unmanageable.

    We can do more on Climate Resilient Debt Clauses as well.

    The UK government was the first bilateral creditor to offer these clauses.

    Several other lenders have followed since.

    The difference they can make is significant.

    They allow repayments to be paused when a shock hits.

    This frees up fiscal space for countries responding to a crisis.

    Helps avoid default.

    Supports stability.

    And safeguards growth.

    Just look at Grenada.

    At the end of last year, following Hurricane Beryl – these clauses were triggered on government-issued bonds

    The result was $30 million of interest payments being suspended over the following year – thanks to the bondholders who pioneered these clauses.

    Already, we are going further.

    In October, I announced that the UK will support small states to take up Climate Resilient Debt Clauses in their World Bank loans, by covering the fees.

    In the long run these should be offered at no cost – improving sustainability, and offering benefits both to borrowers and lenders.

    All of this builds on the leadership of countries like Grenada and Barbados who championed these clauses.

    Today, I am reiterating our call on all creditors to offer these clauses in their sovereign lending, by the end of this year – including private sector lenders here in the City.

    I want to see greater transparency on debt as well.

    This improves investors’ understanding – and reduces the hidden debt that poses substantial risks for creditors here in the City.

    It lowers the cost of borrowing for our partners.

    And it allows citizens across the world to hold their governments to account for borrowing and using resources.

    Already, the UK government publishes all its new lending quarterly, on a loan-by-loan basis.

    Now, we want to see other public and private creditors meeting the same standards of transparency in their lending – especially to low-income countries.

    The UK will keep under review if further action is needed – working together with the private sector, to combat high levels of indebtedness.

    Fourth and finally, we need to get insurance and other contingent finance in place before disasters strike, so we protect and promote growth around the world.

    Extreme weather events are on the rise, as we all know.

    Millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people are bearing the brunt of repeated shocks.

    Yet currently, less than 2% of crisis finance is of the ‘pre-arranged’ variety – that makes sure every pound spent yields three or four times its worth in benefits.

    Changing that is so important – to help countries receive the rapid payments they need to avoid losses.

    To reduce the need for humanitarian support.

    And to protect growth and jobs.

    Once again, the City is well-placed to meet the needs of this growing, and largely untapped market – as a global leader in innovative insurance and managing risk.

    In Africa, the Caribbean, South-East Asia and the Pacific, the FCDO has helped to establish regional insurance schemes – helping countries get cheaper prices by buying insurance from the private sector as a group, pooling their risk.

    London reinsurers underwrote a quarter of the first eight pools that have allowed Africa to transfer over $1 billion of risk, through the UK-funded African Risk Capacity.

    On a visit at the end of last year, I saw first-hand the difference that payouts from the African Risk Capacity are making to people in Zambia and Malawi, as they respond to a devastating recent drought.

    I was proud to tell them that this was made possible by UK government subsidies for insurance premiums – for countries that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford them.

    Now, I want us all to engage with the ground-breaking report published by a high-level industry panel, that I helped to launch last week – on how we can strengthen the provision of insurance and other contingent finance, and scale up the use of pre-arranged finance.

    Improving modelling, and the way we price risk.

    Championing innovative parametric insurance.

    De-risking investments upfront.

    This work is so important for giving investors confidence, expanding markets in development economies, improving returns, and strengthening the UK’s role as a leading global financial hub.

    Cultivating a virtuous cycle of global resilience and growth is in all our best interests.

    Your expertise, innovation, and investment are critical.

    So, my pledge to you is that I will make it a priority to build stronger partnerships between the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the City.

    So we face up to unprecedented challenges.

    Embrace new opportunities.

    And reinvigorate hope for our shared future – and for sustained and sustainable economic growth here and overseas – by working towards it together, in the months and years ahead.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transfer of homes from National Trust of Scotland to Perth and Kinross Council complete

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Former NTS tenants will now become tenants of the Council and will enjoy a range of associated benefits as a result, including reduced rent levels and a 24-hour emergency repairs service.

    Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, visited Dunkeld today and met some of the tenants to mark the handover of their tenancy.

    The National Trust for Scotland, which cares for and shares Scotland’s heritage, has been responsible for the management of the residential homes, an office and two commercial units in Dunkeld since the 1950s.

    The charity stepped in to save the 17th and 18th century buildings, which were at risk of demolition, taking ownership, restoring the buildings and then letting them to tenants, preserving the unique historic character of Dunkeld town centre which is widely regarded as one of the most attractive in Scotland.

    The charity and Perth and Kinross Council have been working to transfer the homes into the ownership of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account since October 2024.

    Councillor Laing said: “I am delighted that the Council has taken ownership of these homes in a historic part of Dunkeld, securing their future and providing the local community with social housing for affordable rent. We have worked very hard with the National Trust for Scotland to make the transfer as seamless as possible for tenants. I would like to thank the National Trust for Scotland and the tenants for working positively and constructively with us over the last few months.

    “As a large social landlord we will be able to offer tenants lower levels of rent and access to the wide range of Council services enjoyed by all our other tenants, including 24-hour emergency repairs and a programme of investment that will see regular improvements made to the homes.

    “These properties will be a fantastic addition to the stock social housing for the people of Dunkeld, now and into the future.”

    Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan, also attended today. He added: “The tenants here will enjoy a secure tenancy that they can enjoy for as long as they want to, with regular investment to improve their homes to the highest standard possible.

    “I am very happy that we can now offer our services to our new tenants. We have also put arrangements in place that will see people with a connection to Dunkeld given priority consideration should a vacant tenancy arise in one of the properties.” 

    Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh & East said: “The National Trust for Scotland has been proud to play a part in protecting Dunkeld for many decades and we are confident that these new arrangements will ensure the continued protection of this beautiful town and provide benefits to its tenants. Our conservation charity will continue to take an active role in ensuring that Dunkeld retains the nature, beauty and heritage that makes it so special.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry food business fined for cockroach and mouse infestation

    Source: City of Coventry

    A Coventry food business operator has been fined a total of £3,280 after pleading guilty to food hygiene offences.

    Mr Diyar Kadar, the Food Business Operator of 4 Ways Fine Foods, 177 Walsgrave Road, Coventry pleaded guilty to 3 hygiene offences at Coventry Magistrates Court on 29th January 2025. 

    Mr Kadar was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000 as well as a victim surcharge of £80.

    Food & Safety Officers visited the business to undertake an unannounced food hygiene inspection following concerns raised about rotten fruit and vegetables in February 2024. During this visit, both cockroach and mouse activity was found inside the premises. The business agreed to voluntarily close as pest activity in food premises is deemed an imminent risk to health.

    After voluntarily closing, the business carried out pest control treatment, cleaning and proofing. Once no further evidence of pests were found and no imminent risk to health remained, the business was then able to reopen.

    Officers revisited on 13th March 2024 where it was noted that cleaning standards had been maintained and there was no evidence of any mice or cockroaches.

    When questioned about the poor conditions found, Mr Kadar admitted the offences and said he had tried to treat the mouse problem and clean regularly but hadn’t realised how bad the infestation was as he had not been spending as much time as he would have liked at the shop due to family circumstances.

    Mr Kadar pleaded guilty to the following offences:

    • Failure to put in place adequate procedures to control pests
    • Failure to keep the premises clean
    • Failure to protect food from contamination

    The business was subject to an unannounced food hygiene inspection in September 2024 where it received a food hygiene rating of 3 (generally satisfactory).

    Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, and Deputy Leader at Coventry City Council, said: “It is vital that people running food businesses in Coventry have adequate procedures in place to ensure the safety of the food they sell at all times, even when they themselves are not able to be present at the business.”

    “This is a reminder to all Food Business Operators to ensure they have suitably trained staff on their procedures such as checking for pests every day to prevent a problem like this escalating and causing a risk to health.”

    “We would encourage all residents to report unsatisfactory food hygiene conditions found in food businesses in Coventry to ehcommercial@coventry.gov.uk or call 08085834333.”

    Davina Blackburn, Strategic Lead for Regulation and Communities in the city, said: “We take a staged approach to enforcement, and wherever possible, officers will always try to work with businesses offering advice and guidance but will take the necessary actions if they feel there is a risk to health.

    “On this occasion, closing the premises was necessary to ensure consumers were not put at risk, and the business worked with the team to make the necessary changes to reopen the premises as soon as possible.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: We must scrap Ofsted say Greens

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    Responding to the news that Ofsted is considering a new approach to inspecting education providers and introducing ‘report cards’ for schools, Green Party Education Spokesperson, Vix Lowthion, said:

    “Ofsted isn’t working. For teachers or parents. We’ve seen the toxic impact it can have on teachers and we know it doesn’t serve children. These reforms are too close to the previous failed model. We must instead scrap Ofsted and end the era of forcing teachers into narrowly defined boxes. To replace it we need a collaborative model connecting teachers on the frontline with local experts. By connecting them with specialists in pedagogy, child development and social care we can encourage teacher retention, tailor support to local circumstances and drive much better local and national outcomes.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chloe’s story of growing up with fostering

    Source: City of Derby

    Chloe McCready grew up in a very special home in Derby. Her parents decided to become foster carers, opening their hearts and home to children who needed love and safety. Chloe was just a young girl when her family’s journey in fostering began, but it shaped her life in amazing ways.

    Her mother had started out as a childminder, but she realised that fostering was her true calling. Chloe’s childhood was filled with the sounds of laughter, tears, and the joyful chaos of having different children come and go. The experience gave Chloe a deep understanding of love, resilience, and empathy.

    “You treat them like you’ve known them forever,” says Chloe. “They become your family, and you give them so much love that it shapes who you are.”

    Chloe remembers the excitement and nervousness she felt whenever a new child arrived. Each child brought their own story, and her family welcomed them with open arms, no matter the circumstances. Even though many of these children had experienced difficult situations, Chloe’s home became a place where they could feel safe and cared for.

    Fostering brought many learning moments. Chloe recalls times when her foster siblings experienced strong emotions. These moments made her feel especially connected to her family and taught her the importance of patience, understanding, and kindness.

    “Fostering teaches your own children really valuable lessons,” Chloe explains. “It helps you learn about empathy, sharing, and understanding others.”

    Her parents made sure Chloe’s voice was heard. They talked openly together about the changes fostering brought to their lives, which made Chloe feel secure and valued.

    “It’s so important to listen to your own birth children,” she says. “They’re experiencing this journey alongside you.”

    As Chloe grew older, the lessons she learned from fostering stayed with her. She witnessed how her family’s love and care helped children heal and grow. Seeing these transformations inspired her to want to help even more children.

    During the lockdown, Chloe’s passion for helping others became even clearer. She saw how difficult things were for a young boy who had been living with her family for years. This experience helped her decide to become a social worker so she could support children like him.

    Now, as a supervising social worker, Chloe uses her personal experiences to help foster carers and children. She understands both the joys and challenges of fostering. Her unique perspective allows her to relate to foster families in a special way. Chloe believes fostering changes lives for the better, not just for the children who come into the home, but for the whole family.

    “I would encourage anyone to look into fostering,” Chloe says with a smile. “It truly enriches lives and creates a loving environment for everyone.”

    Chloe’s story shows how fostering can create strong, lasting bonds. Her journey is a reminder that every child deserves a loving home, and that love has the power to transform lives. Through her work, Chloe continues to make a difference, carrying forward the lessons of compassion, patience, and hope that she learned from her own family’s fostering journey.

    Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Lead Cabinet Member for Foster for East Midlands, said:

    Chloe’s story is a powerful reminder of how fostering transforms lives. From growing up in a fostering home to becoming a social worker, Chloe’s journey shows the incredible impact of love, empathy, and resilience. Her dedication inspires us all to believe in the power of compassion and the difference one family can make.

    For more information, visit fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk, call 03033 132 950, or email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk.

    Join us and foster for your local council to make a meaningful difference while keeping children in their local communities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Get free advice and support at Help at the Hub day in Lanesfield

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Help at the Hub will see a wide variety of city organisations offer advice and information. The event will take place on Tuesday 11 February between 11am and 2pm at Top Hall, Lanesfield Methodist Church, Laburnum Road, WV4 6PG.

    The event has been organised by officers at the council’s Public Protection Scams Team who will be handing out free scams awareness and prevention packs.

    Residents with concerns can speak with advisors from ACCI, Act on Energy, Alzheimer’s Society, Barclays, Carer Support, Cost of Living, Healthwatch, Neighbourhood Safety Co-ordinator, NHS Talking Therapies, Public Protection, Revenue & Benefits, SUIT, The Haven, The Sanctuary Hub, Welfare Rights, West Midlands Police, Wolves Foundation and Wolverhampton Homes.

    Residents are welcome to drop in and speak to any number of the organisations for free help and assistance.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “Incredibly, this is our 17th Help at the Hub event, and they have proven to be a real lifeline for residents.

    “By taking free advice and support out into our communities, we have been able to help people who may otherwise have found it trickier to speak to people in a face to face environment.

    “We know that these past few years have been difficult time for many residents and worries can build up. Please don’t struggle alone, join us on 11 February for a chat about your concerns.”

    Residents do not have to book an appointment but are asked to please be prepared to wait if the event is busy.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Power of female entrepreneurship set to be celebrated at GoSucceed event

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Power of female entrepreneurship set to be celebrated at GoSucceed event

    3 February 2025

    Celebrating the power of female entrepreneurship and transformation is at the core of an exciting event planned by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Go Succeed Team to celebrate International Women’s Day.

    Empower Her: Transforming Experiences into Enterprises will take place on Friday, 7th March in the Everglades Hotel from 12-2pm.

    The event will be led by Emer Maguire, whose own journey from science commentator through to musical comedy success is just one of the empowering stories which will feature at the event.

    Throughout the afternoon the audience will hear from amazing female entrepreneurs who’ve turned adversity into success, they will share their journeys of resilience, innovation, and growth.

    The keynote speaker for the event will be the inspirational Patricia Breslin. She will offer the audience invaluable insights on how to transform their experiences into thriving enterprises.

    A single mother of six children, Patricia is also a transformational speaker, counsellor, and the creator of the Who Am I? program, a 12-week journey designed to help individuals rediscover their identity, build resilience, and create a purposeful future.

    With a powerful combination of lived experience and professional expertise, Patricia specialises in guiding individuals who have faced domestic violence, trauma, or life transitions toward healing and empowerment.

    Having overcome her own challenges, including domestic violence, addiction recovery, trauma, bulimia and her personal transformation, Patricia now dedicates her life to helping others break free from limiting beliefs, reclaim their self-worth, and step into their full potential. She is also a TedX speaker, hypnotherapist, and NLP practitioner, using a blend of therapeutic and coaching techniques to inspire lasting change.

    This is a free event, but places are limited. Encouraging people to sign up early, Rachel Gallagher, Business Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council said: “This is an unmissable opportunity to connect with like-minded women, get inspired, and celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship – just in time for International Women’s Day.

    “We are delighted to have such strong and inspiring women as Emer and Patricia joining us for the event, and I know their personal stories will give our audience members lots of great tips and ideas which they can use to help boost their business, take the next step forward in their own career or make an important change in their personal life.

    “As well as hearing these powerful testimonies, the Empower Her event will also allow lots of time for networking and making those important connections which we know are so beneficial to small and growing businesses.”

    Tickets for the Empower Her: Transforming Experiences into Enterprises are now available on glistrr. Tickets are free, but please register as soon as possible to secure your place.

    Go Succeed (www.go-succeed.com) is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. The service supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support including mentoring, master classes, peer networks, access to grant funding and a business plan, at every stage of their growth journey.

    For further information on the support programmes available to set up and grow your business through Derry City and Strabane District Council visit derrystrabane.com/business.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Essential work to improve Lendal starts Monday 3 February

    Source: City of York

    Published Friday, 31 January 2025

    Two urgent improvement works are due to begin on Lendal. To ensure the safety of public and workers on site, Lendal will have daily and temporary closures to vehicles.

    Northern Gas Networks will carry out essential work to the roadway on weekdays from Monday 3 February until Friday 14 February 2025. The road will be open for deliveries and access before 10.30am and will be closed to vehicles from 10:30am until 5.00pm, Monday to Saturday.

    Outside those times, metal plates will be laid over the workings, so vehicles can drive along Lendal. Pedestrian access will remain open throughout to ensure access to businesses.

    City of York Council will resurface and improve footways from Monday 24 February for three months until late May 2025, weather permitting. The road will be open before 10.30am and closed to vehicles from 10.30am until 4.00pm each weekday.

    Outside those times, works will be barriered off but access will be maintained. Pedestrian access will remain open throughout. Pathways and cyclist routes will be maintained, where possible, to allow access to any properties and businesses safely. Emergency services will be permitted through the works at all times.

    Work will pause during the busy Easter holiday period from the end of Friday 4 April 2025 and start again on the morning of Tuesday 22 April 2025. Access will be open during that period and the Blake Street barriers will be staffed as usual.

    Blue Badge parking will be suspended on Blake Street, Lendal and St Helen’s Square during the closure periods.

    During these two closures, access for Blue Badge holders will be via Goodramgate, which is used by the vast majority of Blue Badge holders. Blue Badge holders will be able to access and park along Goodramgate, Church Street and Colliergate as usual.

    Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said:

    The decision to pause Blue Badge vehicle access along the Lendal loop has not been taken lightly, but the forthcoming roadworks are essential and the footway repairs will improve accessibility for everyone.

    “We have checked to see if these two periods of work could run alongside each other to minimise disruption. Unfortunately, the access needed for staff and vehicles couldn’t be safely operated.

    “We’re notifying Blue Badge holders, taxi drivers and affected businesses ahead of these temporary closures.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sixteen people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Gwent

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The efforts of 16 people, including 3 young cadets from across Gwent have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

    Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent Awards. Copyright of RFCA for Wales.

    In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, 3 people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE CStJ at the awards ceremony at Chapman VC House, Cwmbran, on Thursday 30 January.

    The recipients were Staff Sergeant Paul Carter of 100 Field Squadron, The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) and Second Lieutenant Katie Marfell and Sergeant Major Instructor Tyrone Gravell both of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force.

    The achievements of the Lord-Lieutenant’s 3 cadets were recognised and celebrated during the event attended by 80 people. 

    Cadet Sergeant Major Robert Lewis and Cadet Sergeant Major Thomas Wilson both of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force and Cadet Warrant Officer Megan Hutton of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets outlined to the audience highlights of their time in cadets.

    The role, which lasts for a year, includes attendance with the Brigadier (who acts as the King’s representative) at a number of official engagements such as Remembrance events, Royal visits and parades.

    The 3 were selected for the prestigious Lord-Lieutenant’s cadet role after being put forward for nomination by cadet group leaders and the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.

    The King’s Coronation Medal was also presented to Staff Sergeant Paul Carter, 5 members of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force and two members of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets, in recognition of their service. The King’s Coronation Medal is a thank you from the nation for those who were a member of the Armed Forces on 6 May 2023 and had 5 years’ uninterrupted service.

    They were Second Lieutenant Greg McFarlane, Staff Sergeant Instructor Peter Clements, Staff Sergeant Instructor Peter Hire, Staff Sergeant Instructor Kevin Trigg and Sergeant Instructor Clive Scott of Gwent and Powys ACF and Squadron Leader Ken Lavender and Squadron Leader Chris Stubbs of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.

    Staff Sergeant Peter Hire was also presented with the Cadet Forces’ Medal, which is awarded to members of the Cadet Force for 12 years service. 

    Volunteer service recognition awards were also presented to three members of the Sea Cadet Corps. These were Civilian Instructor Brendyn Metcalfe of Torfaen Sea Cadets for 12 years service, Petty Officer Bryony Duggan of Newport Sea Cadets for six years service and Mr Robin Lawlor of Torfaen Sea Cadets also for six years service. 

    There are nearly 5,000 cadets in Wales who gain skills and qualifications through working with local communities, charities and taking part in a variety of practical activities. 

    The cadet syllabus is delivered by 1,850 volunteering adult Instructors and civilian assistants, who give up their spare time on weeknights and weekends.

    The awards event was organised by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales – an organisation that has supported the Armed Forces for over 100 years.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government sets out plans to target ‘stuck’ schools

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Education Secretary sets out plan for a new era of school standards.

    Stronger accountability, increased intervention in stuck schools and faster school improvement are at the heart of this government’s plan to give every child the best start in life, the Education Secretary has said today.

    Speaking at the Centre for Social Justice, Bridget Phillipson laid out plans for a new era of school standards building on the reforms of successive governments and delivering on the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change – breaking the link between background and success. 

    This includes an excellent teacher for every classroom, a high-quality curriculum for every school and a core offer of excellence for every parent so that every child can achieve and thrive.  

    The Secretary of State announced new plans to tackle forgotten schools as part of proposals for a significantly strengthened school accountability system that works for parents. 

    There are more than 600 ‘stuck’ schools in England that have received consecutive poor Ofsted judgements, and which are attended by more than 300,000 children. Those attending these schools leave primary school with results 14 percentage points worse on average and secondary school with results a grade per subject worse on average.  

    Plans unveiled by the Education Secretary today provide for a stronger, faster system, spearheaded by an initial £20m investment in new regional improvement teams, known as RISE teams which will prioritise these stuck schools. They will draw up bespoke improvement plans with those schools, with government making up to £100,000 available initially to each school for specialist support. This compares to a £6,000 grant that was available previously for similar schools. 

    In her speech, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 

    Stuck schools are the new front in the fight against low expectations. 

    I will not accept a system that is content for some to sink, even while others soar.  

    The opportunity to succeed must be the right of every child. 

    We simply can’t allow stuck schools to disappear off the radar. 

    The reforms announced today continue the strong accountability already within the education system since the growth of inspection in the 1990s that has improved school standards.

    The government will continue to use structural intervention – converting to an academy, or moving to a new, strong trust – where Ofsted identifies the most serious concern or does not identify rapid improvement. It has also proposed closer monitoring of schools with the most serious problems to track progress. 

    The government expects the number of schools that receive mandatory intervention – including structural and from RISE teams – to be around double than before, securing swift improvement for children and driving high and rising standards in every part of the country.  

    Leora Cruddas, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trust, said:

    There is a lot to be proud of about our school system in England. We are a good school system on a journey to great.

    This is because we have built on the evidence of what works – thirty years of curriculum development, teacher development, accountability, structural reform, and innovation. But the school system does not work for all children: the gap between economically disadvantaged pupils and their peers has widened; the system does not serve children with SEND well; and not enough of our children feel like they belong in our schools. Some of our schools are not on a secure improvement trajectory.

    If we are to build a great school system, then we must design it so that all our children achieve and thrive. We are committed to working with government to design a system that is built on excellence, equity, and inclusion.

    Sir Hamid Patel, Chief Executive of Star Academies, said:

    The Government is right to focus on strong and supportive accountability to deliver high standards and expectations. While we take pride in the significant strengths, achievements, and international reputation of our school system, the entrenched disadvantage gap is a national crisis that requires urgent and persistent action from us all.

    The introduction of RISE Teams to support the work of our outstanding school trusts, along with additional funding for tailored school improvement and enhanced monitoring of schools facing serious performance challenges, will contribute to an aspirational system that benefits all children and families.

    Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning, said:

    Turning around schools which are not doing a good enough job for children is a critical priority for our school system. It is therefore good to see the government’s determination to ensure rapid improvement in a larger number of struggling schools while continuing with structural intervention in the weakest schools by using all the resources and capacity available.

    Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind said:

    Parents will welcome efforts to make sure that there are high standards in every classroom.

    Schools will be at the centre of significant social change during the decade ahead and we will need a robust, responsive system that not only recognises when schools are excelling but steps in with meaningful support when they struggle.

    When we engage with parents about school inspections, their message is clear: they want a framework that is firm yet fair, one that places the success and well-being of every child at its core and acknowledges the essential role of parents in making this vision a reality.

    Dr Vanessa Ogden, Chief Executive Mulberry Schools, said:

    We see an ambitious plan announced today that invests in the quality assurance, leadership and resources to build on existing success and improve standards for all. Those schools that need it will get the expert challenge and support required to achieve turnaround. Those that already hold this knowledge can help. Working together in this way, we can ensure that every child gets the great school they deserve – and we can reach higher and further than ever in education, for a thriving economy, regional prosperity and fulfilled secure lives.

    Tom Campbell, Chief Executive Office, E-Act, said:

    I welcome the government investment in support for schools who have been left to struggle in recent years.  The RISE teams and their focus on support rather than intervention makes high quality school improvement available to all schools, irrespective of which trust or LA they are in or which geographical region they are based.

    While RISE teams will immediately prioritise stuck schools, the proposals also set out that they will engage with schools that have concerning levels of pupil attainment, including large year-on-year declines.  

    The teams will also work across all schools providing a universal service, signposting to best practice and bringing schools together to share their knowledge and innovation.  

    The measures today come as Ofsted has unveiled the new report cards which they propose will evaluate schools across nine separate areas.  They also set out proposals for evaluating areas from ‘exemplary’ to ‘causing concern’, holding schools to a higher standard and providing far greater information for parents.  

    School report cards will start to be introduced from this autumn.  

    ENDS 

    • RISE teams abbreviated from ‘Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence’.

    DfE media enquiries

    Central newsdesk – for journalists 020 7783 8300

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 11.5 million file Self Assessment by 31 January deadline

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Millions of taxpayers filed their Self Assessment tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year by the deadline.

    • More than 11.5 million taxpayers filed their Self Assessment tax return by midnight on 31 January.
    • 97.36% of tax returns were filed online.
    • 90.53% of expected filers filed their Self Assessment.

    More than 11.5 million taxpayers beat the Self Assessment deadline to file their tax return for the 2023 to 2024 tax year by 31 January and avoid a £100 late filing penalty, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can reveal.

    The number of people who filed their return on deadline day was 732,498, with the most common time being 16:00 to 16:59 when 58,517 people filed. Thousands left submitting their return until the very last minute when 31,442 filed between 23:00 and 23:59.

    HMRC is urging anyone who has missed the deadline to file their tax return now and pay any tax owed. One of the quickest ways to pay is via the free and secure HMRC app. Time to Pay arrangements are available for those who cannot pay their tax bill in full. Late filing and late payment penalties are charged for failure to meet the deadline.

    Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

    Thank you to the millions of people and agents who filed their Self Assessment tax return and paid any tax owed by 31 January. I’m urging anyone who missed the deadline, to submit their return as soon as possible to avoid any further penalties. Search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.

    The penalties for filing a tax return late are:

    • an initial £100 fixed penalty, which applies even if there is no tax to pay, or if the tax due is paid on time
    • after 3 months, additional daily penalties of £10 per day, up to a maximum of £900
    • after 6 months, a further penalty of 5% of the tax due or £300, whichever is greater
    • after 12 months, another 5% or £300 charge, whichever is greater

    There are also additional penalties for paying late – 5% of the tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. Interest will also be charged on any tax paid late.

    If someone regularly sells goods or provides services through an online platform, they may need to pay tax on their income. Customers can find out more about selling online and paying taxes on GOV.UK by searching ‘online platform income’ or by downloading the HMRC app. The guidance will help them decide if their activity should be treated as a trade and if they need to complete a Self Assessment tax return.

    Further information

    Self Assessment 2025 facts summary:

    • 12,026,540 Self Assessment returns expected
    • 11,509,810 returns received by 31 January. This includes expected returns, voluntary returns and late registrations
    • 10,887,810 expected returns received by 31 January
    • An estimated 1.1 million customers missed the deadline
    • 11,205,810 returns were filed online (97.36% of returns, following adjustments)
    • 304,000 paper tax returns were filed (2.64% of returns, following adjustments)

    Voluntary returns/late registrations are an estimate based on returns received by early January and previous filing behaviour.

    These figures are indicative and may be subject to further adjustments once all figures have been ratified.

    Previous Self Assessment statistics:

    • 11,581,962 returns received for the 2022 to 2023 tax year by 31 January 2024
    • 11,351,289 returns received for the 2021 to 2022 tax year by 31 January 2023

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New partnerships with financial sector to unlock growth in UK and overseas

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    UK Minister for Development announces funding and partnerships to deliver Sustainable Development Goals and domestic growth, in speech at London Stock Exchange.

    • Government to partner with UK financial sector to deliver on the Plan for Change by tackling climate change and driving growth at home.
    • Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds pays tribute to the UK financial services sector, which “powers jobs and growth across the UK”.
    • New funding and partnerships will unlock investment opportunities, as part of a new development approach supporting sustainable economic growth overseas.

    Efforts to address the climate crisis and boost growth in the Global South and at home will be enhanced under a partnership approach between the government and the UK financial sector, the UK’s Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds announced today (Monday 3 February).

    Speaking at the London Stock Exchange, Minister Dodds praised the “expertise, experience and dynamism” of the UK’s financial services sector, and pledged to put this expertise “at the heart of how we meet the opportunities and challenges of our time”, including accelerating delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These seek to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, and climate change, to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, by 2030.

    Minister Dodds set out how investment in the Global South is an opportunity for UK financial services “to marry investment in the economies and technologies of the future, with the experience and expertise of the City of London”, adding that the government will hold up its end of the bargain by working internationally to reform the global financial system to provide greater opportunity and stability.

    Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said:

    With businesses and the government working hand in hand to drive investment in the Global South, we can unlock growth, jobs, trade, investment, and pride in our economy overseas and here at home.

    This government is enabling the financial services sector to flourish and use its expertise and depth of capital to invest in the markets and technologies of the future.

    Through partnerships like this, we will deliver on the Plan for Change, drive domestic growth, and create a world free from poverty on a liveable planet.

    The Minister announced up to £100 million for the UK’s flagship public markets programme MOBILIST. This programme will provide businesses focused on delivering the SDGs with the anchor funding and expert advice they need to list on stock exchanges around the world, including in London, allowing them to attract significant sums of additional private investment. 

    This is expected to generate between £400 million and £600 million of new investments in businesses across emerging markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These investments will support economic growth, sustainable development, and climate action in local markets.

    She also celebrated the issuance of the first Climate Investment Fund (CIF) Capital Markets Mechanism (CCMM) bond last month, which raised $500 million (approximately £400 million) for energy and clean technology projects in low- and middle-income countries. The CCMM, launched by the Prime Minister at COP29, is a new financial mechanism to leverage future loan repayments by issuing bonds on capital markets.

    As today’s announcements demonstrate, this government’s modern approach to development focuses on harnessing the power of the private sector in mobilising the finance emerging markets need to grow. This will create future export markets for the UK and new overseas investment opportunities, supporting domestic growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. It will also make the UK safer and more stable by tackling the drivers of conflict, climate crises and economic decline in partner countries.

    UK Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said: 

    This is a historic moment for tackling the climate crisis, with the first bond raising $500 million to accelerate the global clean energy transition and support the flow of climate finance to developing countries.

    Public finance alone cannot tackle the scale of this challenge, and this mechanism will help leverage the private finance needed to support those on the frontline of a changing climate.

    Its listing in the UK positions London as a green finance capital. By working with partners such as the World Bank the UK can drive the action needed to grow the economy and reap the rewards of net zero.

    Minister Dodds made the announcements during a speech to the UK financial sector, including pension funds, insurers, banks, and development finance organisations, after joining a market opening ceremony at the London Stock Exchange.

    Julia Hoggett, CEO of the London Stock Exchange, added:

    Flows of investment are vital to generating sustainable growth both in the UK and around the world. London’s capital markets have long played a leading role in driving flows of capital to where they need to go, and we welcome the focus on fuelling growth and supporting the just transition to net zero.

    As part of these efforts, we are proud to celebrate the listing of the Climate Investment Funds’ Capital Markets Mechanism on the London Stock Exchange. This pioneering bond issuance programme not only brings a new financing tool to our market but is facilitating critical investment in sustainable and clean assets.

    As part of the speech, the Minister also welcomed a first-of-its-kind report from UK institutional investors, co-led by Mercer, Aviva Investors and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and supported by the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), on scaling private capital for climate action in emerging markets, and announced a new taskforce to take its recommendations forward.

    The speech comes a week after British International Investment (BII), which is funded by the FCDO, launched a call for institutional investors to work with them to develop solutions that will boost the flow of private capital into emerging markets, which are often considered too risky by global investors, but can offer attractive investment opportunities for growth, diversification and impact for the climate transition. 

    Tariye Gbadegesin, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Investment Funds, said:

    The UK has long recognized that to transform our energy systems at the scale and speed required, we must deploy public money smartly. That means putting climate finance to work where it’s most needed: investing in promising new technologies and enabling new clean energy markets, to spur private sector interest at scale.

    As a founding member of the Climate Investment Funds and a proud partner in the launch of our next-generation CIF Capital Markets Mechanism today, the UK is demonstrating its commitment to bold new models of public-private partnership for both people and planet.

    Benoit Hudon, Mercer’s UK President and CEO said:

    UK institutional investors, as part of the wider financial and professional services ecosystem are uniquely placed to help finance development projects in emerging markets and developing economies, which will also support UK growth. The report published today, co-led by Mercer, sets out a range of measures the UK Government and finance industry can take to secure the UK’s position as the world’s leading destination for transition finance.

    Background

    The Minister’s full speech will be made available on gov.uk following the event: Search – GOV.UK

    Photos to be available on FCDO Flickr later today.

    About MOBILIST 

    A flagship UK government programme, MOBILIST (Mobilising Institutional Capital Through Listed Product Structures) identifies and invests in scalable, replicable transactions on public markets that help deliver the climate transition and the Sustainable Development Goals. MOBILIST invests capital on commercial terms, delivers technical assistance, conducts research, and builds partnerships to catalyse investment in newly listed products. Since its inception, MOBILIST has invested £87 million in equity and equity commitments, directly mobilising £247.5 million in private capital.

    Examples of initiatives supported by MOBILIST include:

    • Citicore Renewable Energy Company: in June 2024, MOBILIST supported the Philippines in its transition to renewable energy through a £9.9 million local currency investment in the initial public offering (IPO) of Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation (CREC) on the Philippines Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE), helping to decarbonise the Philippines power generation fleet by rapidly rolling out wind and solar, adding 2.3GW by the end of 2025 and 5GW by 2028. MOBILIST’s investment supported £63.7 million of private investment, a mobilisation ratio of 6.25.
    • Bayfront Infrastructure Capital IV: MOBILIST’s £4 million equity investment in September 2023 into a $410 million securitisation vehicle that listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and enabled the greening of bank balance sheets in Southeast Asia and attracted international investors into developing countries’ infrastructure. MOBILIST’s investment supported £90.5 million in private investment, a mobilisation ratio of 22.9.

    About the CIF & CCMM

    The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) were launched in 2008 to invest in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) climate projects. To date, the CIF has leveraged over $64bn from $12.3bn of donor contributions, supporting over 400 projects in over 80 countries. The UK (led by DESNZ) is a leading donor and chairs its Joint Trust Fund Committee.

    The CIF Capital Markets Mechanism (CCMM) was launched by the Prime Minister at COP29, and the bonds were issued on the London Stock Exchange in January 2025. It is a new financial mechanism to leverage future loan repayments (reflows) from previous investments made under the CIF’s Clean Technology Fund (CTF), by issuing bonds on capital markets. 

    Examples of investments made by the CTF include:

    • In South Africa, CTF invested $430.9 million (with co-financing of $2.28 billion). Key achievements include supporting Sub-Saharan Africa’s first large-scale battery storage project and increasing clean energy share in the power grid. This has led to a reduction of 1 million tons of CO2 annually. Notable projects include the KaXu, Xina, and Khi solar plants and the 2023 launch of Africa’s largest battery energy storage system.
    • In Thailand, CTF invested $85.7 million (with co-financing of $1.1 billion). This funding supported over 480MW of solar and wind capacity, reducing 160,000 tons of CO2 annually. Over eight years, wind capacity increased seven-fold, and solar capacity more than doubled. CTF also helped finance the Theppana Wind Power Project and kickstarted the Solar Power Company Group to develop solar farms across northeastern Thailand.

    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 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Debt collection and enforcement services

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Advantis take over responsibility for Crown Court means testing (CCMT) debt collection and enforcement services (DCES).

    On Monday 3 February 2025, Advantis Credit Ltd. took over responsibility for Crown Court means testing (CCMT) debt collection and enforcement services (DCES) for the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

    Advantis were awarded the DCES contract in August 2024, following a competitive procurement process, and have been working with LAA and the previous supplier, Marston Holdings Ltd. over the past six months to mobilise the service and ensure a smooth transition between suppliers.

    Further information

    You can find frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Advantis, including information specific to LAA, at Advantis Credit FAQ.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: G7 foreign ministers’ statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    G7 foreign ministers gave a statement condemning the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capture of Minova, Saké and Goma.

    Joint statement:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in particular, the capture of Minova, Saké and Goma. We urge M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to cease their offensive in all directions. We call for the urgent protection of civilians.

    We also call for an end to all direct and indirect support to the M23 and all non-state armed groups in the DRC. This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. We also condemn M23’s intention to continue expansion into South Kivu.

    This latest M23 offensive has led to a dramatic increase in displaced civilians in Goma and across eastern DRC, on top of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people since the start of the M23 offensive in January. We deplore the devastating consequences of the renewed M23 and RDF offensive, worsening already difficult humanitarian conditions.

    G7 Foreign Ministers call for the rapid, safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians and reiterate that humanitarian personnel must be provided assurances of safety.

    We urge all parties to return to the negotiating table and honour their commitments under the Luanda Process. We urge the M23 to withdraw from all controlled areas. We also urge all parties to fully commit to a peaceful and negotiated resolution of the conflict.

    We reiterate our full support to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to protect civilians and stabilize the region and call on all parties to respect its mandate.

    Attacks against peacekeeping personnel are entirely unacceptable. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers of MONUSCO and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).

    We strongly condemn all attacks against diplomatic missions in Kinshasa. We urge the Congolese authorities to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomats and the premises of diplomatic missions, as is their responsibility in accordance with international law.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands of children to be supported thanks to multi-million expansion of innovation in family courts

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Families, children and victims of domestic abuse will be spared the trauma of going to court thanks to a multi-million-pound expansion of an innovative pilot across Wales and West Yorkshire.

    • Funding boost to benefit up to 8,000 families in Wales and West Yorkshire
    • New data shows “Pathfinder” courts resolve cases quicker – tackling backlogs and shielding children from further trauma
    • Flagship family mediation voucher scheme extended for a year

    The £12.5 million funding boost comes as new figures published today (3 February) show the Pathfinder scheme is resolving cases faster, with family court backlogs reduced by half in pilot areas.

    The Pathfinder pilot works by bringing together local authorities, police and support services to gather and share information on cases as early as possible.

    This saves children and families from having to go through unnecessary and potentially hostile hearings. As part of delivering on its Plan for Change and mission to halve violence against women and girls, the scheme also provides extra support to victims of domestic abuse.

    New figures published today show the approach is working, with cases being resolved 11 weeks quicker, and the backlog of cases reducing by 50 per cent across both Dorset and North Wales.

    Lord Ponsonby, the Minister for Family Justice, said:

    For too long families have been pitted against each other in the court room, or abusers have hijacked proceedings to continue campaigns of cruelty. Children and vulnerable people bear the brunt of this, and it must stop.

    Pathfinder has been welcomed as a less adversarial approach, and early evidence shows it’s working. This is another important step to achieving our promise of halving violence against women and girls.

    A primary focus of the courts is improving information sharing between agencies to allow for more informed decision making, fewer bureaucratic hearings, less time in court and quicker resolution to cases. The courts can also offer specialist support to victims of domestic abuse through Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs).

    To further help separating families resolve conflict, the Government’s family mediation vouchers scheme will also be extended to March 2026.

    The programme, which provides £500 to help couples settle issues before they get to court, has provided helped over 37,700 families to date, with early analysis showing 70 per cent of recipients reach a whole or partial agreement thanks to mediation. 

    Since the voucher scheme was introduced in April 2021, the number of applications being made to court has dropped – avoiding thousands of these cases a year, which could save taxpayers millions of pounds.

    There were 50,807 private law applications in 2023, compared to 55,711 in 2020.

    It also saves families, especially children, from a potentially length and damaging court process.

    Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said:

    Improving the Family Court is a key priority for my office. It is clear to me that Pathfinder Courts recognize the impact of domestic abuse and consider children’s needs much earlier than in the traditional Family Court.

    I believe this approach is essential to ensuring the protection of victims in the family justice system. I welcome Government’s commitment to this pilot and look forward to seeing its influence on all Family Courts.

    The family mediation voucher scheme was introduced in 2021 as a pilot to help relieve backlogs in the family court caused by the pandemic.

    Further information

    • The Pathfinder pilot launched in Dorset and North Wales in February 2022, it expanded to South East Wales in April 2024, and Birmingham in May 2024.
    • The expansion is set to launch in Mid and West Wales on 3 March, and in West Yorkshire on 3 June.
    • In 2020 The Harm Panel, comprised of experts on the family justice system, was convened to draw together evidence and published a report on private law children cases. It recommended reform to the Child Arrangements Programme (CAP), which is the process that the family court follows when settling disputes between separating parties involving children.
    • The Pathfinder pilot was designed in response to this recommendation to achieve the reform of private law by trialling a more investigative approach which better supports victims of domestic abuse and other harms.
    • The 2023 update on the pilots can be found here: Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases – https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1158907/annex-integrated-domestic-abuse-courts.pdf
    • For more information on the impact parental conflict can have on young people and their life chances: What works to enhance interparental relationships and improve outcomes for children? – Early Intervention Foundation (eif.org.uk)
    • Family mediation is a process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps parties work out arrangements for children and finances where there is a dispute. For more information on mediation and how it works visit: Home – Family Mediation Council

    Data published today shows:

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Better protection for victims from domestic abusers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Victims of domestic abuse will be better protected as part of a new law ensuring even more abusers face tougher management from police and probation.

    • Closer management of offenders convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour

    • Agencies such as Police and Probation will have a legal duty to work

    • Part of the Government’s Plan for Change and mission to halve violence against women and girls

    Offenders convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour, and sentenced to 12 months or longer, will now be automatically managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements. This means agencies are legally required to cooperate to better manage the risks posed by these serious offenders, recognising the significant harm this kind of offending can cause.  

    For the first time, it puts controlling or coercive behaviour on a par with other domestic abuse offences including threats to kill, attempted strangulation and stalking.

    Evidence shows offenders who are managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements have a reoffending rate less than half of the national average

    The law change means even more domestic abusers will fall under this management, in which agencies are legally required to share any information which indicates increased risk to others, such as former partners or members of the public.

    This is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to take back our streets by protecting women and girls from harassment, aggression and violence and manifesto commitment to target the most prolific and harmful perpetrators using methods previously reserved for terrorist and other violent offenders.

     Minister for Prisons and Probation, Lord James Timpson said:

    Domestic abuse creates fear and isolation, and I will do everything in my power to tackle it and ensure women and girls feel safe in their homes.

    This new approach will put controlling or coercive behaviour on a par with physical violence and will help prevent these despicable crimes.

    Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Philips said:

    Domestic abuse devastates lives and affects more than two million people every year.

    For the first time, under this change to the law, coercive or controlling behaviour is being placed where it belongs – on a par with serious violent offending. This is an important step to recognise the harm caused by all forms of domestic abuse, ensure the most harmful offenders are managed in the right way, and ultimately keep victims safe.

    This Government will crack on with our work to deliver a system that protects victims, supports their journey to justice and holds perpetrators to account – part of our mission under the Plan for Change to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

    The law change will apply to all offenders who are sentenced to at least 12 months’ imprisonment, including suspended sentences, or given a hospital order for an offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.

    It was introduced by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 and was signed into law after Justice Minister Lord Timpson signed a statutory instrument early this year.

    Previously, those convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour could be actively managed under multi-agency arrangements on a discretionary basis only.

    This measure will put beyond doubt the legal requirement for agencies to work together to assess and manage the risks posed by this group of offenders.

    Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, Farah Nazeer, said:

    Coercive control is a key tool used by perpetrators of domestic abuse, as it isolates survivors and makes them dependent on an abuser.

    Women’s Aid welcomes plans to treat coercive and controlling behaviours seriously, automatically managing those convicted of this form of abuse under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA).

    It is essential that specialist domestic abuse services, with expertise on abusive behaviours and the impacts on victims and survivors, are routinely included in the MAPPA process if survivors are to be properly protected by this measure.

    This announcement builds on measures already set out by the Government as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls. This includes launching new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in select areas to ensure victims of all types of domestic abuse including coercive control, stalking, and violence can seek protection and more abusers face harsher restrictions. 

    Further information:

    • Multi-agency public protection arrangements, known as MAPPA, are the set of arrangements through which the Police, Probation and Prison Services work together with other agencies to manage the risks posed by violent, sexual and terrorist offenders living in the community to protect the public.
    • Research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University indicates that reoffending rates for individuals managed under MAPPA are less than half of the national average. The one-year reoffending rate for MAPPA is 12.2%, while the national overall one-year reoffending rates range between 30.0% and 31.3% during a similar timeframe.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report 03/2025: Derailment of a passenger train at Roudham Heath

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    RAIB has today released its report into the derailment of a passenger train at Roudham Heath, Norfolk, 6 February 2024.

    The train involved in the accident after it had been rerailed.

    R032025_250203_Roudham Heath

    PDF, 10.7 MB, 33 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email enquiries@raib.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Summary

    At around 20:53 on 6 February 2024, a passenger train travelling at 83 mph (134 km/h) through Roudham Heath, Norfolk, struck two trees which had fallen onto the track. As a result, the train derailed and travelled for around 680 metres before coming to a stop.

    One of the 31 passengers on board suffered a minor injury. There were no other injuries to the passengers or staff on the train. The train and infrastructure both suffered damage, and the line was closed for a day while repairs took place.

    The two trees were part of a forest adjacent to the railway that is owned and managed by Forestry England. One of the trees, a twin-stemmed pine tree, fell first, landing on and felling an adjacent oak tree. The pine tree suffered from a loss of root anchorage, primarily because it was standing in highly saturated, sandy soil. Because of the way the pine tree had grown and its proximity to the railway, it was more likely to land over the tracks in the event of it falling. Inspections of the trees by Network Rail and Forestry England had not identified any cause for concern, and so no action had been taken to reduce the likelihood of the tree falling.

    RAIB’s investigation identified that the risk imposed by trees standing in saturated soil was not being effectively managed by either Forestry England or Network Rail. This was an underlying factor to this accident.

    There was no significant deformation of the train’s cab structure following the collision, and an axle-mounted brake disc on the train engaged with one of the rails which helped to contain the train’s path during the derailment.

    Recommendations

    RAIB has made two recommendations, one addressed to Forestry England and one to Network Rail. Both recommendations ask the respective organisations to review their processes for inspecting and managing trees that are within falling distance of the railway, to consider the effects of high soil saturation levels on the risk of trees falling, and to make any appropriate changes.

    Notes to editors

    1. The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety. RAIB does not establish blame, liability or carry out prosecutions.

    2. RAIB operates, as far as possible, in an open and transparent manner. While our investigations are completely independent of the railway industry, we do maintain close liaison with railway companies and if we discover matters that may affect the safety of the railway, we make sure that information about them is circulated to the right people as soon as possible, and certainly long before publication of our final report.

    3. For media enquiries, please call 01932 440015.

    Newsdate: 3 February 2025

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eight new members appointed to the Council for Science and Technology

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Eight new members have been appointed to the Council that advises the Prime Minister and Cabinet on science and technology.

    Images of the eight new Council members.

    Eight new members have been appointed to the Council for Science and Technology (CST). The Council advises the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on strategic science and technology policy issues that cut across the responsibilities of individual government departments. 

    Professor Dame Angela McLean, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and Co-Chair of  CST,  said: 

    The eight new members bring extraordinary breadth and depth of experience: from AI and data to chemical engineering and venture capital. I am confident that new members will further invigorate the Council and its ability to provide robust advice on the government’s high-level priorities for science and technology. I look forward to collaborating across a wide range of topics to further embed specialist knowledge of the UK’s strength in science and technology into the heart of government decision-making.

    New members: 

    • Mark Enzer OBE is a Strategic Advisor at Mott MacDonald. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London. 

    • Professor Dame Lynn Gladden DBE is Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, and former Executive-Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. 

    • Priya Lakhani OBE is Founder CEO of CENTURY Tech. She co-founded the Institute for Ethical AI in education. 

    • Avid Larizadeh Duggan OBE is a Senior Managing Director, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Teachers’ Venture Growth. She is a Non-Executive Director on the board of Barclays Bank UK.

    • Professor (Emeritus) Nick McKeown is Senior Fellow at Intel Corporation, Professor (Emeritus) of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Stanford University and Visiting Professor of Engineering and Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University. 

    • Professor Sir Nigel Richard Shadbolt is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford and Principal of Jesus College, Oxford. He is Co-Founder and Chair of the Open Data Institute. 

    • Richard Slater is Chief R&D Officer for Unilever. He was previously Senior Vice President R&D, GSK Consumer Healthcare. He is a Non-Executive Director at Future Origins. 

    • Paul Taylor CBE is Director of Morgan Stanley International, Chair of Interrupt Labs Ltd and Chair of Beyond Blue. He is a Non-Executive Director on the Defence Technology and Innovation Board at the Ministry of Defence.  

    See more details on CST and its members.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Views sought on local Policing and Community Safety Partnership

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Views sought on local Policing and Community Safety Partnership

    3 February 2025

    The Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is conducting an online survey to gauge the public’s views on community safety and crime concerns.

    The PCSP aims to help make communities safer by focussing on the Policing and Community Safety issues that matter most across the council area, to ensure that the voices of local people are heard and to empower communities to work in partnership to develop solutions. PCSPs work with the community to identify issues of concern in the local area and prepare plans to deliver practical solutions that will help to tackle crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.

    The Derry and Strabane PCSP works in partnership to identify and co-ordinate the delivery of community safety projects that are innovative, reflect good practices and involve community groups and partners agencies.

    The partnership also operates a Policing Committee comprised of its Elected/ Independent Members with the aim of improving community confidence in policing.

    Encouraging people to give their views, the PCSP Chair, Councillor Martin Reilly, said: “Everyone can play their part in helping to protect their local community and we can work together to tackle the issues more effectively on the ground. This community safety survey is your chance to highlight the issues in your area and help us develop strategies to keep our community safe. It is an opportunity for you to let us know what the PCSP could do for you and your community and where to focus our resources.

    “I would encourage everyone to have their say and take a few minutes to complete the online Community Safety survey. We really appreciate everyone’s input – your voice matters in crime prevention and keeping our community safe”.

    To fill in the online survey just click on this link which will be available until Friday 21st February 2024.

    https://forms.office.com/e/5ydZxcxGFd

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Neighbours’ stand against anti-social behaviour helps council eviction

    Source: City of York

    Following a ruling by a District Judge yesterday, a council tenant has been evicted as his drink and drug-related activities and anti-social behaviour caused misery for his neighbours

    The council was granted a possession order by York County Court to end the tenancy of Dawon Belleh, aged 42 of 8 Oldman Court, Foxwood. Mr. Belleh was evicted yesterday, Thursday 30 January 2025.

    This follows reports from neighbours to the council and police about drink and drug taking and dealing, loud noise and arguments at the apartment, and an endless succession of visitors. The anti-social behaviour in the property and area was a continual source of disruption and concerns for local people, who were worried about its impact on their families.

    City of York Council officers served a legal warning of eviction (a Notice of Intention to Seek Possession) on Mr Belleh, which he breached. This resulted in the council being granted an eviction order (a Suspended Possession Order) by York County Court, to be activated only if further breaches were found.

    Following complaints from neighbours and evidence of loud noise, drink and drug taking, numerous and anti-social visitors, the council returned the case to York County Court. Where, after considering evidence, the Judge granted the Council permission to apply for a warrant of eviction.

    Mr. Belleh asked the court to suspend the warrant of eviction which was refused on 30 January by the District Judge. Council officers then evicted Mr. Belleh, advising him where he could apply for new housing, should he need it.

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

    Our tenancy agreements specify that criminal or anti-social behaviour can result in tenancies being ended. Thanks to Mr. Belleh’s neighbours co-operating with the council and police, their evidence and reports ensured that we were able to stop the nuisance they experienced from this tenant. This case sends a clear message we will take action to protect neighbours and free homes to tenants who respect and abide by the tenancy agreements.”

    Sergeant Charlotte Gregory of North Yorkshire Police, added:

    Drug use and anti-social behaviour has a detrimental impact of the quality of life for local people. It’s unacceptable and we’ll use all the powers and resources available to us to take action against those who make other people’s lives a misery.

    “This result is evidence of our joint working with City of York Council and my thanks go to them for their work that has culminated in this eviction. I hope local people are reassured that we will take action and will continue to do so, as part of Project Titan, a York-based operation to tackle drugs and the impact on our communities.”

    Please report anti-social behaviour here or report it to the police on telephone: 101 if a non-emergency.

    Anti-social noise levels can be reported here or by calling telephone: 01904 551525 Monday-Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm, or by calling the Noise Patrol telephone: 01904 551555 from 9.00pm Friday to 3.00am Saturday and between 9.00pm Saturday to 3.00am Sunday.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New chief executive Stannard “ambitious” for Manchester

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester City Council’s new Chief Executive Tom Stannard starts in the role today, Monday 3 February 2025. 

    Tom becomes only the third Chief Executive in more than 25 years in a city which prides itself on stability and long-term strategic planning. 

    He brings with him considerable experience, having served as Chief Executive in neighbouring Salford City Council for the past four years – overseeing achievements including the transformative regeneration of Salford, an ambitious council housebuilding programme and high-performing children’s services – and held a number of senior posts in a long local government career.  

    Tom is nationally recognised as a leading voice in local government, public service reform and delivering inclusive growth and currently holds the lead chief executive brief for Greater Manchester in the economy, business and international portfolio.   

    He joins the Council at a pivotal moment as it gears up to bring forward the 2025-2035 Our Manchester Strategy which will guide the city in the decade ahead. The new vision will aim to build on the achievements of the 2015-2025 plan, delivering economic growth that benefits everyone – including by addressing inequalities through the Making Manchester Fairer action plan and pursuing ambitious housebuilding and zero carbon programmes.  

    As well as driving forward this long-term strategy, Tom will ensure the Council stays focused on providing high quality day-to-day services and supporting clean, green and vibrant neighbourhoods across the city.  

    Tom will also be the place-based lead for Manchester and its locality health arrangements within the Greater Manchester Integrated Care system.  

    Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Tom brings experience, energy and ideas to this important role for the city and will oversee the delivery of our vision for Manchester’s next decade.  

    “The city is on a positive trajectory, making an impact on the world stage while continuing to improve its neighbourhoods and create opportunities for its residents, and I’m looking forward to working with Tom in the years ahead to take these achievements to the next level.”  

    Tom Stannard, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, said: “I’m highly ambitious for Manchester and the people who call it home.  

    “I’ve lived and worked in Greater Manchester for much of my career so I know the area well and have a deep personal commitment to it. But at the same time, there’s always more insight to gain and I’m looking forward to getting to know more of those who make up Team Manchester – from the elected members and council staff to partner organisations, businesses and residents who all have a part to play in the city’s success.  

    “This is an incredible job in a remarkable city and I’m delighted to be here to get working on behalf of Manchester and its people.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to news that AstraZeneca has scrapped plans for a £450m expansion of a vaccine factory in Merseyside

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on AstraZeneca scrapping plans for a UK based vaccine plant. 

    Sharon Todd, Chief Executive, Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), said:

    “Today’s news regarding AstraZeneca’s vaccine factory is a real concern for industry, sending out the wrong message at a time government is shaping its new industrial strategy, Invest 2035. 

    “Since 2013 inward FDI in life sciences has grown at a CAGR of 6% (2013-2023) across 18 major countries, however the UK growth in FDI was only 3%, falling way short of most of the other countries, which include France, Germany, Ireland and Singapore. 

    “If life sciences are going to be a major pillar of the UK’s new industrial strategy, then the UK needs to make some bold steps forward to ensure it is competitive for life sciences investments.”

    Declared interests

    The nature of this story means everyone quoted above could be perceived to have a stake in it. As such, our policy is not to ask for interests to be declared – instead, they are implicit in each person’s affiliation.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA asks for views on proposed guidance to support the safe regulation of new personalised cancer therapies  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The draft MHRA guidance aims to clarify and streamline pathways for bringing these therapies through to patients, without compromising on robust safety principles

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today launched a consultation on regulatory guidance for individualised mRNA cancer immunotherapies (colloquially referred to as cancer vaccines). This is an important step in bringing these promising therapies closer to clinical practice.

    The eight-week consultation was launched today and will run until 31 March 2025. The MHRA is asking all stakeholders, including developers of these medicines, to provide comments, after which the guidance will be updated. The UK regulator also welcomes comments from members of the public including people affected by cancer. 

    The guidance aims to streamline pathways for bringing these therapies through to patients, without compromising on robust safety principles.

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

    “Individualised cancer immunotherapies, while still being tested in clinical trials, are a very exciting development in our hunt to find new and better ways to treat cancer, which is a leading cause of death worldwide.

    “Because these treatments are tailored to an individual’s tumour, they pose unique scientific questions on how they should be regulated.”

    June Raine, MHRA Chief Executive said:

    “As an enabling regulator, we do not wish to keep patients waiting unnecessarily for important new medicines such as personalised immunotherapies.

    “We are asking all stakeholders to comment on draft guidance that addresses the questions this new regulatory pathway raises.”

    Minister for Public Health, Andrew Gwynne, said:

    “More people than ever are being diagnosed with cancer so it’s vital that we push the boundaries of science to develop the treatments of the future.

    “Personalised immunotherapies could revolutionise our approach by helping patients fight cancer cells in their bodies.

    “As government ramps up the use of groundbreaking technologies and medicines across the board, this guidance will be fundamental to achieving our goal of moving from sickness to prevention. And it is yet another example of Britain leading the way on cancer research, transforming cancer care to save lives and support the NHS.”

    Individualised mRNA cancer immunotherapies are a new type of cancer treatment that use mRNA technology.  mRNA acts as a messenger in the body and tells cells how to make a specific protein. When used in medicines, specific mRNA molecules can teach the body how to fight diseases.  

    Unlike conventional cancer therapies, for these medicines each patient receives a version of the mRNA therapy that has been matched to their unique tumour fingerprint using artificial intelligence (AI). In this way, the therapy aims to teach the patient’s immune system to target and destroy their specific tumour cells. 

    These highly innovative therapies are currently in clinical trials. They pose unique questions on how they should be safely regulated.  With this guidance, the MHRA aims to facilitate patient access to these novel individualised cancer therapies by outlining a clear and streamlined regulatory pathway to approval.

    The guidance covers product design and manufacture, evidence needed show safety and effectiveness, and post-approval safety monitoring. The MHRA aims to expand the guidance in due course to cover other types of highly personalised therapies, including for rare diseases. 

    This guidance has been developed with independent scientific advice from the Highly Personalised Medicines Expert Working Group of the Commission on Human Medicines, including patient experts.

    Notes to editors

    1. 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. 
    2. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 
    3. For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £16 million for new projects to boost UK benefits of satellite constellations

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Two innovative projects are awarded a share of £16 million from the UK Space Agency today (3 February) to position the UK at the forefront of the latest advancements in satellite communications.

    EnSilica chip. Credit: EnSilica

    The funding will enable UK industry to capture a greater portion of the satellite mega-constellation market by developing technology that improves their efficiency and capability. It comes from the UK Space Agency’s Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, which will invest up to £160 million in UK expertise in this area over the next four years.

    Satellite constellations are enhancing global connectivity by providing high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas, bridging the digital divide. These constellations are set to transform markets in maritime and aviation connectivity, changing how people communicate as they live and work in some of the remotest places on Earth.

    Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:  

    The UK has all the cutting edge expertise and technology to spearhead the latest advancements in satellite communications and become a leader in this high-tech industry.

    These Government backed projects will not only provide significant advancements in mobile communication, but help to bridge the digital divide, connecting communities in the most hard-to-reach areas.

    Companies benefitting from this round of funding include Oxfordshire’s EnSilica plc, which will receive £10 million to develop novel silicon chips and software for a user terminal.  This will be compatible with UK and European constellations like OneWeb Next Generation. 

    In Cardiff, Excelerate Technology Ltd will receive £6 million to develop the small and flexible Mobility and Autonomy Market User Terminal (MAMUT) which will allow users to choose the operator and orbit via an app, reducing costs and enhancing global configurability.    

    The UK has a growing space sector, with a rich heritage in satellite design and the operation of large constellations. This new government funding is crucial to maintaining the UK’s competitive edge during a period of rapid change and growth in the global space sector.  

    In 2023, a new record was achieved with the successful launch of more than 2,900 satellites into space. The majority of these satellites are part of commercial constellations, which are expected to expand rapidly. A further 18,000 satellites are likely to be launched between 2021 and 2031, with mega-constellations comprising 75% of this total.  

    This is a significant opportunity for UK industry to secure high-value contracts within the global supply chain for satellite constellations, and to assume a leading role in the long-term growth of the satellite communication sector.  

    The UK is also a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and hosts the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in the Harwell Space Cluster. The C-LEO programme awards funding through two different routes. The projects announced today are grants awarded directly by the UK Space Agency, with further contracts from ESA set to follow in the coming months.  

    The announcement was made ahead of the UK Space Agency’s Ignite Space Conference, to be held this week at the National Space Centre in Leicester. This event highlights opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to connect with new customers, collaborators, and investors within the UK’s space industry and its supply chain.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Poison baits were used on 1,400 feral cats, foxes and dingoes. We studied their fate to see what works

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pat Taggart, Adjunct Fellow in Ecology, University of Adelaide

    Bee Stephens, CC BY

    Poisoned baits are the main way land managers control foxes, feral cats and dingoes. Baiting is done to reduce livestock and economic losses, or pressure on endangered wildlife.

    Millions of baits are laid annually. But we still don’t understand how effective baiting actually is. Current evidence paints a mixed picture. That’s a problem, because baiting can have unintended consequences, such as killing native animals we don’t want to target. Some research suggests baiting can actually increase attacks on livestock, or that poisoning dingoes can increase feral cat and fox numbers and worsen the damage to native wildlife.

    We need better evidence on what baiting does and doesn’t do. Our new research draws on data from 34 previous studies assessing baiting effectiveness. In total, these largely Australian studies summarised the fate of more than 1,400 cats, foxes and dingoes. We used these data sets to conduct the most comprehensive analysis of baiting effectiveness to date.

    Biosecurity officers drying meat baits for a baiting program in Broken Hill in 2019.
    NSW Government, Local Land Services, Western Region, CC BY

    Baiting is ubiquitous

    Baits can be purchased commercially or produced in-house. In some states, land managers can bring meat baits to government authorities to have poison added free of charge. They are then distributed by vehicle along tracks and roads or dropped from aircraft across vast areas of Australia, New Zealand and islands worldwide.

    Single baiting programs can sometimes cover areas larger than 9,000 square kilometres – a land area similar to Puerto Rico or Cyprus.

    So how can we best undertake these baiting programs?

    1. Baiting does work

    Across the 34 studies, baiting cut predator survival in half (51.7%) – substantially higher than the death rate in unbaited areas (16%).

    This finding was broadly consistent regardless of whether baits were placed along tracks and roads or scattered over broader areas.

    In some cases, predator numbers can recover rapidly following baiting. Under favourable conditions, feral cat and fox populations can double in a year, while dingo populations can grow 50% annually. But, under average conditions, such high rates of population increase are likely uncommon.

    Predators from outside the control area can rapidly repopulate areas after a baiting program. For example, multiple studies have found no change in fox numbers even when baiting was conducted at monthly intervals. Similar results have been found after intensive fox shooting.

    But there are also examples where prolonged, broad-scale baiting has worked well. To protect the threatened yellow footed rock wallaby, researchers baited around wallaby populations in New South Wales and South Australia and largely eliminated foxes from large areas. Wallaby numbers then increased.

    2. Feral cats take baits too

    Feral cats are opportunistic ambush predators and hunt a wide range of prey. They’re visually driven and prefer fresh meat. For these reasons, it’s long been thought they are less likely to eat poisoned bait than foxes and dingoes.

    Feral cats are silent, stealthy hunters who prefer to hunt rather than scavenge.
    Vanessa Westcott, CC BY

    But our analysis doesn’t support this – feral cats appeared to be just as susceptible to baits as foxes and dingoes. That’s good news for wildlife.

    Significant and ongoing work has been put into designing better baits for feral cats to increase consumption rates. The most widely known of these baits is Eradicat, a sausage-style bait.

    While this bait is aimed at feral cats, our analysis didn’t provide strong evidence showing Eradicat actually killed more feral cats than other poison bait recipes. This suggests any bait is more effective than no bait when it comes to cat control.

    Eradicat baits have to be sweated to bring out the oils and make them more appealing.
    Luke Bayley, CC BY

    3. Blanket coverage works better

    In land manager circles, there’s a long-running debate over how best to bait. Some advocate putting out more baits over the same area, while others suggest more frequent baiting is better.

    So which is it? Our analysis shows more baits in an area is likely to equate to better control of predators, while distributing baits more frequently may not have the same effect.

    Why is this? Like people, animals are individuals, with their own behavioural tendencies. Wary animals may never take baits. Some foxes are known to store baits to eat later, by which time the baits may be less toxic, sickening rather than killing the animal.

    This is believed to lead to bait aversion, where foxes avoid baits in the future due to previous bad experiences – just as we might avoid foods which made us sick.

    A single, more intensive application of bait is likely to work better because susceptible predators eat the bait and die, and there is limited opportunity for bait aversion to develop. In contrast, more frequent baiting in a short period of time are of limited benefit because animals learn to avoid them.

    Dingoes have been routinely baited for decades.
    Ian Mayo, CC BY

    Fresh baits have long been believed to be eaten more readily than dry baits.

    But our analysis shows this may not always be true. Overall, the type of bait had little impact on whether or not it led to reduced predator survival.

    Optimising baiting

    More efficient control of predators will mean fewer baits are needed to achieve the same result. That, in turn, means less risk of harming other native animals, as well as reducing how much work and money it costs to control feral cats, foxes and dingoes.

    Our research shows baiting does indeed cut the number of predators prowling an area. But it also shows many factors we thought were important in making a baiting program effective may only have a limited effect.

    The goal of poison baiting is to reduce the damage predators do to livestock and wildlife. Baiting is an important and effective tool in reducing predator pressure on threatened species. But its efficacy – and the risk other animals could take the bait – means we have a responsibility to continually optimise its use and ensure its application is targeted.

    Pat Taggart receives funding from the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

    Daniel Noble receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Yong Zhi Foo receives funding from the the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Poison baits were used on 1,400 feral cats, foxes and dingoes. We studied their fate to see what works – https://theconversation.com/poison-baits-were-used-on-1-400-feral-cats-foxes-and-dingoes-we-studied-their-fate-to-see-what-works-246324

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Human rights and democracy on the agenda as UK Human Rights Ambassador visits Bangladesh

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders is arriving in Dhaka for a three-day visit to hold meetings with the Interim Government, human rights defenders and other partners.

    The UK reiterates its commitment to supporting Bangladesh in upholding human rights and democracy as Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders arrives in Dhaka today.

    The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh and across the world. Since the formation of the Interim Government, the UK has supported the government’s agenda to restore law and order, ensure accountability and establish rule of law. 

    During her three-day visit to Bangladesh, Human Rights Ambassador will discuss justice and accountability, human rights and fundamental freedoms with advisers and senior officials across government.  

    She will pay a visit to the University of Dhaka to deliver a seminar on human rights and engage with students. During the seminar, the Ambassador and the students will discuss the importance of upholding fundamental freedoms including media freedom, freedom of religion or belief and ensuring the protection of minority groups.

    She will also visit Cox’s Bazar to oversee UK funded projects in the Rohingya refugee camps including food distribution, female health and education activities and LPG distribution. 

    The Ambassador will also announce new UK funding for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to strengthen accountability for human rights violations and abuses. 

    Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders said: 

    The UK strongly supports the Interim Government’s work to advance sustainable, long term reforms which are grounded in respect for human rights, as well as growth.

    Through my visit, we hope further to strengthen UK-Bangladesh collaboration on a range of priority issues such as accountability and justice, freedom of religion or belief, media freedom, gender equality and labour rights. We will also consolidate our multilateral partnership with Bangladesh – an important current member of the UN Human Rights Council.

    British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke Said: 

    I am pleased to welcome UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders to Bangladesh. This visit is another illustration of the UK’s deep friendship with Bangladesh and longstanding commitment to help create a more prosperous and democratic future for the people of Bangladesh. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ADB Appoints Emma Veve as Director General for Pacific

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    MANILA, PHILIPPINES (3 February 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Emma Veve as Director General of its Pacific Department (PARD), where she will be responsible for the department’s vision and strategy in the subregion.

    Beginning her new role today, Ms. Veve will lead the delivery of the forthcoming Pacific Approach 2026–2030, which will serve as ADB’s overall country partnership strategy for 12 of its 14 Pacific developing members: Cook Islands, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. She will also lead the implementation of ADB’s individual country partnership strategies for Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

    “I am delighted to be back working in the Pacific, and I’m deeply committed to helping shape the new Pacific Approach, which will serve as ADB’s guide to assisting the Pacific developing members achieve their development goals,” said Ms. Veve. “In keeping with ADB’s role as Asia and the Pacific’s climate bank, we will remain focused on combatting climate change and its impacts using innovation, knowledge, and collaboration.”

    Prior to her appointment as Director General for the Pacific, Emma was Deputy Director General with ADB’s Southeast Asia Department. She also served as the Deputy Director General of the Pacific Department where she supported the Director General in the delivery of ADB operations across the 14 Pacific developing member countries. Ms. Veve has also held other senior roles within ADB’s economic, social, and urban sectors in the Pacific Department. 

    Before joining ADB in 2005, Emma was the Economic Advisor with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji and held various positions in the Australian commonwealth public service. She is a national of Australia, holds a double degree in agricultural science and economics from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; and holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of New England, Armidale, Australia.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Gene therapy promises individualised management of disease for each patient: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Gene therapy promises individualised management of disease for each patient: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    India’s Bio-Economy Soars from $10B to $130B Under PM Modi’s Leadership, Aims for $300B,Says the Minister

    Dr. Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine

    Posted On: 02 FEB 2025 4:38PM by PIB Delhi

    JAMMU, February 2 : “Gene therapy promises individualised management of disease for each patient. Even if two individuals suffer from the same condition—be it cancer, kidney disease, or any other ailment—the treatment could be different in each case, guided by the individual’s unique genetic makeup, pre-existing susceptibilities and inherited vulnerabilities.”, stated Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, while inaugurating the Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine at AIIMS Jammu.

    Set up in collaboration with 4 base Care, the Centre aims to usher in a new era of personalised medicine, leveraging cutting-edge genomic research to provide targeted treatment based on individual genetic profiles.

    Underscoring the transformative potential of gene therapy, the Minister emphasised that with genomic advancements, doctors would no longer rely on a one-size-fits-all approach but would tailor treatments to maximise efficacy and specificity for each individual.

    The newly launched Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine places AIIMS Jammu among the frontrunners in India’s medical research landscape. By integrating genomic data with AI-driven diagnostics, the centre aims to enhance early disease detection, optimise treatment strategies, and reduce the trial-and-error approach in medical prescriptions. Experts at the event noted that this facility would play a pivotal role in advancing precision oncology, cardiovascular genomics, and genetic screening for rare disorders.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has prioritised technology-driven progress in the healthcare sector. He cited the government’s efforts in promoting indigenous research and biotechnology, highlighting the exponential growth in India’s bio-economy—from a mere $10 billion in 2014 to nearly $130 billion today, with an ambitious target of $300 billion in the near future. He further stated that with over 9,000 biotech startups compared to just 50 in 2014, India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in medical innovation.

    The Minister stressed the need for an India-specific genomic database, highlighting the country’s unique genetic diversity. “India is a subcontinent in itself, with over 4,600 distinct demographic groups. Our gene sequencing efforts, which have already mapped 10,000 healthy individuals across 99 communities, will help create a robust dataset tailored to Indian-specific health challenges,” he said. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing one million genome sequences in the coming years to enable more accurate disease prediction and personalised interventions.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also pointed out the resurgence of infectious diseases alongside the rise in non-communicable diseases, urging a hybrid approach combining traditional diagnostics with genetic insights. “India has already proven itself in preventive healthcare, pioneering innovations like the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and the HPV vaccine. With this new centre, we will further strengthen our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases using cutting-edge technology,” he said.

    A key objective of the centre is to make precision medicine affordable and accessible to the masses. While personalised treatments have traditionally been costly, AIIMS Jammu aims to leverage indigenous research and government-backed biotech initiatives to bring down costs and integrate precision medicine into public healthcare programs.

    The Minister highlighted initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, which has provided health coverage to millions, and the recently launched Bio-E3 policy, which focuses on biotechnology for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and employment generation. He stated that the government’s National Research Foundation (Anusandhan) will play a crucial role in funding next-generation research in genomics and personalised medicine.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh elaborated on how Precision Medicine could be a game-changer for cancer treatment, enabling doctors to design targeted therapies instead of relying solely on conventional chemotherapy and radiation. He cited India’s recent success in conducting the first-ever genetic therapy trial for haemophilia at CMC Vellore, where patients showed a 60% improvement in clotting factor production, with zero bleeding episodes. The trial, acknowledged globally and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, underscores India’s rising stature in genetic research.

    He also noted that genomic medicine would play a crucial role in tackling lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, which is now affecting younger age groups in India. A recent study found that the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in Jammu is slightly higher than the national average, making AIIMS Jammu’s research even more critical in developing effective intervention strategies.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded his address by reaffirming the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, where healthcare is not only curative but also predictive and preventive. “This is just the beginning. The future of medicine is personalised, and India is well on its way to leading the world in genomic healthcare,” he said.

    Earlier, in his welcome address, Director AIIMS Jammu, Dr Shakti Gupta was all praise for Dr Jitendra Singh for the setting up and continuous upgradation of AIIMS Jammu.

    Dr YK Gupta President AIIMS and Dr V Srinivas Director AIIMS New Delhi also spoke on the occasion.

    *****

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2098931) Visitor Counter : 47

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia spends $714 per person on roads every year – but just 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Mclaughlin, Adjunct Research Fellow, The University of Western Australia

    Nick Starichenko/Shutterstock

    What could you buy for 90 cents? Not much – perhaps a banana.

    Unfortunately, that’s how much the Australian government has invested per person annually on walking, wheeling and cycling over the past 20 years.

    How would Australians’ lives change if that figure rose?



    Read more:
    What makes a city great for running and how can we promote ‘runnability’ in urban design?

    The state of play here and overseas

    From 2008-2028, the federal government spent $384 million on the following active transport investments:

    All up, about $714 per person is spent annually on roads; 90 cents out of this $714 is just pocket change.

    Even if you don’t want to walk, wheel or ride, you should care because less driving helps everyone, including other drivers, who benefit from reduced traffic.

    As a result of this over-investment in car road-building, Australia has the smallest number of walking trips of 15 comparable countries across Western Europe and North America.

    Cycling rates are equally dismal.

    Globally, the United Nations recommends nations spend 20% of their transport budgets on walking and cycling infrastructure.

    Countries like France, Scotland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and the largest cities in China invest between 10% and 20%.

    These places were not always known for walking and cycling – it took sustained redirecting of investment from roads to walking and cycling.

    Meanwhile, many Australians are dependent on cars because they have no other choice in terms of transport options.

    Why spend more on walking and cycling?

    Road use is inherently dangerous – in Australia last year, more than 1,300 people died on our roads, which is more than 25 people a week.

    Owning a car can also be expensive, which is especially concerning for those struggling with the cost-of-living.

    The typical Australian household spends 17% of its income on transport – with car ownership making up 92.5% of that figure, compared to 7.5% on public transport.

    Many Australians feel forced to own a car to get around, so investing in paths and public transport provides people the freedom to get around how they choose.

    Congestion is getting worse in most major cities and we can’t build our way out of it with more or wider roads.

    About two-thirds of car journeys in our cities could be walked, wheeled or cycled in 15 minutes or less, but these short car trips clog up our roads with traffic.

    A major source of all emissions in Australia are from driving.

    If more people felt safe to walk, cycle or take public transport, it would reduce this major emissions source.

    There is a strong rationale and economic argument, too. The NSW government has estimated every kilometre walked benefits the national economy by $6.30, while every kilometre cycled benefits the economy by $4.10.

    This means that by simply walking 500 metres to the local shops and back, you’re saving the economy about $6, while riding five kilometres to work and back saves a whopping $41 for the economy.

    But where could we get this funding from?

    Redirecting funding from the current road budget makes the most sense, because getting more people walking, wheeling and cycling eases pressure on the transport system (think of school holiday traffic).

    This is a popular proposition. One study found two-thirds of Australians supported the redirection of funding from roads to walking and cycling infrastructure. Another found many Australians support building more walking and cycling paths where they live.

    This is not a partisan issue: all Australians in all communities would benefit, including drivers who would face less traffic and enjoy more parking availability.

    Unfortunately, false solutions to our unwalkable and un-cycleable communities continue to derail our focus on fixing the root cause of our problems. For example, telling people to ride to work, while not providing them a safe place to do so, doesn’t make sense.

    What could $15 per person get us?

    Investing $15 per Australian per year would create a better built environment to walk, wheel or ride and deliver significant economic, social and environmental benefits.

    If this was matched with 50:50 funding from state and territory governments (which often happens with transport projects) over a ten-year period, this investment would deliver the four national projects already shortlisted on Infrastructure Australia’s infrastructure priority list for our largest capital cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane.

    It could also fund up to 15 regional cities to build comprehensive networks. Wagga Wagga for example, is about to finish building a 56 kilometre network of walking and cycling paths. As a result, those using the network are 3.7 times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those who don’t.

    Such an investment could also fund supporting initiatives, such as electric bike subsidies which have proven extremely popular in both Queensland and Tasmania.

    What could $10 or $5 per person get us?

    The Australian government could invest less than $15 per person – at $5 or $10 per year, the key projects outlined in Infrastructure Australia’s infrastructure priority list could still be targeted, but those would just take proportionally longer because there is less money.

    Or, instead of investing in the four capital cities on the infrastructure priority list, it could invest in two.

    A different approach could be to spend $5 or $10 to fund infrastructure for regional towns, but this wouldn’t help the problems in our capital cities.

    When it comes to transport, the saying goes “we get what we build” – so if we build more roads, we get more people driving. If we build paths, we get more people walking and cycling short journeys and our roads are less congested.

    We need bold solutions, and $15 should be seen not as an extravagance.

    Acknowledgement: We would like to thank Sara Stace, President of Better Streets Australia, for her expertise in discussions regarding this article.

    Dr Matthew ‘Tepi’ Mclaughlin has received research funding from government research funding organisations. He is currently a Board Member of Better Streets.

    Peter McCue receives an Australian Postgraduate Research Award to study a PhD. He is a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity.

    Grant Ennis does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Australia spends $714 per person on roads every year – but just 90 cents goes to walking, wheeling and cycling – https://theconversation.com/australia-spends-714-per-person-on-roads-every-year-but-just-90-cents-goes-to-walking-wheeling-and-cycling-247902

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –