NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Jefferson Capital Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jefferson Capital, Inc. (“Jefferson Capital”), a leading analytically driven purchaser and manager of charged-off and insolvency consumer accounts, today announced the pricing of its underwritten initial public offering of 10,000,000 shares of common stock at an initial public offering price of $15.00 per share. Jefferson Capital is offering 625,000 shares of common stock, and certain existing stockholders are offering 9,375,000 shares of common stock. In addition, the underwriters of the offering have a 30-day option to purchase from the selling stockholders up to 1,500,000 additional shares of common stock at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions. Jefferson Capital will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

    Jefferson Capital’s common stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 26, 2025 under the ticker symbol “JCAP.”   The offering is expected to close on June 27, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    Jefferies and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, are acting as joint-lead book-running managers for the offering. Citizens Capital Markets, Raymond James, Truist Securities, Capital One Securities, DNB Carnegie, Regions Securities LLC and Synovus are acting as book-running managers for the offering. FHN Financial Securities Corp. and ING Financial Markets LLC are acting as co-managers for the offering.

    A registration statement relating to the sale of these securities was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 2025. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to the offering may be obtained, when available, from: Jefferies LLC, at Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at 877-821-7388, or by email at prospectus_department@jefferies.com; or Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. by telephone at (800) 966-1559, or by e-mail at USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    Use of Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.

    About Jefferson Capital, Inc.

    Founded in 2002, Jefferson Capital is an analytically driven purchaser and manager of charged-off and insolvency consumer accounts with operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Latin America. It purchases and services both secured and unsecured assets, and its growing client base includes Fortune 500 creditors, banks, fintech origination platforms, telecommunications providers, credit card issuers and auto finance companies. Jefferson Capital is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with additional offices and operations located in Sartell, Minnesota, Denver, Colorado and San Antonio, Texas (United States); Basingstoke, England; London, England and Paisley, Scotland (United Kingdom); London, Ontario and Toronto, Ontario (Canada); as well as Bogota (Colombia).

    Contacts

    Investor Relations: IR@jcap.com

    Media Relations: Doug.Donsky@icrinc.com

    SOURCE Jefferson Capital

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Auckland stun Boca, Chelsea progress at Club World Cup

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Benfica secured top spot in Group C at the FIFA Club World Cup with a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday, as Chelsea advanced from Group D and Auckland City stunned Boca Juniors with a 1-1 draw. Flamengo, already assured of a place in the last 16, drew 1-1 with Los Angeles FC in Orlando.

    In Charlotte, an early goal from Norway international forward Andreas Schjelderup inflicted Bayern’s first blemish of the tournament.

    Liam Delap (R) of Chelsea vies with Yassine Meriah of Esperance De Tunisie during the Group D football match between England’s Chelsea and Tunisia’ Esperance de Tunisie at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Philadelphia, the United States, on June 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

    Schjelderup timed his run to perfection to sweep home a first-time effort from 12 yards after compatriot Fredrik Aursnes crossed from the right wing.

    Bayern enjoyed almost three quarters of the total possession but rarely threatened against a disciplined and compact Benfica defense.

    The result left the Lisbon-based club a point ahead of the Bundesliga champions, who also advanced to the tournament’s next stage.

    “I think this was a very fair and important win, historic really,” Benfica manager Bruno Lage said. “We were as straightforward and assertive as we should be and I think we were very effective in delivering our strategy.”

    Benfica will meet Chelsea in Charlotte on Saturday while Bayern Munich faces Flamengo in Miami the next day.

    In Nashville, Christian Gray struck a second-half equalizer as Auckland City clinched its first point of the tournament against Boca Juniors.

    The Argentine outfit went ahead when Lautaro Di Lollo’s header from a corner hit the left post before ricochetting in off goalkeeper Nathan Garrow.

    But Gray equalized by latching onto a Jerson Lagos corner with a low header beyond Agustin Marchesin.

    Garrow repeatedly denied Boca with a series of sharp saves as the semi-professional team from New Zealand bowed out on an encouraging note.

    Boca finished third in Group C, joining fourth-placed Auckland City in exiting the competition.

    “I’m from a small town, a long way from here and a lot different to this environment. So it is somewhat of a dream,” Gray said after the match, explaining that he would go back to his job as a school teacher upon returning to New Zealand.

    “We’ve had some tough results, but I’m just happy for the team and the boys. I think we deserve it,” the 28 year-old added.

    In Philadelphia, Chelsea secured its passage to the knockout phase with a 3-0 victory over Tunisia’s Esperance in Group D.

    Tosin Adarabioyo opened the scoring with a looping header into the far corner after Enzo Fernandez’s floating free-kick.

    Argentina international midfielder Fernandez was again the provider as his lofted pass released Liam Delap, who shook off two defenders before calmly slotting a low finish past goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.

    The Premier League side made it 3-0 in second-half stoppage time when Tyrique George’s long-range shot slipped through Ben Said’s gloves and rolled into the back of the net.

    The result meant Chelsea finished second in Group D with six points, three ahead of the eliminated Esperance.

    In Wednesday’s other fixture, a late Wallace Yan strike earned Flamengo a 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in Orlando.

    Denis Bouanga broke the deadlock against the run of play when he ran onto Timothy Tillman’s long free-kick before nutmegging goalkeeper Agustin Rossi with a composed finish.

    Wallace leveled two minutes later for the Brazilian club as he bulldozed his way into the box after Jorginho’s pass and lashed low past Hugo Lloris.

    Despite the result, Flamengo topped Group D with seven points while Los Angeles – which entered the match without hope of progressing – finished last, six points further back.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australian Gas Networks in Court over alleged greenwashing in renewable gas campaign

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has launched Federal Court action against gas distributor Australian Gas Networks Limited alleging it made false and misleading representations in its ‘Love Gas’ TV and digital advertising campaign.

    The ACCC alleges Australian Gas Networks misled millions of consumers when it represented, in ads that ran during 2022 and 2023, that the gas it distributes to households on its network will be renewable within a generation.

    Australian Gas Networks did not have reasonable grounds for making the unqualified claim about the future of gas, which featured in advertisements run on free-to-air television, streaming services and on YouTube, the ACCC alleges.

    “We allege that Australian Gas Networks engaged in greenwashing in its ‘Love Gas’ ad campaign,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We allege that the ads overstated the likelihood of Australian Gas Networks overcoming significant technical and economic barriers to distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”

    “It is not currently possible to distribute renewable gas at scale and at an economically viable price, and throughout 2022 and 2023 it was highly uncertain whether, and if so when, this would be possible,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We allege that even though Australian Gas Networks knew the future of renewable gas was uncertain, it made an unqualified representation to consumers that it would distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”

    “We say these ads were intended to encourage consumers to connect to, or remain connected to, Australian Gas Networks’ distribution network and to purchase gas appliances for their homes, based on the misleading impression they would receive ‘renewable gas’ within a generation,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “We consider that consumers were deprived of the opportunity to make fully informed choices, in accordance with their values, about the most appropriate energy sources for use in their homes, the household appliances they should invest in, and the steps they could take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

    The claims by Australian Gas Networks were contained in four advertisements which all featured a young girl and her father using gas appliances in the home for cooking, bathing or heating. The advertisements then fast-forward in time to show the girl, now portrayed as a young adult, engaging in the same household activities.

    The ads featured a voiceover stating the following, or similar:

    • Some things never change, but the flame we use will.
    • It’s becoming renewable.
    • Controllable, reliable gas.
    • For this generation and the next.

    The final frame of each ad featured the company’s logo next to a green flame, and the words; “Love gas. Love a renewable gas future”; or just “Love Gas”.

    The ads did not contain any qualifications, fine print or disclaimers.

    “Businesses that make false or misleading environmental claims make it harder for consumers to support businesses that are genuinely working to reduce their environmental impact,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Businesses that make environmental claims about the future must have reasonable grounds for those claims, or they will be taken to be misleading under the Australian Consumer Law. Businesses must take care when they promote emissions-reduction measures that their claims can be backed up with evidence, and that they are realistic about emerging energy technologies and when changes are likely to be achieved. Misleading claims not only break the trust of consumers, they also breach the Australian Consumer Law.”

    The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, costs and other orders.

    Background

    The “Love Gas” advertising campaign ran between 20 March 2022 to 2 October 2022 and again from 1 August 2023 to 15 October 2023.

    Australian Gas Networks is one of Australia’s largest gas infrastructure businesses. It owns and operates gas transmission and distribution pipelines.

    Australian Gas Networks distributes natural gas to around 1.3 million homes and businesses, principally in Victoria and South Australia, as well as in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

    The ACCC commenced this investigation after receiving complaints about Australian Gas Networks from consumers and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

    In December 2023, the ACCC published its guidance for businesses on making environmental and sustainability claims. It sets out what the ACCC considers to be misleading conduct and good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the current and future environmental performance of their business.

    Images from the Love Gas Advertisements

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands more to get the tools they need to start construction careers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Thousands more to get the tools they need to start construction careers

    Thousands of people are set to benefit from on-the-job training and career opportunities in the construction sector.

    • Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall attend inaugural Construction Skills Mission Board attended by CEOs from across the sector, launching industry commitment to recruit 100,000 more construction workers per year by the end of the Parliament.
    • Partnership between Jobcentres and the industry to give more people the skills they need to start fulfilling careers.
    • Marks a significant step in delivering the Plan for Change commitment to build 1.5 million new homes, which is underpinned by £39 billion for affordable and social housing over ten years announced at Spending Review.

    Roles ranging from project managers to bricklayers will be made available to jobseekers thanks to the agreement, which will mean Jobcentres working more closely with the construction industry to offer work experience and tailored placements to meet the need of employers and people looking to start a fulfilling career.

    The agreement signed earlier this week at the newly-launched Green Plant Academy at the Earl’s Court Skills Centre, by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Department for Work and Pensions, is a major step in the government’s drive to get Britain building and get Britain working as part of its Plan for Change.

    More than 40,000 industry placements will be funded through a further £100 million from the government, alongside a £32 million contribution from the CITB.

    This comes alongside a £1 billion employment support package to support more disabled people and those with health conditions back into work. This is a quadrupling of the level of annual spend on supporting sick and disabled people into work, from the £275 million in 2024/25 we inherited, to over £1 billion in 2029/30.

    It comes as the Deputy Prime Minister will co-chair the first Construction Skills Mission Board with Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council today, where, alongside Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Industry Sarah Jones, and several CEOs and sector leaders, they will launch an industry commitment to recruit 100,000 more construction workers per year by the end of the Parliament. This will be a step-change for the construction sector, creating good jobs across the country to deliver on government’s housing and infrastructure commitments, including building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and delivery of the 10-year infrastructure strategy.

    Ministers will highlight major reforms to transform Jobcentres as well as the £625 million investment to tackle skills shortages in the construction sector – expected to create up to 60,000 more jobs for engineers, electricians and joiners by the end of the parliament. 

    Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

    Building 1.5 million homes takes investment, skills, and a government that’s ready to roll up its sleeves to deliver. And that is exactly what we are doing. 

    Our Plan for Change commits to delivering the biggest boost for affordable and social housing in a generation, which we’ve backed with a £39 billion investment over ten years. 

    We’re working hand-in-hand with industry to recruit thousands more workers into skilled construction jobs, and thanks to our Make Work Pay reforms we will ensure these jobs are more secure and better rewarded.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    I am determined that our young people have the best start in life. To do this we must give them the tools they need to get ahead.

    This agreement, alongside our record funding will do just that. Our welfare reforms will see the biggest investment in a generation to support disabled people into secure, well-paid work.

    Our Plan for Change will deliver the jobs, homes and opportunities we need to build a stronger and more prosperous Britain.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    The construction sector is on the frontline in our mission to grow the economy, giving more people skilled jobs building the homes and infrastructure we need. 

    Through our Plan for Change we are determined to break the link between background and success, so that more young people can get on in well paid careers. 

    The Construction Skills Mission Board will make sure we hear directly from employers about what their skills needs are, driving our reforms and helping more young people achieve and thrive.

    Tim Balcon, CEO, CITB said:

    Opportunities in construction are for everybody, whatever their background. By working together, we can widen the talent pool, bring in more diverse voices, and encourage more people to consider a career in construction. 

    Every year, over 100,000 people receive construction training. I want many more of them to forge lasting careers in the sector. This is why the partnership with DWP is so vital, as it helps ensure individuals are not just trained but truly prepared for careers in construction.

    The government commitment to addressing the housing shortage, improving the country’s infrastructure, and investing in construction skills mean this is a real boom time for our industry.

    This industry commitment follows the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, with the Chancellor committing £39 billion for the Affordable Homes Programme. This is the first time in living memory affordable housing funding has been committed over a 10-year period.

    From August, new construction foundation apprenticeships, backed by an additional £40 million, will provide young people at the start of their career with a route into construction.The scheme comes as part of the governments Youth Guarantee to ensure every young person is either earning or learning and will give youngsters skills in a range of specialist occupations, such as brick laying and carpentry, as well as employability skills and behaviours.

    Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council and Co-Chair of the Construction Skills Mission Board, said:

    The Construction Skills Mission Board represents a new partnership between industry and government, working together to find industry-led, collaborative solutions to delivering the workforce of the future.

    I am delighted that we have seen such strong support from Ministers and some of the most important leaders in our sector – and I hope everyone will play their part in the delivery of this essential mission.

    Construction will be essential to delivering growth and investment across the UK; and so it is vital that we now step up as a sector.

    Jason Poulter, Unite National Officer for Construction, who attended the Mission Board on behalf of Unite the Union, said:

    We are proud to represent workers voices and the pride they hold in their skills and trades on the construction skills mission board. We welcome the governments focus on a job-outcomes approach. 

    This is the largest investment in skills for a generation and the CSMB is a clear demonstration of industries commitment to supporting the skilled construction workforce of tomorrow.

    In attendance at the signing of the agreement in West London earlier this week was Millie, whose bricklaying apprenticeship with The Skills Centre enabled her to gain meaningful, long-term work in the sector. She now works on live sites, putting her training into practice and has discovered her passion for the industry; “I really enjoy learning brickwork and then doing it for real on site. I would really recommend an apprenticeship in construction — it’s open to all.”

    The government is already expanding workplace training through Sector-based Workplace Academy Programmes (SWAPs), with over 100,000 SWAPs expected to take place this financial year. The placements offer jobseekers the opportunity to kickstart a new career by providing training, workplace placements and a guaranteed interview with an employer.

    SWAPs are proven to help people to stay in work for longer and boost their pay, while getting businesses loyal staff with the right skills, with the scheme to be boosted even further, giving even more people access to these life-changing.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency launches clean-up operation at Hoad’s Wood

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    News story

    Environment Agency launches clean-up operation at Hoad’s Wood

    Waste management experts drive first batches of harmful material away from nationally significant nature site

    Drone footage of harmful waste being removed from Hoad’s Wood into a lorry

    Lorries have begun to remove tonnes of harmful waste from Hoad’s Wood in Kent as part of a major operation to aid the recovery of the woodlands, the Environment Agency announced today (26 June 2025). 

    The huge operation, co-ordinated by the Environment Agency and carried out by approved contractors Acumen Waste Services Ltd, will see more than 30,000 tonnes of household and construction waste removed.  

    More than 50 specialist workers have been deployed to dig up the harmful waste and carefully transport it for safe disposal at approved facilities. The whole operation is expected to take more than one year to complete.  

    Organised criminals dumped the lorry loads of waste, piled up to 15 feet high in certain areas, in 2023. Hoad’s Wood is a Site of Special Interest, home to rare plants and wildlife, and a popular beauty spot for nearby communities.  

    Emma Viner, Enforcement and Investigations Manager at the Environment Agency, said:  

    The damage caused by these shameless criminals rocked the community of Ashford and robbed residents of an important habitat which holds a special place in their hearts.  

    Today marks an important step in the journey of bringing Hoad’s Wood back as a sanctuary for both wildlife and people.  

    Our efforts are now focused on removing all the waste and bringing those behind this heinous crime to justice. Complex investigations like this take time but we are using our specialist enforcement resources to make sure this type of crime does not pay.

    Waste Minister Mary Creagh said:  

    Illegal dumping is a serious criminal offence which blights communities and damages our natural environment.  

    The community in Ashford shouldn’t have to put up with the disgusting actions of these criminal gangs. I would like to thank the Environment Agency and its partners for their clean-up efforts, which will allow residents to once again enjoy this vital green space.  

    This Government is determined to crack down on waste criminals, which is why we recently announced plans to ensure vehicles involved in waste crime are seized and crushed.

    The Environment Agency continues to progress the criminal investigation into the illegal tipping of waste at Hoad’s Wood. In February, three individuals were arrested by the Environment Agency, Kent Police and the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, marking an important moment in securing justice for the local community.   

    Evidence obtained during these arrests is now being used to support the next stages of the investigation. 

    Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said:  

    We are fully supportive of the Environment Agency’s ongoing efforts to tackle waste crime across Kent, and it is great that work has now begun to restore Hoad’s Wood to its former beauty. 

    The illegal dumping of large volumes of waste is often linked to other forms of criminal activity and we play our part by making arrests, gathering evidence and carrying out preventative activities including spot checks of vehicles seen in areas where such offences are common. 

    We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency and local authorities to send a clear message to fly-tippers that they are not welcome in Kent and will be dealt with accordingly.

    Ian Rickards, Area Manager at Kent Wildlife Trust, said:  

    We are pleased to see the start of the clean-up process proceeding at Hoad’s Wood. Restoring this ancient woodland to its former state will be a mammoth undertaking, but we are hopeful that today is a step in the right direction.

    The Environment Agency will continue to monitor the site for any effect on air or water quality as the harmful waste is safely removed. Work is being carried out with the agreement of Natural England, the Forestry Commission and Ashford Borough Council.  

    To prevent criminals getting their hands on waste, the public are urged to use only waste carriers listed on the public register to take away their rubbish.  

    If a member of the public has any information that may assist with the Hoad’s Wood investigation, they should call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060. They can also report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Crimestoppers website.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: On track and online: landmark deal to end mobile dead zones

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    On track and online: landmark deal to end mobile dead zones

    Project Reach deal signed to boost connectivity and remove mobile signal blackspots on the rail network.

    • ground-breaking public-private partnership delivers on the government’s Plan for Change mission to kickstart economic growth with ultra fast fibre optic cable across 1,000 kilometres of major rail lines
    • new deal will also eliminate mobile signal blackspots in tunnels on key rail routes up and down the country
    • smart investment approach saves taxpayers £300 million while boosting productivity for commuters and creating an improved digital backbone for the country’s rail network

    Commuters will soon be able to work seamlessly and stay connected with loved ones as the Transport Secretary lands a landmark deal to eliminate mobile blackspots on Britain’s busiest rail routes.

    The breakthrough agreement will transform daily journeys for millions of passengers who currently face the frustration of dropped calls and interrupted streaming on key routes between London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff.

    The deal, named Project Reach and signed today (26 June 2025) between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave marks the end of passengers having to pause important work calls or cut short conversations with family members when trains enter notorious signal blackspots.

    The project’s innovative commercial model brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure and is expected to save taxpayers around £300 million while creating a high-performing digital connectivity backbone for businesses, supporting the UK’s digital ambitions.

    Project Reach will initially see Neos Networks deploy 1,000 kilometres of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along the East Coast Main Line, parts of the West Coast Main Line and the Great Western Main Line, with ambition to expand beyond 5,000 kilometres in the near future.

    In addition to this, Freshwave will tackle signal blackspots in 57 tunnels, covering almost 50 kilometres, including the 4-kilometre-long Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol.

    As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G/5G infrastructure at 12 of the biggest Network Rail stations across the country including Birmingham New St, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King’s Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo.

    Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said:

    This is a game changer for passengers up and down the country and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston.

    By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service.

    This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader Plan for Change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.

    This is a multi-year project with the first installation of mobile infrastructure expected to begin in 2026 and fully rolled out by 2028.

    The enhanced network will also enable better monitoring of railway assets and facilitate new technologies that rely on improved connectivity, paving the way for more reliable train services and improved safety for railway workers.

    Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s Chief Financial Officer, said:

    I’m delighted that we have now signed this innovative deal with our partners Neos Networks and Freshwave.

    This investment model will deliver the necessary upgrades to our telecoms infrastructure faster whilst offering significant value-for-money for the taxpayer and stimulating wider economic benefits across the country.

    As we move towards becoming a unified railway with the formation of Great British Railways, the enhanced telecoms infrastructure will play a key role in our ambition to provide a data-driven railway of the future, delivering better connectivity and a better, more reliable train service for our passengers.

    Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, said:

    Project Reach will support the upgrade of the UK’s connectivity infrastructure, creating new data superhighways that will drive the UK’s digital ambitions forward.

    Jacqueline Starr, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: 

    We know how much customers value good mobile connections when they travel and we’re delighted that a digitally connected railway will soon become a reality. Travelling by rail drives economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero.

    This vital upgrade to telecoms across the network will give everyone the opportunity to stay connected, wherever they’re headed.

    This partnership marks a major stride towards improved performance and better services for passengers as part of Great British Railways, as the Transport Secretary continues to deliver the government’s Plan for Change with a more connected, efficient, and passenger-focused railway fit for the future.

    It also builds on £41 million confirmed in the government’s National Infrastructure Strategy to introduce low-earth-orbit satellite connectivity on all mainline trains, significantly improving both the availability and internet data connection speeds for wifi connected passengers.

    Rail media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Veterans in North of England set to benefit from Government’s new support network

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Veterans in North of England set to benefit from Government’s new support network

    Veterans across northern England will benefit from VALOUR, the Government’s new £50m support system giving former members of the Armed Forces greater access to tailored support.

    • Thousands of veterans in the north of England will be the first to access streamlined support through new VALOUR network.   

    • Announcement of pilot region will help ensure no veteran falls through the gaps, delivering on Government’s Plan for Change.  

    • The first VALOUR network, set up in the North, will serve as a blueprint for future networks across the UK, recognising regional differences and requirements.  

    Veterans across northern England will benefit from VALOUR, the Government’s new £50m support system giving former members of the Armed Forces greater access to tailored support.  

    Veterans in the North will be able to use the pilot service to access the help they need, such as housing, mental and physical health and employment guidance and services.  

    The pilot is being launched by the Government’s Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in partnership with Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire.  

    It will develop and test a networked system of connected services including local authorities, public services and the third sector to ensure veterans are better supported – helping deliver the Government’s Plan for Change and commitment to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve.  

    The northern pilot will collect data across local government, service providers, the NHS and charities focused on veterans’ needs to continuously improve the VALOUR service, shape policy and create a blueprint for national rollout in 2026.  

    The launch comes as new YouGov research reveals the majority of veterans in the UK believe local support is insufficient, with 73% preferring coordinated services across government and charities, highlighting a clear mandate for concerted action.  

    Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns, said:  

    This Armed Forces Week, we are renewing our contract with those who serve and have served, by ensuring no veteran falls through the gaps.  

    From South Yorkshire to Liverpool City Region, I am delighted that veterans across the North of England will be the first to benefit from VALOUR and get better access to the tailored support they need.  

    By opening this pilot, we’re creating the blueprint that will transform veteran support nationwide, delivering on this Government’s Plan for Change.

    Veterans will be central to the development of VALOUR and can sign up to participate in research that will shape the network on Gov.uk.  

    VALOUR will create a network of recognised centres across all UK nations and regions, with Regional Field Officers connecting charities, local government and service provider – while harnessing the power of data to shape improved services.  

    Development funding will soon be available for existing and new veteran centres to gain VALOUR accreditation and help signpost those requiring support to the right place. Further information on development funding for the VALOUR support centres will be released in the coming months, including eligibility and timelines.   

    The partnership will enhance data collection to shape better services, and the VALOUR network will have central oversight, providing even greater support to our veterans. This is the first time that the Government will draw on local expertise and collaborate across regions in enhancing support provision for veterans.  

    Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, said:  

    For too long veterans have not been properly looked after despite their service to this country. So it is great that the government has launched the VALOUR network to give former members of the Armed Forces the tailored support they deserve.

    In Greater Manchester we are proud of our Armed Forces Covenant which brings together our local authorities to support veterans in their area. The VALOUR pilot will give us even more resources to support our Armed Forces community with our Live Well model. 

    This scheme also highlights how improving lives in local communities can be done through further devolution, and we look forward to working alongside colleagues in the three other Combined Authorities to make this pilot successful.

    Alongside VALOUR, the Government has invested £3.5m in homelessness services, launched free career support through Op ASCEND, and extended employer National Insurance relief. Veterans will be first to benefit from the GOV.UK wallet by applying for digital Veteran Cards later this year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Education reforms agreed by Parliament

    Source: Scottish Government

    New qualifications body and independent inspectorate will be established.

    The creation of a new national qualifications body, along with an independent education inspectorate, has taken a major step forward after legislation to implement the changes was passed in the Scottish Parliament.

    The Education (Scotland) Bill was backed by 69 votes to 47 by MSPs tonight. This includes provisions to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new organisation, Qualifications Scotland.

    The office of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, with enhanced independence, will be created to undertake the education inspection functions that currently sit within Education Scotland.

    The final legislation, following Stage 2 and Stage 3 amendments to the Bill initially introduced in June last year, includes measures from all political parties represented on Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People committee.  

    Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said:

    “The successful passage of this legislation shows this Government is serious about implementing the changes needed to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system.

    “The creation of a new national qualifications body is about building the right conditions for reform to flourish; the new body will ensure that knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are at the heart of our national qualifications offering. The new inspectorate body will also have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving this function away from Ministers, to His Majesty’s Chief Inspector.  

    “Throughout this process, I have been determined to work with other parties on this vital legislation. I am also grateful to teaching unions and other organisations across civic Scotland who contributed to its development.

    “Taken together our major programme of education and skills reform will bring about the changes needed to meet the needs of future generations of young people.”

     Background

    Qualifications Scotland is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025.

    Once appointed, HM Chief Inspector will lead the new education inspectorate, which is expected to become operational in Autumn 2025. The new inspectorate will operate independently, while the Bill passed by Parliament will see Scottish Ministers retain oversight authority and they will be able to request that specific inspections be carried out by the Chief Inspector.

    Two elements of reform activity are not part of the Bill’s provisions. These are the revised remit of Education Scotland, which will see it continue as the national education agency but with a focus on the curriculum, and the establishment of a Centre for Teaching Excellence, which will be launched at the start of the new academic year and help support teachers’ professional development. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens vote to scrap and replace SQA, ending ‘era of hostility to teachers and students’

    Source: Scottish Greens

    25 Jun 2025 Education

    Green MSPs vote to pass the Education Bill in Holyrood

    More in Education

    The Scottish Parliament has voted to scrap and replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) by 69 votes to 47. The Scottish Greens voted in favour of creating a new organisation in its place, Qualifications Scotland. This new body will put the voices of teachers and students at its heart. 

    Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has campaigned for a radical overhaul of the exams body for many years, with calls for a rethink predating the pandemic but significantly increasing after the 2020 ‘postcode lottery’ grading scandal. Following that scandal, Green MSPs negotiated with the Scottish Government to restore 124,565 young people’s grades, which had been unfairly moderated down by the SQA’s postcode-based temporary replacement for exams.

    The Scottish Greens, teachers’ unions and organisations including the Scottish Youth Parliament have long pointed to a culture at the top of the SQA which is hostile to feedback and uninterested in listening to those directly affected by its decisions.

    To avoid a repeat of the SQA’s failures, Scottish Greens education spokesperson has passed dozens of amendments to the bill, including splitting the role of Chief Executive into a Chief Executive, Chief Accreditation Officer and Chief Examiner, with a requirement that the Examiner must be an experienced educator e.g a teacher or college lecturer.

    Scottish Greens education spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said:

    “Having campaigned for an overhaul of the SQA for years, I’m pleased MSPs have voted for this fresh start in Scottish education. Senior leadership at the SQA was given the opportunity to change over many years, but refused to do so. Replacing the organisation with one legally required to listen to teachers and students will end this constant cycle of scandals. Now we can begin rebuilding the trust which was so completely destroyed over the last decade and put the focus back on supporting students.

    “The Scottish Greens made dozens of changes to the Government’s original proposals, including giving a bigger role to teachers and students themselves. Time and again the SQA could have avoided making catastrophic mistakes if they had simply listened to the experts in Scottish education, those in our schools and colleges. Having made those changes, Green MSPs were proud to vote for this bill and replace the SQA with an organisation ready to meet the needs of Scotland’s students and teachers.

    “This reform must be followed up with urgent work to reduce the workload of teachers and a dramatic shakeup of our outdated exams system. We need to move away from the Victorian-era end of term exam model and towards systems of ongoing assessment which judge a pupil’s knowledge and abilities with far more accuracy.”

    Greer added:

    “Labour’s vote to protect the scandal-plagued and unaccountable SQA is bizarre.

    “How can anyone look at the mistakes of recent years and think it can continue? We need real change for students and teachers, which this bill will deliver.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK seeks views on further trade protections for steel

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK seeks views on further trade protections for steel

    The UK has launched a six-week Call for Evidence, inviting views from across the steel supply chain to help shape new, future-ready trade measures.

    • Government invites businesses to shape future steel trade protections and strengthen the UK’s critical supply chains.
    • Key step in ensuring continued protection for the UK steel industry—building on the recent deal with the US to lift steel tariffs.
    • Follows a series of government actions under the Plan for Change to defend UK steel, protect jobs and secure major sites like Port Talbot and Scunthorpe.

    Steel producers, consumers, and unions will shape the UK’s future trade approach for steel, as Ministers seek robust long-term protections for the industry.

    Safeguard measures are put in place temporarily to address sudden import surges and help industry adapt to new trading environments, however the challenges now facing the steel industry demand longer-term solutions.

    The current UK steel safeguard measure ends in June 2026 and cannot be extended. The views from industry will help shape new future-ready trade measures that will protect UK businesses and jobs right across the country. 

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We know this is a tough time for steel producers which is why this Government is using every tool available to ensure the long-term success of our vital steel industry, protect jobs and deliver on our Plan for Change.

    Thanks to our deal with the United States, all Section 232 tariffs on UK steel will be removed—while producers in other countries still face tariffs of up to 50%. But we’re not stopping there.

    We will not sit by idly while cheap imports threaten to undercut UK industry, so we are inviting industry to shape the next phase of our trade defences so we can provide robust support and ensure a fair and competitive market.

    The six-week Call for Evidence comes in addition to further government action to support industry amid global challenges. This includes securing a trade deal with the US to remove tariffs on steel products and protect jobs. It also includes announcing the upcoming steel strategy, which will establish a long-term vision for the sector and help build resilient supply chains. These efforts follow the launch of both the Trade and Industrial Strategy, which set out broader plans to support key industries, including steel.

    This Call for Evidence is a key step in the Government’s wider commitment to rebuilding the steel sector, alongside decisive interventions such as the £500 million grant securing the transformation of Port Talbot steelworks, the £2.5 billion investment pledged to rebuild the sector, the action taken to safeguard British Steel’s blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, and the forthcoming Steel Strategy.

    UK Steel Director General Gareth Stace said:

    It is welcome news that the Government is developing a new steel trade defence mechanism.

    With growing global steel overcapacity and rising trade diversion, Government must deliver a new trade defence system to provide industry certainty before steel safeguards expire in June 2026.

    UK Steel looks forward to working with Government to design an effective framework that will help to level the playing field on international trade and provide the market stability needed to draw investment in the UK steel sector.

    Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said:

    Trade protections are a vital bastion for our steel industry in the face of global overcapacity, rising protectionism and unfair trade. They provide essential security, and safeguard thousands of jobs across the UK steel industry and its extensive supply chains.

    We welcome the UK Government’s early engagement with the sector to shape our future steel protections and ensure that a cliff-edge scenario next year is prevented.

    This government has demonstrated its steadfast support for our steel industry, and we will continue to work with them to secure the long-term future of the sector.

    Notes to editors

    • The Call for Evidence opens today and will run for six weeks, inviting stakeholders across the UK steel supply chain to submit feedback that will shape future trade measures.
    • For more details and to submit evidence, visit GOV.UK.
    • The UK’s steel safeguard measure is set to expire in June 2026 because it’s a temporary measure providing domestic industries with time to adjust to changing market conditions. These measures are meant to be in place for a limited time to allow industries to adapt to the influx of imports. WTO rules don’t allow for indefinite extensions of safeguard measures.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business

    The strategy will make the UK the most connected nation in the world while protecting vital industries from global threats and backing businesses to thrive.

    New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business 

    • Trade Strategy sets out how UK will unlock £5 billion for businesses and expand UKEF capacity to £80 billion, delivering growth as part of the Plan for Change  

    • Trade defence toughened up with new and improved tools to better protect our vital industries from global threats  

    • UK sets its sights on quicker deals that firms can benefit from sooner, with a strong focus on services and high growth sectors 

    British Businesses will be given greater access to global markets more quickly as the UK tomorrow [Thursday 26 June] publishes its first Trade Strategy since leaving the EU. 

    The Strategy will make the UK the most connected nation in the world and secure billions worth of opportunities for businesses, helping deliver the economic growth needed to put money in people’s pockets, strengthen local economies, create jobs, and raise living standards.  

    It takes a more agile and targeted approach than the previous government’s, focusing on quicker, more practical deals that deliver faster benefits to UK businesses. It strengthens trade defences, expands export finance – especially for smaller firms – and aligns trade policy with national priorities like green growth and services. It’s a smarter, more responsive plan for a changing global economy. 

    The Trade Strategy:  

    • Unlocks £5 billion worth of opportunities for UK exporters through the new Ricardo Fund, which will tackle complex regulatory issues, shape global standards, and remove obstacles for UK businesses selling abroad.  

    • Expands UK Export Finance (UKEF)’s capacity by £20 billion to a total of £80 billion, announces a new Small Export Builder to give smaller firms better access to export protection insurance, and introduces improvements to help overseas buyers finance repeat orders from trusted UK suppliers in a more streamlined way.   

    • Vows to bolster our trade defence toolkit and make our trade remedies system more agile, assertive, and accountable to guard British businesses against global turbulence and the growing threat of unfair trading practices.   

    • Targets more mutual recognition of qualifications to boost the UK’s status as a services superpower – the 2nd biggest exporter of services in the world.  

    • Builds on existing clean energy and green sector agreements with partners including Norway, Japan and South Korea and explores new, deeper cooperation with markets such as Brazil, the Philippines and Mexico.    

    • Announces the UK will join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), a temporary arbitration arrangement for resolving appeals to WTO trade disputes, demonstrating our commitment to an effective rules-based international trading system 

    The Trade Strategy comes amid a backdrop of turbulent economic waters, resurgent protectionism and unfair trading practices creating significant challenges for businesses and industries across the whole of the UK. Together with our modern Industrial Strategy – a plan to grow the UK’s growth-driving sectors – we are strengthening businesses at home and setting clear direction to ensure success abroad and create high-paid, secure jobs in every part of this country.  

    It follows three significant trade deals agreed last month with huge benefits for UK businesses, jobs and consumers. Not only does our deal with India add £4.8 billion to the economy and £2.2 billion to wages each year, its reduced and liberalised tariffs means more whisky and gin is likely to be sold to Indian consumers and British shoppers could see cheaper prices on things like clothes, footwear and food products.  

    Our landmark deal with the US, the only one they have agreed with any country, protects hundreds of thousands of British jobs from automotive workers in the West Midlands, to aeroplane builders in Wales, to steelmakers in Scunthorpe. It shows the government delivering on its promise to champion British businesses and put jobs and livelihoods first. 

    The EU agreement, meanwhile, cuts red tape and improves access to our biggest trading partner. It means Scottish salmon farmers can sell their fish more easily to the EU, Welsh sausages and lamb mince exports will no longer be blocked, and British pets can join their owners on holiday with less headache.   

    Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: 

    What works for business, works for Britain. It means more jobs, more opportunities, and more money in people’s pockets. 

    That’s why I’ve backed British industry through global headwinds – securing major trade deals with the US, India and the EU that protect jobs and drive growth right across the country. 

    Today’s Trade Strategy is a promise to British business: helping firms sell more, grow faster, and compete globally. It’s about delivering growth as part of our Plan for Change—and making sure working people feel the benefits.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:  

    The UK is an open trading nation but we must reconcile this with a new geopolitical reality and work in our own national interest  

    Our Trade Strategy will sharpen our trade defence so we can ensure British businesses are protected from harm, while also relentlessly pursuing every opportunity to sell to more markets under better terms than before.  

    Broad and complex trade deals like we secured with India will bring billions to our economy every year but to deliver the Plan for Change we will strike more agile, targeted deals that exploit the sectors which drive the most growth for our economy.

    It comes as the government works in partnership with industry to shape future steel trade measures which will prevent cheap imports from undercutting UK businesses, following the expiry of the current UK steel safeguard measure in June 2026. Collaboration with steel producers, consumers and unions will help ensure the new phase of our trade defences continue to protect UK businesses and jobs, while providing a fair and competitive market.  

    UKEF measures included in the Strategy accompanies news this week that up to £13 billion of direct lending will be used to help boost exports across key industrial sectors, marking a £3 billion uplift in UKEF’s facility.  

    Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said:  

    This new hard-headed, data driven, and agile approach to trade policy is guided by our pragmatic patriotism. In this changed and challenging world, we will promote what we can and protect what we must to advance the UK’s national interest.  

    Through our Trade Strategy, we are supporting our businesses to expand and export with a wider range of trade tools that harness our high-growth industries of the future to deliver this government’s Plan for Change.  

    As we target these agreements, we will take every step necessary to safeguard British businesses from the increasingly protectionist mood in much of the world by sharpening our defensive toolkit.

    To complement the Trade Strategy, we have also today published the Global Trade Outlook 2025 which explores the long-term trends that may shape the global economy and international trade in the coming decades.

    Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the BCC, said: 

    The Trade Strategy sets out a clear, evidence-based approach to raising the UK’s export game. It rightly targets our strength in services, and vital high-growth goods sectors while identifying key markets in the Indo-Pacific, Americas and European neighbourhood.

    A focus on sectoral and digital trade deals is also welcome, alongside a commitment to a functioning rules-based global trading system. 

    Place matters in trade. This strategy can generate economic growth in every nation and region of the UK, lowering tariffs and removing trade barriers. Our Chamber Network stands ready to build, invest and deliver on international trade as a partner of government and an engine for economic growth.

    Rain Newton-Smith, CEO, CBI said:

    Businesses are clear that positioning the UK as an outward looking nation is a show of strength in this increasingly fragmented world. Backing free trade is critical to facing the great global challenges and opportunities of our time.

    The UK must be bold and ambitious to be a key player in the global race for growth. Today’s Strategy offers a dynamic vision which will help the UK to position itself as one of the world’s leading locations for investment and trade. Leaning into that openness, our international commitments, and partnerships with like-minded allies will be integral to our success.

    We now need government and business to work together to turn this ambition into action and ensure that the UK seizes on the opportunities available within the global economy.

    Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK:  

    I welcome today’s announcement of the Trade Strategy. It provides a vital blueprint to ensure the UK’s continued role as a great trading nation and leading services exporter, with a focus on the sectors that will drive growth in the decades to come.  

    It also rightly recognises the challenges many exporters face at a time of heightened global uncertainty. This is a necessary first step in giving businesses the tools they need to thrive on the world stage. HSBC looks forward to supporting businesses to take advantage of the strategy and unlock the full benefits of international trade.

    Jon Holt, Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner, KPMG, said:    

    Our professional and business services industry is an international success story with our expertise in demand around the world. As a high-growth sector, we have long called for a Trade Strategy that enables UK businesses to take advantage of new global opportunities and expand into emerging markets.  

    Today we have a clear plan. From removing barriers to overseas markets, to making it easier for our highly skilled people to travel and work across borders, this approach will strengthen our connectivity, boost inward investment and make sure our sector remains globally competitive.

    The strategy’s success will depend on a strong partnership between business and Government.

    Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation said:

    Industry will welcome the Trade Strategy which, for the first time, aligns hard on the heels of the Industrial Strategy and is a perfect example of joined up thinking across Government which has long been missing.

    In particular, as well as a focus on new markets, it will help optimise market access and signposting for companies, especially SMEs, to take advantage of current trade deals with a new focus on strategic economic partnerships with key trading partners.

    At the same time, as well as helping boost exports, it will strengthen trade defences against the threat of dumping and support UK firms in reporting possible trade discrepancies to the Trade Remedies Authority.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:  

    UK Automotive is a trade powerhouse, generating imports and exports worth £108 billion a year and typically Britain’s biggest exporter of manufactured goods. Free and fair trade is fundamental to our success and recent agreements with India, the US and, particularly, the EU signal that intention.

    Today’s trade strategy, aligned to the industrial strategy announced earlier this week, provides confidence to help our sector navigate the many headwinds we face and sets a foundation for future success.

    Balanced trading relationships that break down tariffs and regulatory barriers to trade will enable automotive companies to grow and get great British products into the hands of consumers all over the world, boosting jobs, business and prosperity at home.

    Heathrow’s Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Nigel Milton, said:   

    We welcome this Trade Strategy, which is set to provide greater support for exporters and champion the importance of free trade.   

    As the UK’s hub airport and largest port by value, we know firsthand how trade can serve as a powerful engine for economic growth.   

    With our unrivalled access to global markets Heathrow is the UK’s gateway to growth and we stand ready to support the Government and exporters from across the country with the rollout of the new strategy.

    Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, said:

    This is an important step forward to a trade agenda with workers’ rights and good jobs at its heart.

    It’s right that the government is focusing on removing barriers to trade with our largest trading partner – the EU – on which thousands of quality jobs depend, and it’s vital that the government continues to show ambition in its trading reset with the bloc.

    Standing up for good jobs in sectors such as steel is essential and hugely welcome, especially with global trade wars leading to countries undercutting British products with cheaper foreign imports.

    The government has set out a path towards a values-based approach to trade, which supports international labour standards and human rights globally. We look forward to seeing the full detail and working with them to deliver this.

    John Pattinson, Founder and Managing Director of Air Covers Ltd, and a DBT Export Champion, said:   

    The UK Government plays a vital role in enabling and accelerating the journey to export – a critical driver of economic growth. At Air Covers, we have benefited greatly from our close partnership with DBT Wales.  

    The support we’ve received from DBT Wales, as well as from UK embassies and High Commissions around the world, has been instrumental to our expansion and success in international markets.  

    We believe that the UK Government’s Trade Strategy will open new opportunities for growth, both in established regions and emerging markets. For UK exporters, free trade agreements and the simplification of cross-border regulations are essential to unlocking global potential and maintaining a competitive edge.

    Julian David, CEO of techUK, said:

    TechUK welcomes the launch of this trade strategy as a landmark moment. For the first time, we have a coherent, long-term plan that reflects the realities of current geopolitics and the UK’s unique strengths – particularly in services and high-growth, innovation-driven sectors like ours.

    It’s especially encouraging to see government pulling together the full suite of tools at its disposal – from digital trade agreements to commercial diplomacy and meaningful trade defence instruments. We look forward to working closely with government to turn this vision into impact and ensure the UK remains a leader in the global digital economy.

    Marco Forgione, Director General of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said:

    Today’s new Trade Strategy is a welcome step forward that reflects many of the priorities we’ve been championing on behalf of our members, especially SMEs, who need targeted, accessible support to grow internationally.

    From the Small Exports Builder to enhanced UK Export Finance, these are practical tools designed to reduce friction and unlock potential for thousands of firms across the UK.

    We’ve worked closely with government to feed in the real-world experiences of our members, and it’s encouraging to see those insights reflected in today’s announcement.

    Launched alongside the Industrial Strategy, this sets a more joined-up direction for trade and growth. Now the focus must be on delivery, and we stand ready to help make it happen.

    Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

    Small firms know exporting is good for growth, so it’s good to see a clear strategy on trade. We welcome the government’s commitment to creating better digital tools, less red tape and putting stronger focus on practical support beyond just trade deals. 

    We also need to see more money and new funding programmes for SMEs wanting to trade internationally, as well as more bespoke support for the smallest firms, who do not qualify for one-to-one help.

    Small firms have been bogged down by unnecessary rules and costs for far too long, and today’s strategy is the first step to creating a better environment for exporters and importers.

    Notes to editor 

    • Department for Business and Trade (DBT) analysis of UNCTAD (2025) Global import data 2013-2023, mapped to industry sectors using sector definitions from DBT (2023) Global trade outlook.  

    • The GTO will be published at 0001 Thursday 26 June here 

    • The Trade Strategy will be published 0915 Thursday 26 June here 

    • More information on the UK Steel Trade Measures Call for Evidence will be issued separately, embargoed until 22.30 Thursday 25 June.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Scotland: Amnesty ‘deeply concerned’ about transparency and accountability of Scottish Enterprise review

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Amnesty International has today expressed its deep concern around the transparency and accountability of the review into Scottish Enterprise’s human rights checks, after the Scottish Government announced that the review had been completed.

    The review, undertaken in-house by Scottish Enterprise, came after sustained pressure from Amnesty International and others after it was revealed that — despite Scottish Enterprise awarding grants worth millions of pounds to arms companies linked to states like Israel and Saudi Arabia — no company had ever failed one of its human rights checks. 

    Issuing an update today, the Scottish Government said that the review — which took place behind-closed-doors — was complete and that Scottish Enterprise was putting in place some changes to its processes. But with the update light on detail and being published only a day before MSPs break up for summer recess, Amnesty have criticised the lack of transparency around the process, as well as the inability of MSPs to now scrutinise the review’s conclusions. 

    Responding today, Neil Cowan (Scotland Director at Amnesty International) said:

    “The update released by the Scottish Government was not only light on detail, but it was published the day before the Scottish Parliament enters a two-month recess in the knowledge that MSPs will have no opportunity to scrutinise it. 

    Amnesty has been deeply concerned from the outset about the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding this review. And the manner in which the review has finally concluded makes clear we were right to be concerned. 

    The Scottish public must be assured that this review has not simply swept the issues under the carpet. Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government need to urgently publish their findings and recommendations in full.”

    View latest press releases

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plaid’s direct child payment best way to tackle child poverty – experts

    Source: Party of Wales

    A direct child payment is the most powerful and effective intervention to reduce poverty a leading report has found.

    A recent report by Policy in Practice has identified that the most powerful and effective intervention designed to reduce poverty is a direct child payment.

    Today (Tuesday, June 24th), Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader, challenged the Labour First Minister, Eluned Morgan, on her refusal to implement such a policy.

    Plaid Cymru has called on the Labour Government in Wales to implement a Child Payment immediately to “reach nearly one-third of households that are in poverty”, and “reduce child poverty by nearly a quarter”.

    Plaid Cymru announced their intention to create a direct child payment, Cynnal, in their Spring Conference in March of 2025. The policy took inspiration from the Scottish Child Payment, which has aided Scotland in becoming the only nation where child poverty is projected to fall.

    By 2029, child poverty is set to rise to 34.4% in Wales, which would be the highest rate of all UK nations.

    The Plaid Cymru leader judged the Labour First Minister for her inaction on this ‘national stain’,  accusing her of ‘continued objection’ towards the policy, which has been backed by experts in the sector.

    The Plaid Cymru leader also challenged the First Minister over the Labour UK Government’s proposed changes to welfare, changes which see the Government in Westminster facing a rebellion from the Labour backbenchers. Mr ap Iorwerth asked the Welsh Labour leader she would urge her Welsh Labour MP colleagues to vote on the changes, with only 3/27 Welsh Labour MPs having declared their objection.

    Rhun ap Iorwerth MS went on to state that only a Plaid Cymru Government has ‘real ambition’ to tackle child poverty, that will provide a ‘brighter future’ for future generations.

    Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, said:

    “The introduction of a Welsh Child Payment has emerged as the most powerful and effective of all interventions designed to reduce child poverty. Such a payment would reach nearly one-third of households that are in poverty, particularly benefiting larger families and households with young children.

    “The policy has proved transformational in Scotland with it set to be the only nation, based on current trends, that will succeed in reducing child poverty by 2029. In stark contrast, child poverty in Wales is set to rise to a scandalous 34.4% in the same timeframe – the highest in the UK. So, with such unequivocal evidence, what is the First Minister waiting for?

    “The answer to that question is clear – tackling poverty is not a priority for Labour. While Labour keep the cruel two child cap, and push more people into poverty through cuts to disability benefits, Plaid Cymru are pledging to take positive action on reducing poverty – showing that we are the only Party willing to tackle this national stain.

    “This is made even clearer by the list of Labour MPs ready to vote against Labour’s cruel cuts to disability welfare, because despite Wales being hit disproportionately by the cuts, it appears that only a handful of Labour MPs from Wales are on the list of rebelling Labour MPs.

    “Plaid Cymru know that this is not as good as it gets for Wales, we know that 1/3 of our children should not be living in poverty, that poverty is not inevitable in our communities. That is why we are the only party willing to tackle this issue head on.

    “A vote for Plaid Cymru in 2026 is a vote for a party with real ambition and credible plans to tackle child poverty, backed by the experts, for a brighter future for our future generations.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Alasdair Gray: unseen artworks offer insight into a profoundly creative and original artist

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Blane Savage, Lecturer in MA Creative Media Practice and BA(Hons) Graphic Art & Moving Image, University of the West of Scotland

    Artist, writer, playwright, illustrator – and the man who made the Oscar-winning film Poor Things possible – Alasdair Gray was one of Scotland’s great creative polymaths and eccentrics, now celebrated every year on “Gray Day” (February 25). A new exhibition at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow has opened to reveal a selection of nine previously unseen artworks from The Morag McAlpine Bequest.

    This is the first time works have been on display from the bequest gifted by him to Glasgow Life Museums following the death of his wife in 2014, which comprises artworks he created for her on anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas.

    A small show like this cannot fully do justice to the vibrancy and volume of Gray’s output, but these nine pieces give a broad flavour of the artist’s working style and idiosyncratic idea development.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Gray was a graduate of Glasgow School of Art where he specialised in murals and stained glass. In addition to being a talented artist and writer, he was also a professor of creative writing at Glasgow University.

    His landmark novel Lanark: A Life in Four Books (1981), a story within a story of adolescence, with the mythical Unthank standing in for Glasgow, has been praised as a modern classic.

    His influence on the Scottish art and literary scene was a powerful one. Regarded as the father figure of the Scottish Renaissance in art and literature, Gray’s postmodern work was a merging of realism, fantasy and science fiction, interwoven with his socialist political views. This was supported by his own book illustrations and typography. He inspired many young Scottish writers, including Irvine Welsh and Iain Banks.

    Gray was also a strong Scottish nationalist. Inspired by a poem by Dennis Lee, Gray’s epigram, “Work as if you live in the early days of a better nation” was inscribed on the wall of the new Scottish Parliament building when it opened in 2004.

    His creative works are deeply embedded in the psyche of the west end of Glasgow. Several of his murals are on display there, such as the one at the top of the escalators in Hillhead subway station, the surreal collages in The Ubiquitous Chip restaurant and the extraordinary night-sky ceiling fresco in Òran Mór, a church-turned-bar. These murals are a hybrid of styles, often black and white linear illustrations filled with colour, traditional painting and printmaking techniques.

    These “new” artworks on display show different aspects, stages and details of Gray’s creative practice when designing artwork for print, such as the Tippex-infused works that allowed him to merge disparate elements of his cut-out collages.

    The highlights of the show include the original artwork for his novel Poor Things, a subversive post-modern rewrite of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, set in and around Glasgow, and adapted by filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos in 2023.



    Read more:
    Poor Things: meet the radical Scottish visionary behind the new hit film

    The illustration features the anti-hero Godwin Baxter hugging two smaller figures – the reanimated Bella Baxter and Archibald McCandless MD, the primary narrator of the novel. They are surrounded by anatomical illustrations of body parts and in the centre a woman’s head has been cut open revealing her brain. Gray’s illustrative style utilises bold ink outlines, watercolour washes and solid blocks of colour.

    The front cover illustration of Agnes Owen’s A Working Mother (1994) with black line work and solid acrylic colour washes, reflects Gray’s interest in everyday life and how alcohol smooths over the cracks. Hung beside it are two versions of working class figurative character sketches for People Like That (1996), in a similar style.

    A black and white illustrated jacket design for Old Negatives (1989), Gray’s four-verse sequence describing aspects of love in its “absences and reverses”, has been designed using solid blocks of black with repeating motifs engraved within them.

    Also included is a self-portrait of Gray as playwright, together with a series of 12 small black-and-white portraits of the performers of his play in Working Legs: A Play for Those Without Them (1997) performed by the Bird of Paradise Theatre Company. Set in a world of wheelchair users, those who can walk are monitored by the welfare state.

    Gray was known for illustrating friends and family as revealed in his artwork Simon Berry and Bill MacLellan, Glasgow Publishers, Jim Taylor, Australian Writer and Printer, Shelley Killen, USA artist, where are all the figures of the title are roughly drawn with pencil and ink. The solid blue background is painted in acrylic, overlaid with Gray’s inked observations of each.

    On the ground floor is what Gray called “my best big oil painting”, of a Cowcaddens streetscape in the 1950s which is by far the strongest piece on display here. Gray takes a wide-angled, almost fish-eye lens perspective to capture a famous Glasgow neighbourhood that was partially demolished and modernised in postwar development.

    St Aloysius Church in Garnethill and Speir’s Wharf at Port Dundas can still be clearly seen, connecting us to the Glasgow of the present day. Gray’s narrative-driven imagery of daily life plays out, with local characters, playing children and besuited pals going out for the evening, all framed by street lamps and tenements immersed in a dark foreboding industrialised landscape.

    Gray’s illustrations and artworks resonate not only with a celebration of Glasgow’s places, characters and life, they also give us insights into the intensely personal psyche of a creative genius. It’s a shame that more of this particular bequest could not have been displayed, but an opportunity to see these previously unseen works is most welcome.

    Alasdair Gray: Works from the Morag McAlpine Bequest will be on show at the Fragile Gallery, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow until June 2026

    This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something, The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

    Blane Savage 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. Alasdair Gray: unseen artworks offer insight into a profoundly creative and original artist – https://theconversation.com/alasdair-gray-unseen-artworks-offer-insight-into-a-profoundly-creative-and-original-artist-259470

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to observational study linking nitrate in drinking water to pre-term birth rates

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A observational study published in PLOS Water looks at the link between nitrate in drinking water and premature births.

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “The headline on this research may sound scary; however, to my mind, there are several issues with this paper. 

    “Firstly, the data are from 1970-1988 and so are not current. Secondly, the author did not perform any measurements themselves but instead used public health data and water quality data. The water quality data was self-reported and so may not be accurate, and it only comes from one place in the USA, so it does not reflect conditions elsewhere. 

    “This data was used to show a very weak possible association between estimated early prenatal nitrate exposure and birth outcomes. An association between two factors does not mean one causes the other. The apparent relationship can be due to a range of different factors that have nothing to do with the two variables being considered. I am inclined to think that this is the case here because there is a large overlap in the data and because the effect disappears above 10 mg/L, which does not make sense from a toxicological point of view. Other factors that may affect health, such as the mother’s health or diet, were not available, so could not be taken into account. This is quite important in this case since at concentrations of less than 10 mg/L, the main source of nitrate is actually food, not water. It is thus possible that the results reflect diet, not nitrate.

    “Arguing that a policy change is needed on a very well-studied compound based on a single paper that at best only found a weak statistical association from 40-year old data from one part of the USA and which shows no increased risk at the higher exposure concentrations, is, in my view, possibly a little overzealous.” 

    ‘Early prenatal nitrate exposure and birth outcomes: A study of Iowa’s public drinking water (1970-1988) by Semprini was published in PLOS Water at 19:00 UK time on Wednesday 25th June. 

    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pwat.0000329

    Declared Interests

    Prof Oliver Jones “I am a Professor of Chemistry at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. I have no direct conflicts of interest to declare; however, I have received research funding from the Water Industry and EPA Victoria for research on environmental pollution in the past.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK partners with Gavi to help save up to eight million lives by 2030

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    UK partners with Gavi to help save up to eight million lives by 2030

    New UK support will see millions of children vaccinated against some of the world’s deadliest diseases, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced today at Gavi’s global summit in Brussels.

    • The UK will support Gavi as a leading investor in the Vaccine Alliance, committing £1.25 billion to vaccinate millions of children between 2026-2030.
    • The commitment will help Gavi protect up to 500 million children from some of the world’s deadliest diseases like meningitis, cholera and measles.
    • Gavi’s global vaccination work prevents the spread of dangerous infectious diseases while boosting investment and jobs in UK science as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

    New UK support will see millions of children vaccinated against some of the world’s deadliest diseases, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced today at Gavi’s global summit in Brussels.

    The UK’s new £1.25 billion pledge to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, extends a close 25-year partnership which has helped to vaccinate over one billion children globally against diseases like meningitis, to prevent more than 18 million lives being lost, and to improve countries economic prospects. Since 2000, when the UK was a founding member, Gavi has generated $250 billion in economic benefits through reduced death and disability. Gavi now receives investment from 56 countries and over 60 organisations. 19 countries have graduated from Gavi support, including India and Indonesia who have now become donors to Gavi.

    Today’s pledge will help Gavi in their mission to protect up to 500 million children between 2026-2030 and save up to eight million more lives.

    It will also have a positive impact at home, creating British jobs and growth, through partnerships with health companies like GSK, which employs about 14,000 people in the UK, as the government delivers on its Plan for Change to boost economic growth.

    Gavi helps strengthen the UK’s health security by preventing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases before they reach our borders. This reduces pressures on our hospitals and health workers, enabling an NHS fit for the future.

    UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    Gavi’s global impact is undeniable. Over 1 billion children vaccinated, over 18 million lives saved, over $250 billion injected into the global economy.

    I’m immensely proud of the role the UK has played in reaching these milestones. Our ongoing partnership with Gavi will give millions of children a better start, save lives and protect us all from the spread of deadly diseases.

    GSK is a leading supplier to Gavi, providing vaccines for diseases like malaria and human papillomavirus (HPV). Their partnership supports UK research, science and innovation.

    Earlier this week, Minister for Development Baroness Chapman visited GSK’s research campus in Stevenage, alongside the Gavi CEO, Dr Sania Nishtar and and GSK’s President of Global Health, Deborah Waterhouse. Together they discussed some of the world-leading research being conducted by British scientists, including on new malaria and TB vaccines.

    UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman said:

    Our modern approach to development means focussing on where we can have the biggest impact, and on areas the UK can lead. We must ensure every pound delivers for the UK taxpayer and the people we support.

    Our partnership with Gavi does just that. It will save the lives of millions of children around the world, to grow up safe from deadly diseases like cholera and measles. And it will make the world and the UK healthier and safer, helping prevent future pandemics.

    It is partnership based on the UK’s world-leading expertise, not just money. By rolling out vaccines developed by British scientists, Gavi puts our best brains and their innovations on the world stage, and supports UK jobs and growth.

    CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Dr Sania Nishtar said:

    The United Kingdom is one of Gavi’s longest and most committed partners. This pledge for our next strategic period reaffirms its status as a leader in global health and I am delighted that we will be able to count on its support in our next strategic period, working together and leveraging some of the best in British science and innovation as we save lives and fight outbreaks around the world.

    President Global Health at GSK, Deborah Waterhouse said:

    The UK’s world-class infectious disease research continues to inform our work at GSK and combined with our scientific expertise, is enabling GSK to advance malaria prevention and control, directly impacting global health agendas and access strategies.

    As a longstanding partner of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance – an organisation that plays a vital role in delivering vaccines to children in lower-income countries – we welcome the UK Government’s new pledge to Gavi, to help save up to eight million lives by 2030 and get ahead of disease together.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston arrest leads to federal charges for Salvadoran alien illegally residing in Massachusetts after deportation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    BOSTON — An ICE Boston operation led to federal charges for an illegally present 32-year-old Salvadoran alien who was unlawfully residing in Lynn after having been previously deported. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts indicted Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez June 9 on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

    Officers with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston arrested Gutierrez-Mendez during a targeted operation May 8.

    “Jose Leonardo Gutierrez-Mendez blatantly disregarded U.S. immigration laws and illegally took up residence in Lynn after a previous deportation,” said ICE Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “We will not stand idly by and allow illegal aliens to repeatedly break our laws. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing alien offenders from our New England communities.”

    ICE removed Gutierrez-Mendez from the United States to El Salvador in August 2014. At some point after his deportation, Gutierrez-Mendez unlawfully reentered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, and without having been inspected, admitted or paroled by a U.S. immigration official.

    Gutierrez-Mendez apparently resided in Lynn until officers with ICE Boston arrested him.

    If convicted, Gutierrez-Mendez faces a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Furthermore, he is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.

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

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP Losing Momentum? PFMCrypto Launches Regulated XRP Mining Contracts, Attracting Hundreds of Thousands of XRP Holders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Farington, England, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With XRP trading sideways in a prolonged consolidation range, a growing number of holders are seeking new ways to generate profit. In this context, PFMCrypto has emerged as a top choice thanks to its innovative cloud mining platform, offering passive income with high daily payouts—without the need for hardware or technical expertise.

    According to official data, users mining XRP through PFMCrypto earn between $100 and $1,800 per day.These performance figures are not forecasts—they reflect real-world results from millions of users. This is made possible by PFMCrypto’s AI-powered profit optimization and results-focused mining model.. For many XRP holders, this opportunity has become a financial safe haven amid uncertain price action.

    Click here to visit the official site: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    What Is PFMCrypto XRP Cloud Mining?

    PFMCrypto Cloud Mining is a remote digital asset mining platform that allows users to rent eco-friendly, high-performance mining infrastructure and earn cryptocurrency rewards. The platform supports a wide range of assets—including XRP, DOGE, BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC, and SOL—removing both the technical and financial barriers of traditional mining.

    With a 100% remote setup, users don’t need to buy expensive equipment or understand blockchain mechanics. Simply register, select a plan, and start earning daily rewards.

    Key Benefits of PFMCrypto XRP Mining Contracts:

    –  Daily High-Yield Income: Advanced contracts deliver between $600 and $1,800 in daily returns

    –  Principal Protection: Full capital is returned at contract maturity

    –  Multi-Crypto Support: In addition to XRP, users can also mine DOGE, BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC, SOL, etc.

    –  AI-Driven Optimization: The platform uses AI to dynamically adjust mining efficiency based on market conditions

    Flexible XRP Mining Plans for All Investors

    PFMCrypto offers more than 10 different contract options, allowing users to choose a plan that fits their goals and budget:

    $10 Mining Plan – 1-Day Term – Earn $0.60

    $100 Mining Plan – 2-Day Term – Earn $3.00 per day

    $1,000 Mining Plan – 9-Day Term – Earn $13.10 per day

    $5,000 Mining Plan – 30-Day Term – Earn $78.50 per day

    These flexible and innovative plans help long-term XRP holders generate stable income—even in sideways or corrective market conditions.

    Click here to explore more mining contracts.

    “XRP may not see a breakout in the short term, but that doesn’t mean investors have to sit idle,” said a PFMCrypto marketing executive. “Our platform allows XRP holders to continue earning daily income while maintaining their XRP exposure.”

    What Makes These XRP Mining Contracts Stand Out?

    –  100% Remote Access: No hardware or technical skills required—just log in and activate your plan

    –  Capital Safety: Full principal is returned at contract maturity

    –  AI-Powered Returns: Smart optimization ensures profitability even during price stagnation

    –  Predictable Daily Rewards: Improve cash flow and reduce volatility risks with fixed XRP payouts

    New users receive a $10 sign-up bonus and daily login rewards to boost earnings right from the start.

    Click here to become a new user of PFMCrypto.

    How to Start XRP Mining with PFMCrypto:

    1. Register: Create your account and get a $10 welcome bonus plus $0.66 in daily login rewards
    2. Choose a Contract: Use your bonus to activate a plan or select a different option to match your strategy
    3. Start Mining: Once your contract is live, PFMCrypto handles the rest. Rewards are automatically credited to your account

    About PFMCrypto

    Founded in 2018, PFMCrypto is committed to reshaping the traditional crypto mining landscape. For years, mining was reserved for tech-savvy users with custom rigs and access to cheap power. PFMCrypto has made mining accessible to everyday users—allowing them to earn BTC, XRP, and more without any prior experience or large upfront investment.

    For casual investors and crypto veterans alike, PFMCrypto provides a secure and legitimate way to increase crypto holdings and generate steady returns—even in turbulent market conditions.

    Explore the future of XRP mining today at: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP Losing Momentum? PFMCrypto Launches Regulated XRP Mining Contracts, Attracting Hundreds of Thousands of XRP Holders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Farington, England, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With XRP trading sideways in a prolonged consolidation range, a growing number of holders are seeking new ways to generate profit. In this context, PFMCrypto has emerged as a top choice thanks to its innovative cloud mining platform, offering passive income with high daily payouts—without the need for hardware or technical expertise.

    According to official data, users mining XRP through PFMCrypto earn between $100 and $1,800 per day.These performance figures are not forecasts—they reflect real-world results from millions of users. This is made possible by PFMCrypto’s AI-powered profit optimization and results-focused mining model.. For many XRP holders, this opportunity has become a financial safe haven amid uncertain price action.

    Click here to visit the official site: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    What Is PFMCrypto XRP Cloud Mining?

    PFMCrypto Cloud Mining is a remote digital asset mining platform that allows users to rent eco-friendly, high-performance mining infrastructure and earn cryptocurrency rewards. The platform supports a wide range of assets—including XRP, DOGE, BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC, and SOL—removing both the technical and financial barriers of traditional mining.

    With a 100% remote setup, users don’t need to buy expensive equipment or understand blockchain mechanics. Simply register, select a plan, and start earning daily rewards.

    Key Benefits of PFMCrypto XRP Mining Contracts:

    –  Daily High-Yield Income: Advanced contracts deliver between $600 and $1,800 in daily returns

    –  Principal Protection: Full capital is returned at contract maturity

    –  Multi-Crypto Support: In addition to XRP, users can also mine DOGE, BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC, SOL, etc.

    –  AI-Driven Optimization: The platform uses AI to dynamically adjust mining efficiency based on market conditions

    Flexible XRP Mining Plans for All Investors

    PFMCrypto offers more than 10 different contract options, allowing users to choose a plan that fits their goals and budget:

    $10 Mining Plan – 1-Day Term – Earn $0.60

    $100 Mining Plan – 2-Day Term – Earn $3.00 per day

    $1,000 Mining Plan – 9-Day Term – Earn $13.10 per day

    $5,000 Mining Plan – 30-Day Term – Earn $78.50 per day

    These flexible and innovative plans help long-term XRP holders generate stable income—even in sideways or corrective market conditions.

    Click here to explore more mining contracts.

    “XRP may not see a breakout in the short term, but that doesn’t mean investors have to sit idle,” said a PFMCrypto marketing executive. “Our platform allows XRP holders to continue earning daily income while maintaining their XRP exposure.”

    What Makes These XRP Mining Contracts Stand Out?

    –  100% Remote Access: No hardware or technical skills required—just log in and activate your plan

    –  Capital Safety: Full principal is returned at contract maturity

    –  AI-Powered Returns: Smart optimization ensures profitability even during price stagnation

    –  Predictable Daily Rewards: Improve cash flow and reduce volatility risks with fixed XRP payouts

    New users receive a $10 sign-up bonus and daily login rewards to boost earnings right from the start.

    Click here to become a new user of PFMCrypto.

    How to Start XRP Mining with PFMCrypto:

    1. Register: Create your account and get a $10 welcome bonus plus $0.66 in daily login rewards
    2. Choose a Contract: Use your bonus to activate a plan or select a different option to match your strategy
    3. Start Mining: Once your contract is live, PFMCrypto handles the rest. Rewards are automatically credited to your account

    About PFMCrypto

    Founded in 2018, PFMCrypto is committed to reshaping the traditional crypto mining landscape. For years, mining was reserved for tech-savvy users with custom rigs and access to cheap power. PFMCrypto has made mining accessible to everyday users—allowing them to earn BTC, XRP, and more without any prior experience or large upfront investment.

    For casual investors and crypto veterans alike, PFMCrypto provides a secure and legitimate way to increase crypto holdings and generate steady returns—even in turbulent market conditions.

    Explore the future of XRP mining today at: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: England’s free school meals rollout risks losing sight of which children need help most

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michaela James, Research Officer at Medical School, Swansea University

    New Africa/Shutterstock

    The UK government has announced an expansion of free school meals in England. Starting from September 2026, all children in households receiving universal credit will qualify, removing the previous income cap of £7,400 per year.

    This change is expected to benefit more than 500,000 children and lift around 100,000 out of poverty, providing a broader safety net for families.

    While this is a positive development, there are unintended consequences, particularly for researchers like us and policymakers who rely on free school meal eligibility as a measure of child poverty.

    Under the new rules, eligibility will no longer distinguish between the most disadvantaged children, those in low-income households, or those who receive disability-related benefits. That makes it harder to identify which children are most vulnerable and to target support effectively.

    Free school meal eligibility has long been a reliable indicator of poverty for schools and researchers. Without it, it becomes difficult to evaluate the effects of policies aimed at helping the most disadvantaged children.

    Wales has already introduced universal free school meals for all primary school children since 2023. Our team is currently researching the effects of free school meals in Wales. We are expecting to publish these findings later this year.

    shutterstock.
    Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

    The dilemma

    If there is no indicator of poverty, it is hard to evaluate which interventions or policies are working to help lift children out of it. This is particularly important when it comes to areas like nutrition.

    For example, concerns about food quality, choices and portion sizes matter far more when a child is experiencing food insecurity at home. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the likelihood that a child will have access to a nutritious meal outside of school, and if free school meals help to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition for the most vulnerable.

    The eligibility for free school meals was an indicator of a family living in poverty. This was available to people working in and studying education. It was possible to see how well interventions work to address educational needs, especially for those in low-income households.

    The eligibility for universal credit is not available in school data, so it cannot be used to inform how well educational interventions are working to reduce inequality.

    Without free school meal eligibility as a poverty marker, schools and researchers must rely on other sources. These are often less straightforward.



    Read more:
    More free school meals is a start – here’s what would really address child poverty

    Finding other sources of information about poverty means that people working in education and child health need to work with data experts. This needs teams of people, more time, expertise, approvals and governance agreements to access and combine data to do research on education and child health. This makes the prospect far more complicated.

    A local-area deprivation index can indicate if a child lives in a poorer neighbourhood but can’t confirm individual family poverty. Census data can be linked to educational records. But the census is only updated every ten years, which makes it less accurate for current needs.

    Asking parents directly about income or hardship is possible, but risks stigma and can be resource intensive.

    To improve health and education outcomes for children in poverty, free school meals remain vital. But as eligibility rules change, so must our data systems.

    A new way of identifying poverty, one that can be integrated into school records, is needed. Without it, policymakers and researchers risk losing sight of who truly needs help and whether current efforts are working.

    Michaela James receives funding from ADR Wales and UKRI.

    Amy Locke receives funding from a Swansea University Studentship.

    Sinead Brophy receives funding from UKRI, NIHR, European Union

    – ref. England’s free school meals rollout risks losing sight of which children need help most – https://theconversation.com/englands-free-school-meals-rollout-risks-losing-sight-of-which-children-need-help-most-258614

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DfE Update: 25 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    DfE Update: 25 June 2025

    Latest information and actions from the Department for Education about funding, assurance and resource management, for academies, local authorities and further education providers.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    DfE Update further education: 25 June 2025

    HTML

    DfE Update academies: 25 June 2025

    HTML

    DfE Update local authorities: 25 June 2025

    HTML

    Details

    Latest for further education

    Article Title
    Information Publication of the College Financial Handbook 2025
    Information Qualification achievement rates (QAR) 2024 to 2025 guidance published
    Information Free Courses for Jobs construction expansion
    Information Individualised Learner Record returns
    Information 16 to 19 funding update
    Information Financial assurance: monitoring post-16 funding for 2025 to 2026 guidance
    Your feedback Tell us about your experience of our funding service

    Latest information for academies

    Article Title
    Information Publication of the College Financial Handbook 2025
    Information Publication of new guidance: Financial Support and Oversight for Academy Trusts
    Information Pupil premium allocations for 2025 to 2026 financial year – confirmed allocations
    Information Universal infant free school meals conditions of grant for 2025 to 2026
    Information Good practice guide: managing conflicts of interests, related party relationships and related party transactions
    Information Individualised Learner Record returns
    Information 16 to 19 funding update
    Your feedback Tell us about your experience of our funding service
    Your feedback Complete the 2025 Survey of School Business Professionals
    Events and webinars Complete the 2025 Survey of School Business Professionals
    Events and webinars Academies technical update 2025 to 2026
    Events and webinars Academies technical update 2025 to 2026
    Events and webinars Academies technical update 2025 to 2026
    Events and webinars Get help buying for schools
    Events and webinars Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school or trust
    Events and webinars RPA members only: Crime resilience workshop

    Latest information for local authorities

    Article Title
    Information Pupil premium allocations for 2025 to 2026 financial year – confirmed allocations
    Information Universal infant free school meals conditions of grant for 2025 to 2026
    Information Free Courses for Jobs construction expansion
    Information Individualised Learner Record returns
    Information 16 to 19 funding update
    Information Financial assurance: monitoring post-16 funding for 2025 to 2026 guidance
    Your feedback Tell us about your experience of our funding service
    Your feedback Complete the 2025 Survey of School Business Professionals
    Events and webinars Get help buying for schools
    Events and webinars Hiring supply teachers and agency workers for your school or trust
    Events and webinars RPA members only: Crime resilience workshop

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NHS App overhaul will break down barriers to healthcare and reduce inequalities

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    NHS App overhaul will break down barriers to healthcare and reduce inequalities

    The NHS App will be transformed so it gives every patient information, choice and control of their own healthcare.

    • Upgraded NHS App will help tackle nation’s health inequalities and give patients access to the best care
    • New tool will give everyone choice based on patient satisfaction, waiting times and healthcare outcomes
    • Healthcare democratised through new tool, with information about conditions and procedures at the touch of a button

    The NHS App will be transformed so it gives every patient – whatever their postcode or background – information, choice, and control of their own healthcare so they have the best information at their fingertips, as the government’s 10 Year Health Plan closes the stark health inequalities faced by millions of people.

    Under the current system, wealthier patients often have more information about the country’s hospitals and access to better care. The improved NHS App will democratise care, so everyone, including those from working class communities, has the information they need about their conditions or procedures they’re due to go through.

    Using AI, the new My Companion tool will give patients direct access to trusted health information, so there are always 2 experts in every consulting room – the clinician and the patient. It will help patients articulate their health needs and preferences confidently – providing information about a health condition if they have one, or a procedure if they need one. It will support patients to ask questions, including any they may have forgotten about or felt too embarrassed to raise at an in-person appointment.

    A new feature called My Choices will help people find everything from their nearest pharmacy, to the best rated providers for heart, hip or knee surgery – all on the app. It will provide a range of data on providers across the country – such as which delivers the shortest waits, has the best patient outcomes, the best patient satisfaction scores, or is simply closest to home – so anyone, anywhere, can pick care based on their own preferences. People who just want to be sent to their local provider will be as a default.

    This will end the ‘one size fits all’ approach, which often misses the distinct needs of different people, including women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds or people who live in more rural communities, among many others.

    It comes as the Health Secretary today unveiled a radical package of measures under the 10 Year Health Plan to tackle health inequalities, freeing up billions of pounds to move critical resources like medicines and equipment to the communities that most need them, alongside changes to the way GP funding is distributed to help working class communities and coastal areas.

    Speaking in Blackpool today, Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

    The NHS feels increasingly slow and outdated to the generation that organises their lives at the touch of a button. If you get annoyed at Deliveroo not getting your dinner to you in less than an hour, how will you feel being told to wait a year for a knee operation? A failure to modernise risks this generation walking away from the NHS, first for their healthcare, and then with their taxes.

    People won’t accept paying higher and higher taxes to fund a health service that no longer meets their needs. And the lack of control people feel over their own lives is made worse by an analogue, ‘computer says no’, NHS. We can only close this inequality and shut down this risk to the NHS’s future, through a revolution in patient power.

    The ambition of our 10 Year Health Plan is nothing less than to provide NHS patients with the same ease and convenience that’s afforded to private patients. The good news is that technology gives us the opportunity to democratise healthcare in a way never before possible. It can empower patients with choice and control and make managing our healthcare as convenient as doing our shopping or banking online.

    Technology can be the great leveller. Look at what Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, has done for personal finances. For ordinary people – who could never afford their own financial adviser – it is simple and easy to make your hard-earned money go further. Our 10 year plan for health will do the same for NHS patients – giving them easy access to information, to help them improve their health.

    Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS National Director of Transformation, said:

    The shift from analogue to digital set out in the 10 Year Health Plan will transform the services we offer through the NHS App, making it the single most important tool patients use to get health information and control their care.

    These exciting reforms will be invaluable in combating health disparities and providing world-leading access to those who have not previously been able to get care on their own terms – by providing transparent data about services or supporting carers to manage the care of loved ones. We will co-design these with patients and carers to ensure that the app can be accessed by everyone.

    All this and more will be available from your pocket, making controlling your own healthcare as easy as placing an online shopping order.

    The government has already exceeded its target to increase the number of hospitals allowing patients to view appointment information on the NHS App up to 85% by the end of March 2025. This has now reached 87%, up from 68% in July 2024. It means millions of patients are already starting to benefit from greater choice and flexibility in the way they access healthcare.

    Since July 2024, these features have saved almost 5.7 million hours of staff time, including 1.26 million clinical hours across health settings – together with the 1.5 million missed appointments avoided, the shift to the NHS App has helped save the equivalent of £622 million.

    The Health and Social Care Secretary also announced today that people from traditionally working-class communities, unpaid carers and over 50s will be among those supported onto the NHS career ladder, as the government’s Plan for Change tackles rampant health inequalities and gets Britain working. The government has confirmed a new pilot to recruit an initial 1,000 people from groups or areas worst hit by unemployment.

    Backed by £5 million, the new recruitment scheme will target those who historically face barriers into employment, including young people not in education or training, unpaid carers, care leavers, people with special educational needs and disabilities, people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, ethnic minority groups with no/low level qualifications, refugees, asylum seekers and prison leavers.

    Covering communities across the country, the programme may teach important skills to support a move into the health and care sector, alongside support with job applications and preparing for interviews. Participants will also have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in a local health and care employer.

    Many will then move onto important roles, such as health support workers, facilities management, administrative positions, nursing support roles and pharmacy support roles, kickstarting an exciting, long-term career within health and care.

    Through our Plan for Change, this government is committed to raising living standards, driving growth and productivity, and tackling inequalities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Accelerating AI adoption in the Civil Service

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Accelerating AI adoption in the Civil Service

    The Open Innovation Team is offering new services to help civil servants use AI to solve problems and do their best work

    The Open Innovation Team (OIT) has launched the AI Adoption Accelerator – a practical, people-first programme that helps civil servants turn curiosity about generative AI into safer, faster and higher-quality ways of working. Rooted in our experience of delivering more than 150 policy projects for departments since 2016, the Accelerator combines expert guidance with hands-on coaching so teams can adopt AI responsibly and build lasting capability.

    Why now?

    Civil servants are experimenting with AI, but without structured support many see patchy results, new security risks and concerns about deskilling. By showing officials how to test AI on their real tasks – and how to judge its output critically – we bridge the gap between enthusiasm and reliable delivery.

    What we offer

    Our modular support can be booked individually or as a package:

    • Planning and strategy – senior workshops to set clear guard-rails, align tools with priorities and address obstacles.
    • Hands-on support – facilitated sessions where teams practice prompting on live cases and refine workflows.
    • Resources and tools – practical guides covering effective prompting, stakeholder analysis and safe data handling.
    • AI Pioneers bootcamps – two-day intensive sessions that train internal champions to support colleagues long after we leave.

    Early results

    Discovery workshops with the Department for Education have already boosted confidence and identified tangible use cases for policy and operations. Alice Douglas, Deputy Director for Support and Rewarding Teachers and Leaders, said:

    The workshop was well tailored to our work, with examples that rang true and reflected day to day tasks. We all learnt a huge amount both about the possibilities but also the risks and how to put guard rails around our AI use.

    If you’re interested in exploring how AI could help your team work more effectively, email us at enquiries@openinnovation.gov.uk to arrange a 30 minute chat

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Record 769 arrests and USD 65 million in illicit pharmaceuticals seized in global bust

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    25 June 2025

    Operation reveals growing demand for semaglutides and peptides as ‘lifestyle enhancers’

    SINGAPORE – An INTERPOL-coordinated operation across 90 countries has resulted in the seizure of 50.4 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals worth USD 65 million, highlighting the alarming scale of the global trade in unapproved and counterfeit medicines.

    Operation Pangea XVII, which took place from December 2024 to May 2025, saw the arrest of 769 suspects and the dismantling of 123 criminal groups worldwide.

    The seizures and arrests are the largest in the operation’s 17-year history.

    Nervous system agents, including psychostimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and medications for Parkinson’s disease, topped the list as the most seized product type, with erectile dysfunction medicines, the second highest.

    Other commonly seized product types include anabolic steroids, anti-diabetic medicines, anti-smoking products, dermatological agents, health supplements, herbal products and psychotherapeutic agents.

    David Caunter, Director pro tempore of Organized and Emerging Crime at INTERPOL, said:

    “Fake and unapproved medications are a serious risk to public health. They can include dangerous or illegal ingredients potentially resulting in severe illness, or even death.

    “The rapid growth of online platforms has made it easier for these unsafe drugs to reach people as well as opening new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit.

    “Working together through Operation Pangea, countries are taking action to protect people’s health and keep healthcare systems safe.”

    Ethiopian authorities discovered illicit pharmaceuticals hidden inside a container.

    Seizures of anti-diabetic medication in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

    Customs inspection at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia.

    Inspection at a warehouse in Malaysia.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Türkiye.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Malaysia.

     

    Growing demand for anti-diabetic medications and peptide supplements

    The operation revealed growing demand for anti-diabetic drugs and peptide supplements, driven by increasing self-medication, among other factors.

    This trend is being driven by the widespread promotion and availability of these medicines across social media and online marketplaces, creating lucrative and relatively low-risk opportunities for criminal networks selling low-quality or counterfeit products.

    Data from participating countries indicate increasing circulation of illicit anti-diabetic medicines globally due to their off-label weight loss effects, with unapproved and potentially fake drugs seized in the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America.

    Estimates suggest that a single semaglutide pen may sell for several hundred US dollars on the secondary market.

    The seizures corroborate recent alerts from the World Health Organization and various national health regulatory agencies warning of emerging risks associated with GLP-1-related injectable drugs.

    Operation Pangea XVII revealed another emerging trend – growing demand for peptide supplements for their perceived cosmetic and performance-enhancing benefits, especially in high-income countries across Europe, North America and Oceania.

    These supplements, such as BPC-157, ipamorelin, and melanotan, remain unapproved in many regions due to potential health risks and the lack of sufficient human trials, and until recently, seizures of such peptide-based biologically active substances were rare.

    Ethiopian authorities discovered illicit pharmaceuticals hidden inside a container.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals seized in Argentina.

    Unapproved pregabalin medicines seized in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.

    Suspected counterfeit tramadol and other medicines seized in Gabon.

    Illicit pharmaceuticals found in a clandestine clinic in Mozambique.

    Illicit erectile dysfunction medicines seized in Bulgaria.

    Operational highlights

    In total, law enforcement agencies worldwide launched 1,728 investigations and issued 847 search warrants targeting criminal networks engaged in the illicit distribution of pharmaceutical products.

    93 per cent of the illicit pharmaceuticals seized lacked regulatory approvals from national health authorities.

    Such products may contain counterfeit, substandard or falsified substances which have not been identified.

    The remaining seven per cent were confirmed as either counterfeit, diverted, or misbranded products.

    Australia recorded the largest seizures globally, with psychostimulants such as modafinil and armodafinil being the most common category seized nationally. This was followed by anti-smoking pouches and erectile dysfunction medicines.

    Professor Tony Lawler, Head of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) said:

    “During this operation, the TGA assessed over 9,500 imports referred by the Australian Border Force and facilitated the seizure of over 5.2 million units of unlawfully imported therapeutic goods, including products that were found to be substandard or falsified.

    This operational partnership represents a significant disruption of dangerous medicines from entering our community, and diversion of profits from those that would usually benefit from the illegal sale and supply.”

    Large seizures of various illicit pharmaceuticals were similarly reported in Canada, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, among other countries. 

    Operation Pangea XVII also saw the shutdown of approximately 13,000 criminal-linked websites, social media pages, channels, and bots used to market and sell illegal or falsified medicines.

    Malaysia removed the greatest number of online listings (7,000), followed by Russia, Ireland, Singapore and Iran. The five countries collectively accounted for 96 per cent of all listings taken down.

    In Burkina Faso, 816,000 tablets including analgesics and anti-inflammatories were discovered hidden in vehicles.

    In Mexico, authorities intercepted 27,000 clonazepam tablets and 20,000 alprazolam tablets passing through a courier facility in Tijuana.

    In Portugal, anabolic steroids were discovered in eight prisons across the country, unveiling evidence of a criminal network smuggling illicit substances into correctional facilities.

    Notes to Editor

    Operation Pangea is an annual INTERPOL operation targeting the online sale of illicit pharmaceuticals. The 17th edition of the operation marked a departure from previous iterations with enforcement action taking place over six months instead of the traditional one week. This extended duration allowed for a more comprehensive and sustained effort to disrupt criminal networks.

    Additional support was provided by national health regulatory agencies, Europol, the International Narcotics Control Board, the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Universal Postal Union, the World Customs Organization and the World Health Organization.

    The following countries participated in Operation Pangea XVII: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Curacao, Cyprus, Czech Rep., Democratic Rep. of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Rep., Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rep San Marino, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Sweden, Thailand, Togo, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Area Inclusion Plan: Supporting Derby’s young people to live their best life

    Source: City of Derby

    Inclusion is at the heart of our work at the council, and this week we’ve published our new Local Area Inclusion Plan, setting out clearly how we’re tackling important issues such as health, community, and job opportunities for Derby’s children and young people, particularly for those who with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those in Alternative Provision (AP). 

    Following consultation with over 2,000 Derby stakeholders, including schools, children and young people, parent/carers and families, we’ve set out three core aims, underpinned with objectives and practical plans to make sure that children and young people ages 0-25 are supported to achieve strong outcomes and positive destinations. 

    The three interconnected aims are:

    • Aim 1 – Champion an ambitious and inclusive city
    • Aim 2 – Meet the needs of our children at the right time and place
    • Aim 3 – A strong, collaborative system that helps our children live their best life.

    Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, describes the importance of this collaborative approach to strategy:

    Our children and young people deserve the very best from those who are making decisions on their behalf. Through co-production with these youngsters, this plan sets out how we effectively prepare them for the future and get them closer to the labour market, developing clear pathways with support from businesses.

    This ensures that Derby’s young people feel supported, empowered and included, and that their voice has been heard and acted upon.

    At its core, the Local Area Inclusion Plan promotes inclusion across the community and in mainstream settings, finding ways to support young people earlier and reducing the pressures on specialist services. In consultation with young people, the plan sets out six key outcomes that Derby’s young people have stated are vital to living their best life.

    These are:

    • I have real-life experiences, learning opportunities, good careers advice and guidance, and insight into the world of work
    • I have a plan for my future
    • I am active, independent and take part in my local community
    • I enjoy good physical and mental health and live a healthy lifestyle 
    • I am supported to dream big
    • Those that care for me understand how they can help me and realise my potential.

    Andy Smith CBE, Strategic Director of People Services, explains:

    Every child in Derby deserves to be seen, heard, and supported to thrive. This plan is our commitment—to work together across services so children, young people, and their families get the right help at the right time, for the brightest futures possible.

    Sharon Buckby, Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills, is confident that this plan will lead to better outcomes for Derby’s children and young people. She said:

    Our holistic approach to inclusion means that we are supporting children and young people at the right time, in the right place with a focus on early intervention.

    We do also understand that there is a need for specialist intervention in some cases, and this plan looks to address some of those challenges with long waits for assessment.  We are passionate about supporting every young person to achieve their potential.

    Jo Hunter, Deputy Chief Nurse, highlighted the collaborative nature of the work:

    Collaborative working across the local area, knowledge exchange and an understanding of experiences of the system has really strengthened our approach to inclusion.

    Taking a multi-disciplinary approach to areas of need means our response can be strengths based, insightful and targeted, leading to the effective use of resources and best possible outcomes for young people with physical disabilities and special educational needs.

    The Local Area Inclusion Plan is available to read on our website, in an easily digestible, at-a-glance format.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    The United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on children and armed conflict.

    The UK remains committed to supporting Syrians as they rebuild after years of suffering, with an inclusive transition that reflects a wide range of voices, including those of Syria’s youth. 

    I will make three points today.

    First, the United Kingdom is deeply concerned about the worsening situation for children in conflicts around the world. 

    The Secretary-General’s report highlights a shocking 25% increase in grave violations against children in the past year. 

    We call on all parties to armed conflict to immediately end and prevent grave violations against children. Perpetrators need to be held to account.

    We also echo the Secretary-General’s call for all listed parties to engage with the United Nations to develop and implement action plans to end and prevent grave violations. 

    Second, as we’ve heard today, cases of rape and other forms of sexual violence against children have increased by over a third in the past year. 

    In Sudan, children as young as one are reportedly subject to sexual violence.

    The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns sexual violence against children and has championed the rights of child survivors and rallied global action through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.

    Third, in too many conflicts, children are bearing the brunt of violence.

    The conflict in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is having a catastrophic impact on children, with thousands killed and maimed as a result of Israeli military action. 

    Palestinians, desperate to feed their families, have been killed as they try to reach the few aid sites permitted by Israel. 

    This is unacceptable. 

    We call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law to protect children and urgently lift restrictions to enable aid to enter Gaza at scale. 

    Israeli children have also suffered as a result of Hamas’ despicable crimes, with children killed and taken hostage on 7 October. 

    The UK repeats its call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages.

    And Russia continues to kill and maim children and attack schools and hospitals in its illegal war in Ukraine. 

    We call on Russia to cease this unprovoked war and return forcibly deported children to Ukraine. 

    President, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in its commitment to the Children and Armed Conflict mandate and ending grave violations against children. 

    We need to do more to protect children. They are the next generation of leaders and peacebuilders. They are our future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA seizes 7.7 million doses of illegal medicines and removes hundreds of illegal online listings as part of Operation Pangea

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    MHRA seizes 7.7 million doses of illegal medicines and removes hundreds of illegal online listings as part of Operation Pangea

    Operation Pangea brings together health regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners to tackle the threat posed by global criminal networks

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has seized almost eight million doses of illegal medicines as part of an annual global coordinated operation to tackle the illegal online sale of medicines and medical devices.

    Operation Pangea, coordinated by Interpol and involving around 90 countries, is the world’s largest initiative of its kind. It brings together health regulators, customs authorities, law enforcement agencies, and private sector partners to tackle the threat posed by criminal networks operating in the global supply of illegal medicines.

    This year’s operation took place between December 2024 and May 2025. Working with law enforcement partners, the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) seized 7.7 million doses of illicit medicines with an estimated value of £17.2m. Among the products seized in the UK were various prescription-only medications including powerful painkillers, anti-depressants and sleeping pills.

    The CEU also coordinated several arrest operations, denied gangs access to almost £1.4m in criminal profits, and removed 367 websites and social media accounts offering medical products to the public illegally.

    Do not self-prescribe.

    Self-diagnosis and self-medication can be very dangerous. If you have a concern about your health, seek advice from a healthcare professional and only obtain medicines from a trusted source.

    Visit the #FakeMeds website for tools and resources to help people purchase medication or medical devices safely online.

    Andy Morling, who heads the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU), said:

    Criminals trade in illegal medicines for no other reason than to make money. Not only are these people breaking the law, but they also have no regard for your health.

    Buying medicines from unverified sources, online or elsewhere, means there is no guarantee that the products are safe or effective. Some can contain dangerous or illegal ingredients that could result in severe illness, addiction or even death.

    People also need to be aware that turning to illegal online sellers can leave them exposed to bank fraud and identity theft.

    This year’s operation is another example of how the MHRA and its international partners are joining forces to tackle the criminal gangs causing so much misery and harm around the world.

    Notes to editors

    • Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine are encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the Yellow Card website or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
    • The MHRA’s Accredited Financial Investigators are authorised by the National Crime Agency under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). They support investigations by tracing, freezing, and confiscating assets linked to crime, including money laundering and the illegal supply of medicines. Their work includes seizing cash, valuable items, and freezing bank accounts or cryptocurrency suspected of criminal origins. The Home Office’s Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) allows a proportion of the proceeds of crime recovered under POCA, to be redistributed to agencies involved in the asset recovery process. The Home Office encourages agencies to invest ARIS funds to drive up performance on asset recovery or, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities for the benefit of the community.
    • Operation Pangea is a global initiative coordinated by INTERPOL that targets the illegal online sale and distribution of unlicensed and counterfeit medicines and medical devices. Involving police, customs, health regulators, and private sector partners across approximately 90, the operation aims to protect public health by disrupting criminal networks and raising awareness of the dangers of buying medicines from unregulated sources.
    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 
    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 
    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 25 June 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    PM meeting with President Erdoğan of Türkiye: 25 June 2025

    The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in The Hague earlier this afternoon.

    The Prime Minister spoke with the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in The Hague earlier this afternoon.

    The leaders began by discussing the perilous situation in the Middle East. The leaders welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Iran and agreed that negotiations must lead to the next vital step forward. 

    Discussing the conflict in Gaza, the leaders agreed that there needed to be an urgent acceleration of aid and an end to the intolerable situation.

    Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked President Erdoğan for his support to the Coalition of the Willing planning and thanked him for Türkiye’s role in peace talks.

    The leaders also welcomed the strengthening military cooperation between the two countries, and agreed on the importance of making progress in free trade agreement talks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Speech

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you Mr Vice President and Special Rapporteur for your report on your visit to the UK in February last year under the previous Government. I have listened carefully to your comments this morning.

    Tackling violence against women and girls, both domestically and internationally, is a top priority for the UK.

    Special Rapporteur, we note that you highlighted several positive elements of the UK’s domestic response, including:

    • robust legislation covering sexual violence, domestic abuse and modern slavery and human trafficking;
    • criminal offences covering female genital mutilation and forced marriage;
    • measures taken to prevent and improve employers’ responses to workplace harassment;
    • an expansive definition of domestic abuse, which includes emotional abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour and economic abuse and recognises that children can be victims of domestic abuse;
    • measures to tackle technology-facilitated violence, particularly the Online Safety Act 2023; and
    • the strength of civil society organisations.

    Nevertheless, we recognise that there are several areas for improvement that are relevant to the Special Rapporteur’s comments on the UK, such as:

    • ensuring the sustainable provision of services for women affected by violence and abuse;
    • ensuring children under the age of 16 receive effective safeguarding and support when they experience teenage relationship abuse; and
    • ensuring more comprehensive and richer data is collected about these crimes and the individuals who commit and experience them.

    We must also ensure sustainable and long-term resources for the implementation of policies and legislation across the four nations of our United Kingdom. Three devolution settlements – one each for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – stipulate matters that are the responsibility of the UK Parliament and others that are the responsibility of the devolved legislatures. It is right that approaches can be tailored to the specific needs of each nation. Nevertheless, the four governments can and will work together to ensure a coherent and effective framework for the safety and security of people across our United Kingdom.

    Mr Vice President,

    The manifesto on which our current Government was elected last summer included the ambition to halve levels of violence against women and girls in a decade – an ambitious aim that requires a transformative approach across government, public services, the private sector and charities.

    Since last year’s election, the Government has introduced several important measures to improve protection for victims of violence against women and girls and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. These include:

    • the rollout of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected areas and the introduction of “Raneem’s Law” strengthening the police’s response domestic abuse by embedding specialists in emergency service control rooms in specific areas;
    • a new package of measures to tackle stalking, including a review of legislation and introducing statutory guidance to set out the process by which the police should release information identifying online stalkers to their victims; and
    • £13 million for a new National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, to improve the policing response.

    This year, our Government will publish a new strategy which will set the strategic direction and concrete actions to deliver on that Manifesto pledge to halve levels of violence against women and girls in a decade. This will be underpinned by an evidence-based theory of change to ensure that our approach is informed by the best available evidence.

    Finally, while I have the floor, we note your latest thematic report, Special Rapporteur. We are not going to make a separate statement in relation to that report but I would like to express our support to the joint statement Colombia will deliver today on the use of established terms such as gender-based violence.

    Thank you both.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Our support to Ukraine remains unwavering: UK statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Our support to Ukraine remains unwavering: UK statement to the OSCE

    Speaking at the Annual Security Review Conference, Head of Security Policy Department, Jason Rheinberg, outlines why the UK remains committed to the OSCE and its principles.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. I am pleased to be here at the OSCE, particularly on the fiftieth anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. Then, just as now, the Organisation and the Decalogue are foundation stones of strategic stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area.

    Let me begin by reiterating the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

    Russia’s full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year, remains the most serious threat to European security in decades. It is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and the core principles of this Organization – principles that every singe one of us has committed to uphold.

    Despite the immense human and economic toll, Ukraine continues to resist. And I salute their bravery. Ukraine has also shown it is committed to peace: Ukraine has agreed to a full, unconditional ceasefire, as proposed by the US. Russia has failed to agree to the same and has instead ramped up its attacks on civilians in Ukraine – including yesterday’s ballistic missile strikes on the Dnipro region, which killed at least 20 civilians and injured nearly 300 others. Hitting nurseries, apartment blocks and bakeries, as we heard earlier today from the Ukrainian First Deputy Foreign Minister.

    Here in Vienna, the UK continues – week in, week out – to hold Russia to account at the Permanent Council and Forum for Security Cooperation. We challenge the lies used to justify this illegal war and expose the brutality with which it is being waged.

    As Chair of the Security Committee, the UK has also continued the good practice of using meetings to support Ukraine and its neighbours in dealing with the impacts of this war. Our workplan covers policing, border security, child protection and empowerment, critical infrastructure and cyber resilience. And it serves as a platform for sharing perspectives, best practice, and establishing a common security picture.

    And listening to the interventions of our distinguished colleagues from Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, we call on Russia to withdraw all of its forces from the internationally recognised territory of both States.

    Meanwhile, we are also responding to a broader and increasingly complex threat landscape. Many of the transnational threats we face are intensifying:

    Malign hybrid activities – including information manipulation – are intensifying.

    Cyber threats, in some cases enabled by AI, are targeting critical national infrastructure.

    Organised criminals – more sophisticated than ever – are smuggling drugs, weapons, cultural property, and people across borders.

    And the threat from terrorism and violent extremism has not diminished. The Islamic State Khorasan Province is growing in strength. At the same time, extreme right-wing groups are proliferating in online spaces.

    Three key themes permeate these challenges: they highlight the wide-ranging impact of emerging technologies; they do not respect borders; and they demand a coordinated, and cross-dimensional response.

    Mr Chair, the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security has therefore never been more relevant. We must remain vigilant to the full spectrum of threats facing our region; of which, Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine remains the most urgent and serious.

    Our Leaders mandated the OSCE to continue politico-military dialogue even in the hardest of times because they saw – and see – it is essential to manage risk, reduce misunderstanding and avoid miscalculation for the benefit of all our citizens. The OSCE has an extensive acquis and toolkit to do this work. But it relies on political will to be effective.

    The UK has that will. We remain committed to the OSCE and to the principles that underpin it. We believe in the potential of this Organization to do much more to support peace, security, and cooperation. We need the will of all States to be able to do that.

    And we are looking forward to continuing these conversations at the Helsinki Plus 50 forum later this summer. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –