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  • PRESS RELEASE : First HS2 rail tunnel breakthrough completed in Birmingham as project reaches latest milestone [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : First HS2 rail tunnel breakthrough completed in Birmingham as project reaches latest milestone [May 2025]

    STORY

    Longest railway tunnel ever built in West Midlands will help bring £10 billion into the region’s economy over the next decade.

    • major construction milestone reached as first HS2 tunnel into Birmingham excavated
    • more than 30,000 jobs supported along the 140-mile route, providing highly skilled opportunities and driving up living standards, part of the government’s Plan for Change
    • HS2 will connect the UK’s biggest cities with faster and more reliable train journeys

    Passengers are closer to benefiting from faster, more comfortable travel between London and Birmingham as the first High Speed Two (HS2) rail tunnel in Birmingham is completed.

    Today (9 May 2025), HS2’s tunnelling machine finalised the first excavation of the 3.5 mile Bromford tunnel, which connects Warwickshire and Birmingham.

    Alongside slashing journey times and providing more seats for passengers, this major milestone will free up track space on the heavily congested West Coast Mail Line and allow more services to connect people to job opportunities that will put more money in their pockets, as outlined in the Plan for Change.

    Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, who attended the breakthrough event, said:

    Today marks a major milestone for the country’s biggest infrastructure project, opening up the HS2 gateway to Birmingham.

    This is the longest railway tunnel ever built in the West Midlands. It’s truly a monumental feat of engineering and represents huge progress.

    Creating jobs, providing opportunities and supporting economic growth are at the heart of this project. 10,000 people and 400 businesses across the West Midlands alone are delivering this project as we speak, bringing £10 billion to the region’s economy over the next decade.

    There is a lot of hard work still to do to get this project back on track. But today, people in the West Midlands can start to see this government’s Plan for Change connecting people with jobs, housing and opportunity.

    The Bromford Tunnel, which will soon become the longest railway tunnel in the West Midlands, starts in the Warwickshire village of Water Orton and ends in the Birmingham suburb of Washwood Heath.

    The Washwood Heath site has spurred the development of a 24 hectare brownfield site, which will unlock land for commercial use and logistics space, creating opportunities for employers and the community and more than 1,000 new jobs for local people.

    The tunnel boring machine, which created the Bromford Tunnel, was named Mary Ann by the local community, after the Warwickshire-born writer better known by her pen name, George Eliot.

    Mary Ann excavated around one million tonnes of spoil during the tunnel drive. In line with HS2’s sustainability policy, the excavated earth is being reused to support construction of the nearby Delta Junction, a complex network of 13 viaducts that will enable high speed trains to travel between London, Interchange Station in Solihull and Birmingham Curzon Street Station. The excavated material is transported via dedicated haul roads to minimise the number of construction vehicles on public roads.

    The Department for Transport is currently overseeing a fundamental reset of the HS2 programme to make sure the railway can be delivered safely and for the lowest reasonable cost.

  • NEWS STORY : Jovarn Esterine Has Sentence Increased for Role in Killing of Teenager Harleigh Hepworth

    NEWS STORY : Jovarn Esterine Has Sentence Increased for Role in Killing of Teenager Harleigh Hepworth

    STORY

    Jovarn Esterine, 18, from Wolverhampton, has had his prison sentence increased from seven to nine years for his involvement in the violent robbery and killing of 17-year-old Harleigh Hepworth, following a review by the Court of Appeal. The case was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme by the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, who described the original sentence as inadequate given the severity of the crime.

    On 7 March 2024, Harleigh Hepworth and a friend travelled from Rugeley, Staffordshire to Wolverhampton, where they met Esterine and another teenager. The two visitors were lured to a park where they were confronted and robbed. When Harleigh asked for his phone back, the other teenager fatally stabbed him. Simultaneously, Esterine held a knife to Harleigh’s friend, preventing any attempt to intervene. After Harleigh was stabbed, Esterine threatened the surviving victim at knifepoint, demanding the passcode to his phone. Both attackers fled, leaving Harleigh fatally wounded in the park. Esterine, who has previous convictions for theft and other offences, was originally sentenced in January 2025 to seven years’ detention for manslaughter, possession of a bladed weapon and two counts of robbery. That sentence has now been extended by two years following the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

    “Jovarn Esterine played an important role in Harleigh’s killing before callously leaving him to die” said the Solicitor General. “Harleigh had his whole life ahead of him. This government will not tolerate mindless violence and I will intervene to ensure justice is served.”

    In a statement read to the court, Harleigh’s family said they had been robbed of the chance to watch their son grow into adulthood. The unnamed teenager who delivered the fatal blow cannot be identified for legal reasons.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Violent man’s sentence increased after fatal stabbing [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Violent man’s sentence increased after fatal stabbing [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 9 May 2025.

    A violent man who helped his friend fatally stab Harleigh Hepworth to death has had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General intervened.

    Jovarn Esterine (18), from Wolverhampton, has had his sentence increased by two years after the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    The court heard that on 7 March 2024, Harleigh Hepworth and Harleigh’s friend travelled to Wolverhampton where they met Esterine and another teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

    Harleigh, who was from Rugeley, Staffordshire, and his friend were taken to a park by Esterine and the other teenager before being asked to hand over their phones.

    When Harleigh asked for his phone back, he was stabbed by the teenager. At the same time, Esterine held Harleigh’s friend at knifepoint, preventing him from helping Harleigh.

    After the fatal stabbing, Esterine held a knife to the friend’s chest, threatening to kill him unless he handed over the passcode to his phone, which the pair then stole.

    Esterine and his accomplice fled the scene, leaving Harleigh to die in the park.

    In a Victim’s Impact Statement, Harleigh’s family said they now don’t have the opportunity to see Harleigh grow up and start his adult life.

    The court also heard that Esterine has previous convictions for theft and other offences.

    The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    I was shocked by the brutal violence in this case. Jovarn Esterine played an important role in Harleigh’s killing before callously leaving him to die on the ground. Harleigh had his whole life ahead of him and I would like to offer my sympathies to Harleigh’s family and friends.

    The court has quite rightly increased Jovarn Esterine’s sentence. This government will not tolerate mindless violence and I will intervene to ensure justice is served.

    On 28 January 2025 at Manchester Crown Court, Jovarn Esterine was sentenced to seven years’ detention after he was convicted of one count of manslaughter, one count of carrying a bladed weapon and two counts of robbery.

    On Friday 9 May, the Court of Appeal quashed Jovarn Esterine’s sentence and substituted it for a total of nine years detention.

  • NEWS STORY : Sarah Hulton Appointed as UK Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau

    NEWS STORY : Sarah Hulton Appointed as UK Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau

    STORY

    The UK government has appointed seasoned diplomat Sarah Hulton OBE as His Majesty’s next Ambassador to the Philippines, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed today. She will also serve as non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, taking over from Laure Beaufils in September 2025.

    Hulton is no stranger to the region, having previously served at the British Embassy in Manila between 2005 and 2008, where she held the post of Second Secretary for Political and Public Affairs. She also undertook full-time Tagalog language training — a rare asset among UK diplomats — making her well-placed to navigate both the political landscape and cultural sensitivities of the post.

    Her appointment comes after a series of high-profile roles, most recently as Interim Director of the Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate. She has also led the UK mission in Sri Lanka as High Commissioner from 2019 to 2023, and held key positions in departments focused on global security, conflict prevention, and human resources.

    Hulton joined the Foreign Office in 2002 and has since developed a reputation for her expertise in diplomacy, geopolitics, and international security. Her previous postings include Zimbabwe, North Korea, and the Pacific. The change in diplomatic leadership is expected to reinforce the UK’s strategic partnership with the Philippines, amid growing cooperation on trade, regional security, and climate change resilience.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines – Sarah Hulton [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines – Sarah Hulton [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

    Mrs Sarah Hulton OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau in succession to Ms Laure Beaufils.  Mrs Hulton will take up her appointment during September 2025.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Sarah Anne Pascale Hulton

    Year Role
    2024 to present Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Interim Director Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate
    2024 FCDO, Deputy Director Human Resources
    2023 to 2024 FCDO, Interim Director Geopolitics & Deputy Political Director
    2019 to 2023 Colombo, British High Commissioner
    2018 to 2019 FCO, Deputy Director Human Resources
    2017 to 2018 FCO, Head of DPRK Department
    2015 to 2017 FCO, Head of Pacific Department
    2012 to 2015 Harare, Head of Political Section
    2010 to 2010 FCO, Head of Conflict Prevention Team
    2008 to 2010 FCO, Head of Weapons of Mass Destruction Controls
    2005 to 2008 Manila, Second Secretary Political PPA
    2004 to 2005 FCO, Full time language training, Tagalog
    2003 to 2004 FCO, Counter Terrorism Desk Officer
    2002 to 2003 FCO, Head of Child Abduction Unit, Consular Human Rights
    2002 Joined FCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : Export bar placed on £10 million Botticelli painting [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Export bar placed on £10 million Botticelli painting [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 May 2025.

    A temporary export bar has been placed on a painting of the Virgin Mary by Italian painter, Sandro Botticelli.

    • The work has been valued at £10.2 million
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting for the nation

    An export bar has been placed on a painting by Italian master, Sandro Botticelli, which is at risk of leaving the UK.

    Botticelli was one of the leading Florentine painters of the second half of the fifteenth century and one of the most recognisable names in art history. Botticelli became well-known for his mythological and religious paintings, often with a focus on beauty and harmony. His most famous works include The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

    Valued at more than £10.2 million (£9,960,000 + £272,000 VAT) the painting depicts an image of the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ Child and is believed to have been painted in the 1470s, early in Botticelli’s career. If saved by a cultural institution, the painting would represent a significant addition to the body of work by Botticelli in UK collections. Very few early Botticelli’s remain in the UK and it would provide a richer and more detailed understanding of his work and the development of Florentine painting in the later fifteenth century.

    The Virgin and Child Enthroned exemplifies Botticelli’s ability to combine radiant humanity and powerful spirituality. The shape and angle of the Virgin’s face bear similarities to the central Venus in Botticelli’s celebrated Primavera, painted in the late 1470s or early 1480s.

    The artist has also given exceptional attention to the Virgin’s features, with the light catching her upper eyelids, the tip of her nose and the cupid’s bow of her lips.

    Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

    This painting is a perfect example of Botticelli’s genius and a unique part of history.

    I hope that a UK gallery is able to save this work so that it can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come.

    Christopher Baker, Committee member:

    Dating from the early 1470s, this affecting devotional work, demonstrates the sophistication of Botticelli’s painting early in his career in Florence. Probably intended to inspire private prayer in a domestic setting, it is an image that has a wider resonance as it delicately explores the power of maternal love.

    The cult of, or enthusiasm for Botticelli, of which it formed a part, had grown during the Victorian era and the painting arrived in Britain in 1904; it was acquired by Lady Wantage and entered the renowned Lloyd collection.

    Further research on the placement of Botticelli’s work in his career and the organisation of his workshop, as well as links with the wider context of Florentine Renaissance art would all be of enormous benefit. In view of these intriguing possibilities every effort should be made to try and secure this beguiling painting for a British collection.

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

    The RCEWA Committee found that The Virgin and Child Enthroned painting met the third Waverley criterion for its outstanding significance for the study of western art and its reception in later periods, Botticelli, the process and practice of Florentine workshops, and the history of collecting in the UK.

    The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 8 August 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 business days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £9,960,000 (plus VAT of £272,000, which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.

    Offers from public bodies for less than the recommended price through the private treaty sale arrangements, where appropriate, may also be considered by the Minister. Such purchases frequently offer substantial financial benefit to a public institution wishing to acquire the item.

  • NEWS STORY : Private John Tame Laid to Rest with Full Military Honours in Belgium

    NEWS STORY : Private John Tame Laid to Rest with Full Military Honours in Belgium

    STORY

    The remains of Private John Tame, a soldier from Windsor who perished during World War I, were laid to rest with full military honours at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s New Irish Farm Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium. The burial, organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the War Detectives, took place nearly 108 years after his death.

    Private Tame served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment. His remains were discovered in May 2018 during roadworks in Zonnebeke, near Ypres. Artefacts found alongside him, including a cap badge and shoulder title of his regiment, as well as evidence of a previous shoulder wound, led to DNA testing. The identification was confirmed with the assistance of his great-nephew, Keith Brooks, who provided a DNA sample.

    “John and his brothers Alfred and William have been remembered by the family from just photographs and vague memories from those who have now long passed,” said Mr. Brooks. “Now, after finding John’s remains, he is more than just a distant photograph. This has made him more real along with his story for future generations.”

    Private Tame was the third-eldest of seven children. His elder brothers, Lance Corporal Alfred Tame and Corporal William George Tame, also served with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Berkshire Regiment. Both were killed on 9 May 1915 during the Battle of Aubers Ridge and are commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, having no known graves

  • NEWS STORY : Matthew Berry Receives Suspended Jail Term for Operating Illegal Waste Site in Lincolnshire

    NEWS STORY : Matthew Berry Receives Suspended Jail Term for Operating Illegal Waste Site in Lincolnshire

    STORY

    Matthew Berry, 46, of Ivy House Farm, Blyborough, near Gainsborough, has been sentenced to a 36-week suspended prison term for operating an illegal waste site at Thorpe Farm, Skendleby, in East Lindsey. Berry, the sole director of SBR Foxhills Limited, took control of the site in April 2021 with the intention of purchasing it. Despite the absence of an environmental permit, he began a clearance operation, which included moving baled waste and waste vehicles. Instead of properly disposing of the waste, Berry dumped it on a porous concrete pad with inadequate drainage, leading to environmental degradation.

    The Environment Agency attempted to work with Berry, advising him on proper waste disposal and requesting waste transfer notes. However, Berry failed to comply and continued to operate the site illegally. During one inspection, he also verbally abused an Environment Agency officer and added he hoped the official got cancer.

    At Lincoln Crown Court on 7 May 2025, Her Honour Judge Sjolin Knight described Berry’s approach as “arrogant and bullish” noting his disregard for environmental laws. In addition to the suspended sentence, Berry was ordered to pay £5,000 in costs and a £154 surcharge. His company, SBR Foxhills Limited, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £29,626.35 in costs and a £190 surcharge. A confiscation order of £45,000 was also imposed, representing the proceeds from the crime. Berry faces up to 12 months in prison if the sum remains unpaid after three months.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £7m beach management scheme reduces flood risk in Lincolnshire [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : £7m beach management scheme reduces flood risk in Lincolnshire [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 9 May 2025.

    Sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point to reduce the risk of flooding for Lincolnshire’s coastal communities.

    • Over the next 4 to 5 weeks, around 200,000 to 500,000 cubic metres of sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point.
    • This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.
    • The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994.

    The work will begin on May 11 and is the second phase of works under the strategy for the coastline. The strategy aims to better protect the environment and support the prosperity of the coast for years to come.

    The Environment Agency’s annual beach management involves dredging sand from licensed seabed areas and pumping it onto beaches, replacing the sand naturally lost to the sea throughout the year.  This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.

    Replenishing the sand means that the beaches, instead of hard defences like sea walls, take the brunt of the waves’ force and energy. This reduces the amount of damage and erosion to those hard defences and lessens the risk of water overtopping them.

    The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994. In addition to reducing flood risk, the work brings supplementary social and economic benefits by retaining the sandy beaches for a vibrant tourism industry.

    Deborah Higton, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

    Our current coastal management approach of re-nourishing the beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point is vital to managing tidal flood risk for Lincolnshire. As well as maintaining the county’s sandy beaches for us all to enjoy.

    But despite our best efforts, much of Lincolnshire is at, or below, sea level meaning flooding can still happen. That’s why we urge people to prepare and plan for the worst by signing up to receive our free flood warnings.

    The £7 million beach management work is funded as part of the Environment Agency’s capital programme. The Environment Agency is committed to delivering Government’s £2.65 billion investment over the next 2 years to protect thousands of homes and business from the dangers of flooding. Plus prevent billions of pounds worth of damages.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £25 billion powered Wales Pension Partnership pool to deliver growth and jobs for Wales [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : £25 billion powered Wales Pension Partnership pool to deliver growth and jobs for Wales [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 9 May 2025.

    People from Cardiff to Carmarthen will see a boost to their local communities and job opportunities, thanks to the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) launching a new investment company that pools £25 billion of assets.

    • Biggest ever Welsh pension fund to be established with £25 billion pooled into a new investment company that can deliver growth as part of our Plan for Change
    • The Wales Pension Partnership is being transformed – by pooling the pension funds of 22 Local Authorities it will unleash the full potential of the Local Government Pension Scheme to act as an engine for growth in Wales
    • Success of the Partnership is reflected in schemes like Uskmouth Power Station in Newport – supporting 300 jobs with benefits to the local community and economy

    The WPP is being transformed so that the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pool, which will consolidate the assets of 22 Local Authorities’ schemes representing 412,000 members, will be the biggest pension fund in Welsh history, capable of delivering huge investments felt first-hand by businesses and communities in Wales.

    By setting up this investment company in Wales, the investment decisions the fund makes can reflect the unique cultural and economic climate of Wales, collaborating with local businesses to invest in communities and delivering growth – making sure the LGPS is delivering for those whose hard-earned money it guards, and their communities.

    To see an example of this, Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell today visited Uskmouth Power Station which has benefited from £6.5 million of investment from the WPP for its redevelopment from a coal fired power station into a sustainable energy site –supporting 300 new full-time jobs during construction driving economic growth and prosperity for the community.

    UK Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell MP said:

    Pensions are a massive part of the economy – and we’re seeing this brought to life here in Wales, where a successful Local Government Pension Scheme is investing in the right places to drive opportunity and growth for the local community.

    I’m delighted to visit Uskmouth Power Station in Newport, which has had a £6 million boost from the Wales Pension Partnership, creating 300 jobs which mean opportunity and prosperity at a local level.

    Making sure everyone can benefit from the potential of larger pension pools ties into the ambitions of our Plan for Change to boost investment in communities across the country, bringing long-term economic benefits.

    The Wales Pension Partnership said:

    The Wales Pension Partnership investment in Uskmouth Battery Energy Storage Systems demonstrates our ambitions to attract investment into crucial Welsh infrastructure and secure national energy supplies.

    This investment shows our commitment to working with Quinbrook and our strategic partner GCM Grosvenor to: deliver strong investment returns for our pensioners, ensure long-term energy security, reduce carbon emissions, provide jobs and regeneration opportunities across Wales. This is one of many projects that we have in our investment pipeline and will be unveiling over the next 12 months.

    Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS said:

    We have long recognised the benefits of a strong single Welsh Local Government Pension Scheme pool.  We want to see the Wales Pensions Partnership continue to go from strength to strength delivering returns for members and able to invest in economic growth for Wales and the UK.

    UK Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP said:

    We are determined to get the best value out of taxpayers’ money, which is why we are reforming the Local Government Pensions Scheme pools in Wales and England to be more efficient, fit-for-purpose and deliver for public servants and their communities.

    The scheme plays a vital role in boosting investment and growth across Wales and ultimately putting more money in working people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

    The site, once a coal fired power station, is being repurposed to provide up to 460 megawatt hours of electricity storage capacity for the National Grid and bring a retired rail line back into service to deliver materials, saving nearly 8,400 heavy good vehicles from the local road network.

    The investment embraces the spirit of change the government has asked to see from LGPS pools with the wider pooling process for the UK’s world-class LGPS set to conclude in March 2026. Reforms will see the LGPS punching its weight globally, while bringing benefits to local communities through dedicated investment strategies and improving transparency for its members.

    These reforms will ensure the Local Government Pension Scheme is fit for the future, and boost investment to drive the economic growth and prosperity promised by the Plan for Change.