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  • NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 18 April 1925

    NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 18 April 1925

    18 APRIL 1925

    The British airship R 33, after breaking from her moorings at Pulham, with 20 of a crew, and being driven across the North Sea to the Dutch coast, was safely navigated back to Pulham after being nearly 30 hours in the air.

    Upwards of a hundred people were killed and many hundreds injured by the explosion of an infernal machine in the Cathedral Church at Sofia. Martial law has been proclaimed by the Bulgarian Government. The frontier has been closed, all transport stopped, and the arrest of Communists and others hostile to the present rulers of the country ordered.

    A Paris telegram states that the new Ministry will present its declaration of policy to Parliament on Tuesday. Its fate both in the Senate and in the Chamber is dubious.

    Dr. Stresemann, the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, declared in a speech at Hamburg, referring to the coming Presidential election, that the basis of their foreign policy could not be changed by a political vote on internal affairs.

    A Cape Town telegram reports that there is a strong feeling in Natal favouring the secession of the Province from the Union. The anti-British policy of the present Nationalist Government is bitterly resented.

  • NEWS STORY : Teachers’ Union Considers Autumn Strikes Over Pay Dispute

    NEWS STORY : Teachers’ Union Considers Autumn Strikes Over Pay Dispute

    STORY

    The National Education Union (NEU), the UK’s largest teaching union, is contemplating strike action in autumn 2025 if the government fails to offer a fully funded, above-inflation pay rise for teachers in England.​ At the NEU’s annual conference in Harrogate, delegates overwhelmingly rejected the Department for Education’s proposed 2.8% pay increase for the 2025–26 academic year, labelling it inadequate and unfunded. An indicative ballot revealed that 93.7% of participating members opposed the offer, with 83% expressing willingness to take industrial action to secure a better deal.

    General Secretary Daniel Kebede emphasised that the proposed pay rise would exacerbate existing challenges in recruitment and retention, stating that many schools would need to make cuts to accommodate the increase. He warned that without a satisfactory pay offer, the union would consider launching a formal strike ballot as early as June, potentially leading to strikes in September.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson responded by urging the NEU to prioritise students’ interests, cautioning that strike action would be “indefensible” amid efforts to improve school attendance.

    The NEU awaits the government’s final decision on teacher pay, expected in June. Should the offer remain unchanged, the union is prepared to proceed with a formal ballot, aiming to meet the 50% turnout threshold required for legal industrial action. This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing industrial unrest across various public sectors in the UK, raising concerns about a potential “summer of discontent.”

  • NEWS STORY : UK Government Launches ‘Homes Fit for Heroes’ Initiative to Enhance Military Family Housing

    NEWS STORY : UK Government Launches ‘Homes Fit for Heroes’ Initiative to Enhance Military Family Housing

    STORY

    The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive plan aimed at significantly improving living conditions for military families. The initiative, titled “Homes Fit for Heroes,” introduces a new Consumer Charter and a forthcoming Defence Housing Strategy, both designed to address longstanding issues in military housing.​

    Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the government’s commitment to providing service members and their families with quality housing. “Our Armed Forces serve with extraordinary dedication and courage to keep us safe. It is only right that they and their families live in the homes they deserve,” Healey stated.

    Key Measures of the Initiative:

    • Enhanced Move-In Standards: Ensuring homes are clean, functional, and ready on time for new occupants.​

    • Improved Information Transparency: Providing families with detailed property information, including photographs and floor plans, prior to moving.​

    • Reliable Repairs System: Implementing a commitment to complete urgent repairs within set timelines, consistent with Awaab’s Law, and introducing an online portal for managing repair requests.

    • Housing Renovations: Launching a refurbishment program targeting the worst-condition homes, with up to 1,000 properties to be renovated as an initial phase.​

    • Dedicated Housing Officers: Assigning a named housing officer to each service family to assist with housing-related inquiries.​

    • Streamlined Complaints Process: Reducing the complaints procedure to two stages, aligning with industry best practices, to ensure quicker resolutions.​

    • Policy Modernisation: Allowing families greater freedom to make home improvements, fostering a sense of pride and ownership.

    These measures are set to be implemented by December 2025, marking the one-year anniversary of the government’s decision to reacquire 36,000 military homes previously sold in 1996. This move is projected to save taxpayers £600,000 per day by eliminating rental payments to private entities.

    The Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, will further outline plans to develop surplus military land, creating opportunities for Armed Forces homeownership and supporting the delivery of affordable homes across the UK.  This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to provide “homes for heroes,” ensuring that veterans and their families have access to the housing support they need.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Homes fit for heroes – Raft of news measures to improve military family housing [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Homes fit for heroes – Raft of news measures to improve military family housing [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 April 2025.

    Living conditions for families in military housing will be transformed under a new Consumer Charter, as Defence Secretary John Healey promised to “stop the rot” in military housing.

    • New Consumer Charter for families in military homes, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
    • Measures will include higher move-in standards, more reliable repairs, renovation of the worst homes, and a named housing officer for every family – all in place before the one-year anniversary of 36,000 military homes being brought back into public ownership.
    • Pledge comes alongside the announcement of an independent, expert team appointed to help deliver a rapid Defence Housing Strategy – with work already underway.

    The Charter will be part of a new Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, which will set out further plans to improve the standard of service family homes across the country.

    Under the Charter, basic consumer rights, from essential property information and predictable property standards, to access to a robust complaints system, will be rapidly introduced. These will be underpinned by new, published satisfaction figures, putting forces families front and centre.

    The wider Defence Housing Strategy – overseen by the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans and People, Al Carns – will also turbocharge the development of surplus military land, creating opportunities for Armed Forces homeownership. It will further support the delivery of affordable homes for families across Britain as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    It follows the Government’s landmark deal, completed in January, to bring back 36,000 military homes into public ownership, reversing a 1996 sale described by the Public Accounts Committee as “disastrous”, and saving the taxpayer £600,000 per day by eliminating rental payments to a private company.

    The announcement follows the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to deliver “homes for heroes” and means that under this government, support will be there for veterans at risk of homelessness. This included removing local connection tests for veterans seeking social housing, meaning as of November, veterans will have access to the housing support they need.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

    Our Armed Forces serve with extraordinary dedication and courage to keep us safe. It is only right that they and their families live in the homes they deserve.

    For too long, military families have endured substandard housing without the basic consumer rights that any of us should expect in our homes. That must end and our new Consumer Charter will begin to stop the rot and put families at the heart of that transformation.

    We cannot turn around years of failure on forces housing overnight, but by bringing 36,000 military homes back into public ownership, we’ve already taken greater control and are working at pace to drive up standards. This is about providing homes fit for the heroes who serve our nation, and I’m determined to deliver the decent, affordable housing that our forces families have every right to expect.

    The new Consumer Charter will include the following commitments:

    • A strengthened move-in standard so families can have confidence that the home they are moving into will be ready on time and will be clean and functional.
    • Improved, clearer information for families ahead of a move, including photographs and floor plans of all homes when a family applies for housing.
    • More reliable repairs, including an undertaking to complete urgent repairs within a set timeline consistent with Awaab’s Law, and a new online portal for service personnel to manage repairs.
    • Raising the minimum standard of forces family housing with a new programme of works targeted at the worst homes, with up to 1,000 refurbished as a downpayment on the broader programme of renewal to be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy.
    • Better and clearer communication for families, including a named housing officer for every service family who they can contact for specific housing related queries.
    • A new, simpler complaints process that will shorten the process to two stages in line with industry best practice, so that service personnel and families have a quicker resolution, backed up by the new Armed Forces Commissioner.
    • Modernising policies to allow more freedom for families to make improvements, giving them a greater sense of pride in their homes.

    These improvements will be in place by the one-year anniversary of the announcement to buy back military homes last December, with final detail to be set out in the Defence Housing Strategy following consultation with military personnel and their families.

    Many of the commitments in the Charter will be achieved by driving better performance – and better value for the taxpayer – from existing suppliers of maintenance and support for service family housing.

    The new standards will be underpinned by new published customer satisfaction measures and enhanced accountability so families can have confidence in the improvements being made. This will sit alongside an independently conducted stock survey, as recommended by the Kerslake review of military housing which was published last year.

    The Defence Housing Strategy will be driven by an independent review team whose members have been announced today, and which will be chaired by former Member of Parliament and housing expert Natalie Elphicke Ross OBE, drawing on expertise from industry and forces families.

    In the meantime, the Defence Secretary and the Minister for Veterans and People have instructed the MOD to immediately plan improvements for the new Consumer Charter, as part of a short-term action plan to enhance the family homes after years of neglect.

    Natalie Elphicke Ross, Chair of the Defence Housing Strategy Review said:

    Our pride in our armed forces must include pride in our military homes. Delivering better housing, boosting home ownership opportunities for service personnel and improving the experiences of service families will be at the heart of our work.

    David Brewer, Chief Operating Officer of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, said:

    We are dedicated to making changes that will bring real improvements to the lives of families living in military homes and the plans set out in the new charter are an important step towards doing this.

    The advisory team, announced today, brings together an exceptional group of individuals, who through their expertise and experience will help ensure our housing strategy maximises benefits, not just to families living in military homes, but to communities and industry more widely.

    Antony Cotton MBE said:

    Our Armed Forces community are the backbone of our society, so improving the standard of service family housing is essential if we are to continue to retain and recruit the soldiers, sailors and aviators that protect us selflessly, every day. I welcome this consumer charter as a starting point to give our military families an improved service, and homes they deserve.

    Background

    The members appointed to the Defence Housing Strategy review team are:

    • Chair, Natalie Elphicke Ross OBE, Director and Head of Housing at The Housing & Finance Institute. Previously Natalie chaired the New Homes Quality Board on standards and redress for customers of new build homes, co-chaired the Elphicke-House Report 2015 on the role of local authorities in housing supply and served as an expert adviser on the development of the national strategy for estate regeneration. A former law firm partner specialising in housing finance, Natalie’s experience includes advising central and local governments, lenders, developers and housing associations on financing, structuring and delivering homes across all tenures.
    • Bill Yardley, Chair of McCarthy Stone Shared Ownership Limited. Bill serves as Chair of a regulated residential development company and is a Non- Executive Director at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, in the Houses of Parliament and at the Surrey Property Group Limited. He has previously worked at board level in the public and private sectors in residential development, regulated housing, property investment, education and the NHS and has been a public member of Network Rail and chaired a charity. Bill has also served as a Crown Representative and on the Government Construction Board.
    • Cat Calder, Housing Specialist, Army Families Federation. Cat is a housing professional with over 13 years of experience advocating for improved living conditions for families in military accommodation. She has held key positions within the Army Families Federation and has direct experience of military housing, having previously lived in service family accommodation for a number of years.
    • Nigel Holland, former Divisional Chair, Taylor Wimpey and Non-Executive Director of The Riverside Group. Formerly a Divisional Chair of Taylor Wimpey, one of the UK’s largest residential developers. Nigel is also a Non-Executive Director of The Riverside Group, a major provider of affordable housing, care and support services in England and Scotland, with more than 75,000 homes in management. He has a wealth of experience in the homebuilding industry, leading large-scale developments in the UK and overseas.
    • Alex Notay, Chair and Commissioner, Radix Big Tent Housing Commission. Alexandra is an internationally recognised expert on housing, placemaking and ESG. She has 20 years’ strategic advisory and investment experience across four continents and in August 2024 took over as Chair of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission. Until July 2024 she was Placemaking and Investment Director at Thriving Investments, the fund and asset management arm of Places for People Group, overseeing a UK-wide residential strategy.
    • James Hall, Housing and Land, Greater London Authority. James has over a decade’s experience in housing and development, working with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He worked extensively on strategy, policy and communications in Westminster and Whitehall, and most recently worked at the Greater London Authority on housing policy and delivery.
  • NEWS STORY : UK Raises Alarm Over Destabilising Activities of Libyan Armed Groups at UN Security Council

    NEWS STORY : UK Raises Alarm Over Destabilising Activities of Libyan Armed Groups at UN Security Council

    STORY

    The United Kingdom has expressed deep concern over the destabilising actions of Libyan security actors and armed groups, highlighting issues such as unlawful detentions, kidnappings, and attacks on humanitarian organisations. These concerns were raised during a statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council meeting focused on Libya.​ Ambassador Woodward emphasised the alarming trajectory of Libya’s economy, noting the absence of a unified budget and oversight mechanisms. She warned that the current levels of public spending risk rapidly diminishing the nation’s wealth. The competition for state resources is placing significant pressure on Libya’s institutions and could potentially fuel renewed conflict.​

    The UK also highlighted reports of unlawful and arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, imprisonment without due process, and assassination attempts by Libyan security actors and armed groups. Ambassador Woodward stressed the need for accountability to support civic space and trust in Libya’s law enforcement. She specifically mentioned the recent closure of humanitarian organisations’ offices and the detention of their employees as particularly troubling. The UK urged Libyan authorities to work collaboratively with international NGOs and resolve differences through dialogue, recognising the indispensable role of humanitarian organisations in supporting Libya, including addressing concerns about illegal migration.​

    Furthermore, the UK underscored the urgent need for progress on Libya’s political track. Ambassador Woodward called for a comprehensive and inclusive political process to establish sound economic governance, uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability, and combat corruption. She reaffirmed the UK’s strong support for the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and commended Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Hannah Tetteh for her leadership. The UK urged all Libyan actors to engage constructively with the UN’s efforts and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee, viewing this as a real opportunity to chart a path towards the peace, stability, and prosperity that the Libyan people deserve.​

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned by the destabilising activities of Libyan security actors and armed groups – UK statement at the UN Security Council

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned by the destabilising activities of Libyan security actors and armed groups – UK statement at the UN Security Council

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2025.

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

    President I would like to make three points.

    First, Libya’s economic trajectory is alarming.

    With no unified budget and, as SRSG Tetteh said, no oversight, present levels of public spending by Libyan authorities risk rapidly diminishing the nation’s wealth.

    Competition for state resources is putting Libya’s institutions under grave pressure, and risks fuelling renewed conflict.

    Libya has the resources to build a prosperous future. But to achieve it, Libya’s leaders must put aside narrow interests and agree on a unified economic framework in the national interest.

    We welcome the return of the World Bank to Tripoli to support this work.

    Second, the UK is deeply concerned by the destabilising activities of Libyan security actors and armed groups.

    This includes reports of unlawful and arbitrary detentions, kidnappings, imprisonment without due process and assassination attempts.

    There needs to be accountability for such acts, to support civic space and trust in Libya’s law enforcement.

    The recent closure of humanitarian organisations’ offices and detention of their employees is particularly troubling.

    We urge Libyan authorities to work with international NGOs and resolve differences through dialogue.

    Humanitarian organisations are an indispensable part of our collective efforts to support Libya, including to help address the Libyan authority’s concerns about illegal migration.

    Third, Libya’s economic and security challenges underscore the urgent need for progress on the political track.

    Libya needs a comprehensive, inclusive political process which will provide the foundation for sound economic governance, rule of law and accountability, and help tackle corruption.

    The UK strongly supports UNSMIL’s efforts and commends SRSG Tetteh for her leadership.

    A revitalised political process, flowing from the Advisory Committee’s deliberations, presents a real opportunity to chart a path towards the peace, stability and prosperity that the Libyan people deserve and yearn for, as I heard during my own visit to Libya and in more recent exchanges with young Libyans.

    So we urge all Libyan actors to engage constructively with the UN’s efforts and the Advisory Committee’s recommendations.

  • NEWS STORY : Ismail Uradde’s Sentence More Than Doubled After Unprovoked Knife Attacks in East Ham

    NEWS STORY : Ismail Uradde’s Sentence More Than Doubled After Unprovoked Knife Attacks in East Ham

    STORY

    Ismail Uradde, 36, from East Ham, has had his prison sentence increased to ten years following a referral by Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme. The Court of Appeal found his original sentence of three years and eight months insufficient for the severity of his crimes.​

    In the early hours of 26 July 2024, Uradde confronted two men outside his block of flats, accusing them of causing a disturbance. Armed with a kitchen knife, he attacked both individuals, stabbing one twice in the left thigh and the other in the arm, resulting in significant blood loss for both victims. After the assault, Uradde fled the scene and handed the weapon to a local shopkeeper.​

    One of the victims later reported ongoing psychological trauma, stating he experiences difficulty sleeping and fears being attacked again.​

    Originally sentenced on 20 January 2025 for two counts of wounding with intent and one count of possessing a bladed article, Uradde’s case was reviewed following the Solicitor General’s intervention. On 15 April 2025, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to ten years.​

    Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP commented:​

    “Ismail Uradde’s violent and unprovoked attack on the two victims was shocking. I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to more than double his sentence. My thoughts are with the two victims of Uradde’s attack.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Man who stabbed two strangers has sentence more than doubled after intervention by the Solicitor General [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Man who stabbed two strangers has sentence more than doubled after intervention by the Solicitor General [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 17 April 2025.

    A man who stabbed two people with a kitchen knife has his sentence increased to a decade after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme to the Court of Appeal by Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP.

    Ismail Uradde, 36, from East Ham, London, has had his sentence increased after an intervention under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme by the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP.

    The court heard that in the early morning of 26 July 2024, Uradde confronted two men outside his block of flats, accusing them of making a disturbance.

    Brandishing a knife, Uradde confronted and proceeded to attack the men. Uradde stabbed one of them twice in his left thigh and stabbed the other man in the arm, leaving a deep wound.

    Uradde then fled the scene, handing his knife over to a convenience store shopkeeper. The victims suffered significant blood loss but both men survived.

    In court, one of the victims remarked on the impact of the attack, stating he still has “difficulty sleeping” and feels unsafe outside as he fears “he could be attacked again”.

    The Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    Ismail Uradde’s violent and unprovoked attack on the two victims was shocking. I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to more than double his sentence.

    My thoughts are with the two victims of Uradde’s attack.

    On 20 January 2025, Ismail Uradde was sentenced to three years and eight months’ imprisonment for two counts of wounding with intent and one count of having a bladed article.

    On 15 April 2025, his sentence was increased to a decade after a referral to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

  • NEWS STORY : Adam Ali’s Sentence Increased After Fatal Crash That Killed Teen Passenger

    NEWS STORY : Adam Ali’s Sentence Increased After Fatal Crash That Killed Teen Passenger

    STORY

    Adam Ali, a 20-year-old from Manchester, has had his sentence increased to six years and four months following a fatal car crash that resulted in the death of 16-year-old passenger Ben Burbridge and serious injuries to another teenager. The Court of Appeal’s decision came after Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred the original sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.​

    On 15 October 2022, Ali was driving at over 60mph in a 30mph residential zone during wet conditions. He lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a lamp post. Ben Burbridge suffered catastrophic brain injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 17-year-old Justin Saidi, sustained multiple injuries, including a collapsed lung and fractured ribs.​

    At the time of the incident, Ali had recently passed his driving test and was awaiting a speed awareness course following previous speeding offences. While awaiting trial for the fatal crash, he was caught speeding twice more and was involved in another accident while banned from driving, during which he was inhaling nitrous oxide at the wheel.​

    Initially sentenced to four years’ detention on 27 January 2025 for causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving, Ali’s sentence was increased by the Court of Appeal on 15 April 2025. Solicitor General Lucy Rigby stated:​

    “Ben Burbridge was only 16 years old when he died and he had his whole future ahead of him. His life was tragically cut short by Adam Ali’s dangerous driving. I welcome the court’s decision to increase Ali’s sentence following my referral. This government is committed to ensuring those who drive dangerously are punished appropriately.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous driver who killed passenger has sentence increased following intervention by Solicitor General [April 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Dangerous driver who killed passenger has sentence increased following intervention by Solicitor General [April 2025]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 17 April 2025.

    A dangerous driver who killed a teenage passenger and hospitalised another after driving at double the speed limit has had his sentence increased after Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP intervened.

    Adam Ali, 20, from Manchester, has had his sentence increased by more than two years by the Court of Appeal after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

    The court heard that on the evening of 15 October 2022, Ali drove dangerously with three passengers in the car having passed his test a few months earlier.

    Ali drove through a residential area in wet conditions, in excess of 60mph in an area with a 30mph speed limit. However, he lost control of the car and smashed it into a lamp post.

    Ben Burbridge, a 16-year-old passenger in the back of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering catastrophic brain injuries.

    Justin Saidi, who was 17 at the time, was hospitalised after he suffered multiple injuries including a collapsed lung, bleeding between his lung and ribcage and fractured ribs and shoulders.

    The court heard that Ali had previously been caught speeding and misusing his car horn, and the fatal accident occurred while he was waiting for his speed awareness course to start.

    While awaiting trial, Ali was caught speeding on two further occasions and later caused another road accident while banned from driving – all while inhaling a nitrous oxide canister at the wheel.

    The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

    Ben Burbridge was only 16 years old when he died and he had his whole future ahead of him. His life was tragically cut short by Adam Ali’s dangerous driving.

    I welcome the court’s decision to increase Ali’s sentence following my referral. This government is committed to ensuring those who drive dangerously are punished appropriately.

    On 27 January 2025, Adam Ali was sentenced to 4 years detention for one count of death by dangerous driving and another for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

    On 15 April 2025, this sentence was quashed and substituted with a new sentence of 6 years and 4 months detention after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.