1 MARCH 1925
The death of Herr Ebert, the President of the German Republic, was announced. He was 54 and had been the President since the founding of the Republic in 1919.
Z. A. H. Ekisler, a wealthy Armenian merchant, was found by his secretary seriously injured following an attack.
![PRESS RELEASE : Landmark summit agrees new measures against organised immigration crime [March 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/homeoffice-150x150.png)
The press release issued by the Home Office on 31 March 2025.
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary gathered leaders from across the world in London today (31 March) to tackle organised immigration crime.
The purpose of the Organised Immigration Crime Summit is to agree new action to tackle organised immigration crime (OIC) and boost border security.
Discussions at day 1 of the summit included:
as well as how countries can tackle organised crime groups’ operations online in relation to the advertising, promoting and facilitating of illegal immigration services.
The UK and allies including France, Iraq, Vietnam and the USA, and partners including the National Crime Agency (NCA) and representatives from social media organisations, met to agree actions to secure our collective borders, protect vulnerable people from exploitation, and tackle the global threat of organised immigration crime.
Unlike previous summits, this event engaged both European nations and key source and transit countries, as well as those that are integral to the supply of equipment, including small boats and engines, ensuring a broader, more comprehensive approach to tackling OIC.
Concrete outcomes have been agreed across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and North America to strengthen international partnerships to disrupt OIC networks. This also includes new joint work with France to tackle irregular migration in source and transit countries, through community outreach and bolstering false document detection capabilities to Iraqi officials.
The agreement represents a key step forward in the government’s Plan for Change to deliver on working people’s priorities to restore order to the immigration system and comes after the publication of new figures showing more than 24,000 people with no right to be here have been returned since the election – the highest rate of returns in 8 years.
A communiqué was issued that sets out how we will deepen our collaboration internationally to tackle this vile crime.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
Organised immigration crime undermines our security and puts lives at risk. The criminal networks have spread across the globe and no single country can tackle this problem alone.
Today, at the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, the UK has led the way forward by securing international commitments to disrupt and pursue this vile criminal trade in people – part of our Plan for Change to strengthen our borders and keep communities safe.
Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt said:
I have said since I came into my post as Border Security Commander that organised immigration crime requires a coordinated international response to effectively dismantle criminal networks.
In my role I have seen first-hand how the cruelty and greed of criminal gangs puts the lives of the most vulnerable at risk in dangerous small boat crossings all for financial gain.
This summit marks a step change in the international community’s approach to tackling the problem, presenting a critical opportunity to strengthen global cooperation, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent further loss of life.
Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA) Graeme Biggar said:
Criminal gangs are using sophisticated online tactics, the abuse of legitimate goods and services, and illicit financial networks to facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys which put thousands of lives at risk each year and undermine border security.
Today’s summit sets out international agreements to tackle an international problem.
International intelligence sharing and cooperation is absolutely crucial to track criminal activity across borders allowing us to put a stop to these dangerous criminals.
In addition, today the Home Secretary confirmed over £30 million in funding within the Border Security Command to tackle Organised Immigration Criminal Networks. This significant funding package will be spent on key security projects across Europe, the Western Balkans, Asia and Africa, designed to strengthen border security and combat international criminal smuggling gangs.
The Home Secretary also announced joint work with France to fund an additional grassroots engagement programme to educate local communities on the dangers of irregular migration and people smuggling gangs, raising awareness of the realities and difficulties with travelling to Northern France to cross the Channel to the UK.
This will target both potential irregular migrants and, for the first time, teachers, religious leaders, and family members within vulnerable communities, and builds on the Home Office digital deterrence comms campaign that is already running in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
The UK will also collaborate with France to deliver critical training to Iraqi officials and commercial transport staff, helping them detect fraudulent documents and passports used to facilitate irregular migration and OIC activities.
![PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Stubb of Finland [March 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/downingstreet-150x122.png)
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 31 March 2025.
The Prime Minister welcomed the President of Finland Alexander Stubb to Downing Street this afternoon.
They discussed the successful Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris last week, noting the strong momentum from European leaders to keep Ukraine in the fight and increase the pressure on Putin to agree a peace deal.
The Prime Minister then updated the President on his ongoing work to strengthen the UK’s relationship with the European Union across a number of areas including defence and security, trade and economic growth. The President warmly welcomed the progress made so far.
As fellow NATO and JEF members, they agreed that the UK and Finland share a close and unique partnership which they will continue working to strengthen in the coming months.
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 31 March 2025.
The Prime Minister met with Adolescence creators, charities and young people to discuss the issues raised in the series during a meeting focused on rethinking adolescent safety today.
Today the Prime Minister met with Adolescence creators, charities and young people to discuss the issues raised in the series during a meeting focused on rethinking adolescent safety.
Joined by Adolescence co-writer Jack Thorne and producer Jo Johnson, the group met to discuss the challenges facing children and parents today. It also looked at how the Government can work in collaboration to ensure young people have the right tools, support and environment to learn about healthy relationships.
The meeting comes as Netflix makes the drama free to all secondary schools across the country through the Into Film+ schools streaming service and backed by the Prime Minister in the House of Commons. The series will help students better understand the impact of misogyny, dangers of online radicalisation and the importance of healthy relationships.
Giving children the best start in life, making our communities safer and preventing young people falling into crime are central to this government’s Plan for Change.
As a father, watching this show with my teenage son and daughter, I can tell you – it hit home hard.
It’s an important initiative to encourage as many pupils as possible to watch the show. As I see from my own children, openly talking about changes in how they communicate, the content they’re seeing, and exploring the conversations they’re having with their peers is vital if we are to properly support them in navigating contemporary challenges, and deal with malign influences.
This isn’t a challenge politicians can simply legislate for. Believe me, if I could pull a lever to solve it, I would. Only by listening and learning from the experiences of young people and charities can we tackle the issues this groundbreaking show raises.
At the meeting, the Prime Minister set out how this issue is personal to him. After years spent working as the Director of Public Prosecutions, he has seen the devastation that misogyny and violence leaves behind, and how it tears through families and communities.
Charities invited to Downing Street include the NSPCC, Movember, Beyond Quality, Children’s Society as well as a young person who shared their own experience of becoming immersed in similar online content.
The Prime Minister was also joined by Netflix and Tender charity who have provided resources and guides for parents, carers and teachers on the issues explored in Adolescence, as well as Into Film, the charity enabling the free viewing in schools via its Into Film+ schools streaming service.
We made this show to provoke a conversation. We wanted to pose the question – how do we help stop this growing crisis. So to have the opportunity to take this into schools is beyond our expectations. We hope it’ll lead to teachers talking to the students, but what we really hope is it’ll lead to students talking amongst themselves.
Adolescence has captured the national mood, sparking important conversations and helping articulate the pressures young people and parents face in today’s society.
We’re incredibly proud of the impact the show has made, and are delighted to be able to offer it to all schools across the UK through Into Film+. As part of this, healthy relationships charity Tender will create resources for teachers and parents to help them navigate the important topics the show explores.
The Government has taken action to ensure it is protecting children from the issues raised in the series.
The Online Safety Act’s illegal content duties have come into force targeting the most harmful material including extreme pornography.
From the summer, platforms will also have to ensure children have an age-appropriate experience online preventing them from seeing dangerous content which includes abusive and hateful misogyny and violence.
The Online Safety Act is not the end of the conversation but the foundation. As the Prime Minister has done so today, the Government is committed to listening and will not hesitate to strengthen the law further where necessary.
The Government is also reviewing the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance, following a consultation that closed last summer. It is closely looking at the consultation responses, engaging with stakeholders and considering the relevant evidence before setting out next steps to take the guidance forward.
The debates around the Netflix series Adolescence, and the themes within it, are both disturbing and important. Today’s meeting with the Prime Minister was a critical milestone for young people and for the NSPCC; a chance to come together and discuss what we can do to ensure young people are growing up in healthy, happy and safe environments.
The online world is being polluted by harmful and misogynistic content which is having a direct impact on the development of young people’s thinking and behaviours. This cannot be allowed to continue.
It is vital young people have access to high-quality, age-appropriate lessons in school about healthy relationships and understand why misogyny is so harmful and has no place in our society. And that parents have guidance and support around how to keep their children safe online. But we can’t expect teachers and parents to do all the heavy lifting.
Tech companies must now put the wellbeing of children first, as demanded by the Online Safety Act. They have a responsibility to ensure their platforms and sites are safe by design for young users: that age limits are enforced, that children’s privacy is respected, that algorithms are not targeting and bombarding them with harmful content, and that there are clear and simple ways for young users to complain about what they are experiencing online and seek support.
![PRESS RELEASE : Pub-owning businesses agree minimum standards for tenants on short agreements [March 2024]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pubscode-150x150.jpeg)
The press release issued by the Pubs Code Adjudicator on 31 March 2025.
The 6 regulated pub-owning businesses have worked together with the PCA to agree minimum standards in dealing with tied tenants on short agreements over and above what the Pubs Code requires.
A tenancy at will or short agreement is often used by pub companies to enable a tenant to begin operating a pub while a longer-term agreement is finalised. Such an agreement can provide an opportunity for both parties to understand whether the business relationship will work, and it can be a good introduction to the trade for a new operator.
If the business relationship is going to develop well, it is vital that the operator on a short agreement gets off to the right start. These transparent minimum standards for dealing fairly with tenants on short agreements can support them in their businesses.
Most rights in the Pubs Code do not apply to tenants on short agreements. However, those entering into such an agreement do have the right to certain information from their pub company and must be advised to complete pubs entry training unless they have certain business experience. A short agreement under the Pubs Code is a tied agreement which is either a tenancy at will or a tied tenancy which (when considered together with any other agreements) entitles the tenant to occupy the pub for under 12 months.
Using the relevant Pubs Code rights of tenants on substantive agreements as a guide, the pub companies regulated under the Pubs Code have worked together with the PCA to agree minimum standards. While largely reflecting existing business practices, these standards provide clarity to those entering into a short agreement on what they can expect from their pub company in addition to what the Pubs Code requires.
Fiona Dickie said:
“Everyone wants tied tenants to do well, and getting off to a strong start is essential. Those on tenancies at will and other short agreements are entitled to be treated fairly. It is particularly important that they should be advised not to invest their own money in the pub when on agreements which can be terminated at short notice. I’m pleased that the regulated pub companies have agreed to a consistent set of minimum standards to reflect their business practices over and above what the Pubs Code requires them to do. This should help tied tenants to understand what they can expect from their relationship with them”.
The short agreements minimum standards document can be found here: Short agreements – minimum standards (March 2025) – GOV.UK
![PRESS RELEASE : Homes England agrees purchase of key Nottingham regeneration site [March 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/homesengland-150x150.png)
The press release issued by Homes England on 31 March 2025.
Acquisition of Broad Marsh site signals boost for city’s regeneration vision and the start of major redevelopment in Nottingham.
The regeneration of Nottingham city centre has taken a major step forward following an agreement for Homes England to purchase the Broad Marsh site from Nottingham City Council.
The Government’s housing and regeneration agency will acquire the council’s land ownership of the former shopping centre, land to the west of the Green Heart, a multi-storey car park, Severns House and a former college site.
The next stage of development will include de-risking of the site, such as demolition and enabling works, to attract private sector developers with the necessary credentials and proven track record to deliver transformational, exemplar city centre projects.
The development of the site will bring forward around 1,000 homes, up to 20,000 square metres of retail, office and community spaces and create around 2,000 full-time jobs.
Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:
The acquisition of Broad Marsh is a major milestone in the city council’s vision of regeneration for this area of Nottingham.
We have worked closely with the council since 2022 to provide professional advice and support. Now that we have acquired the site, our teams will be working with partners to attract the right developer to deliver the new homes, employment spaces and leisure facilities necessary to create a vibrant city centre neighbourhood that the people of Nottingham can be proud of.
Broad Marsh is Nottingham’s top priority regeneration project, with significant progress already made by Nottingham City Council (NCC) in advancing its vision. Key achievements include the establishment of a new Nottingham College hub, the opening of the Central Library, Broad Marsh bus station, car park, and, most recently, the completion of the Green Heart public realm.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said:
It’s great to finally reveal the name of the buyer for such an important site. I have confidence in Homes England and the work they have already delivered across the country.
This is really positive news for Nottingham and marks the start of a major redevelopment for this key part of our city.
We know that people have wanted to see progress here for a long time and we understand that it has been a frustration for some that this hasn’t happened.
We’re excited by the plans that Homes England has, and we look forward to working closely with them to bring these to fruition.
The project will also benefit from investment by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), underlining Broad Marsh’s strategic significance to the region and showcasing the collaboration of organisations skilled in delivering complex regeneration projects, in line with the Government’s new Devolution arrangements.
The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said:
Homes England’s purchase of Broad Marsh is an investment into the future of Nottingham – a future that the people of Nottingham have been asking for and the city council has been pushing for, which can now be realised.”
As the Mayor of the East Midlands, I have been pleased to lead EMCCA into investing its resources so that this purchase could occur. This is exactly what the region expected when it chose to have a directly elected Mayor, and EMCCA will continue to work closely with Homes England as they transform the area.
Homes England will maintain close collaboration with the council, ensuring the strategic vision for Broad Marsh is successfully realised. The Agency will also commit to continue the work undertaken so far by the council, to engage residents, partners and stakeholders in shaping the delivery of this important project.
28 FEBRUARY 1925
The British Trade Union delegates who visited Russia in November and December last year have published their conclusions in an official report.
The Miners’ Delegate Conference decided to remit back to the districts the proposals for ending or amending the present agreement with the owners.
The Estimates for the Civil Service and Revenue Departments for the forthcoming year show a reduction of £14,216,850.
Mr Alexander Johnston, President of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said trade to-day was just hanging in the balance. It would take very little either to give it a strong upward movement or equally little to send it back again to its recent disastrous condition. An all-in national insurance scheme was explained to the members by Mr T. T. Broad.
The Association of Economic Biologists discussed warble flies, a Continental barley pest, forestry disease problems, potato culture, and seed-testing practice, at their annual meeting in Edinburgh.
At the annual dinner of the Glasgow Shipowners and Shipbrokers’ Benevolent Association, the president, Mr George Sloan, said that in the case of the North Atlantic the liner trade had been heavily hit by the action of the American Government in instituting a quota beyond which they would not allow immigration.
27 FEBRUARY 1925
The King’s health continues to improve. He had a much better day, following on restful night.
The Scottish Grand Committee to consider the Church of Scotland (Property and Endowments) Bill had a stormy first meeting on the question of the nationality of the Chairman. There were several scenes, and an adjournment was made until the question of chairmanship was settled by the Chairman’s Panel Committee. Later it was announced that the Chairman’s Panel had decided that Sir Cyril Cobb should continue as Chairman of the Committee. The Socialists will accept this decision.
Air Estimates for a net expenditure of £15,513,000 – a net increase of rather more than half a million over last year’s expenditure were discussed in the House of Commons. A completely new experiment in the field of air defence this year is the introduction of non-regular units, comprising four auxiliary Air Force squadrons – two of which will be located in Edinburgh and Glasgow – and two special reserve squadrons.
Speaking at Walsall in support of the Socialist candidate, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, referring to the Political Levy Bill, said his party would put up a fine fight. Polling takes place to-day.
Arthur Henderson repudiated the suggestion that Mr Ramsay MacDonald was to be superseded in the leadership of the Socialist party.
Proceedings at the opening of the Miners’ Conference at Blackpool were quiet. Mr Hodges explained the policy he has been advocating in the coalfields, while delegates explained the attitude of the districts to the wages agreement, and submitted suggestions for ending or amending it. An adjournment will be recommended to enable the Executive to consider the district proposals in conjunction with the attitude of the owners.
Strong criticism of the Clydebank factors was made at the resumed sitting of the Rents Commission in Glasgow.
Captain Elliot MP speaking in Glasgow on the relief of unemployment, said Local Authorities in Scotland had found that the employment of direct labour was unsatisfactory in many respects, and that the best course was to let the work out to a contractor.
An electric tramway car, becoming out of control on the North Bridge, Edinburgh, collided with a standing car with considerable force, causing injury to a number of passengers and shock to others.
The South African Legislative Assembly has adopted, by 71 votes to 47, a Labour motion urging that the King should not bestow titles upon his subjects residing in the Union or its mandated territories.
26 FEBRUARY 1925
It was announced that the King continues to make good progress with his health, and no further bulletin will be issued.
Prince Henry, who was to have represented the King at the Shire Horse Show, was unable to do so owing to a slight chill.
Replying in the House of Lords to Lord Arnold’s criticism of the Government’s safeguarding of industries policy, the First Commissioner of Works, Viscount Peel maintained that the Government had a clear mandate to deal with the question. He asked why did not the Labour party during its term of office repeal those parts of the Safeguarding of Industries Act dealing with key industries and dumping if they had the views so strongly expressed by Lord Arnold.
The Poor Law Emergency Provisions Continuance (Scotland) Bill passed second reading in the House of Commons by 261 to 101. Discussion of the Public Health (Scotland) Bill, which empowers Local Authorities to supply insulin to people suffering from diabetes, was adjourned.
Protestant League candidates in the Edinburgh Education Authority election held a rally, at which protests were made against the growing influence of the Roman Catholic Church in educational matters.
Delegates are arriving at Blackpool for the National Conference of the Miners’ Congress. Mr Hodges, the former secretary, is among the number, and will take his seat as a delegate.
25 FEBRUARY 1925
The Government were asked in the House of Commons why it had been decided not to renew the contract with Arcos (Limited) to advertise Russian materials on the backs of Government publications. Mr A. M. Samuel replied that the Government were not willing that advertisements of a firm described as the sole purchasing and selling agents of a Government which had not met its obligations towards British subjects should be admitted into official publications.
Questions were asked in the House of Commons concerning Irish prisoners detained in Peterhead Prison, on behalf of whom Mr Buchanan sought to secure an undertaking that they should be transferred to their own country.
A statement by the Rev. Dr White that Free Church opposition to the Church of Scotland Bill had been withdrawn is challenged by the well-known Free Church leader, Mr Archibald MacNeilage. Statements made by Dr White, and also by Dr Donald Maclean (of the Free Church), to representatives of The Scotsman are published.
Evidence on behalf of the house factors and the tenants was given before the Clydebank Rents Commission sitting in Glasgow, and in the course of the proceedings it was stated that rates amounting to £66,776 were outstanding.
For the Miners’ Delegate Conference, to be held at Blackpool, proposals have been sent in from all districts either to end or amend the present agreement.
Neville Chamberlain, speaking in London, said if the building operatives were willing to accept a scheme of payment by results the output of houses would be increased by at least one-third, and probably a good deal more.