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NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 10 October 1925

10 OCTOBER 1925

Mr Lloyd George, speaking at Inverness, recalled Mr Joseph Chamberlain’s land policy, and said the mistake had been made of only half doing the job. They would save money under the Liberal scheme, and the country would benefit by the values created. If one-fifth of the money spent on unemployment had been put into the land it would have made a different country.

Land reform and coal and power were among the questions discussed at the Scottish Liberal Federation Conference at Inverness. The new Liberal land scheme for England and Wales was criticised by Mr James Falconer, ex-M.P. for Forfarshire.

Before the Unionist party Conference at Brighton dispersed resolutions were carried demanding the amendment of the Trade Union Act of 1913, with the object of remedying the political levy grievance of non-Socialist Trade Unionists; urging large business concerns to facilitate the active participation of their directors, managers, and employees in municipal government; and postponing any declaration of policy by the party with regard to the mining industry until the Coal Commission reports.

In a report to the President of the Board of Trade, the Food Council state that, having regard to the price of flour, there is no justification for the price of bread which the London associations are seeking to maintain, and they invite bakers in the London area who are selling below the associations’ figure to send their names and charges to the Council, in order that the information may be made available to consumers.

Mr Austen Chamberlain, receiving Press representatives at Locarno, said that no secret understandings or undertakings of any sort would be made by the British. Everything occurring at Locarno would be disclosed before Parliament before binding decisions were reached.

October 21, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 9 October 1925

9 OCTOBER 1925

Mr Baldwin, speaking at a Unionist demonstration at Brighton, claimed that the Government had fulfilled their promises, and in a reference to Communist activity, said the Government would use the full force of the law to deal with speech or action which they deemed to be of a seditious nature.

The annual Conference of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations was opened at Brighton. The Government’s attitude to the Communist menace and its policy in the industrial field were attacked by Mr Chappell, of Fareham, who moved the reference back of the Council’s report. His amendment, however, received little support, and the report was adopted. A resolution was carried which viewed with alarm the continued depression in British industry, and urged support of the Government in the application of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. Mr Wood, Minister of Agriculture, was elected President for the ensuing year.

Mr Bridgeman, in a speech at Shrewsbury, defended Admiralty policy in regard to Rosyth and Pembroke.

It is officially announced that the fourth meeting of the Locarno Conference was devoted to the consideration of questions raised by the participation in the League of Nations of the eventual signatories of the Security Pact. The Conference was adjourned until to-morrow, when two meetings will be held.

The National Delegate Conference of the Miners’ Federation defeated by a majority of 145,000 on a card vote the recommendation of their Executive that the Federation should take part in the Coal Commission inquiry.

It is feared that the Greek cargo steamer Margarita has been lost with all hands off the South African coast.

October 21, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 8 October 1925

8 OCTOBER 1925

French demands at the Locarno Conference for the recognition of France’s guarantee of Eastern arbitration treaties have resulted in a deadlock. The discussions with regard to the Western Pact are understood to have proceeded satisfactorily.

Eighteen persons are reported to have been killed in the disorders at Florence.

Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, the Home Secretary, writes to a correspondent regarding the recruitment of Fascisti in the Special Constabulary.

Strong protest was voiced at the conference in Glasgow of the National Union of Scottish Mineworkers against the O.M.S., which was described as a “blackleg” organisation; and a resolution was passed pledging the delegates to work against such movements.

The Miners’ Executive are, it is understood, divided on the nature of the recommendations to be made to the National Delegate Conference, which meets to-day to decide on their attitude to the Royal Commission.

How British coal exports were affected by the threat of a stoppage in July was explained at a meeting of the Coal Exporters’ Association.

Preliminary to the opening of the Unionist Conference at Brighton there were a number of social functions. Over 2,000 delegates are expected to be present.

The Secretary for Scotland, speaking at Kirkintilloch, said that in Scotland there was an annual wastage of 10,000 houses and they had not begun to touch the capital want of over 100,000 dwellings. He was crying out for plumbers and plasterers and could not get them.

October 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge Museums saved for the nation [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 16 October 2025.

Government announces £9 million grant, enabling National Trust to secure future of museums within UNESCO World Heritage Site that attract 330,000 visitors annually.
- Move is latest part of government’s Plan for Change to help boost the local economy, safeguard jobs and create opportunity in the Shropshire area
The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution is to be saved and kept open for future generations, following a £9 million government grant announced today.

The funding will enable the transfer of the Ironbridge Gorge museums to the National Trust, securing the future of this internationally significant heritage site and ensuring continued access to Britain’s industrial heritage for hundreds of thousands of annual visitors.

The Ironbridge Gorge was designated as one of Britain’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, recognising its pivotal role as the epicentre of 18th century world industrialisation. The site encompasses 10 museums and 35 listed heritage buildings and Scheduled Monuments, and showcases the engineering prowess of our ancestors. It attracts 330,000 visitors annually from the West Midlands, across the UK and beyond.

Attractions include Blists Hill Victorian Town, the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, and the Old Furnace. The museums on site serve as a valuable educational resource for schoolchildren whilst offering families an engaging historical experience. The tourism generated also supports local businesses including pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops, providing employment throughout the area.

The transfer of the sites to the National Trust will mean that the museums on site benefit from the strength of the National Trust’s brand and its large membership base. Combined with government investment, this transition aims to enhance the museums’ success and draw even greater numbers of visitors to discover Shropshire’s contribution to the Industrial Revolution.

This intervention is the latest step of the government’s Plan for Change, ensuring that the site continues to boost the local economy through increased tourism and employment, as well as opening up valuable opportunities for the local community to connect with their heritage.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, it is absolutely vital that the museums in the Ironbridge Gorge are protected as a key heritage asset in this country and a significant contributor to jobs and the economy in the Shropshire area. The Gorge is rich with the history of ingenious Britons who designed and constructed so many iconic pieces of engineering – from steam engines to iron boats.

I have every confidence that this government support will help the National Trust take this area from strength to strength. It will mean it can be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of visitors for generations, whilst providing children with opportunities to connect with their local heritage as we embark on our plan of national renewal.

This £9 million grant represents a contribution towards the total sum required by the National Trust to ensure the museum’s long-term security and maintain its status as a unique visitor attraction.

Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, said:

The Ironbridge Gorge is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, which paved the way for the scientific and technological innovation that defines our world today. The site is an example of British ingenuity, a source of immense national and community pride and a distinct and much-loved icon of our shared heritage. I cannot think of something more at home in the National Trust’s care – an institution built to protect and preserve the things our nation loves on behalf of everyone, everywhere.

It’s a privilege to be able to work with DCMS and with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, which has looked after the site and its collection with care and dedication for many decades, on this next chapter in the Ironbridge Gorge’s amazing history. Finally, I’d like to say thank you to Arts Council England, Historic England, and National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support in helping secure a sustainable long-term future for the buildings, monuments and collection within Ironbridge Gorge.

Mark Pemberton, Chairman to the Board of Trustees of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust said:

We are incredibly pleased to have secured the long-term future of the Museum by its transfer to the National Trust. The £9 million investment by DCMS is recognition of the global significance and national importance of Ironbridge.

Ironbridge was important as the birthplace of industry and now as a major tourist destination it plays a part in the success of the local economy.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said:

On behalf of Historic England I am delighted that the National Trust is stepping up, with support from DCMS, to take on Ironbridge, the cradle of the industrial revolution with many remarkable survivals from the late eighteenth century onwards. It is such an important part of this country’s heritage, and contributes significantly to the local and regional economy. We are very grateful to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust for all the work and care they have put into keeping the site safe for the nation over the years, and look forward to helping play our part in helping it to thrive in the future.

Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director, Arts Council England said:

The Ironbridge Gorge Museums holds a special place in our nation’s history – a place where innovation and creativity changed the world.

The National Trust’s acquisition, made possible with investment from DCMS, is a great step in securing its future. Arts Council England has worked collaboratively with DCMS, National Trust, IGMT, NLHF and Historic England to support this transition process, which will offer future generations the opportunity to visit, learn and be inspired by the museums’ rich history and world-class collections, for many years to come.

This announcement follows a series of government interventions to support the heritage and museum sectors through the Arts Everywhere Fund, which includes the £15 million Heritage at Risk Capital Fund supporting 37 at-risk heritage sites, and the £20 million Museum Renewal Fund supporting 75 cherished local museums to remain open to the public and continue providing learning opportunities for children nationwide.

Notes to editors:

The National Trust

The National Trust is an independent conservation charity founded in 1895 by three people: Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Hardwicke Rawnsley, who saw the importance of the nation’s heritage and open spaces and wanted to preserve them for everyone to enjoy. Today, across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we continue to look after places so people and nature can thrive.

We care for more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 890 miles of coastline, 1 million collection items and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves. In 2023/24 we received 25 million visitors to our pay for entry sites. The National Trust is for everyone – we were founded for the benefit of the whole nation, and our 5.4 million members, funders and donors, and tens of thousands of volunteers support our work to care for nature, beauty, history for everyone, for ever.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust is an education and heritage conservation charity that cares for 10 museums and 35 listed buildings and Scheduled Monuments in the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to one of the most significant industrial heritage collections in the UK. Its Nationally Designated collection includes more than 400,000 objects, representing a rich and unique record of Britain’s industrial past.
October 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government to tackle antisemitism and other racism in the NHS [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 October 2025.

The government takes urgent action to tackle antisemitism and other forms of racism in the NHS.
- Steps taken to end scourge of antisemitism in the health service
- Lord John Mann to lead rapid review into how healthcare regulators tackle antisemitism and racism
- Mandatory antiracism training to be rolled out to all NHS staff
The Prime Minister has ordered an urgent review of antisemitism and all forms of racism in the NHS, as part of wider efforts to tackle discrimination in the health service.

Following recent incidents of antisemitism from doctors which drew stark attention to problems of culture and the regulation in the health system, Lord John Mann will lead the review, looking at how to protect patients and staff from racism and hold perpetrators to account.

At the same time, the government announced the immediate rollout of strengthened mandatory antisemitism and antiracism training across the health service, and NHS England will review its uniform guidance so patients and staff always feel respected in NHS settings.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The discrimination staff and patients have faced because of their race or religion goes against everything our country stands for.

The NHS was built on the principle that everyone should be treated equally and with respect, and I am determined to restore this to the heart of the health service.

That’s why I have asked Lord Mann to root out this problem and ensure perpetrators are always held to account.

Today’s announcement builds on wider efforts across government to stamp out behaviour that seeks to divide and spread hate across the whole of society, following the horrific terrorist attack on Heaton Park synagogue earlier this month.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 

The NHS should be there for all of us when we need it – regardless of income, race or religion. Discrimination undermines everything our health service stands for and undermines its ability to provide quality care.

I have been appalled by recent incidents of antisemitism by NHS doctors, and I will not tolerate it. There can be no place in our NHS for doctors or staff continuing to practise after even persistently using antisemitic or hateful language.

Patients put their lives in the hands of healthcare professionals. They treat us at our most vulnerable. They therefore have a special responsibility to provide total comfort and confidence.

I am grateful to Lord Mann for taking on this work. I expect his recommendations, and the action we are taking today, to help us enforce a zero-tolerance policy to racism in healthcare.

Lord John Mann said: 

The NHS and the health sector pride themselves on being welcoming, inclusive and professional in dealings with every one of us, as we are all patients at different times and in different ways throughout our entire life.

Everyone in the country should be confident in these underlying principles at all times.

This review will look at the issues that can undermine the confidence of individuals when seeking or receiving healthcare.

Ensuring that the systems and culture of regulation across the health service match, at all times, the universal principles and ethics that underpin our NHS will be the sole focus of this work.

Recently, shocking examples have raised concerns about the operation and efficiency of independent healthcare professional regulators, some of which have been slow to crack down and investigate incidents of hate.

Lord Mann’s review will examine how the regulatory system for healthcare professionals tackles antisemitism and other forms of racism at every stage, from employment through to professional oversight. It will also look at regulatory processes, transparency in investigations, reporting mechanisms, and how zero-tolerance policies can be more effectively implemented across the health service.

At the same time, all 1.5 million NHS staff will be required to complete updated mandatory antisemitism and antiracism training, with existing equality, diversity and human rights programmes being expanded to include:
- enhanced content on discrimination and antisemitism
- new assessment questions to test understanding
- training developed with equality and antisemitism subject matter experts
- content aligned to core skills training framework
Staff will be asked to refresh their training immediately when the updated content becomes available shortly, rather than waiting for the standard 3-year cycle.

The government is also asking NHS England to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism and set clear expectations that every trust, integrated care board and arm’s length body does the same. The government is also reviewing the recommendations of the independent working group on Islamophobia.

NHS England is reviewing the uniform and workwear guidance last updated in 2020, in light of recent successful approaches rolled out at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. NHS England will engage stakeholders on its proposals and issue new guidance shortly. The guidance will protect freedom of religious expression while ensuring patients feel respected at all times. The guidance will not impact staff’s freedom to protest and speak out on political issues, but it will ensure that the political views of staff do not impact on patient care.

Andrew Gilbert, Vice President for Security, Resilience and Cohesion, Board of Deputies of British Jews, said:

We welcome the new measures announced today to tackle antisemitism within the NHS, particularly the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, a much needed review on regulators led by Lord Mann and an expansion of effective antisemitism training.

For much of the last 2 years, Jewish staff and patients have felt let down by the NHS while antisemitism has been allowed to flourish and thrive with hospitals, medical schools and other health spaces becoming unwelcoming for Jews.

The government’s plans are a step towards addressing these urgent issues that will make the NHS a safer place for Jews to work and receive care. However, these changes should be seen as a spring board for further changes and not a ‘fix all’, with issues remaining on the classification of Jews as an ethnicity, the lack of repercussions of medical staff accused of antisemitism and health inequalities in the Jewish community.

Claudia Mendoza, CEO of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), said:

Antisemitism in the NHS has been out of control. We have seen doctors describe hospitals as cesspits of “Jewish supremacy” and praise Hamas as “legends”, with the regulators and tribunals not taking substantive action. It is vital that Jewish patients are able to trust that their healthcare providers will treat them without prejudice. This continued lack of action has severely undermined trust.

The government’s announcements today, including the introduction of mandatory antisemitism training and the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism encouraged across the health service, are a welcome first step but must be the first of many. Most importantly, we must see swift action as a result of Lord Mann’s urgent review into how healthcare regulators tackle antisemitism.

Lord Mann will report to the Health Secretary, with practical recommendations to strengthen protections against antisemitism and other forms of racism in healthcare.

Patient safety is a priority for this government and the bedrock of an NHS that is fit for the future – that includes ensuring that the NHS is completely free from racism.

The Jewish Medical Association (JMA) said:

For the past 2 years JMA has become increasingly concerned about blatant expressions of antisemitism – simply anti-Jewish racism – that have become widely tolerated across healthcare. British Jewish healthcare students, professionals and patients find this profoundly distressing and intimidating.

JMA welcomes Lord Mann’s review of the role of regulators in eliminating this toxic culture for Jews.

We have long called for IHRA definition adoption, for effective mandatory training for staff in the NHS, regulators and other key players to combat antisemitism, and for implementation of uniform policy, all to help make healthcare a prejudice-free, politics-free environment.

Daniel Carmel-Brown, CEO of Jewish Care, said:

Jewish Care welcomes the government’s commitment to tackling antisemitism and racism across the NHS and wider society. These measures send a powerful message that hatred and discrimination have no place in healthcare or anywhere else.

Adopting the IHRA definition, enhancing training and strengthening oversight are important steps towards ensuring that Jewish patients, staff and communities feel safe, respected and valued.

We look forward to working with government and partners to help build a health service and a society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Professor Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, said:

Tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism involves clear communication of a zero-tolerance stance, implementing systemic changes and creating a supportive environment for all employees.

That’s why we fully support roll out of the comprehensive measures announced today by the government. Our diverse workforce is the backbone of the NHS. It must be cared for, celebrated and respected for the outstanding care that it provides.

At the same time, our patients, colleagues and communities need to be treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. No one should be subjected to discrimination or abuse of any kind, within or outside of the workplace.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said:

Being anti-racist is not about making grand statements, it is about taking consistent action to end discrimination and inequity. What the Prime Minister has set out today is an important commitment to action in the NHS, using the levers of training and regulation to build a health and care workforce that is committed to ending racism.

This can help our sector not just challenge overt racist acts, like violence and intimidation, but also address the underlying systemic issues which means our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities continue to experience some of the worst access, experiences and outcomes from healthcare.
October 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Focus on reading in secondary years to drive up standards [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 15 October 2025.

Education Secretary confirms all pupils will sit a mandatory reading test at age 13 to drive up reading standards.

A national focus on reading at the start of secondary school will drive up standards to ensure every young person can achieve and thrive, as the government announces a mandatory reading test for all children at age 13. 

The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will tell a major schools conference today that for millions of young people, reading is “the passport to the rest of their lives,” with too many currently held back from the rest of their education – and the wider world – by an inability to read.

All pupils will take the test in year 8 – marking a significant step forward in driving up standards in core literacy skills which will help young people to unlock everything else school has to offer.

This new measure will set clear expectations to support parents, teachers and pupils alike – identifying gaps early and targeting help for those who need it, while enabling the most able to go further.

Speaking at the Confederation of School Trusts conference today, the Education Secretary will set out the core tenets of the government’s forthcoming schools white paper, which will lay the path for national renewal to take schools into the 2030s.

 Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: 

There is one barrier in particular I worry is locking young people out. Because before a child can even begin to engage in everything their school has to offer, they must first be able to read.

When they can’t, the sense of dejection sets in. Engagement seeps away. Attendance follows.

Reading holds the key to so much. There is no foundation more important.

So we will introduce a statutory assessment in year 8 to assess reading fluency and comprehension.

We’ll test progress at this key point when too many children either spin their wheels or fall further behind.

Invaluable data for schools to make sure no child’s need for more, for a helping hand, can slip through the cracks.

Children’s reading journey begins in the earliest years, and the government will build on the success of the phonics programme, setting a new ambition for 90% of children to be meeting the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check.

The government is expanding its support in reception year through the English Hubs programme, putting a laser-focus on the children that struggle the most, alongside reforms to boost the quality of education in the early years, and wider family support through Best Start Family Hubs. 

Chief Executive, Lift Schools, Rebecca Boomer-Clark, said:

Reading is the key that unlocks everything, both learning and engagement. Having a national ambition for 90% of children passing the phonics check and the introduction of reading tests at Year 8 are both very positive steps forward.

We set ourselves a network 90% goal for primary phonics in 2021 and have been testing reading ability across our mainstream schools from Year 2 – Year 10 for the last few years. This has provided us with invaluable information and insight on how to get children back on track – it has driven significant leaps forward in how our children and young people read and as a result how they can engage fully in their learning. This work is critically important for all children, but especially so for those from more disadvantaged backgrounds.

Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, Jonathan Douglas, said:

The National Year of Reading 2026 will be a pivotal moment to make reading feel relevant, exciting and rewarding. In collaboration with the Department for Education and multi-sector partners, we are excited to spark a movement that puts reading back at the heart of our culture.

Our research shows that twice as many children and young people who enjoy reading in their free time have above average reading skills than children who don’t enjoy it. This finding is important at a time when children and young people’s reading skills are cause for concern, particularly for those from disadvantaged communities. Reading for enjoyment is one of the most powerful drivers of a child’s academic success and wellbeing, but it’s also about so much more than attainment. The joy of getting lost in a story, of discovering new ideas, or seeing yourself reflected in a book, should be an everyday part of school life. Embedding that joy into education enriches childhood and builds the foundation for lifelong learning,

Data from the new statutory assessment will be made available to Ofsted and government, but individual schools’ results will not be published – as with the phonics check. Schools will make children’s results available to parents.

The test will provide a snapshot in time and the government’s expectation is that it is not an assessment children need to revise for.

The plans build on the Government’s National Year of Reading, which will unite parents, schools, libraries and businesses to get people reading and help reverse the decline in reading for pleasure among young people.

The government is already supporting an improvement in reading and writing skills, including through new training for teachers in secondary school to support young people to read, and a £1million fund to support schools with the greatest need to purchase reading programmes and other resources to support struggling readers.

October 21, 2025
NEWS STORY : Sentence for Abiola Adenmosun Increased After Solicitor General Intervention

STORY

A man who groomed and repeatedly sexually abused a teenage girl has had his prison sentence substantially increased by the Court of Appeal after the case was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Abiola Adenmosun, 27, from Chatham, Kent, was originally sentenced to four years and three months in July 2025 for a series of crimes against a victim who was just 14 years old at the time of the offences. Following a referral by Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP, the sentence was reviewed and increased to six years and nine months imprisonment.

The court was told that Adenmosun approached the girl when he was 22, and despite knowing her age, he began a relationship with her. Between 2012 and 2013, he groomed the teenager, plying her with drugs and alcohol before repeatedly sexually abusing her. He was also convicted of damaging the victim’s phone and assaulting her sister during this period. In a powerful victim impact statement, the survivor described her daily struggles with anxiety and physical pain as a result of the sustained abuse.

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP welcomed the decision by the Court of Appeal. “This was a deeply troubling case of sustained sexual abuse by a grown man against a vulnerable child,” Ms Reeves said. “I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase Adenmosun’s sentence and I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his victim who has been so brave in coming forward.” The increased sentence reflects the severity of Adenmosun’s offences against a child victim. In addition to the extended prison term, Adenmosun remains subject to an Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an Indefinite Restraining Order.

October 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Man, Abiola Adenmosun, who groomed 14-year-old girl has jail sentence increased [October 2025]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 15 October 2025.

A man who groomed and repeatedly sexually abused a 14-year-old girl had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP intervened.

The court heard that Abiola Adenmosun, from Chatham, Kent, approached the teenager when he was 22 and despite learning she was 14 years old, began a relationship with her.

Between 2012 and 2013, Adenmosun gave the teenager drugs, alcohol and sexually abused her several times, typically in his car.

During this period, Adenmosun damaged the teenager’s phone and assaulted the victim’s sister.

In a victim impact statement, the victim said she struggles with anxiety every day and also suffers physical pain.

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves said:

This was a deeply troubling case of sustained sexual abuse by a grown man against a vulnerable child.

I welcome the Court of Appeal’s decision to increase Adenmosun’s sentence and I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his victim who has been so brave in coming forward.

On 18 July 2025 at Maidstone Crown Couty, Abiola Adenmosun was sentenced to four years and three months at Maidstone Crown Court. He also received an Indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an Indefinite Restraining Order.

Following a referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, the Court of Appeal increased the sentence to six years and nine months imprisonment.

October 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Dad and son (Henry Thomas Allen and Lee Allen) get suspended sentence for illegal scrapyard [October 2025]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 15 October 2025.

The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a father and son for running an illegal scrap metal site in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire.
- Environment Agency investigation ends in successful prosecution
- Defendants ignored advice and became uncooperative
At Northampton Crown Court on Friday 10 October 2025, Henry Thomas Allen, 73, and his son Lee Allen, 37, both of Station Road, Irthlingborough, both received prison sentences of six months suspended for 18 months.

This was on condition that they each undertake 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days. They were also ordered to pay £5,000 each in costs plus a victim surcharge of £128.

The guilty pleas, at a previous hearing, were for operating without an environmental permit and handling waste in a manner likely to cause pollution.

Site of concern

The court was told that the Environment Agency had designated a scrap metal business in Station Road as a site of concern for a number of years.

Located in the River Nene flood plain and without the correct sealed, foul drainage system the site contained large quantities of motor vehicle waste.

This included batteries, tyres, gas cannisters, fridges, freezers and motor vehicle fluids such as fuel, oil and battery acid. This was stored on bare ground without the correct, sealed, drainage system with a working interceptor.

The company was instructed to remove the unpermitted scrap metal on the land.

But the Environment Agency continued to receive complaints that new waste was being treated and stored.

Officers visited the site and on several occasions provided advice, guidance and support.

Environmental law

Sarah Dunne, the Environment Agency’s Solicitor Advocate, told the court that officers had made every effort to work with the Allens to bring the site into compliance with environmental law. This included guidance regarding the storage and treatment of motor vehicle waste.

However, in spite of this advice, the company continued to accept, deposit and store large quantities of waste metals including end-of-life vehicles. They also became uncooperative with Environment Agency officials.

After a court warrant was gained, Henry Allen was arrested with support from Northamptonshire Police. Drone images showed the scale of the waste on site.

Non-cooperation

The court was told that the father had a long history of non-cooperation with the Environment Agency. He had been served with a warning letter.

Though his son was made sole director of the company, the court was told this was nothing more than a paper exercise.

Sentencing both Allens, His Honour Judge Mayo said that their offending had crossed the custody threshold, that the risk of harm had been high and that they had undermined lawful waste operators. “If you breach the orders, it’s simple, there is a custodial sentence,” the judge said.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

We hope this case will send a clear message that we do not hesitate to take action to protect the environment and bring perpetrators to justice.  

These people operated the site without the required permit which, as well as undermining the regulatory regime, also had an impact on lawful waste operators.  

We are actively targeting illegal waste activities across Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire and the country.

Anyone who suspects a company is operating illegally can call the Environment Agency 24/7 on 0800 80 70 60 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Background

Businesses and householders should carry out checks to ensure that they are using legitimate companies to deal with their waste.

To check if a waste carrier is genuine visit: Public Registers Online  

Environmental permits exist to ensure waste is handled safely and does not harm local residents or damage the natural environment

Charges

Henry Thomas Allen
1. Between 24 January 2021-24 February 2023 at Station Road, Irthlingborough, A6 Scrap Metals Ltd did keep controlled waste, namely end of life vehicles, scrap metals and mixed waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. And the offence was committed with the consent or connivance or attributable to neglect on the part of Henry Thomas Allen contrary to sections 33 (1) (c), 33 (6) and 157 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended.
2. Between 24 January 2021-24 February 2023 at Station Road, Irthlingborough, A6 Scrap Metals Ltd operated a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the deposit, treatment and storage of end of life vehicles, scrap metals and mixed waste, except under and to the extent authorised by environmental permit and the offence was committed with the consent or connivance or attributable to neglect on the part of Henry Thomas Allen contrary to sections 33 (1) (c), 33 (6) and 157 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended.
Lee Allen
1. Between 24 January 2021-24 February 2023 at Station Road, Irthlingborough, A6 Scrap Metals Ltd did keep controlled waste, namely end of life vehicles, scrap metals and mixed waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. And the offence was committed with the consent or connivance or attributable to neglect on the part of Lee Allen contrary to sections 33 (1) (c), 33 (6) and 157 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended.
2. Between 24 January 2021-24 February 2023 at Station Road, Irthlingborough, A6 Scrap Metals Ltd operated a regulated facility, namely a waste operation for the deposit, treatment and storage of end of life vehicles, scrap metals and mixed waste, except under and to the extent authorised by environmental permit and the offence was committed with the consent or connivance or attributable to neglect on the part of Lee Allen contrary to sections 33 (1) (c), 33 (6) and 157 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as amended.
October 21, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor takes on the blockers to get Britain building [October 2025]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 15 October 2025.

New roads, reservoirs, airports, and railways held up by lengthy legal challenges will be completed more quickly under new proposals announced by the Chancellor today (15 October), fast-tracking national renewal.
- Major infrastructure projects gummed up in the courts by legal challenges set to be unblocked by new proposals to cut court time by around half a year.
- Lengthy judicial reviews have left over 30 infrastructure projects since 2008, like the Norfolk Offshore Windfarm and A38 Derby junction improvements, in limbo, stunting economic growth and taking up thousands of court working days.
- Announcement comes as amendments to strengthen the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill are tabled to get Britain building and growing.
Backing the builders not the blockers, the government will work with the judiciary to cut the amount of time it takes for a judicial review to move through the court system for nationally critical infrastructure projects by around half a year, like Sizewell C. The project, that will deliver clean power to the equivalent of six million homes and support 10,000 jobs at peak construction, was delayed by two judicial reviews, both of which were dismissed by the courts.

Judicial reviews can currently take well over a year to be resolved and have seen some major projects essential for kickstarting economic growth left in limbo. In many cases they go over budget by millions and put thousands of new jobs, energy security for millions of homes and greater transport links for communities on ice. Of the 34 infrastructure projects that faced judicial reviews since 2008, just four were upheld.

The Norfolk Offshore Windfarm judicial review took two years, causing delays to the delivery of energy to the equivalent of more than 1.3 million homes and the A38 Derby junction improvements were delayed for over a year holding up much needed investment in local transport connections. Major road projects are paying up to £121 million per scheme due to delays in legal proceedings, with the cost of workers’ wages, legal fees and weakened investor confidence fuelling overspend.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

The previous government sided with the blockers, who held our economy to ransom for too long, abusing the lengthy judicial review process to delay critical national infrastructure projects and holding back economic growth.

Our planning reforms are set to benefit the economy by up to £7.5 billion over the next ten years, so whether through reducing the length of the judicial review process, tearing up burdensome regulations, or streamlining planning permissions with AI, we want to go further still by backing the builders not the blockers and deliver national renewal by getting Britain building.

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, said:

Serial objectors have held Britain’s future to ransom while families struggle to find affordable homes and businesses wait years for vital infrastructure. We can’t let frivolous legal challenges gum up the courts and grind our economy to a halt.

Just four out of 34 judicial reviews since 2008 were actually upheld. It’s clear the system is being abused by those who want to stop progress at any cost. We’re backing the builders, not the blockers, and getting Britain building again.

As the Budget approaches, the Chancellor will be spearheading a cross-government drive to kickstart the economy through a series of pro-growth announcements, including a new wave of planning reforms to get Britain building, providing the homes, infrastructure, and jobs the economy needs to grow and boost living standards.

In addition to this week’s amendments, the Chancellor is committed to going further and faster on breaking down barriers in the planning system, building on progress already made, with a record 21 decisions made on major infrastructure projects in the first year of this government.

These include greenlighting of the Lower Thames Crossing, the Rampion 2 Offshore Wind Farm off the Sussex coast and the Simister Island development outside Bury – projects that boost connectivity, energy supply and create jobs, essential for kickstarting economic growth that people can feel in their daily lives.

Katy Dowding, President and CEO Skanska UK said:

I welcome this announcement to curb the delays to major infrastructure delivery – it is a crucial step in enabling construction as a key driver for economic growth. I encourage government to continue ‘back the Builders’ and work closely with industry to consider how to unblock other issues that equally hamper infrastructure delivery so we can get Britain building again.

Chris Ball, President, UK & Ireland, AtkinsRéalis said:

Critical infrastructure is the lifeblood of the economy: it powers homes and businesses, moves people to places and goods to markets, creates capacity for new homes and industrial zones and enables sustainable, resilient growth.

The faster these projects move into delivery, the sooner their economic impact can be felt locally and through the jobs and investment in supply chains across the country. We welcome efforts to remove systemic barriers to delivery and streamline the system by fast-tracking projects whilst also taking careful account of the impact on nature and ensuring that local communities continue to have a vital role within the decision-making process.

Stephen Beechey, Group Public Sector Director, Wates Group said:

At Wates, we support the government’s efforts to remove delays that obstruct the delivery of critical social infrastructure. The proposed judicial review reforms are a vital step toward ensuring that essential projects, such as new prisons, schools and hospitals, can proceed without unnecessary hold-ups. Every month of delay adds cost to the taxpayer and slows down the provision of vital public services. By streamlining the process, these measures will help us build faster, plan better, and deliver the facilities our communities urgently need.

Richard Whitehead, AECOM’s regional CEO for Europe & India, said:

The government faces urgent challenges in delivering infrastructure fast enough to meet the ambitions outlined in the infrastructure strategy and drive growth. Speeding up project delivery will be a key element to ensuring the highest return on the planned infrastructure pipeline. This approach has other benefits, namely it can be applied across sectors and play a critical role in achieving 2030 clean energy goals.

The UK’s consenting process can be subject to legal challenge which can cause substantial delays to projects resulting in scheme benefits not being realised within anticipated timescales as well as rising costs to the Exchequer. The government has been making commendable progress with its planning reform agenda, and the focus must now be on ensuring the reforms can translate into success through effective implementation and adequate resourcing. We commend any moves that can lead to faster approvals whilst also maintaining environmental and community safeguards.
October 21, 2025