Category: News Story

STORY

The Insolvency Service has announced that Alec Pybus, formerly Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as interim Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Dean Beale. Mr. Beale stepped down on 12 May 2025 after more than 30 years with the agency, including six years as CEO. Mr. Beale has taken up a new role as Executive Director at the Centre for Public Interest Audit, an independent body established to enhance audit standards for major UK companies.

In a statement, Mr. Beale said:

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chief Executive Officer for the past six years. The Insolvency Service will be in safe hands with Alec, who has vast experience and knowledge of this complex sector. I wish him and everyone at the Insolvency Service the very best for the future.”

Mr. Pybus, who has been working closely with Mr. Beale to ensure a smooth transition, expressed his commitment to the role:

“I’m delighted to have been given this opportunity, and I am looking forward to taking up this role while a new Chief Executive is recruited.”

The Department for Business and Trade has initiated the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive. The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the UK government responsible for administering and investigating insolvencies, as well as enforcing company and insolvency law.

STORY

The UK Government has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration policy, aiming to significantly reduce net migration and address public concerns over border control. Prime Minister Keir Starmer introduced the reforms, emphasising the need to end what he described as a “failed free market experiment” in mass immigration. The automatic right to settlement and citizenship after five years will be abolished and migrants will now need to reside in the UK for ten years before applying for permanent status, unless they can demonstrate significant contributions to the economy and society.

The Government plans to tighten visa rules across various categories, including work, family and study visas. This includes raising salary thresholds for skilled workers and increasing English language requirements for migrants and their dependants. In a controversial measure which will concern the industry who already struggle to find workers, the visa route for foreign care workers will be closed, with the government encouraging investment in domestic workforce training to fill these roles.

A new digital system will be implemented to track migrants’ legal status and ensure they leave the UK upon visa expiration, with the reforms aiming to streamline asylum procedures and enhance the deportation of individuals who violate immigration laws. Keir Starmer stated that the reforms are designed to restore public confidence in the immigration system and ensure it serves the UK’s economic interests. He emphasised that staying in the UK is a privilege, not a right, and that the new policies will prioritise those who contribute meaningfully to society.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the need to reduce reliance on low-cost foreign labour, particularly in sectors like social care, and to invest in training and better pay for UK workers. Supporters argue that the measures are necessary to control immigration and protect public services, while critics express concerns about potential labour shortages and the impact on sectors that depend on foreign workers. Some opposition figures have accused the government of political opportunism, suggesting the reforms are a response to recent electoral pressures. The Government has not set specific targets for reducing net migration but has indicated a commitment to significant decreases. The effectiveness of these reforms will be closely monitored, with further adjustments possible based on their impact on the UK’s economy and society.

STORY

The High Speed 2 (HS2) project has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the first bore of the Bromford Tunnel in Birmingham. This 3.5-mile tunnel, stretching from Water Orton in Warwickshire to Washwood Heath in Birmingham, is set to become the longest railway tunnel ever constructed in the West Midlands. The breakthrough was achieved by the tunnel boring machine (TBM) named “Mary Ann” in honour of the Warwickshire-born author George Eliot. Over a period of 652 days, Mary Ann excavated approximately one million tonnes of material, marking a major engineering accomplishment for the HS2 project.

Rail Minister Lord Hendy attended the event and highlighted the project’s impact on the region’s economy and infrastructure. He stated:

“Today marks a major milestone for the country’s biggest infrastructure project, opening up the HS2 gateway to Birmingham. This is the longest railway tunnel ever built in the West Midlands. It’s truly a monumental feat of engineering and represents huge progress.”

The completion of the Bromford Tunnel is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the West Midlands, with projections of £10 billion in economic growth over the next decade. The project has already supported over 30,000 jobs along the 140-mile route, providing highly skilled opportunities and contributing to the Government’s Plan for Change. Additionally, the Washwood Heath site, located at the tunnel’s western end, is undergoing development to transform a 24-hectare brownfield area into commercial and logistics space. This initiative is anticipated to create over 1,000 new jobs for local residents, further stimulating the region’s economy. The Bromford Tunnel’s completion is a pivotal step in the HS2 project, which aims to connect the UK’s major cities with faster and more reliable train services, alleviate congestion on existing lines, and enhance connectivity across the country.

STORY

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

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

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

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

STORY

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

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

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

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

STORY

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

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

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

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

STORY

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

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

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

STORY

A recent study has revealed that Scotland’s £25 billion nuclear decommissioning programme could deliver significant long-term economic and social benefits at both national and local levels over the next 90 years and beyond. The research, conducted by the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) in collaboration with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), indicates that the decommissioning process could lead to substantial gains in employment, skills development, household income, and consumption. These findings offer a positive outlook for communities impacted by the decommissioning process.

Dounreay, one of the UK’s key nuclear decommissioning sites, plays a crucial role in the NDA’s long-term efforts to safely decommission early nuclear facilities. Established in the 1950s, Dounreay has been a stable employer; however, the decommissioning process brings uncertainty for the surrounding communities about the future.

Interviews with residents and stakeholders in Caithness and North Sutherland, areas directly impacted by decommissioning at Dounreay, revealed concerns compounded by under-investment in essential infrastructure, rural depopulation, and remoteness. Nevertheless, the presence of a skilled workforce and increased interest in the region’s renewable energy resources suggest that decommissioning can drive future skills development and economic diversification.

Heather Barton, Cross Industry Learning Manager at the NDA, commented:

“It has been great to engage with another area of the University of Aberdeen, the Just Transition Lab, through our partnership with the NDC. A real strength of working with the NDC is that there are numerous areas where we can collaborate to achieve our goals of decommissioning the UK’s nuclear sites safely, securely, sustainably, and cost-effectively. This study will help inform politicians and policymakers on key economic development opportunities and enable discussions around support for communities, including skills and training.”

The study has also contributed to the formation of a cross-party committee on nuclear decommissioning in the Scottish Parliament, aiming to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the decommissioning process.

STORY

The Right Reverend Rob Saner-Haigh has been nominated by His Majesty The King to become the next Bishop of Carlisle, succeeding the Right Reverend James Newcome following his retirement. Bishop Saner-Haigh, currently serving as the Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, has been acting as Bishop of Carlisle since Bishop Newcome’s retirement in August 2023. His formal election to the diocesan role marks a significant step in his longstanding ministry within the Church of England.

Educated at Birmingham University and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, Bishop Saner-Haigh was ordained as a priest in 2006. His early ministry included serving at St. Lawrence, Appleby, and holding roles such as Diocesan Initial Ministerial Education Officer and Diocesan Director of Ordinands. He later became Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity Kendal and, in 2020, took on the position of Director of Mission and Ministry for the Diocese of Newcastle, alongside serving as a Residentiary Canon at Newcastle Cathedral.

In 2022, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Penrith, the sole suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Carlisle. Since then, he has been instrumental in supporting the diocese through a period of transition.

STORY

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has announced the appointment of Bilal Zahid as His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. Mr Zahid will succeed Nigel Baker OBE MVO, who is set to take on another diplomatic role. Mr Zahid is expected to assume his new position in September 2025.

Mr Zahid brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held several senior positions within the UK government. Most recently, he served as Minister Counsellor at the British Embassy in Kyiv from 2023 to 2024. Prior to that, he was Joint Head of the Ukraine Campaign Unit at the FCDO between 2022 and 2023. His earlier roles include Additional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the FCO/FCDO (2020–2022), Deputy Director and Head of Political Section at the Northern Ireland Office (2015–2020) and Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (2013–2015).

Mr Zahid is currently undertaking full-time language training in preparation for his posting to Slovakia. His appointment comes at a time of continued UK-Slovakia cooperation on European security, economic development and regional diplomacy.