Category: News Story

STORY

Gary Wright, a 46-year-old former pub landlord from St Helens, has been handed a two-year suspended prison sentence after fraudulently securing a £25,000 Bounce Back Loan during the Covid-19 pandemic. Wright failed to disclose his bankruptcy status when applying for the government-backed loan intended to support struggling businesses.

Wright previously operated the Talbot Ale House on Duke Street, which ceased trading in September 2019. He was declared bankrupt in February 2020 due to debts owed to a major utility company. Despite this, in June 2020, he applied for a £25,000 Bounce Back Loan, claiming the pub had an annual turnover of £400,000, without informing the bank of his bankruptcy.

At Liverpool Crown Court on 24 April 2025, Wright was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,500 in costs. The loan was repaid in full earlier this year.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, commented:

“Gary Wright incurred significant debts after his business failed and he was ultimately declared bankrupt. He then attempted to take advantage of a scheme which was backed by taxpayers and designed to support viable small businesses through the pandemic. Bankrupts are legally required to declare their status when applying for loans or credit. Wright clearly failed to do this which is why he now has a criminal conviction.”

Under UK law, individuals who are undischarged bankrupts must disclose their status when applying for credit over £500. Wright remains an undischarged bankrupt. The Talbot Ale House continues to operate under new management.

STORY

Anthony Williams, a 40-year-old man from Gloucester, has had his prison sentence increased from eight to twelve years after the Court of Appeal deemed his original punishment unduly lenient. Williams was convicted of multiple sexual offences committed under the guise of professional photography sessions. Between July and December 2021, Williams contacted women online, presenting himself as a professional photographer. He invited them to his home, which he had set up as a makeshift studio, and during these sessions, he encouraged the women to undress before sexually assaulting them. In total, he committed 17 attacks over nine photoshoots.

In January 2025, Williams was found guilty at Gloucester Crown Court of 14 counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of rape. He was initially sentenced to eight years in prison and given a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Following a referral by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, the Court of Appeal reviewed the case. On 15 April 2025, the court increased Williams’ sentence to 12 years. The Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, stated:

“Williams exploited and manipulated women into thinking they were taking part in professional photo shoots but this was just part of a grim scheme to brutally assault them for his own sexual gratification. Protecting women and girls is an absolute priority for this government and I would like to offer my sympathies to the victims. I welcome the court’s increase to this sentence.”

Victim impact statements highlighted the profound effect of Williams’ actions on the survivors’ mental health. One victim described feeling “like a mere shadow” of her former self.

STORY

The United Kingdom has commended Armenia for recent human rights advancements while urging further reforms to safeguard vulnerable communities. This statement was delivered during Armenia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Eleanor Sanders, the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights, acknowledged Armenia’s progress since its last review in 2020. Notably, she highlighted the strengthening of domestic violence legislation in 2024 and the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances. Additionally, improvements in media freedom were recognised as positive developments.

However, Sanders expressed concern over ongoing discrimination and attacks against LGBT+ individuals in Armenia. To address these issues, the UK recommended that Armenia:

– Implement comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting sexual orientation and gender identity across all sectors.

– Ratify the Istanbul Convention to enhance protections for women against violence and domestic abuse.

– Develop community-based services to support individuals with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities.

The UK’s statement is intended to show its commitment to promoting human rights and supporting Armenia’s efforts towards inclusive reforms.

STORY

Dame Andrea Jenkyns of Reform UK has been elected as the inaugural Mayor of the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, securing a decisive victory with 42% of the vote. This marks Reform UK’s first mayoral win and a significant milestone in the party’s political ascent. Jenkyns, a former Conservative MP who joined Reform UK in 2024, defeated Conservative candidate Rob Waltham, who secured 26.1% of the vote. Labour’s Jason Stockwood received 12.3%, while other candidates from the Lincolnshire Independents, Green Party, and Liberal Democrats trailed behind.

The election, held on 1 May 2025, was the first for the newly established Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty, encompassing Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, and North East Lincolnshire Council. In her victory speech, Jenkyns emphasised a commitment to addressing local concerns, stating, “This result shows that people are ready for change. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Greater Lincolnshire’s voice is heard and respected.”

The win is part of a broader surge for Reform UK in the 2025 local elections, including a narrow victory in the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election. Political analysts view Jenkyns’ election as indicative of shifting political dynamics in the UK, with Reform UK emerging as a formidable force challenging traditional party strongholds. As Mayor, Jenkyns will oversee regional development initiatives, infrastructure projects, and public services, with a focus on economic revitalisation and community engagement.

STORY

The Trump administration has approved its first sale of military equipment to Ukraine since President Donald Trump assumed office, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Kyiv. The State Department certified a proposed license to export “$50 million or more” in defence hardware and services to Ukraine, according to a communication sent to the U.S. Committee on Foreign Relations.

This development follows the recent signing of the Ukraine–United States Mineral Resources Agreement, a deal granting the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian mineral resources, including rare earth elements. The agreement also establishes a joint investment fund aimed at Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the minerals deal as a “truly equal” partnership, emphasising its potential to attract significant investment into Ukraine’s economy.

The approval of the military equipment sale signifies a notable policy reversal, as President Trump had previously paused all Ukraine-related military aid shortly after taking office. Analysts suggest that the minerals agreement may have been a catalyst for the renewed military support, indicating a strategic linkage between economic cooperation and defence assistance. The move comes amid ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, with recent attacks reported in cities like Odesa. The U.S. decision to resume military sales is expected to bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities as the conflict continues.

STORY

In a landmark political upset, Reform UK has won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, narrowly defeating Labour by just six votes. This small margin marks the closest by-election result in UK history, overturning Labour’s previous majority of nearly 15,000 votes.

Sarah Pochin, a former Conservative councillor and local magistrate, secured 12,645 votes (38.72%), edging out Labour’s Karen Shore, who garnered 12,639 votes (38.70%). The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury following a suspended prison sentence for assault.  The result followed a dramatic recount after initial counts showed a mere four-vote difference. The final declaration was delayed by three hours due to the recount process.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, hailed the victory as a “seismic shift” in British politics, stating that the result demonstrates the public’s desire for change. The by-election saw a significant swing of over 20 percentage points from Labour to Reform UK, highlighting growing discontent with the traditional parties. The Conservative Party’s vote share plummeted to 7.17%, down from 16% in the previous general election, narrowly maintaining third place ahead of the Green Party.

Labour leader Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure as internal critics call for a reassessment of the party’s strategy to counter the rising influence of Reform UK. The by-election outcome underscores the volatility of the current political landscape and sets the stage for a potentially transformative general election in 2029.

STORY

Havant and South Downs College (HSDC) has been placed under formal intervention by the Department for Education (DfE) after receiving a Financial Notice to Improve (NtI) due to serious cashflow pressures and an ‘Inadequate’ financial health rating for the year ending July 2024. The DfE’s decision follows its College Oversight policy, which mandates intervention when a college’s financial health is deemed inadequate or when significant cashflow issues are identified. As a result, HSDC must comply with additional funding conditions outlined in the NtI to continue receiving government funding.​

The college has been referred to the Further Education (FE) Commissioner’s team for an independent assessment of its leadership, management, and governance capabilities. The FE Commissioner is scheduled to visit HSDC on 1 May 2025 to conduct this evaluation. The findings may lead to further revisions of the NtI, depending on the recommendations provided.​

The DfE will closely monitor HSDC’s progress through scheduled case conferences and collaboration with other agencies. Failure to meet the specified conditions could result in additional actions, including the use of statutory intervention powers under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992.​ HSDC is required to publish the FE Commissioner’s summary report on its website within 14 days of issuance and maintain it online until the NtI is lifted. The DfE will review the NtI regularly, with revisions anticipated at least annually to ensure its relevance.

STORY

The Football Association (FA) has announced that effective from 1 June 2025 that transgender women will no longer be permitted to participate in women’s football in England. This policy change aligns with a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that defines the term “woman” in the Equality Act 2010 as referring exclusively to biological females. Previously, the FA allowed transgender women to compete in women’s football provided they met specific criteria, including maintaining testosterone levels below a certain threshold for at least 12 months. The new policy marks a significant shift, with the FA stating that it must operate within the law and adhere to international football policies defined by UEFA and FIFA. ​

The FA acknowledged the impact this decision may have on affected players, noting that approximately 20 registered transgender women currently play in England. Efforts are being made to contact these individuals to explain the changes and explore ways for them to remain involved in the sport. ​This move follows a similar decision by the Scottish Football Association, which recently implemented a policy restricting women’s football participation to those assigned female at birth from the age of 13 upwards. ​The FA’s decision has sparked a range of reactions. Supporters argue that it ensures fairness and safety in women’s sports, while critics express concern over the exclusion of transgender athletes and the potential implications for inclusivity in football.​

STORY

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has announced its new strategic plan, “Ofqual Strategy 2025 to 2028” aiming to uphold the integrity and trustworthiness of qualifications in England over the coming years. ​ Described as a “stewardship” approach, the strategy emphasises a long-term, proactive role in regulating qualifications. This method is gaining international attention for its focus on maintaining stability while adapting to changes in the educational landscape.​

Chief Regulator Sir Ian Bauckham CBE stated:​

“Ofqual’s focus will be on ensuring that qualifications are high-quality and fair for students, unlocking future opportunities for them while supporting a productive and growing economy. Our stewardship approach will enable us to respond flexibly and with agility to a changing world while maintaining the stability that underpins England’s world-leading qualifications system.”​

The strategy outlines five key aims:​

Steward: Ensure the safe, fair, and resilient delivery of qualifications and assessments.

Innovate: Oversee the improvement and reform of qualifications.

Strengthen: Enhance the performance, capacity and resilience of the qualifications market.

Engage: Build confidence in qualifications.

Develop: Advance the skills, processes, and systems needed for effective and efficient regulation.​

This strategic plan comes at a time of significant change in England’s education system, including an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, and reforms in vocational, technical, and apprenticeship qualifications.​ Over the next three years, Ofqual aims to refine its regulatory processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, supporting a qualifications system that meets the needs of students, employers and society at large.

STORY

The remains of six unidentified Commonwealth soldiers who fought and died during the First World War have been laid to rest with full military honours in France. The burial ceremonies, held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Loos British Cemetery, were organised by the Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’.​ The soldiers, whose identities remain unknown, were discovered during recent archaeological excavations in the Loos area. Despite extensive efforts, including forensic analysis and historical research, no identifying information could be established.​

The burial services were attended by military personnel, local dignitaries, and representatives from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Standard bearers and a bearer party from the 4 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps provided ceremonial support, and the Last Post was sounded to honour the fallen.​

Nicola Nash, JCCC Commemorations Lead, stated:​

“While we may not know their names, we honour their sacrifice and ensure they are remembered with the dignity they deserve.”​

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has erected headstones bearing the inscription “Known unto God” at the soldiers’ final resting places.​