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NEWS STORY : Sarah Hulton Appointed as UK Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau

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.

May 11, 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines – Sarah Hulton [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Mrs Sarah Hulton OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau in succession to Ms Laure Beaufils. Mrs Hulton will take up her appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Sarah Anne Pascale Hulton

Year	Role
2024 to present	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Interim Director Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate
2024	FCDO, Deputy Director Human Resources
2023 to 2024	FCDO, Interim Director Geopolitics & Deputy Political Director
2019 to 2023	Colombo, British High Commissioner
2018 to 2019	FCO, Deputy Director Human Resources
2017 to 2018	FCO, Head of DPRK Department
2015 to 2017	FCO, Head of Pacific Department
2012 to 2015	Harare, Head of Political Section
2010 to 2010	FCO, Head of Conflict Prevention Team
2008 to 2010	FCO, Head of Weapons of Mass Destruction Controls
2005 to 2008	Manila, Second Secretary Political PPA
2004 to 2005	FCO, Full time language training, Tagalog
2003 to 2004	FCO, Counter Terrorism Desk Officer
2002 to 2003	FCO, Head of Child Abduction Unit, Consular Human Rights
2002	Joined FCO

May 11, 2025

PRESS RELEASE : Export bar placed on £10 million Botticelli painting [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 May 2025.

A temporary export bar has been placed on a painting of the Virgin Mary by Italian painter, Sandro Botticelli.
- The work has been valued at £10.2 million
- The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting for the nation
An export bar has been placed on a painting by Italian master, Sandro Botticelli, which is at risk of leaving the UK.

Botticelli was one of the leading Florentine painters of the second half of the fifteenth century and one of the most recognisable names in art history. Botticelli became well-known for his mythological and religious paintings, often with a focus on beauty and harmony. His most famous works include The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

Valued at more than £10.2 million (£9,960,000 + £272,000 VAT) the painting depicts an image of the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ Child and is believed to have been painted in the 1470s, early in Botticelli’s career. If saved by a cultural institution, the painting would represent a significant addition to the body of work by Botticelli in UK collections. Very few early Botticelli’s remain in the UK and it would provide a richer and more detailed understanding of his work and the development of Florentine painting in the later fifteenth century.

The Virgin and Child Enthroned exemplifies Botticelli’s ability to combine radiant humanity and powerful spirituality. The shape and angle of the Virgin’s face bear similarities to the central Venus in Botticelli’s celebrated Primavera, painted in the late 1470s or early 1480s.

The artist has also given exceptional attention to the Virgin’s features, with the light catching her upper eyelids, the tip of her nose and the cupid’s bow of her lips.

Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

This painting is a perfect example of Botticelli’s genius and a unique part of history.

I hope that a UK gallery is able to save this work so that it can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come.

Christopher Baker, Committee member:

Dating from the early 1470s, this affecting devotional work, demonstrates the sophistication of Botticelli’s painting early in his career in Florence. Probably intended to inspire private prayer in a domestic setting, it is an image that has a wider resonance as it delicately explores the power of maternal love.

The cult of, or enthusiasm for Botticelli, of which it formed a part, had grown during the Victorian era and the painting arrived in Britain in 1904; it was acquired by Lady Wantage and entered the renowned Lloyd collection.

Further research on the placement of Botticelli’s work in his career and the organisation of his workshop, as well as links with the wider context of Florentine Renaissance art would all be of enormous benefit. In view of these intriguing possibilities every effort should be made to try and secure this beguiling painting for a British collection.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

The RCEWA Committee found that The Virgin and Child Enthroned painting met the third Waverley criterion for its outstanding significance for the study of western art and its reception in later periods, Botticelli, the process and practice of Florentine workshops, and the history of collecting in the UK.

The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 8 August 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 business days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £9,960,000 (plus VAT of £272,000, which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.

Offers from public bodies for less than the recommended price through the private treaty sale arrangements, where appropriate, may also be considered by the Minister. Such purchases frequently offer substantial financial benefit to a public institution wishing to acquire the item.
May 11, 2025
NEWS STORY : Private John Tame Laid to Rest with Full Military Honours in Belgium

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

May 11, 2025
NEWS STORY : Matthew Berry Receives Suspended Jail Term for Operating Illegal Waste Site in Lincolnshire

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.

May 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : £7m beach management scheme reduces flood risk in Lincolnshire [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 9 May 2025.

Sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point to reduce the risk of flooding for Lincolnshire’s coastal communities.
- Over the next 4 to 5 weeks, around 200,000 to 500,000 cubic metres of sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point.
- This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.
- The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994.
The work will begin on May 11 and is the second phase of works under the strategy for the coastline. The strategy aims to better protect the environment and support the prosperity of the coast for years to come.

The Environment Agency’s annual beach management involves dredging sand from licensed seabed areas and pumping it onto beaches, replacing the sand naturally lost to the sea throughout the year. This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.

Replenishing the sand means that the beaches, instead of hard defences like sea walls, take the brunt of the waves’ force and energy. This reduces the amount of damage and erosion to those hard defences and lessens the risk of water overtopping them.

The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994. In addition to reducing flood risk, the work brings supplementary social and economic benefits by retaining the sandy beaches for a vibrant tourism industry.

Deborah Higton, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Our current coastal management approach of re-nourishing the beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point is vital to managing tidal flood risk for Lincolnshire. As well as maintaining the county’s sandy beaches for us all to enjoy.

But despite our best efforts, much of Lincolnshire is at, or below, sea level meaning flooding can still happen. That’s why we urge people to prepare and plan for the worst by signing up to receive our free flood warnings.

The £7 million beach management work is funded as part of the Environment Agency’s capital programme. The Environment Agency is committed to delivering Government’s £2.65 billion investment over the next 2 years to protect thousands of homes and business from the dangers of flooding. Plus prevent billions of pounds worth of damages.
May 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : £25 billion powered Wales Pension Partnership pool to deliver growth and jobs for Wales [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 9 May 2025.

People from Cardiff to Carmarthen will see a boost to their local communities and job opportunities, thanks to the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) launching a new investment company that pools £25 billion of assets.
- Biggest ever Welsh pension fund to be established with £25 billion pooled into a new investment company that can deliver growth as part of our Plan for Change
- The Wales Pension Partnership is being transformed – by pooling the pension funds of 22 Local Authorities it will unleash the full potential of the Local Government Pension Scheme to act as an engine for growth in Wales
- Success of the Partnership is reflected in schemes like Uskmouth Power Station in Newport – supporting 300 jobs with benefits to the local community and economy
The WPP is being transformed so that the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pool, which will consolidate the assets of 22 Local Authorities’ schemes representing 412,000 members, will be the biggest pension fund in Welsh history, capable of delivering huge investments felt first-hand by businesses and communities in Wales.

By setting up this investment company in Wales, the investment decisions the fund makes can reflect the unique cultural and economic climate of Wales, collaborating with local businesses to invest in communities and delivering growth – making sure the LGPS is delivering for those whose hard-earned money it guards, and their communities.

To see an example of this, Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell today visited Uskmouth Power Station which has benefited from £6.5 million of investment from the WPP for its redevelopment from a coal fired power station into a sustainable energy site –supporting 300 new full-time jobs during construction driving economic growth and prosperity for the community.

UK Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell MP said:

Pensions are a massive part of the economy – and we’re seeing this brought to life here in Wales, where a successful Local Government Pension Scheme is investing in the right places to drive opportunity and growth for the local community.

I’m delighted to visit Uskmouth Power Station in Newport, which has had a £6 million boost from the Wales Pension Partnership, creating 300 jobs which mean opportunity and prosperity at a local level.

Making sure everyone can benefit from the potential of larger pension pools ties into the ambitions of our Plan for Change to boost investment in communities across the country, bringing long-term economic benefits.

The Wales Pension Partnership said:

The Wales Pension Partnership investment in Uskmouth Battery Energy Storage Systems demonstrates our ambitions to attract investment into crucial Welsh infrastructure and secure national energy supplies.

This investment shows our commitment to working with Quinbrook and our strategic partner GCM Grosvenor to: deliver strong investment returns for our pensioners, ensure long-term energy security, reduce carbon emissions, provide jobs and regeneration opportunities across Wales. This is one of many projects that we have in our investment pipeline and will be unveiling over the next 12 months.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans MS said:

We have long recognised the benefits of a strong single Welsh Local Government Pension Scheme pool. We want to see the Wales Pensions Partnership continue to go from strength to strength delivering returns for members and able to invest in economic growth for Wales and the UK.

UK Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE MP said:

We are determined to get the best value out of taxpayers’ money, which is why we are reforming the Local Government Pensions Scheme pools in Wales and England to be more efficient, fit-for-purpose and deliver for public servants and their communities.

The scheme plays a vital role in boosting investment and growth across Wales and ultimately putting more money in working people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

The site, once a coal fired power station, is being repurposed to provide up to 460 megawatt hours of electricity storage capacity for the National Grid and bring a retired rail line back into service to deliver materials, saving nearly 8,400 heavy good vehicles from the local road network.

The investment embraces the spirit of change the government has asked to see from LGPS pools with the wider pooling process for the UK’s world-class LGPS set to conclude in March 2026. Reforms will see the LGPS punching its weight globally, while bringing benefits to local communities through dedicated investment strategies and improving transparency for its members.

These reforms will ensure the Local Government Pension Scheme is fit for the future, and boost investment to drive the economic growth and prosperity promised by the Plan for Change.
May 11, 2025
NEWS STORY : New Reports Highlight Economic Opportunities in Scotland’s Nuclear Decommissioning Efforts

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.

May 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Funding boost for Clean Industry Bonus as bids smash expectations [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 May 2025.

Industrial communities set to benefit from new jobs and growth in their towns and cities, as funding is more than doubled for the Clean Industry Bonus.
- Industry backs government’s clean energy superpower mission with double the number of bids expected for the Clean Industry Bonus
- Energy Secretary increases budget to £544 million, backing clean energy growth in UK’s industrial heartlands and coastal communities
- Follows the Prime Minister’s £300 million announcement to support offshore wind supply chains, building Britain’s clean energy future through Plan for Change
Hundreds of bids have come through from the UK’s offshore wind sector, in a strong signal that industry supports the government’s clean power by 2030 mission. Following higher than expected demand, the Energy Secretary has increased the bonus from an initial £200 million to £544 million.

The Clean Industry Bonus will provide financial rewards for offshore wind developers, on the condition they prioritise investment in regions that need it most or in cleaner supply chains, including traditional oil and gas communities, ex-industrial areas and ports and coastal towns.

It will support cleaner manufacturers, new upgraded factories, port infrastructure and more business for UK supply chains, whilst supporting highly skilled jobs such as engineers, electricians and welders on the clean energy transition.

It is expected that for every £1 spent on the bonus, it could leverage up to £17 of private sector investment, mainly into some of the UK’s most deprived communities – providing a huge return for communities from clean energy projects.

This comes after the Prime Minister’s announcement last month to bring forward a £300 million investment through Great British Energy to win global offshore wind investment for the UK, building Britain’s clean energy future through the Plan for Change.

Government support is expected to leverage up to £9.3 billion in private sector investment over the next four years, creating economic growth by backing the clean energy supply chain that make offshore wind blades and cables and develop low carbon factories.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

Industry have backed our clean energy superpower mission, and we are helping them to deliver it.

This is the type of muscular industrial policy Britain needs to create jobs, drive growth and transform the fortunes of industrial towns and cities, delivering our Plan for Change.

Claire Mack, Chief Executive at Scottish Renewables, said:

This announcement makes clear that clean energy offers a strong return on investment for the country. It also demonstrates that Scotland’s offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver transformational benefits for our supply chains, skilled workforces and coastal communities.

Now is the time to go further and faster to capture this unrivalled opportunity for green industrial growth. Scottish Renewables will work closely with the UK government to ensure funding from the Clean Industry Bonus can be maximised through the successful deployment of Scotland’s offshore wind pipeline in the years ahead.

RenewableUK’s Executive Director of Policy Ana Musat said:

This additional funding has the potential to help secure billions in private investment in new factories manufacturing components for the offshore wind industry across the UK. Importantly for the country, these investments will create new jobs in coastal communities which need fresh opportunities.

The expansion of the offshore wind supply chain will, in turn, enable us to deliver the massive pipeline of offshore wind projects planned for installation in UK waters at the lowest cost for billpayers in the years ahead.

The Clean Industry Bonus is a good starting point as part of a wider industrial strategy which the government is due to unveil in full this summer, and which we hope will be complimented by new policies to support the expansion of UK ports. With larger ports, we could secure even more investment in offshore wind manufacturing and turbine assembly”.

Adam Berman, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Energy UK, said:

The UK’s continued growth in offshore wind is delivering jobs and business opportunities up and down the country.

Every new, large offshore wind farm adds £2-3 billion to the UK’s economy and – if deployment is accelerated – the sector could boost it by a further £25 billion between now and 2035.

Ensuring that the people and businesses located near to projects benefit is as important as ensuring wider economic growth. The transformation of regions like the Humber demonstrates the positive impact these projects can have.

We welcome the government’s focus and support in making sure that communities reap the rewards of this burgeoning sector. Industry is fully aligned with government on the need to capture the full benefits of clean power for both local communities and British businesses building the supply chain that underpins these projects.

Funding comes ahead of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in the UK’s key sectors including clean energy.

The application window for the Clean Industry Bonus is now closed, with the winners expected to be announced after the final budget in May.

Notes to editors

The budget is expressed in 2025 prices. All CIB payments will be indexed using the Consumer Price Index. Funding is allocated competitively through an auction: proposals that unlock the biggest investments, for the cheapest amount of revenue support, score the highest.
May 11, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK submits shortlist for next judge elected to the European Court of Human Rights [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 May 2025.

UK submits a shortlist of 3 candidates for election as the next judge of the European Court of Human Rights in respect of the UK.

Three candidates have been nominated to be the next European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judge elected in respect of the UK in succession to Tim Eicke KC. The ECtHR is established under the European Convention of Human Rights and sits in Strasbourg. A member of the Court is elected in respect of each of the 46 member States of the Council of Europe, by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), from lists of 3 candidates proposed by each State.

Following an open selection process administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission for England and Wales, the United Kingdom candidates, listed in alphabetical order, are:
- Mr Hugh Mercer KC, a UK barrister and Deputy High Court Judge
- Ms Deok Joo Rhee KC, a UK barrister
- Mr Sam Wordsworth KC, a UK barrister
One of these candidates will be elected by PACE during its plenary session 23 to 27 June 2025 for a 9-year term from 12 September 2025.
May 11, 2025