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PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA publishes new analysis of health inequalities in England [May 2025]
The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 2 May 2025.

Data shows current state of health inequalities caused by infectious diseases, as well as environmental health hazards.

As part of its commitment to achieving equitable health security outcomes for everyone, the UK Health Security Agency is publishing (Friday 2 May) comprehensive new data, the Health Inequalities in Health Protection report. The report provides a high-level summary of the current state of health inequalities in England caused by infectious diseases, as well as environmental health hazards.

The analysis mainly uses hospital admissions as a measure of infectious disease levels; key findings include:
- people living in the 20% most deprived areas in England are almost twice as likely to be admitted to hospital due to infectious diseases than the least deprived
- those living in the North-West are 30% more likely to be hospitalised for an infectious disease (3,600 per 100,000 admissions for Sept 23-Aug 24), compared to the England average (2,800 per 100,000)
- areas of high levels of deprivation typically experience higher levels of air pollution than less deprived and less ethnically diverse areas
- the scale of inequalities between ethnic groups varies by specific disease. For example, emergency admission rates for tuberculosis were 29 times higher for ‘Asian other ‘, 27 times higher for ‘Indian’ and 15 times higher for ‘Black African’, compared to ‘White British’
- As well as the costs to the social, physical and mental health of our communities, it was estimated that inequalities in emergency infectious disease hospital admissions cost the NHS between £970 million and £1.5 billion in 2022-23.
People living in deprived communities experience higher emergency hospital admission rates, compared to the least deprived communities; the data show these are:
- twice as high for respiratory diseases in general and up to seven times higher specifically for tuberculosis and six times higher for measles.
- twice as high for invasive infections in general, and up to 2.5 times higher specifically for sepsis
- 1.7 times higher for gastrointestinal diseases
People from more deprived areas are also disproportionately impacted by radiation, chemical, climate and environmental hazards through their exposure, direct impact on their health, and the exacerbation of existing health conditions. Areas with high levels of deprivation typically have higher levels of air pollution than less deprived and less ethnically diverse areas.

Dr Leonora Weil, Deputy Director for Health Equity and Inclusion at UKHSA said:

The report reveals some stark facts on the state of inequalities in health security faced by some people, in particular those living in the most deprived communities and certain areas of the country, some ethnic groups, as well as excluded groups such as those experiencing homelessness.

These health protection inequalities – where there are poorer health outcomes based on where you live, your socio-economic status or ethnicity are avoidable, pervasive, and preventable. That is why it is so important to shine a light on these findings to increase action to support communities to live longer and in better health.

Going forward our data and analysis of the evidence will help us, and our partners apply a health equity lens to all our health security work, to inform how we better target effective health services and wider interventions to those most at need.

This report is just the start. We need to build on these insights, as only through persistent and dedicated effort across all health organisations will we make a real difference to helping all people live longer and in better health.

UKHSA’s approach to reducing health inequalities in health protection involves:
- building our understanding of the people and places that experience these inequalities
- taking a ‘people and place’ approach, working with local and national systems to support integrated, tailored and accessible interventions that better meet the needs of different communities and groups
- working in partnership across national and local government, the NHS, the voluntary, faith and charity sector and communities themselves
- equipping the UKHSA workforce with the capacity and capability to address inequalities in health protection in everything we do
Inclusion health groups, such as people seeking asylum, people in prison, people experiencing homelessness and people who inject drugs are often disproportionately impacted by a range of infectious diseases. For example, it is estimated that over 80% of people in England living with chronic Hepatitis C have an injecting drug history. However, inclusion health groups are often not visible in routine health surveillance data.

In addition to the social, physical and mental health costs to our communities, health inequalities also have a significant economic burden. It was estimated that inequalities in emergency infectious disease hospital admissions cost the NHS between £970 million and £1.5 billion in 2022-23. In a recent UKHSA report summarising infectious disease trends, it was estimated that infectious diseases were the primary reason for over 20% of hospital bed usage, at an annual cost of almost £6bn in 2023 to 2024.
May 2, 2025
NEWS STORY : Gary Wright Receives Suspended Sentence for Fraudulent £25,000 Covid Loan Application

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.

May 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Former St Helens pub landlord failed to declare he was bankrupt when applying for Covid loan [May 2025]
The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 2 May 2025.

Suspended sentence for former St Helens pub owner.
- Gary Wright was the owner of the Talbot Ale House in St Helens before it ceased trading in 2019, prior to the pandemic
- Wright was subsequently declared bankrupt in early 2020
- This did not stop him applying for a £25,000 Bounce Back Loan on behalf of the pub, failing to tell the bank he was bankrupt in the process
- The loan was repaid in full earlier this year
A former St Helens pub owner who failed to disclose his bankruptcy when he applied for Covid support funds has been handed a suspended sentence.

Gary Wright did not inform the bank that he was bankrupt when he obtained a £25,000 Bounce Back Loan in the summer of 2020.

The 46-year-old made the application on behalf of the Talbot Ale House on Duke Street in St Helens town centre, the pub he ran before his bankruptcy earlier that year.

Wright, of Bleak Hill Road, St Helens, was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 24 April.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,500 in costs.

The Bounce Back Loan was repaid in full shortly before Wright was sentenced.

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

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.

Talbot Ale House ceased trading in September 2019 and Wright was declared bankrupt in February 2020 due to debts owed to a major utility company.

Despite this, Wright applied for a £25,000 Bounce Back Loan in June 2020, claiming the turnover of the pub was £400,000.

Wright remains an undischarged bankrupt, meaning he has not been officially released from his bankruptcy.

Individuals subject to a bankruptcy order must disclose their status if they borrow or obtain credit of £500 or more.

A pub continues to run from the same address but under different management.

Further information
- Gary Wright is of Bleak Hill Road, St Helens. His date of birth is 15 December 1978
May 2, 2025
NEWS STORY : Anthony Williams’ Sentence Increased to 12 Years for Posing as Photographer to Assault Women

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.

May 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Rapist who posed as professional photographer has sentence increased [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 2 May 2025.

A sexual predator who posed as a photographer to lure women to his home before sexually abusing them has sentence increased after Solicitor General intervenes.

Anthony Williams (40), from Gloucester, has had his eight-year sentence increased to 12 years by the Court of Appeal after the Solicitor General referred his case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The court heard that Williams pretended to be a professional photographer, approaching women online and luring them to his makeshift studio at his home.

During the photoshoot, Williams encouraged the women to undress before he sexually abused them.

He carried out 17 attacks over the course of nine photoshoots between July 2021 and December 2021.

In victim impact statements several women spoke about how much Williams had impacted their mental health. One victim said: “I find myself feeling like a mere shadow of my former self.”

The Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said:

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.

Anthony Williams was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment on 22 January 2025 after a jury at Gloucester Crown Court found him guilty of 14 counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of rape. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

On 15 April 2025 at the Court of Appeal, Anthony Williams had his sentence increased to 12 years.

May 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister hails game changing UK-made RAF drones [May 2025]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 May 2025.

Hundreds of highly skilled jobs are being supported by the RAF’s new cutting-edge UK made drones.
- New British-made ‘StormShroud’ drones are at the cutting edge of defence combat air, taking advantage of learnings from countering Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine
- Brand new tech supports hundreds of jobs and shows investment in UK defence is driving economic growth, making communities better off, and bolstering national security by delivering on the Plan for Change
- Getting from the factory to the frontline at an unprecedented pace, the drones will fly alongside crewed aircraft as part of crucial RAF frontline missions, to knock out enemy air defences
- Tekever, who manufacture the drones, announce a further £400 million investment in the UK
Hundreds of highly skilled jobs are being supported by the RAF’s new cutting-edge UK made drones, known as ‘StormShroud’, which come into operation today (Friday 2 May), as the Prime Minister further bolsters UK national security.

It is the latest boost to the UK’s defence capabilities as the armed forces reap the benefits from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, and comes as the UK continues to play a leading role in peace negotiations, including building momentum in talks between leaders in Rome last weekend. The UK is also driving forward Coalition of the Willing planning as well as accelerating UK-Ukrainian defence industrial cooperation.

The StormShroud drone is a groundbreaking first-of-its-kind drone that will make the RAF’s world-class combat aircraft more survivable and more lethal. The drones offer a step change in capability by using a high-tech BriteStorm signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges, protecting our aircraft and pilots. In revolutionary new tactics, the drones support aircraft like Typhoon and F35 Lightning, by confusing enemy radars and allowing combat aircraft to attack targets unseen. This means for the first time, the RAF will benefit from high-end electronic warfare without needing crew to man it, freeing them up for other vital frontline missions.

The RAF is investing an initial £19 million into the cutting-edge drones, which are made in the UK and directly support 200 highly skilled engineering jobs at multiple UK locations already from West Wales to Somerset, with further opportunities expected in future. StormShroud is just the first of a family of next-generation drones – known as Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) – being delivered to the RAF.

The Tekever AR3 and AR5 have had extensive use on the frontline fighting Putin’s illegal war, racking up more than 10,000 hours of flight for Ukraine’s forces. The RAF is taking the next step by integrating best-in-class signal scrambling technology into the drones to boost the UK’s defences at home, as the Prime Minister steps up UK defence capabilities to counter complex threats in the face of global instability.

In a further vote of confidence in Britain’s defence industry, British-Portuguese tech company Tekever, who manufacture the drones in the UK, plan to invest a further £400 million over the next 5 years across the UK and create up to 1,000 more highly skilled jobs.

The Prime Minister will visit to a Leonardo UK site in the South East today to see first-hand the expertise that goes into manufacturing the drones, and meeting the staff involved in delivering it, including many engineering apprentices representing the next generation of British defence industry excellence.

As well as stepping up to protect our interests on the world stage, this government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 means more secure, well-paid jobs for a generation that’s proud to keep our country safe.

Just last week, the Carrier Strike Group launched its eight-month deployment and will join exercises, operations and visits with 30 countries across the Mediterranean, Middle East, south-east Asia, Japan and Australia – led by the Royal Navy’s largest and most powerful aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The deployment sends a powerful message that the UK and its allies stand ready to protect vital trade routes in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

Investment in our defence is an investment in this country’s future. Putting money behind our Armed Forces and defence industry is safeguarding our economic and national security by putting money back in the pockets of hard-working British people and protecting them for generations to come.

Together with our allies, this government is taking the bold action needed to stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security, which is vital for us to deliver our Plan for Change and improve lives of working people up and down the country.

It is a privilege to meet and learn from the young minds driving innovation in defence technology, and we will continue to invest in the industries of the future to deliver security and opportunity for the British people through our Plan for Change.
May 2, 2025
NEWS STORY : UK Urges Armenia to Strengthen Human Rights Protections at UN Review

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.

May 2, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 49 – UK Statement on Armenia [May 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 May 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights to the UN, Eleanor Sanders, at Armenia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President,

The UK welcomes the positive steps taken by Armenia since its 2020 review, particularly strengthening of the domestic violence law in 2024, which offers a robust framework for addressing domestic violence.

We also welcome Armenia abolishing the death penalty in all circumstances and their positive trajectory on media freedom.

However, we remain concerned about reported incidences of continued discrimination, hate speech and attacks against LGBT+ individuals.

We recommend that Armenia:

Implements an anti-discrimination law protecting sexual orientation and gender identity in all sectors to combat LGBT+ hate crimes and hate speech.

Ratifies the Istanbul Convention to protect women from violence and domestic abuse.

Implements a plan for community-based services to protect and include persons with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities.

Thank you.

May 2, 2025
NEWS STORY : Andrea Jenkyns Elected as Greater Lincolnshire’s First Mayor in Victory for Reform UK

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.

May 2, 2025
NEWS STORY : Trump Administration Approves First Military Equipment Sale to Ukraine Amid Minerals Deal

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.

May 2, 2025