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PRESS RELEASE : Roundtable to help turbo-charge Scotland’s agriculture industry [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 30 April 2025.

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill to hear from sector experts on barriers to growth in the Scottish agri-food supply chain.

Leading members of Scotland’s agriculture sector will join the UK and Scottish Governments in Edinburgh today (April 30) to investigate key issues facing the agri-food supply chain – and help identify potential solutions.

Minister McNeill pledged to host a food and farming roundtable with industry when she attended the NFU Scotland (NFUS) conference earlier this year.

The Minister will be joined by Defra and Department for Business and Trade representatives as well as Scottish Government Agriculture Minister, Jim Fairlie

It’s part of ongoing extensive engagement with a sector crucial to the UK Government’s Plan for Change to deliver security and renewal by kick-starting economic growth to create jobs, put more money in working people’s pockets, boost economic growth and improve living standards right across the UK, including rural communities which are vital to feeding the UK and achieving net zero.

Up for discussion will be: immigration and access to labour; fairness in the supply chain; and supporting economic growth.

While the topics for discussion are policy areas reserved to the UK Government, agriculture is almost entirely devolved to the Scottish Government.

UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said:

Food and farming are vital to the country and this is an important opportunity for the industry and government to discuss issues and identify creative solutions.

There is much we can and are doing for the sector through the UK Government’s Plan for Change to turbo-charge economic growth and deliver a decade of national renewal and opportunity for all. But I appreciate that there are a number of highly complex issues facing Scottish agriculture and I look forward to a constructive discussion.

We will continue to engage with this vital industry and we will continue to strengthen relations with the Scottish Government, respecting the fact that agriculture policy is largely devolved.

Scottish Government Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said:

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting our agriculture sector in sustainable food production whilst also contributing to nature and climate targets. We are reforming how we support farming and food production, towards our Vision for Agriculture for Scotland to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

Recent and ongoing global events show the fragility of food security, and we are taking action to improve Scotland’s food resilience and strengthen our supply chains. We will continue to work with the UK Government and across the sector to monitor the threats to the supply chain and mitigate against future shocks and impacts on food security.

NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said:

NFU Scotland is pleased to attend the Scotland Office Food and Farming Roundtable this week and represent our members across the country. We will be discussing important issues such as barriers to growth, seasonal workers and immigration and fairness in the supply chain – each critical for a profitable and sustainable future agricultural sector in Scotland.

We look forward to underlining the importance of farmers and crofters to the food and drink industry and to rural communities and hearing what actions the UK Government will take to help address the issues seriously impacting our sector currently.

The Scottish food and drink manufacturing sector has grown by more than 35% over the last decade and now contributes £5.2 billion to the Scottish economy, while accounting for over one third of Scotland’s manufacturing turnover.

Office for National Statistics data, analysed by the Food and Drink Federation, also showed that the industry provides around 47,000 jobs in Scotland’s 1,220 food and drink businesses.

Industry attendees expected at Queen Elizabeth House are:
NFUS
Quality Meat Scotland
Scottish Crofters’ Federation
Scotland Food & Drink
Food and Drink Federation
Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers
Agricultural Industries Confederation
Aberdeen & Northern Marts Group
James Hutton Institute
SRUC
Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society
Angus Growers
Scottish Land & Estates
Food & Agriculture Stakeholder Taskforce
Scottish Tenant Farmers’ Association

April 30, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Fraud Bill to save £1.5 billion progresses to the Lords [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 30 April 2025.

Plans to recover stolen cash and impose driving bans on those who repeatedly fail to pay back taxpayer money moved a step closer today, as Ministers vowed “to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we’ve inherited”
- The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, set to save £1.5 billion over the next five years, progresses to the Lords
- The Bill follows the biggest welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history
- Changes could help boost investment in public services and protect the public purse, as part of the Plan for Change
New souped-up powers from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), which will allow DWP to recover money directly from the bank accounts of fraudsters who can repay but are wilfully gaming the system in order not to, passed an important stage in the House of Commons as it had its Third Reading.

The Public Authorities (Fraud, Error, and Recovery) Bill, which could put these measures into law, will help DWP to catch fraudsters, prevent overpayments and protect taxpayer’s money.

The Bill will save the taxpayer £1.5 billion over the next five years and is part of wider plans set out in the Autumn budget and Spring Statement to save £9.6 billion by 2030. This means taxpayer’s money can be invested in public services as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western said:

Enhancing our powers is essential to fulfilling our commitment to the public, as they will enable us to address the unacceptable levels of fraud and error we’ve inherited and better protect public funds.

By strengthening our ability to catch criminals and prevent overpayments, we can keep up with the evolving nature of welfare fraud while reducing the risk of people falling further into debt, ensuring that more resources are directed towards improving the lives of people across the country.

The new legislation comes as the government is dealing with the broken welfare system it inherited, with out-of-control levels of fraud and error costing the taxpayer around £10 billion a year – with a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money incorrectly paid to those not entitled to the money since the pandemic.

The Bill will also give powers to the DWP to get data from banks and other financial institutions to help verify the eligibility of those who receive certain benefits to make sure they are getting the correct payments – this will help to stop people falling further into debt because of incorrect payments and help the DWP spot fraudulent claims.

No personal information will be shared by DWP to support financial institutions in the identification of these accounts, and DWP will not have access to people’s bank accounts in verifying eligibility and will not be able to see where people are spending their money.

Protections are central to the Bill, making sure there is proportionate and effective use of the powers, and that DWP is protecting vulnerable customers. For example, people will only be disqualified from driving as a last resort when they don’t rely on their car for work or for caring responsibilities and where they continually avoid repayment. Staff will be trained to the highest standards on the appropriate use of new powers, and we will introduce new oversight and reporting mechanisms.

On top of the Bill measures, the Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement a further commitment to recruit over 500 additional DWP fraud and error staff who will make better use of government data to correct errors in benefit claims, as well as increasing checks on potential Universal Credit claimants by introducing more ways to verify the amount of savings they hold, as well as their earnings and expenses.

The Cabinet Office’s Public Sector Fraud Authority will also be given more powers under the legislation, allowing the department’s investigators to detect and recover fraud in other departments and bodies across the public sector.

Minister in the Cabinet Office, Georgia Gould said:

This Bill will save taxpayers’ money. People are currently getting away with stealing vast sums of cash because our investigators don’t have the powers they need to detect and recover fraud across the public sector.

We’re giving our investigators new powers to tackle fraud wherever they find it – as well as doubling the time available to bring pandemic fraudsters to justice.

An additional new measure will see the time limit for civil claims against Covid fraud doubled from six to twelve years. This step change in the ability to fight fraud committed during the pandemic will give the Covid Corruption Commissioner and the Public Sector Fraud Authority more time to investigate complex cases and apply their new powers retrospectively – including the ability to raid properties and retrieve money from Covid fraudsters’ bank accounts.

The Bill measures will now progress to the House of Lords to be debated further.

Additional Information
- The Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill forms part of wider government plans to save a total of £8.6bn over 5 years in the biggest welfare fraud and error budget package in recent history.
- Since the pandemic, a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been incorrectly paid to those not entitled to DWP benefits.
April 30, 2025
NEWS STORY : Report Published After Passenger Killed in Mid-Wales Train Crash as Investigation Uncovers Braking Failure

STORY

A passenger was killed and four others seriously injured when two passenger trains collided near Talerddig in Powys, prompting a formal investigation by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). A newly released interim report sheds light on the sequence of events that led to the fatal incident. The collision occurred at 19:26 on 21 October 2024 on a remote stretch of the Cambrian line, a mostly single-track railway in mid-Wales. The two trains involved, both operated by Transport for Wales Rail Limited, were the 18:31 service from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth (train 1J25) and the 19:09 Machynlleth to Shrewsbury service (train 1S71).

Train 1J25 had been scheduled to stop at the Talerddig passing loop, allowing the opposing train to safely continue. However, investigators say that it failed to stop as planned. The train continued for more than a kilometre beyond its intended stopping point, colliding head-on with the oncoming service. At the moment of impact, train 1J25 was travelling at 39 km/h (24 mph), while train 1S71 was moving at 11 km/h (6 mph). Despite the severity of the crash, neither train derailed. Both suffered major damage to their front carriages.

The RAIB confirmed that one passenger died as a result of the collision and four others suffered serious injuries. Several other passengers and crew members received minor injuries and were treated at the scene or nearby hospitals. The accident occurred just west of the Talerddig loop on the Cambrian line, an area known for its scenic yet challenging terrain. The section of railway uses the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a modern digital signalling system.

Although the interim report stops short of drawing conclusions, the investigation is focused on understanding why the braking system failed to stop train 1J25 in time and whether signalling or human factors played a role. A full report with detailed analysis and safety recommendations is expected in the coming months.

April 30, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 25 April 1925

25 APRIL 1925

On their return from the Mediterranean the King and Queen visited Paris incognito, and were entertained at luncheon by President Doumergue. His Majesty subsequently decorated M. Painlevé, and placed a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the Arc de Triomphe. The Queen paid a private visit to the Musée Carnavalet.

A resolution approving of the Liberal Million Fighting Fund, and a statement of Liberal principles and aims relating to Scottish problems were discussed at a Scottish Convention of Liberals held in Edinburgh.

Speaking at a Liberal demonstration in Edinburgh, Sir John Simon characterised the policy of the Labour party in regard to temperance, armaments, and fiscal policy as mistaken, and in referring to the land problem said he was unable to see how, on the principles of the Conservative party or of Socialists, a practical policy of land reform could be framed.

In endorsing the Weir scheme of steel houses to help to meet the housing shortage, the Court of Inquiry, which was appointed to inquire into the threatened disputes in connection with the erection of steel houses, states that Messrs Weir have devised a way of supplementing the supply of houses by utilising the methods of the engineering trade just as that trade in the production of motor vehicles or of steel bridges supplemented the supply of vehicles and bridges formerly produced by skilled wheelwrights and masons respectively.

The Earl of Balfour arrived in London from Palestine, and was greeted at the Victoria Station with the cheers of about 1000 Zionists.

The German Presidential election takes place to-morrow. A Berlin telegram predicts that the fight between Marx and Hindenburg will be close and thrilling.

April 30, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 24 April 1925

24 APRIL 1925

The memorial commemorating the storming of the Mole and the blocking of the channel at Zeebrugge by British naval forces was unveiled by the King of the Belgians. Many wounded survivors of the exploit were carried across the narrow seas to witness the ceremony.

A plan to meet foreign competition in the engineering trade, and to come to an arrangement with the employees on the question of wages, was outlined in a letter by the Engineering and Allied Employers’ National Federation which was read to a conference of the Unions in London considering the men’s wage claims.

The full Executive of the Miners’ Federation will meet at their headquarters in London to-day to receive a report from the miners’ representatives on the Joint Sub-Committee which has been inquiring with the coalowners into the position of the industry.

The five members of the British Fascisti alleged to have been concerned with the kidnapping at Liverpool of Mr Pollitt, the Communist, were tried at Liverpool and acquitted.

Captain Wedgwood Benn, M.P., at a meeting in Leith, spoke of the trend of the Trade Union and Labour movements. It was, he said, for Trade Unionists to consider what was to be their attitude towards that new movement from Moscow, the watchwords of which were class war, dictatorship, and revolution.

April 30, 2025
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 23 April 1925

23 APRIL 1925

The trial at Leipzig of Communist leaders charged with murder and conspiracy to overthrow the German Republic by violence has concluded. The three chief accused have been sentenced to death, and others to terms of penal servitude, varying from 15 years to 6 months.

The Conference of Ambassadors has sanctioned the request of Bulgaria for permission to increase the militia in the present emergency.

The General Council of the Trade Union Congress resumed consideration of the report of a sub-committee which recently met representatives of the Russian Trade Unions. The sub-committee, it will be recalled, decided favourably on proposals of co-operation for the promotion of international unity and for the setting up of a Joint Advisory Council between the Trade Union organisations of Great Britain and Russia. The General Council agreed to ratify the recommendations and principles embodied in the chairman’s report.

The Irish Free State Budget was introduced in the Dail. The Minister for Finance, in introducing the Budget, stated that the experiment in protection had been satisfactory, stimulating the industries protected to a remarkable degree.

The arguments were concluded in the case in which an appeal was made against the detention of an Irish prisoner in Maidstone Jail. In giving judgement, the Lord Chief Justice said the order was lawfully and properly made, the detention was lawful, and the rule must be discharged with costs.

The Lord Advocate referred to the Prime Minister’s appeal for peace, in industry at a meeting in Broxburn, describing it as an effort to create an atmosphere in which the employers and employed might come together to find a way out of present difficulties. Mr James Kidd, M.P. for West Lothian, who also addressed the meeting, referred to the growing divisions in the ranks of the Socialist party.

Sir A. Mond, M.P., in a pamphlet, outlines his scheme of subsidised industry for remedying unemployment.

Dr G. E. Spero, late Liberal M.P. for Stoke Newington, has left the Liberal party.

April 30, 2025
NEWS STORY : Experienced Practitioners Crucial for Early Childhood Development Ofsted Report Finds

STORY

A new report from Ofsted underscores the critical role that experienced and qualified early years practitioners play in the development of babies and toddlers. The study reveals that staff with higher qualifications and more experience possess a deeper understanding of child development, leading to more effective care and education for children under two years old. The report, titled Getting it right from the start: how early years practitioners work with babies and toddlers, highlights the importance of the ‘key person’ role in early years settings. This role fosters strong attachments between practitioners and children, providing a stable foundation for learning and emotional growth. Additionally, the study found that most practitioners value positive relationships with parents, recognising their significance in supporting children’s development.

However, the research also identified areas needing improvement. While communication, language, and personal, social, and emotional development are well-understood, there is a gap in practitioners’ knowledge regarding physical development. Furthermore, some practitioners underestimate the capacity of babies and toddlers to learn, mistakenly believing they are too young for structured education. The report also notes challenges in utilising routine times for high-quality interactions, especially in mixed-age groups.

Jayne Coward, Ofsted’s Deputy Director of Early Years Regulatory Policy and Practice, emphasised the importance of early education:

“We know that a child’s first few years are crucial to their future learning and development. By providing children with an excellent start in those first two years, we can ensure that they gain the foundation they need to thrive throughout school and beyond.”

The report recommends targeted professional development for early years practitioners, focusing on the specific needs of babies and toddlers. This approach aims to enhance practitioners’ qualifications and experience, ensuring high-quality early education as the government expands childcare access.

April 30, 2025
NEWS STORY : UK Unveils Europe’s First E-Beam Semiconductor Facility in Southampton

STORY

The United Kingdom has inaugurated Europe’s first electron beam (E-beam) lithography facility at the University of Southampton, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s semiconductor industry. This state-of-the-art facility is only the second of its kind globally, with the first located in Japan. Science Minister Lord Vallance officiated the opening, highlighting the facility’s role in advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence, medical diagnostics, and defence systems. “Britain is home to some of the most exciting semiconductor research anywhere in the world – and Southampton’s new E-beam facility is a major boost to our national capabilities” he stated.

E-beam lithography employs a focused beam of electrons to create incredibly fine patterns on semiconductor materials, enabling the production of components thousands of times smaller than a human hair. This precision is crucial for developing next-generation chips that power a wide array of devices, from smartphones to satellites. The UK semiconductor sector currently contributes approximately £10 billion to the national economy annually, with projections estimating growth to £17 billion by 2030. To support this expansion, the government has announced a £4.75 million investment aimed at bolstering the talent pipeline. This funding will facilitate new bursaries, chip design courses, and educational outreach programs to address the industry’s skills gap.

Professor Graham Reed, head of the University’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, emphasised the facility’s significance: “The introduction of the new E-Beam facility will reinforce our position of hosting the most advanced cleanroom in UK academia.” This development aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to enhance its position in the global semiconductor market, focusing on research and development, design, and compound semiconductors. The initiative is part of the government’s “Plan for Change” aiming to drive innovation, create high-skilled jobs, and strengthen the country’s technological infrastructure.

April 30, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : European-first semiconductor facility launches in Southampton [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 30 April 2025.

A new facility to build the next generation of semiconductor chips, and the first of its kind in Europe, was opened at the University of Southampton.
- Science Minister Lord Vallance unveils new electron beam facility for creating incredibly small patterns onto chips to enable breakthroughs in AI and medical tech
- Comes alongside nearly £5 million in new government support to boost talent pipeline and address skills gap in growing semiconductor industry
- Support will fund new bursaries, chip design courses and outreach in schools – helping deliver growth as part of our Plan for Change by strengthening our sector and creating high-skilled jobs
A new facility using cutting edge electron beam technology to build the next generation of semiconductor chips, and the first of its kind in Europe, was opened at the University of Southampton by Science Minister Lord Vallance today (Wednesday 30 April).

The new E-beam lithography facility is just the second in the world, and first outside Japan, and provides incredible accuracy that is critical to designing the tiny components that power technologies of the future, from medical diagnostics to defence systems.

Semiconductors – the small chips that power devices from smartphones to satellites – already contribute an estimated £10 billion to our economy each year, with the sector projected to grow to an estimated £17 billion by 2030.

Strengthening the sector offers a major opportunity to drive the growth at the heart of our Plan for Change, through boosting innovation and jobs. It also supports the UK’s wider Industrial Strategy to grow key advanced manufacturing sectors and secure global competitiveness.

E-beam lithography uses a focused beam of tiny particles called electrons to create patterns in materials with unrivalled resolution – allowing researchers to create features thousands of times smaller than a human hair.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:

Britain is home to some of the most exciting semiconductor research anywhere in the world – and Southampton’s new E-beam facility is a major boost to our national capabilities.

By investing in both infrastructure and talent, we’re giving our researchers and innovators the support they need to develop next-generation chips right here in the UK.

Our £4.75 million skills package will support our Plan for Change by helping more young people into high-value semiconductors careers, closing skills gaps and backing growth in this critical sector.

The Science Minister’s visit to Southampton comes alongside new research being published today, which shows that one of the biggest barriers to achieving growth in the UK’s burgeoning semiconductor industry is a lack of emerging talent. With a single semiconductor worker contributing an average of £460,000 to the economy annually, the sector’s economic potential is huge.

In response, the government has launched a new £4.75 million semiconductor skills package to help build the talent base needed to fuel this high-growth industry. The package will also help strengthen R&D capacity at leading universities, such as Southampton, which are central to UK semiconductor innovation and talent development.

By supporting local talent pipelines and university–industry collaboration, the programme will contribute to both regional and national economic growth, fuelling our Plan for Change, and reinforcing the role the semiconductors industry is set to play in the Industrial Strategy.

The package includes:
- £3 million for undergraduate bursaries, offering £5,000 each to 300 students starting Electronics and Electrical Engineering degrees this year, alongside specialist semiconductor content to raise awareness of the field, with a focus on courses that include semiconductor design and manufacturing.
- £1.2 million for chip design training, with new chip design courses to teach practical chip design skills to undergraduates, postgraduates, and lecturers, as well as a feasibility study for new postgraduate conversion courses.
- Almost £550,000 for school outreach, giving 7,000 students aged 15–18 and 450 teachers hands-on semiconductor experience in partnership with local employers, helping raise awareness and diversify the future workforce. This programme will be focused on existing UK semiconductor clusters – such as Newport, Cambridge, and Glasgow – helping to strengthen these ecosystems and create long-term career opportunities.
This targeted skills support will underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector – helping to attract more students into high-value careers, fill key vacancies and support UK leadership in critical and emerging technologies that will be instrumental to our mission to grow the economy.

University of Southampton’s Professor Graham Reed, who leads its Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), said:

The introduction of the new E-Beam facility will reinforce our position of hosting the most advanced cleanroom in UK academia.

It facilitates a vast array of innovative and industrially relevant research, and much needed semiconductor skills training.
April 30, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 49 – UK Statement on Spain [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at Spain’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you Mr President,

Welcome to the Secretary of State.

The United Kingdom welcomes Spain’s strong commitment to of human rights.

We commend the the passing of the new Cross-Party Pact against gender-based violence. We urge Spain to continue to develop and implement a comprehensive national action plan to address human trafficking.

We also recognise efforts to address its housing crisis with the Law on Housing Rights. However, we are concerned about the barriers hindering its effective implementation

We recommend that Spain:
1. Develops a strategic housing plan with sufficient funding for social housing to meet the objectives of Spanish recent legislation.
2. Enhances support services for migrant children by integrating their specific needs into the national framework to protect and promote their rights.
3. Develops and implements a National Action Plan that adequately addresses all forms of human trafficking, including that of women and girls.
Thank you.
April 30, 2025