8 FEBRUARY 1925
Sources close to the British Government said that they were disappointed with the withdrawal of the American and Chinese delegations to the Geneva Opium Conference.
Sir William Joynson-Hicks, the Home Secretary, said that the Government would be introducing legislation to gain powers which would restrict the activities of the underworld and undesirable nightclubs.
7 FEBRUARY 1925
The “American delegation has withdrawn from the second Opium Conference at Geneva, stating in a memorandum that the difficulties encountered make it clear that the purpose for which the Conference was called cannot be accomplished.
The Turkish Government’s reply to the Greek Note of protest against the expulsion of Mgr. Constantine rejects the suggested reference of the dispute to the Hague Court, and insists that the question is a purely internal one.
The Duchess d’Alpuferi was fired at in Paris by one of her former tenants, a farmer named Danre, and wounded. The man was taken in custody.
A meeting of the Executive of the N.U.R., hurriedly called to consider the railway deadlock, lasted all day, without a decision being reached.
Professor Grierson, speaking at the annual dinner of the Aberdeen University Edinburgh Association–at which the principal guest was Professor Mackintosh, Aberdeen–complained that the entrance of women into the University had introduced an element of distraction.
6 FEBRUARY 1925
Objection has been taken by Britain to the presence of two Turkish experts with the Mosul Boundary Commission on the ground that they are undesirables, whose presence is resented in Mosul, and who quite recently were engaged in an attempt to stir up the local population against the mandatory Power. The Turkish Government denies the British charges.
Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, at Edgware, replied to Mr Runciman’s criticism of the Government’s proposals in regard to the safeguarding of industries. The Government, he said, were following the same course as a previous Liberal Administration, so that their action could not be unconstitutional.
Lord Mackenzie has been appointed chairman of a Committee set up by the Secretary for Scotland to consider the question whether it is desirable that further provision should be made as regards Scotland for appeals in criminal cases tried on indictment.
Evidence on behalf of Scottish Co-operative Societies was given before the Commission on Food Prices. It related mainly to meat and the charges to be met in its preparation.
Successful experiments have been made at Southampton with a wireless telephone service between ships and the shore which may be linked up with the General Post Office land telephone lines.
The Rotor ship Buckau left Danzig for Leith.
In trade union circles, indications point to the early development of a stubborn struggle in connection with the railway companies’ proposals to reduce wages.
STORY
The Home Office has terminated its contract with Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd (SBHL), a company responsible for managing 51 hotels housing asylum seekers across England and Wales. This decision was prompted by concerns over SBHL’s performance and treatment of the asylum seekers. SBHL, a subcontractor for Clearsprings Ready Homes, had been overseeing accommodations including Napier Barracks in what was a politically charged decision. The management of these facilities will now be transferred to other providers such as Corporate Travel Management (CTM), Mears and Serco. CTM previously managed the Bibby Stockholm barge, which faced issues like higher costs compared to hotel accommodations and a legionnaires’ disease outbreak.
This marks the first major termination of a provider in the Home Office’s decade-long outsourcing of asylum accommodation contracts, valued at £2 billion annually. SBHL had faced allegations including sexual harassment, intimidation and underpayment of staff. The Home Office aims to enhance the management and oversight of asylum accommodations to ensure better value for taxpayers. The termination reflects broader efforts to address the increasing costs associated with housing asylum seekers and to ensure that contracted companies deliver services effectively and ethically.
STORY
The RAF have confirmed that Daniel Heath and William Lawrence, who pleaded guilty to the destruction of a Paddington Bear statue designed to promote kindness and tolerance, are members of the military working at RAF Odiham. The two individuals were condemned by the judge who said:
“On the night of the 2nd of March 2025, your actions were the antithesis of everything Paddington stands for. Your actions lacked respect and integrity, two values you should uphold as members of the armed forces.”
The disgraced pair were each told to pay £2,725 compensation and will have to do unpaid work as part of their punishment.
Thames Valley Police said in a statement:
“The Paddington Bear statue is a beloved part of Newbury so we did everything we could to locate it and bring the offenders to justice. After a short stay at Newbury police station, we handed the statue back to its owners so it can be restored. Criminal damage and theft are serious offences regardless of the target, and we will always look to investigate and have offenders punished proportionately, including being put before the courts.”
The disgraced vandals are expected to be dismissed from the RAF.
STORY
President Trump has backed National Security Advisor Mike Waltz following one of the worst military leaks in US history, where attack plans were accidentally sent to a journalist. Waltz, who faced calls to resign from across the political spectrum. The significant security breach occurred within the U.S. administration when senior officials inadvertently shared sensitive military plans regarding Yemen in a Signal messaging group that included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. The group chat, named “Houthi PC small group”, comprised high-ranking officials such as Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump rejected the serious military leak and said that it was a “glitch”, despite the international concern about the state of the US military senior leadership and competence, as well as the exposure of classified operational details.
![PRESS RELEASE : Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework – Joint Statement [March 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cabinetoffice.png)
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 6 March 2025.
The UK Government and European Commission gave a statement after the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting.
The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework met today, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.
The co-chairs took stock of the implementation of the Windsor Framework since the last meeting on 22 October 2024. They noted overall progress on the implementation of the Windsor Framework, notably in the area of human medicines, where the specific arrangements previously announced started applying on 1 January 2025.
The co-chairs discussed further work underway in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary goods / agrifood, pet travel, customs and veterinary medicines and trade, with a view to ensuring full implementation of all the elements of the Windsor Framework. They agreed to continue to step up implementation progress in these areas, which remains essential to ensure that the safeguards and flexibilities of the Windsor Framework operate for people and businesses in Northern Ireland and protect the Union’s Single Market.
They noted the importance of continued constructive joint work to support implementation efforts and monitor progress in looking ahead to forthcoming milestones, to ensure the full, timely and faithful implementation of all the elements of the Framework.
The Committee co-chairs also took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured sub-groups.
They reiterated the importance of continued joint engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders.
The letter sent by headteacher Stephanie Mander to parents in March 2025.
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we approach the spring season, I would like to inform you about an important update regarding our school’s traditional Easter celebrations.
After careful consideration and discussions with our school community, we have decided not to hold the Easter Bonnet Parade or the Easter Service this year. This decision has been made in the spirit of inclusivity and respect for the diverse religious beliefs, represented within our school community.
Our school is committed to fostering an environment where every child feels valued and respected, regardless of their religious background. By not holding specific religious celebrations, we aim to create a more inclusive atmosphere that honours and respects the beliefs of all our children and their families.
We understand that this change may be disappointing for some, especially those who have cherished these traditions over the years. However, we believe that this decision aligns with our values of inclusivity and respect for diversity. We are exploring alternative ways to celebrate the season in future years, that will be inclusive of all children and reflect the rich cultural diversity of our community.
One of the ways we will be celebrating inclusivity is by taking part in Refugee Week which occurs in June, as well as beginning our journey to become an accredited School of Sanctuary. Watch this space! In the meantime, we look forward to seeing many of you at the Music Festival in a couple of weeks.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we make this transition. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Thank you for your continued support.
![PRESS RELEASE : International Women’s Day 2025 – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2025]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fco.png)
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 March 2025.
Ambassador Neil Holland outlines that progress towards a prosperous world free from poverty cannot be achieved without accelerating gender equality and the empowerment of all girls and women.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
As the United Kingdom prepares to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, the day serves as an important reminder that gender equality benefits everyone. Progress towards a prosperous world free from poverty cannot be achieved without accelerating gender equality and the empowerment of all girls and women.
The current global trajectory is deeply concerning. Gender equality is under threat, and the world is off track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality by 2030. The power of online disinformation, harm and abuse, and the harnessing of violent misogynistic narratives by influential actors and groups globally is driving new and acute threats to gender equality. Where there have been hard-won legislative safeguards protecting women’s control over their health and bodies, we are seeing these being undermined and removed. Maternal mortality rates are stagnating and, in some cases, increasing. Human rights defenders and those who have dedicated their lives to advancing gender equality face violence and intimidation. In the OSCE region, there has been horrific evidence of conflict-related sexual violence perpetrated through Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Growing levels of conflict and crisis disproportionately affect women and girls. They bear the brunt of conflict; humanitarian disaster; environmental degradation and food insecurity. The rights, freedoms, and wellbeing of women and girls in conflict and under repressive regimes are acutely constrained, driving intergenerational inequality and suffering.
In this context, it is more important than ever that we stand up for gender equality. Accelerated progress on gender equality will deliver global economic growth, contribute to a safer and more secure world, and contribute to solving the energy and climate crises.
The theme of International Women’s Day in 2025 is “Accelerate Action”. This focuses on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. According to data from the World Economic Forum, at the current rate of progress it will take until the year 2158 – roughly five generations from now – to reach full gender parity. There is an urgent need to increase momentum in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
The UK is committed to improving the outlook for women and girls globally, including through large-scale programmes to pioneer effective approaches to ending Gender Based Violence, and through supporting women’s rights activists’ advocacy in key decision-making fora. The UK particularly champions the voices and leadership of women and girls in Ukraine, recognising the critical contribution women are making on the frontline and in communities affected by Russia’s illegal invasion.
Mr Chair, we can only build a fairer, freer, safer, wealthier and greener world if we put women and girls at the heart of the OSCE’s work. Women’s inclusion in leadership and meaningful decision making is essential for local, national and regional progress.
It is vital that we, as OSCE participating States, fulfil our commitments to gender equality – as set out in the 1999 Charter for European Security, and related decisions – and ensure adequate funding for OSCE executive structures working to implement the organisation’s gender equality commitments.
As the UK has stated previously, the principles we mark on International Women’s Day are not just for a day. Advancing gender equality is a policy from which everyone benefits. It is vital that we follow through on our commitments to ensure the equal rights of all women and girls.
The remarks made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 6 March 2025.
It’s fantastic to see you all here this morning.
Today’s summit really marks a new era in the relationship between the UK and Ireland.
I think we’ve reset our relationship, turned a page on turbulent recent years and I think today’s announcements show that we’re serious about making our partnership meaningful, deep and beneficial for working people.
Today we’ve announced over £185 million worth of new investment into the UK and an agreement to harness the full potential of the Irish and Celtic Seas, from bolstering the security of undersea cables to mobilising private investment.
In a moment, we’re obviously going to talk about what more we can do, this is a fantastic opportunity.
But before that, I’d like to make some quick points.
First, the need for a strong and settled relationship between the UK and Ireland has never been greater.
The world has changed dramatically since the UK and Ireland last set out a vision for closer bilateral relations back in 2012.
A lot has happened in the intervening years, and as we sit here today, I think we can all agree that our world is more unstable and uncertain than it’s been for a very long time.
And there are huge benefits to strengthening our friendships and working together on geopolitical challenges.
To strengthen all aspects of our security in a dangerous world.
That’s why in the UK last week, I announced the biggest sustained rise in defence spending since the Cold War.
An extra £13.4 billion year on year which will be invested in British industries, British jobs, British skills and British growth.
Because we aren’t just investing in Britain’s national security but in economic security for working people as well.
We were discussing this morning the interrelationship between security and defence, and economic security.
Second, you will know the UK has been working to strengthen our alliance with the EU.
As you know, that doesn’t mean rejoining the Single Market or the Customs Union or returning to freedom of movement.
But it does mean finding practical ways to work more closely together to boost trade, create jobs and deliver economic growth.
And in that context, I believe the partnership between the UK and Ireland has the potential to be a really positive force.
Third, as close neighbours and long-standing partners the benefits of stronger ties between us are huge.
We have strong people to people connections – they are incredible and should be celebrated.
Our supply chains are deep and intertwined, and have been for a very long time.
And we collaborate in a great many sectors, for example, we have two MOUs on Energy Transition and Energy Supply.
All of this points to the importance of an all-island economy.
And the huge potential to do more – working together for our mutual prosperity and security.
So I’m delighted this Summit will kickstart an ambitious programme of cooperation through to 2030.
There is a huge amount on our agenda, this is really ambitious.
It should be seen as new era where the UK and Ireland work closer than ever and cooperate across a wide range of issues.
That means making the most of opportunities to boost growth, jobs and trade.
But also working together on climate change, the energy transition, security, justice, education and defence.
We just had a business breakfast this morning and all of these issues came up, particularly the energy transition.
And through our partnership we will act as a positive example, demonstrating the benefits of cooperation and collaboration.
Today’s discussions are just the start.
We’ve got really good teams on both sides, we’ve got the time, the subject matter and the ambition.
But I want to focus on three themes as we go through this session.
The first is: how can the UK and Ireland work together to achieve sustainable growth?
Second, how can the UK and Ireland work together to build domestic security and promote stability? That was always on the agenda, but now it’s even more pertinent than ever.
Finally, how can the UK and Ireland collaborate to maximise shared opportunities in the transition to Net Zero?
They are the three themes, and areas of discussion this morning.