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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bluetongue virus restricted zone to be extended to all of England on 1 July 2025 [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bluetongue virus restricted zone to be extended to all of England on 1 July 2025 [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 23 May 2025.

    The bluetongue virus (BTV) restricted zone is being extended to cover the whole of England, ending movement restrictions for animals.

    The  Bluetongue Virus restricted zone will be extended from 1 July 2025 to cover the whole of England, ending movement restrictions for animals and allowing farmers to move cattle, sheep, all ruminants, camelids, throughout England without movement tests.

    Bluetongue virus (BTV-3) is primarily transmitted by midge bites and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – but in most cases seen since September 2024 clinical signs have been mild and animals have recovered.

    The decision to extend the zone follows consultation between industry and scientists recognising that the area of England where disease has been found is now too large for movement restrictions to remain an effective and proportionate way of controlling the disease.

    Many areas of England are now affected by BTV and safe and effective vaccines are available. Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines are now available and farmers are strongly encouraged to discuss their use with their private vet as vaccination is the most effective way to protect livestock from bluetongue.

    This new approach is in alignment with the approach taken throughout the EU. This will also allow a renewed focus on resources on higher priority disease risks, which now presents a greater risk to industry, such as Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever.

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

    Through movement controls we have slowed the westerly spread of bluetongue until vaccines are available. We are now moving away from government imposed movement controls which are costly and disruptive to farming particularly those within the zones. An all-England restriction zone will allow livestock farmers currently impacted by burdensome restrictions to be on equal footing with rest of England.

    We encourage all farmers and keepers to discuss the use of BTV-3 vaccines to protect their herds and flocks with their private vet as this is the most effective way of protecting susceptible species.

    I urge all livestock keepers to report suspect disease. It is especially important to remember that foot and mouth disease and bluetongue can have similar clinical presentation.

    BTV is a notifiable disease. Farmers should continue to monitor their animals frequently for clinical signs and report suspicion of disease immediately, they should also make sure their animals and land are registered with APHA so keepers can be kept informed and animals easily located

    Suspicion of BTV in animals in England must be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03000 200 301.

    In Wales, suspected disease should be reported to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 03003 038 268.

    In Scotland, you should contact your local Field Services Office if you suspect bluetongue. In Northern Ireland please report to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

    Restrictions on the freezing of germinal products within the restricted zone will remain.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Full scope of public inquiry into Nottingham attacks set out [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Full scope of public inquiry into Nottingham attacks set out [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 23 May 2025.

    The Lord Chancellor has today published the full Terms of Reference for the public inquiry into the devastating Nottingham attacks in June 2023.

    • Inquiry to establish timeline of events and review role played by different agencies
    • Comprehensive review now underway and will report back within two years with recommendations to prevent similar incidents
    • Forms part of government’s Plan for Change to make streets safer
    • The Inquiry invites members of the public to contribute

    The Lord Chancellor has today published the full Terms of Reference for the public inquiry into the devastating Nottingham attacks in June 2023.

    Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, were tragically killed and Wayne Birkett, Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski were seriously injured by Valdo Calocane in brutal assaults carried out in the city.

    The inquiry will look at a broad range of areas in connection with the attacks, including:

    • The management of Valdo Calocane’s risk to others in the lead up to the attacks;
    • A detailed examination of events on the day of the attacks – including the response of the emergency services; and
    • A timeline of incidents of unauthorised accessing of information by public servants.

    The Lord Chancellor has consulted on the Terms of Reference with the Inquiry Chair, Her Honour Deborah Taylor, who in turn has engaged with the survivors and bereaved families to ensure their views have been taken into account.

    Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said:

    The bereaved families and survivors of the Nottingham Attacks, who have suffered so much, deserve to know how these horrific incidents were able to happen.

    I am pleased this Inquiry is now underway and I know Her Honour Deborah Taylor will undertake a fearless and thorough examination of the facts to prevent tragedies like this happening again.

    The statutory inquiry will undertake a thorough, independent assessment of the events that culminated in these brutal attacks and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

    It will have the power to examine all the agencies involved, including the Nottinghamshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service; compel witnesses, and establish the facts. The Prime Minister has committed that the inquiry should report within two years which the Lord Chancellor has reiterated today.

    Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Alex Davies-Jones, said:

    My thoughts remain with the bereaved families and survivors of this terrible incident, who in the face of such tragedy, have consistently called for answers. .

    It is an important step for the bereaved families and survivors that this Inquiry is now underway, and I know the Inquiry Chair will ensure it reports without undue delay.

    The Nottingham Inquiry website is now the main source of information about the Inquiry. An Inquiry Questionnaire for members of the public to contribute, FAQs about the Inquiry, further questions the Inquiry will address and an Opening Statement video from the Chair can all be found on the website.

    Further information

    • With the terms of reference now published, the inquiry is underway in earnest.
    • The full terms of reference are available on gov.uk and will be available on the Inquiry’s website https://nottingham.independent-inquiry.uk/
    • The Inquiry is publishing its website on 22 May which together with the terms of reference will include contact details and a video message from the Chair.
    • The Inquiry has been tasked with:
    • Producing and reviewing a detailed timeline of Valdo Calocane’s interactions with public services and agencies.
    • Producing and reviewing a timeline of the sequence and timing of events on 13 June 2023 prior to his arrest.
    • Producing a timeline of the unauthorised access of case files and evidence following Valdo Calocane’s arrest.
    • Reviewing the understanding, assessment and management of the risk of Valdo Calocane to others and his risk of offending between 2019 and 13 June 2023.
    • Reviewing the effectiveness of national and local multi-agency working and information sharing.
    • Reviewing the adequacy and appropriateness of care and monitoring of Valdo Calocane including actions, policies and procedures, when Valdo Calocane was in police custody after arrest between 13 and17 June 2023.
    • Considering the Crown Prosecution Service’s handling of the case between 13 June 2023 and the commencement of the Sentencing hearing on 23 January 2024.
    • Providing recommendations to ensure lessons are learned and prevent similar attacks in the future.
    • There have been nine separate reviews into various elements of the Nottingham attacks including: Valdo Calocane’s healthcare and the healthcare institution; actions by Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Police; and decisions of the CPS.  IOPC investigations into the actions of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire police are ongoing.
    • The Law Commission is undertaking a review into homicide law and will consider the partial defence of diminished responsibility.
  • PRESS RELEASE : AI experiments see “Humphrey” help townhalls cut costs and improve services [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI experiments see “Humphrey” help townhalls cut costs and improve services [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 23 May 2025.

    AI experts are experimenting to build new AI within “Humphrey” to help speed up admin in areas like planning and social care, as 25 councils trial new AI tech from Whitehall.

    • AI experts are experimenting to build new AI within “Humphrey” to help speed up admin in areas like planning and social care, as 25 councils trial new AI tech from Whitehall.
    • Early research on the tech shows officials are saved from 60-minutes of admin for each hour-long meeting, saving staff from what half say is the worst thing about their job.
    • Comes as “Humphrey” is taking notes in the Prime Minister’s Council of Nations and Regions meeting taking place today, with talks covering recent trade deals and how AI can improve public services.

    Local councils across the country are trialling a new AI tool called ‘Minute’ – part of the “Humphrey” suite being rolled out across Whitehall – to cut burdensome admin tasks to improve services for citizens as part of the UK government’s Plan for Change.

    It comes as the Prime Minister brings together Heads of the devolved governments and elected English Mayors today at the Council of the Nations and Regions for talks on recent trade deals, as well as how AI can improve public services and maximise the technology’s benefits for people across UK. ‘Minute’ has been used to take notes in the meeting, marking the first time AI has been used in a meeting chaired by a UK Prime Minister.

    25 local councils are currently taking part in the early-stage trial of ‘Minute’ to speed up note taking across the services they provide, including West Berkshire Council and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. This includes streamlining burdensome admin tasks in the planning process to help hit the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by 2030.

    This could help speed up actions after planning meetings, allowing officers to focus on the task at hand, rather than paperwork, and make informed decisions to get homes built. This will support approvals, so bricks can be laid and homes built faster.

    The tool also helps take detailed notes in meetings between social care workers and their supervisors, allowing workers to focus on offering more support instead of being bogged down by bureaucracy.

    The trial comes as alongside a push from government to help local councils use technology to improve the dozens of essential services they are responsible for delivering to local residents – from planning approvals to housing, pest control and parking permits. It includes a new AI Knowledge Hub published today, sharing exciting examples of how local councils are using technology so others can learn from them – such as an AI assistant that speeds up the reporting of fly-tipping and graffiti in central London.

    ‘Minute’ is part of ‘Humphrey’, the package of AI tools built to help civil servants deliver for ministers and the public more effectively. It uses generative AI to turn meetings into notes and adds unique tools to help tweak and correct summaries more efficiently. Early tests of the technology in central government showed that officials were saved, on average, from one hour of admin per one hour meeting, with nearly half of them saying note-taking is the least enjoyable part of their job.

    In the pilot, the tool helps local councils automate requirements for note taking and record keeping so officials can focus on helping residents more quickly.

    The trial announced today follows the Prime Minister setting out that he will “push forward with the digitisation of government services” to find £45 billion worth of productivity savings to make the state more productive and agile and deliver the Plan for Change.

    AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark said:

    From parking permits and planning permission, local councils handle some of the services that impact our daily lives most. For too long, they have been left to fend for themselves when keeping up with rapid innovations in AI and digital technology – when we know it has huge potential to help solve many of the challenges they face.

    That’s why “Humphrey”, a suite of exciting AI tools built in my department, is being sent to townhalls to help them fast track planning decisions, build 1.5 million homes and take meeting notes more quickly. This is just the first step as we are also going to work with local councils to help them buy and build the technology they need to deliver our Plan for Change and support their local communities more effectively.

    Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government Baroness Taylor said:

    Local councils are on the frontline of housing delivery, and we’re backing them with cutting-edge AI technology like ‘Minute’, so officers can spend less time buried in admin and more time helping to get Britain building.

    This is alongside our landmark reforms to deliver 1.5 million homes, including the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will get working people and families in to secure homes and boost economic growth right across the country.

    Earlier this year, the government’s State of Digital Government Review unveiled that local councils were spending £5 billion per year on technology, despite employing half the number of digital specialists they should be. The report also found that each of the 320 local authorities negotiate technology contracts with big tech companies independently – when many are buying exactly the same tools – making this spending much less effective.

    Work has also begun to look at how technology built by the UK government, like the upcoming GOV.UK App which will give people access to public services on their phones, can help councils save money while delivering a better, more consistent service for citizens. It will also aim to improve data sharing between councils and other public bodies, as well as helping councils negotiate contracts together and share best practices.

    It comes alongside a new AI Knowledge Hub being published, sharing practical examples of how AI is being used in government and across local councils so other organisations across the UK can take their work forward. The publication of the website delivers against a recommendation made in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, aiming to help the public sector adopt AI more quickly and effectively.

    Other areas set to be discussed today include how by working with devolved governments and mayors the UK can ensure it has the infrastructure and capability needed to power AI, and ways to facilitate better data sharing.

  • PRESS RELEASE : A Reset Relationship and New Opportunities for Northern Ireland [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : A Reset Relationship and New Opportunities for Northern Ireland [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 23 May 2025.

    Secretary of State Hilary Benn MP underlines the benefits for Northern Ireland of recent trade deals, and a new intended partnership agreement with the European Union.

    It has been a momentous month – both for Northern Ireland and for the entire United Kingdom. First came the Government’s trade deals with India and the USA which will open up new opportunities for Northern Ireland exporters.

    Next, on Monday, the UK played host to the first-ever UK-EU summit at Lancaster House in London as we set out to build a new partnership with the European Union. In recent years, our relationship with the EU has – at times – been strained, but in an era in which global instability is rising, it makes sense to build stronger ties with our European friends and neighbours.

    And then, on Thursday, we marked the anniversary of the referenda on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement held in Northern Ireland and Ireland. By voting ‘yes’, the people chose and secured a chance for peace in Northern Ireland; a peace which has lasted in the almost three decades since and helped pave the way for Northern Ireland’s transformation. It was an agreement which remains to this day proof of the power of courageous political leadership, and people’s willingness to compromise in hope of a better future.

    The agreement with the European Union will help to create growth and lower household bills across the UK as a whole.

    It is a particularly good deal for Northern Ireland. Our economy is already vibrant – think of our aerospace, life sciences, manufacturing, and film and television industries – and this agreement will further help Northern Ireland which experienced stronger growth than the United Kingdom as a whole last year. Peace has delivered real economic benefits.

    Of particular significance will be the deal we reached on agrifood and plants, which will smooth flows of trade, ease the frictions for businesses and protect the UK internal market. Applying the same rules across the UK will give businesses greater certainty, and mean we can eliminate paperwork and mandatory identity and physical checks on goods moving under these arrangements.

    All of this will save up to £1 million a month for those firms using the ‘red lane’ and we’ll see a real difference in garden centres, with bans on so-called ‘high risk’ plants being eliminated – a commitment made in Safeguarding the Union – and plants being able to move within the UK without barriers.

    This deal will also maintain Northern Ireland’s unique access to both the UK and EU markets and the advantages that the Windsor Framework offers to businesses and the economy. So, it’s no surprise that businesses have welcomed it. The Ulster Farmers Union called it ‘a major step forward for Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry’. The Horticultural Trades Association have said that their sector will save millions. And big name retailers such as Asda and M&S have praised the removal of frictions too. The message is clear from business – this is good news for Northern Ireland and good news for you.

    The other outcomes of Monday’s summit are also good for Northern Ireland. Our new security and defence partnership with the EU will support our national security and the aerospace, defence and space industry which is already home to more than 9,000 jobs in Northern Ireland. Our closer law enforcement relationship with the EU will help prevent crime. Closer cooperation on decarbonisation and energy will lower prices and make our country greener and more resilient. And it’ll become easier to travel to mainland Europe through e-Gates.

    Northern Ireland’s prosperity is intrinsically linked to its strong relationship with the rest of the UK, and it can only benefit further from our new partnership with the EU. The steps we are taking will bring practical benefits, and Monday’s summit makes me even more confident that Northern Ireland’s economy will continue to flourish as a thriving and growing part of the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus – Joint Statement to the OSCE [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus – Joint Statement to the OSCE [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2025.

    UK and 37 other countries call for immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Belarus.

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and my own country Poland.

    The following participating States are also joining this statement: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia, San Marino and Switzerland.

    Since the death of political prisoner and activist Vitold Ashurak in prison on 21 May 2021, we mark the International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus annually.

    Since May 2021, at least seven more political prisoners have died in the regime’s captivity: Mikalai Klimovich, Ales Pushkin, Vadzim Khrasko, Ihar Lednik, Aliaksandr Kulinich, Dmitry Schletgauer and Valiantsin Shtermer. They were unjustly persecuted for their political opinions, and failed to receive adequate medical attention and care.

    In June last year, a group of 38 participating states invoked the Vienna Human Dimension mechanism and questioned many individual cases related to prisoners’ dignity, access to medication and medical care, to legal counsel of their own choosing, to effective remedies and a fair legal trial, as well as contacts with their families. The Belarus authorities did not bring any meaningful response to these questions nor has Belarus made progress on the recommendations of either the 2020 or 2023 Moscow Mechanism reports.

    Some of those prisoners have since then been released, after completion of their sentences or through pardons, however the arbitrary detention of citizens for exercising their human rights persists. As of May 15, 2025, VIASNA estimates that there were 1189 political prisoners in Belarus. Many of them have serious health issues, disabilities, are over the age of 60, and are suffering from mental disorders. Many of them are subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including deprivation of necessary medical assistance. The UN Committee against Torture reported that torture in these prisons is systemic, habitual, widespread and deliberate with a pattern of impunity for perpetrators.

    This is the day to remember them all. A day to reiterate our call for the Belarusian authorities:

    • to stop repressing individuals for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, to freedom of association and to peaceful assembly;
    • to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and to ensure their rehabilitation.

    This is also the day to express our solidarity with relatives and friends of political prisoners, who are subject to political and administrative repression in Belarus and in exile, as part of a wider brutal crackdown on opposition figures, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, journalists and other media actors, and other citizens who dare voice any opposition or dissent.

    In the face of this disregard of OSCE principles and commitments by the Belarusian authorities, we will continue to support the Belarusian people’s aspiration for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Largest Ukraine trade mission boosts UK defence partnerships [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Largest Ukraine trade mission boosts UK defence partnerships [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2025.

    Largest multinational Ukraine trade mission boosts defence partnerships for British business.

    • The UK led its largest-ever trade mission to Ukraine, with 51 defence companies taking part.
    • The mission brought together UK industry and likeminded European nations to secure contracts and boost high-skilled jobs across the UK.
    • Trade missions help strengthen national security, the foundation of the Plan for Change, and open up opportunities for our world class defence sector.

    A record 51 UK and international companies joined the fifth UK-Ukraine trade mission in Kyiv this week, making it the largest British-led trade delegation to Ukraine to date.

    Participating companies from across the defence economy specialising in areas like uncrewed systems and military goods are securing contracts which will boost high-skilled jobs in regions across the country, supporting the government’s Plan for Change.

    This week’s mission brought together leading UK defence firms to deepen cooperation with Ukrainian industry and partners from Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Latvia. This collaboration is vital in demonstrating a united multinational industrial front with European allies, scaling up support for Ukraine’s defence needs and strengthening supply chain resilience with international partners.

    This latest mission is a significant step in the UK’s 100 Year Partnership with Ukraine, reinforcing the UK’s long-term support for Ukraine’s defence, security and recovery and drawing on the collective industrial capacity and capability of European allies.

    Defence is a key growth sector in the Government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy and a prime example of how Government and industry can work together to aid our allies and boost UK security.

    Lord Coaker, Defence Minister said:

    Working with the Netherlands, Norway, and Ukraine we’re building resilient supply chains, putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to achieve a just and lasting peace for years to come.

    The UK is continuing to lead the way on support for Ukraine, from military support to leading the Ukraine Defence Contact Group where since the UK took the chair nearly £23bn has been pledged in military support for Ukraine.

    Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:

    It is a privilege for industry to lead the UK in engagement both within Ukraine and with our Ukrainian counterparts. Indeed, this week’s trade mission – the most multinational of its kind to date – has been nothing but inspiring.

    The UK defence industry’s support to Ukraine is unwavering and stands ready to increase production capacity, develop innovative new capabilities, and build a resilient ecosystem.

    Continued collaboration, both with our government counterparts and international allies, is pivotal as illegal Russian aggression continues to intensify. We will continue to deepen our industrial ties and fulfil our moral duty to the Ukrainian people.

    Marte Gerhardsen, Norwegian State Secretary said:

    European allies needs to stand together with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We work closely with Ukraine the UK and other European countries. The Russian aggression against Ukraine continues, and the need to rapidly strengthen Ukrainian and European defence capabilities are apparent.

    The security situation demands that we innovate and adapt. We need to ensure that our industries can meet the growing demands from our governments and armed forces.

    One of the purposes of the visit is to facilitate the establishment of projects and collaborations by more Norwegian companies in Ukraine. I am pleased to see how Norwegian companies work with Ukrainian partners to scale up productions.

    The mission follows the new UK-EU Security & Defence Partnership that was agreed on Monday, which could lead to significant opportunities for the UK’s world-leading defence industries, generating more high-skilled jobs across all regions of the UK.

    By joining forces with our European partners, the UK is strengthening its own defence industry while contributing directly to Ukraine’s long-term resilience.

    Background:

    • JEF nations represented on this mission include: Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, and Latvia
    • DBT and MOD working closely together through the cross-government Task Force HIRST to drive increases in UK, Ukrainian and allies’ industrial capacity to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as domestic military resilience. It has recently secured a £1.6bn deal for air defence missiles for Ukraine.
    • The UK is fully committed to working with allies to step up support to ensure Ukraine remains in the strongest possible position, which is why £4.5 billion of military support will be provided this year – more than ever before.
    • Defence already supports 434,000 jobs and is an engine for growth. The Government’s new Defence Industrial Strategy will make sure national security and a high-growth economy are aligned and delivering on our promise to crack down on waste and boost Britain’s defence industry.
    • This week’s mission builds on the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Oslo Summit held earlier this month, highlighting the UK’s growing cooperation with European partners on defence and security.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Leeds man arrested in recycling fraud investigation [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Leeds man arrested in recycling fraud investigation [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 23 May 2025.

    A Leeds local has been arrested for conspiracy to commit money laundering, as part of an active Environment Agency investigation into illegal recycling export paperwork.

    In a joint raid earlier this week (Wednesday 21 May), Environment Agency officers worked with the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit to apprehend a 34-year-old man at a property in Leeds.

    After being interviewed, the suspect has been released pending ongoing investigations and evidence gathered during the arrest will support action going forward.

    The arrest forms a crucial part of an ongoing investigation by the Environment Agency and Joint Unit for Waste Crime into fraud, money laundering and offences under the producer responsibility regulations. This now brings the total number of arrests to seven, after four individuals across Leeds, Doncaster and Calderdale were arrested in April last year, and two others being arrested in 2023.

    Emma Viner, Enforcement and Investigations Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

    We are calling time on fraud in the recycling sector, which undermines hard-working businesses and trashes our natural environment.

    Our teams are thoroughly examining all the evidence gathered in the raid to further progress the investigation and help put an end to this unacceptable, organised criminal activity.

    The Packaging Producer Responsibility Regulations were introduced to oblige the producers of waste packaging made from materials such as plastic, glass and cardboard to contribute towards the financial cost of recycling and disposing the waste.

    Businesses that meet the criteria are required to prove they have made a financial contribution by purchasing credits, known as Packaging Export Recovery Notes, from waste reprocessors or exporters. However, the credits have a monetary value which means organised criminal gangs can look to infiltrate the sector and engage in high value fraud and money laundering.

    In 2024, the Environment Agency launched a new Economic Crime Unit to boost its efforts to tackle money laundering and carry out financial investigations in the waste sector. This arrest marks another vital step in the unit’s work to ensure those working in waste management do the right thing and waste criminals are rooted out of the sector.

    If a member of the public has any information that may assist with this investigation, they should call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060. They can also report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the Crimestoppers website.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mum paid daughter almost £200,000 in company money from failing Scottish machinery parts firm [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mum paid daughter almost £200,000 in company money from failing Scottish machinery parts firm [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 23 May 2025.

    The company owed hundreds of thousands of pounds to creditors at the time.

    • Mother and daughter Hazel Lamont and Nicola Murray decided to wind-up their Scotparts UK Ltd. company in 2023 as it was insolvent
    • However, Lamont paid her daughter almost £200,000 in company money in the days following their decision to cease trading
    • More than £300,000 had been paid into Scotparts’ bank account in the days before their decision to shut the company down

    A Scottish mother paid nearly £200,000 to her daughter using funds due to a supplier just days after they decided their company was insolvent and would cease trading.

    Hazel Lamont, 74, and her daughter Nicola Murray, 54, were directors of Scotparts UK Ltd., which was described on Companies House as being involved in the sale of machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft.

    The company, which had been trading since March 2006, was in financial trouble by October 2023 and both Lamont and Murray jointly decided Scotparts should stop trading due to debts it was unable to pay.

    However, just two days earlier, the company received more than £300,000 from a customer.

    Within one week of this payment, Lamont gave Murray £194,400 knowing that the company was insolvent and owed money to creditors.

    Further amounts totalling £148,144 were paid by the pair to two connected companies during the same period.

    Lamont, of Elliston Road, Howwood, Renfrewshire, and Murray, of Manse Road, Motherwell, have been banned as a directors for the next nine years.

    Scotparts owed more than £900,000 when it went into liquidation in January 2024.

    Mike Smith, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Hazel Lamont and Nicola Murray knew, or at the very least, ought to have known that their company had significant liabilities to creditors.

    Despite knowing the perilous financial state of their company, Lamont paid £194,400 to her daughter. This was not her money – it was company money which should have been paid to customers and suppliers.

    The pair also transferred money to two connected companies, again depriving creditors of these funds.

    Lamont and Murray have now been banned as company directors until May 2034 following our investigations into their misconduct.

    Scotparts received £301,543 from a customer during the period of 18 and 19 October 2023.

    The company also owed another creditor – a manufacturer of goods – £362,585 in outstanding invoices.

    Lamont and Murray decided that Scotparts would cease trading on 20 October.

    However, between that date and 25 October, Scotparts paid £194,400 to Murray.

    In the week following the pair’s decision to place the company into liquidation, £96,899 was also transferred to I&H Distribution and Scotparts UK Ltd where Murray was a director.

    An additional £51,245 was transferred to Scotparts Holdings Ltd, which listed Lamont as one of its directors.

    No refunds or payments were made to either the buyer of goods or the manufacturer.

    Six creditors submitted claims with a total of £916,899 when Scotparts went into liquidation.

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted disqualification undertakings from Lamont and Murray, and their bans started on Tuesday 20 May and Friday 23 May respectively.

    The undertakings prevent them from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Further information

    • Hazel Lamont is of Elliston Road, Howwood, Renfrewshire. Her date of birth is 13 August 1950
    • Nicola Murray is of Manse Road, Motherwell. Her date of birth is 27 August 1970
  • PRESS RELEASE : Earlier support for speech and language for 20,000 children [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Earlier support for speech and language for 20,000 children [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 23 May 2025.

    Up to 20,000 more young children, including those with SEND, will have their needs identified and supported earlier, breaking down barriers to opportunity.

    Up to 20,000 more children are set to benefit from earlier targeted support to overcome speech and language challenges before concerns escalate, as the government ensures every child gets the best start in life through its Plan for Change.

    Backed by £3.4 million this year, the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) programme deploys specialist teams across primary schools and early years settings, helping to identify and respond to speech and language needs, particularly for children with SEND.

    Developmental delays have been a growing issue since the pandemic, with more than 40,000 children waiting over 12 weeks for speech and language therapy as of June 2024.

    It is particularly prevalent for children with SEND as numbers have skyrocketed from 1.3 million in 2020 to 1.67 million in 2024 – with one in four of these children requiring additional help to overcome difficulties listening, understanding and talking.

    A lack of early identification can have a devastating impact on development, social skills, attendance, and academic attainment for all children – holding them back from progressing in school and life.

    This is seen by the staggering rise in children requiring specialist support, with the number of children on Education Health Care Plans escalating from under 250,000 in 2015 to over 575,000 in 2024.

    The ELSEC programme paves the way for a reformed SEND system that embeds earlier intervention and targeted support, enabling children to thrive at their mainstream school and making sure all children have the best start in life.

    Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell said:

    When challenges with speech and language go unnoticed, it can have a devastating impact on children’s attainment, attendance, social abilities and future life chances.

    ELSEC is turning this around for so many pupils – and particularly those with SEND – helping them find their voice and thrive at school and with their friends and family.

    This type of approach is exactly what we want to see in a reformed SEND system that delivers the support children need at the earliest stage and restores parents’ trust in a system which has let them down for too long.

    Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell visited Hasmonean primary school in Barnet, which has been part of the ELSEC programme since January, and observed a small group intervention in one of the school’s calming environments. The activity focused on developing children’s social communication skills by engaging the children’s attention, promoting interaction and vocabulary, and making learning and communication fun.

    Head of Early Years and SEN Support at Hasmonean Primary School, Jemma Brahams, said:

    The ELSEC team first trained me on how to run a small group intervention for our pupils who are experiencing speech and language difficulties. The team was there to help me from the start and was always available as I got used to implementing the approach.

    The training provided on these interventions has been huge for us, as we now don’t need to wait for anyone to come into the school or go on any waiting lists – we can just take it forward straightaway. In fact, I’m now able to train other staff members in the school to deliver intervention groups, so we can have it running frequently and across different year groups.

    The impact on our pupils’ development has been really positive too. As the activity is creative and interactive, it supports the children’s speech and language development, concentration and attention – we’ve seen so much progress.

    Parent of Raphael at Hasmonean Primary school, Deborah, said:

    Raphael is 4 and did not speak until recently, he only made noises which was so frustrating for him, but with interventions he has progressed amazingly.

    With 3-4 interventions a week he has massively grown in confidence, he is communicating with his friends and expressing himself more than ever – we are now hopeful that Raphael can go to Reception in September which was not an option a few months ago!

    This programme has been so impactful for my son and it is amazing to see the work being done for children like Raphael.

    Communication needs can manifest itself in a number of ways, including physically through stuttering and issues putting sentences together, as well as difficulty understanding words.

    As part of the ELSEC programme, Speech and Language Therapy Assistants become part of the fabric of the school, working across numerous settings in their area to assist pupils aged 2-11 years old who need help with their language skills – whether that’s universal support for the whole class, or specialist 1:1 help for pupils with intensive needs.

    Staff are taught to use characters and games to boost engagement and improve expression in ways that children can understand.

    This support can also have a huge impact on children’s wellbeing at school, and as a result, their attendance. Last year, SEN children in primary school with Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) as a primary need missed almost a week more of school than children without SEND.

    Jointly funded by NHS England, ELSEC has already supported over 200 early years and primary school settings, trained over 3,000 setting staff and provided support to just over 20,000 pupils so far since launching in 2023.

    Clinical Coordinator in Barnet’s ELSEC team, Georgia Roskin, said:

    It can be very easy for teaching staff to identify children with significant needs but the children with mild-moderate needs often get missed, which can sadly cause long-term speech and language difficulties, and poorer outcomes.

    That’s why when we first partner with a setting, we train teaching staff to screen every single child, which assures us (and parents!) that no children go undetected.

    We work intensively within a setting for six weeks, helping to identify pupils who may need support, while also upskilling the school staff on different interventions and teaching approaches they can adopt. We then stay in regular contact, coming back into the setting every couple of months to see how they’re getting on and address any new concerns.

    NHS National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, Dr Amanda Doyle, said:

    It is vital that children with speech, language and communications needs get access to support as early as possible, to help give them the best start in life.

    That’s why the NHS is working closely with the Department for Education and early years and primary school settings to transform the way children access support, enabling them to get the right care at the right time.

    Chief Executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Steve Jamieson, said:

    We’re delighted that the Department for Education and NHS England will fund the Early Language Support for Every Child programme until March 2026.

    It has shown that when speech and language therapists, therapy support workers and education staff work together, they can identify children’s needs earlier and put timely support in place.

    Providing early intervention for children’s speech, language and communication needs can improve their wellbeing, development, and educational attainment. The extension of the funding means more children will benefit from this important programme.

    ELSEC forms one part of the government’s work testing SEND reforms through a reformulated Change Programme focused on early intervention and support in mainstream schools.

    Local areas will also test how children in so-called alternative provision – for children who have been excluded or have behavioural needs – can get the right support to return to mainstream provision.

    This includes by supporting the expansion of Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforces (APST) – multi-agency teams, including SEN specialists, youth workers, and mental health practitioners, working in AP settings, with mainstream schools to provide holistic support and ensure more children receive the right support to achieve and thrive.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK-funded program connects Solomons cocoa producers to UK market [May 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK-funded program connects Solomons cocoa producers to UK market [May 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2025.

    UK-funded trade mission involving 10 cocoa buyers to Solomon Islands organised by the UKTP Programme forged this connection in September 2024.

    In the growing trading relationship between Solomon Islands and the UK, there is now a first all-female-led business collaboration to grow out of the UK-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement, which is leading the way for cocoa farmers in the Pacific and championing their resilience and skills.

    That transpired through UK ethical chocolate maker Cocoa Sisters bringing to British consumers premium, single-origin chocolate made from cocoa grown by women farmers in Solomon Islands. This is the result of a successful connection between UK-based ethical chocolate maker, Sarah Payne and pioneering cocoa producers from the Pacific Islands.

    The connection was first made during a trade mission by 10 cocoa buyers to the Solomon Islands organised by the UK-Government funded United Kingdom Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme in September 2024.

    In February 2025, UKTP programme supported four Solomon Islands cocoa producers to attend a Cocoa trade fair in Amsterdam, providing another opportunity for them to meet with buyers from the UK and around the world.

    The UKTP Programme, funded by the UK Government and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), supports businesses in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to improve export readiness and connect with UK buyers.

    In Solomon Islands, UKTP has worked closely with women-led businesses, cocoa farmers and processors, and export businesses to strengthen quality, packaging, branding, and market access.

    The launch of Cocoa Sisters celebrates the arrival of a product that is as much about empowerment and equity as it is about exceptional flavour. Cocoa Sisters sources directly from women-led cocoa farms, with a commitment to sustainable farming practices and fair returns for producers.

    At the heart of this brand are Agnes Pilopaso from Guadalcanal and Lucy Kasimwane from Makira – 2 female cocoa farmers supported by UKTP through capacity building, trade promotion and market connections.

    At the launch in London last week, His Excellency Mr Moses Kouni Mose, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Solomon Islands Head of Mission to the European Union said:

    I think this is something that needs to be developed and I see the potential not only for cocoa but also other agriculture commodities from Solomon Islands like coffee, palm oil and coconut body products that can have added value. We really appreciate the collaboration that this has realised.

    Managing Director of the Cocoa Sisters brand who is also founder and Creative Director at Cocoa Loco, Sarah Payne remarked:

    So, the idea behind Cocoa Sisters is that we will source directly from female cocoa farmers, supporting them financially and telling their stories. At the same time raising awareness of the imbalances that exist in the cocoa supply chain. But this is more than a chocolate brand, it is a platform that uplifts women and we’re shining a light on their brilliance and of course getting cocoa beans from Pacific Islands remote places is quite challenging, but I’ve been overwhelmed by the support that I’ve had.

    The Cocoa Sisters launch event included tasting the first collection of Cocoa Sisters chocolate made from the cocoa beans of incredible female farmers Agnes and Lucy from Solomon Islands and Delwin from Papua New Guinea and enjoying chocolate martinis and brownies, all crafted using their cocoa.

    Solomon Islands Ambassador to the EU, H.E. Moses Mose and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) Catherine West MP also spoke at the event about the importance of global collaboration and women-led enterprise.

    British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Paul Turner said there’s huge potential for cocoa and other agricultural commodities from Solomon Islands in the UK.

    His Excellency Paul Turner remarked:

    Solomon Islands cocoa is a high-end product that is exotic to the British customer. In the UK we are used to getting our cocoa from countries such as Ghana in West Africa. It is great to have a more diversified market, and I look forward to strengthening the commercial ties between the UK and Solomon Islands.

    Recent successes for Solomon Island exporters include:

    Free from Awards

    In 2024 Solomons Gold, from Solomon Islands, won several accolades, including silver and bronze medals for seven of their vegan chocolate varieties. The company produces handcrafted vegan chocolate in a diverse range of flavours. Their chocolates are known for the absence of allergens, including dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, and refined sugar, making them an ideal contender for the Free from Awards.

    As award winners, Solomons Gold, are promoted across Free form’s social platforms and are granted exclusive rights to use the awards’ logo on their winning products. This instantly recognizable and internationally respected mark helps consumers identify safe, quality products. For these two small companies from the Pacific Islands, the awards are a clear recognition that their products satisfy British consumer tastes.

    The UK Great Taste Awards

    Great Taste is the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. Championing independent food and drink producers since 1994, the awards are organized by The Guild of Fine Food based on a blind tasting of over 12,500 entrants by more than 500 expert judges.

    The blind-taste evaluation ensures that accolades are awarded based purely on taste, without the influence of branding or marketing. Achieving even one of the possible three stars establishes a food as among the best tasting in the world. In 2024 Solomon’s Gold was the only company to receive two-star recognition for multiple products, winning accolades for both its Dark Orange 70% Cacao, and Dark Nib 75% Cacao chocolates.

    In 2025, we are supporting UK SME bean-to-bar chocolate maker CocoCaravan to enter their two bars made from cocoa sourced from producers in the Solomon Islands. Their 75% Ailali Solomon Islands and 75% Pilopaso Solomon Islands chocolates are handcrafted bean-to-bar products, sweetened with coconut sugar. The cocoa beans were purchased during the UKTP cocoa mission to the Solomon Islands in September 2024. The results of the awards will be announced by end of July 2025.

    Nourish Awards.

    Established in 2017, the Nourish Awards are the UK leading recognition for healthy food, beverages, and supplements, setting the standard for innovation, excellence, and health in the food industry. In 2024 Solomons Gold earned three-star ratings in the Nourish Vegan Awards on top of the ‘Best Vegan Chocolate’ for its Dark Orange 70% Cacao, Dark Caramel 70% Cacao, and Dark Nib 75% Cacao.