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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Carrier Strike Group visit to Tokyo underlines UK-Japan Strategic Partnership and Indo-Pacific commitment [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Carrier Strike Group visit to Tokyo underlines UK-Japan Strategic Partnership and Indo-Pacific commitment [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 August 2025.

    HMS Prince of Wales, flagship of the UK Carrier Strike Group (CSG), will make a port call to Tokyo from late August to early September as part of Operation HIGHMAST, the Royal Navy’s eight-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan.

    The deployment reinforces the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific as outlined in the government’s Plan for Change, supporting the mission to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad while fostering the international partnerships essential for economic growth and national security.

    The visit of CSG to Japan , symbolises the close alignment of strategic interests and values shared between the UK and Japan, and  representing an opportunity to deepen UK-Japan defence cooperation, enhance interoperability through joint activities, and engage in dialogue on regional challenges.

    The deployment also embodies the deepening partnership between the UK and Japan, demonstrating the unprecedented cooperation established through our enhanced global strategic partnership, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

    Strategic partnership in action

    As each other’s closest security partners in Europe and Asia respectively, the UK and Japan share fundamental values and face common challenges. The CSG visit to Japan, and in particular the port visit to Tokyo by HMS Prince of Wales, marks a significant milestone in the multi-layered cooperation spanning politics, defence, economy, and culture that defines the modern UK-Japan relationship.

    British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom said:

    The visit of HMS Prince of Wales to Tokyo underlines the UK’s strong commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, while showcasing the remarkable depth of our partnership with Japan. Together, as trusted allies, we are strengthening cooperation across defence, economy, and culture. This visit demonstrates our joint determination to safeguard regional stability, and our shared ambition to deliver innovation, prosperity, and a sustainable future for the next generation.

    Multi-day programme of engagement

    The Tokyo port visit will feature a programme of events taking place over multiple days, designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and regional partnerships. Key events will include the prestigious Pacific Future Forum, bringing together defence, security and industry leaders from across the region to discuss shared security challenges, from future technology to economic security.

    A Defence & Security Industry Day will showcase British defence capabilities and innovation, providing opportunities for UK companies to demonstrate world-leading technologies and explore new partnerships with Japanese counterparts across advanced sectors including space, cyber and emerging technologies.

    Global deployment of unprecedented scale

    Operation HIGHMAST represents the most ambitious UK naval deployment in a generation, involving nearly 4,000 British personnel across the Royal Navy (2,500), Royal Air Force (592), and British Army (900). The eight-month deployment will cover over 26,000 nautical miles, visiting more than 40 countries and undertaking over 70 engagements, exercises and operations.

    The deployment showcases true international partnership, with 12 nations supporting the CSG with ships or personnel. Norway is providing a warship for the entire duration of the deployment, whilst Canada, Spain, and New Zealand have also contributed vessels, demonstrating that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions is fundamentally indivisible.

    Showcasing British innovation and creativity

    HMS Prince of Wales exemplifies the UK’s world-leading naval engineering and integrated operational capabilities, demonstrating advanced military readiness and technological superiority. The carrier uniquely combines cutting-edge technology with traditional British maritime expertise, representing the very best of UK innovation.

    With up to 24 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets embarked, in squadrons from both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, HMS Prince of Wales showcases the largest concentration of fifth-generation aircraft ever deployed by the Royal Navy. These advanced systems demonstrate UK defence innovation whilst laying the groundwork for future UK-Japan joint development projects, including the groundbreaking GCAP programme – a joint initiative between the UK, Japan and Italy to develop a next generation fighter jet.

    The UK’s industrial strategy drives not just security but high-value job creation, innovation, and economic growth across both nations. UK-Japan defence industry cooperation continues to strengthen both countries’ competitiveness in aerospace, cyber, and technology, with applications for solving global challenges that matter to people in both countries.

    Creative cooperation between our nations delivers mutual benefits, with the CSG visit expanding industrial and technological partnerships that will drive innovation for decades to come.

    Guardians of maritime security and global challenges

    The UK’s CSG deployment to Japan demonstrates concrete action toward realising a free and open Indo-Pacific and our unwavering commitment to regional stability. As maritime nations, the UK and Japan will continue to fulfil their vital responsibility as guardians of the maritime rules-based order, ensuring the freedom and safety of the seas for all nations.

    The CSG’s presence reinforces both countries’ shared approaches to complex security challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats, and the safe development of emerging technologies. This collaborative approach addresses the security concerns that affect our people’s prosperity and future.

    The UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries recently visited Australia to observe Exercise Talisman Sabre, the largest-ever military exercise Australia has hosted, involving the CSG and 3,000 UK personnel. As part of the exercise, the AUKUS nations successfully worked alongside Japan to strengthen collaboration on the defence use of robotics and autonomous technologies.

    Boosting UK trade and economic growth

    The deployment directly supports the government’s Plan for Change through economic growth opportunities. Port visits in Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will showcase British defence capabilities through trade demonstrations and fairs, supporting UK exports and international trade.

    The Indo-Pacific is a critical region for UK trade, with the region accounting for 17% of total UK trade – worth £286 billion in goods and services in the 12 months to September 2024. The deployment provides opportunities for UK companies to participate in trade events during port visits, delivering British jobs and growth whilst building on the strong foundation established through the bilateral UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and the multilateral Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

    Building a sustainable connection for the future

    Alongside partnership between our governments and militaries, UK engagement with Japan spans civil society, business, culture, academia, and people-to-people links.. This comprehensive connection between our countries means that together, we can tackle the global challenges that both Japanese and British people care about, from environmental sustainability to technological security. The UK is committed to investing in this connection, and the many links between our countries that bring it to life, now and for future generations. The visit of CSG to Japan, and HMS Prince of Wales to Tokyo, will be an unforgettable moment in our partnership.

    Further details of specific programmes and venues will be announced in due course.

    Notes to editors:

    • Operation HIGHMAST involves nearly 4,000 British personnel across the Royal Navy (2,500), Royal Air Force (592), and British Army (900)
    • Exercise Talisman Sabre involved 3,000 UK personnel
    • The deployment includes 12 international partners contributing ships or personnel, including Norway, Canada, Spain, and New Zealand
    • The CSG will cover over 26,000 nautical miles and visit more than 40 countries over eight months
    • This follows the successful 2021 deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth, which travelled 26,000 nautical miles and engaged with 40 nations
    • The deployment supports the government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.6% of GDP
    • This follows the establishment of GCAP headquarters in Reading and continued progress on the trilateral fighter programme between the UK, Japan, and Italy
    • Trade between the UK and Indo-Pacific region accounts for 17% of total UK trade, worth £286 billion annually
    • Japan is the UK’s 15th largest trading partner. Total UK exports to Japan amounted to £14.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2024, whilst UK imports from Japan totalled £12.4 billion over the same period.
    • The strong economic partnership is further evidenced by Japan’s record £17.7 billion investment commitment into the UK during the Japan G7, spanning sectors including green energy, offshore wind, real estate and quantum technology. The UK was the number two destination for Japanese investment in 2023, highlighting the mutual confidence in our economic relationship.
    • Access restrictions will be implemented at the port terminal during the port visit.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Police to get cutting edge technology to tackle grooming gangs [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Police to get cutting edge technology to tackle grooming gangs [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 6 August 2025.

    Access to AI-enabled investigation tools expanded to all police forces in England and Wales, helping officers identify, expose and take down criminal networks.

    Children, young people and vulnerable adults across England and Wales will be better protected from grooming gangs and other vile organised exploitation, as all police forces gain access to leading-edge investigative technology. The government is injecting £426,000 of new funding into the Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) Programme so it can extend access to its Capabilities Environment, a suite of state-of-the-art investigative apps and tools, to every police force in England and Wales, building on the 13 which currently have access.

    The TOEX Capabilities Environment expansion supports the first phase of Operation Beaconport, the new national policing operation announced following Baroness Casey’s National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Police officers will be able to access the tools to assist with any criminal investigation in their force. To date, these tools have been used 12,500 times by the 13 forces which have access to them, saving over £20 million and 16,000 investigator hours. This is expected to increase exponentially with the funded expansion.

    Led by the National Crime Agency in collaboration with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Taskforce and the TOEX Programme, Operation Beaconport will, for the first time, bring together the full strength of policing to address past failures, deliver justice, and ensure complex cases of group-based child sexual exploitation – including grooming gangs – are enhanced to ensure offenders are pursued and vulnerable members of our communities are protected.

    Operation Beaconport has already begun work that will lead to the review of more than 1,200 closed cases of group-based child sexual exploitation cases that were not progressed to prosecution. Following this initial review, recommendations will be made to forces to reinvestigate cases that have been improperly closed, and to the Crown Prosecution Service to review a previous charging decision when it appears to be incorrect.

    Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said:

    The sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes and we must punish perpetrators, provide justice for victims and survivors, and protect today’s children from harm.

    In June, this government responded to Baroness Casey’s report by announcing a national inquiry to direct targeted local reviews, alongside a new national police operation – measures that will deliver real results – and we’ve wasted no time in making these happen.

    Baroness Casey flagged the need to upgrade police information systems to improve investigations and safeguard children at risk. Today we are investing in these critical tools.

    Part of the Home Office-funded CSE Taskforce, the TOEX Programme provides dedicated intelligence, analytical, and technical expertise to support forces undertaking complex investigations into organised exploitation crimes such as modern slavery, county lines, and child sexual abuse and exploitation, including grooming gangs.

    The TOEX Capabilities Environment is already available in all nine regional organised crime units and is being used by 13 forces. With today’s announcement of new funding, all police investigators in England and Wales will have access to the full array of TOEX’s AI-enabled, time-saving tools. These include the Data Analysis and Review Tool, which analyses large amounts of digital data to identify communications patterns and relationships between suspects; and TOEX Translate, a tool for the bulk translation of foreign language text from seized mobile devices.

    Deputy Chief Constables Becky Riggs, NPCC lead for child protection and abuse investigation and Dave McLaren, NPCC lead for the national intelligence portfolio, said:

    This funding gives every force access to proven tools that make a real difference in our ability to investigate complex crimes, safeguard victims, and pursue offenders more effectively.

    The TOEX Programme is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we combine operational insight with innovative technology. The national rollout of these tools will improve outcomes for victims and deliver a more consistent, intelligence-led approach across the country.

    The Home Secretary has also written to all police forces urging them to make sure they are fulfilling their obligation to collect suspect ethnicity data as part of the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

    As part of the Plan for Change mission to create safer streets by increasing public confidence in policing and the criminal justice system, the government is committed to ensuring forces have the tools they need to protect communities.

    Further details on the national inquiry and Operation Beaconport will be announced in the coming weeks as the government continues to prioritise protecting children, pursuing perpetrators and supporting victims and survivors.

    Graeme Biggar, National Crime Agency Director General, said:

    Following the publication of Baroness Casey’s report in June, we have been working with policing partners to develop and implement a national operation, in response to recommendation 2 of the report – to establish a comprehensive national response to group-based CSE across England and Wales.

    Providing reassurance to victims, survivors and their families is our main focus. We must and will ensure their voices are heard and collectively, we will restore confidence that the law enforcement response to child sexual exploitation is without fear or favour, is evidence based and not undermined by fears of inflaming community tensions.

    We are working closely with stakeholders from across many sectors to define the scope and delivery model of the operation and will provide further updates when we are able to.

    Vicki Green, CEO, Marie Collins Foundation, said:

    We welcome the Home Office’s investment in technology that helps detect offenders and protect children. The use of AI tools to support faster investigations, identify victims earlier, and bring offenders to justice is a vital step forward. Technology used to safeguard children and ensure perpetrators have nowhere to hide is something we wholeheartedly applaud.

    Gabrielle Shaw, Chief Executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC), said:

    NAPAC welcomes this step towards a more intelligence-driven and trauma-informed policing response. As part of the CSE Taskforce, we have seen how technology can reveal complex patterns of abuse – its true value lies in how it is applied and whether it leads to meaningful action that survivors can trust. Drawing on over 27 years of insight from supporting adult survivors, NAPAC knows how important it is to recognise patterns early and respond with consistency and care. The expanded use of TOEX tools across all police forces is a positive move that could help deliver stronger outcomes for those affected by organised exploitation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Patients will receive medicines 3-6 months faster under 10-Year Health Plan, as regulators set out plans [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Patients will receive medicines 3-6 months faster under 10-Year Health Plan, as regulators set out plans [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 August 2025.

    Under a joint information sharing agreement, pharmaceutical companies will be invited to register early with the MHRA and NICE to allow parallel decision making over licencing and value.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today (Wednesday, 6 August) described how the 10-Year Health Plan will lead to faster medicines access for patients in the NHS in England.

    Under a joint information sharing agreement, pharmaceutical companies will be invited to register early with both agencies to allow parallel decision making over licencing and value. It will mean more medicines receive approval for use on the NHS in England at the same time as they are licensed for use in the UK. It’s anticipated that patients in England will receive the newest medicines 3-6 months earlier as a result.

    Part of the 10-Year Health Plan and industrial strategy, the new joint service reflects the government’s commitment to smarter regulation, with a target to cut administrative costs for businesses by 25%.

    The enhanced coordinated approach offers medicine developers an integrated advice service and an aligned pathway to help them streamline both regulatory and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) requirements and provides a clearer route to help get their treatments to patients.

    To benefit from this service, companies should register their products on UK PharmaScan, the national horizon scanning database, at least three years before their expected marketing authorisation.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

    “This government is slashing red tape and turbocharging economic growth of the life sciences sector so patients can get the innovative treatments they need, faster.

    “To save our NHS and make it fit for the future we have to do things differently. By having two of our most important regulators join forces we’ll rapidly remove barriers, get patients access to vital medicines, and grow the economy.

    “With a technological and life sciences revolution taking place, Britain should be at the forefront of it. Our 10 Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan will help us drive the breakthroughs we need to be best in class and boost growth across the country.”

    Lawrence Tallon, Chief Executive of the MHRA, said:

    “We are completely focused on making sure patients can benefit from safe, effective and affordable medicines and treatments as soon as possible.

    “We are working in closer partnership with NICE to build a faster and more efficient regulatory system, designed to accelerate UK market entry and deliver innovative, life-changing treatments to NHS patients faster.

    “This marks an important step in delivering smarter regulation – strengthening UK’s global life sciences offer and reinforcing our position as an attractive destination for innovation and international investment.”

    Dr Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of NICE, said:

    “Patients in England are already receiving medicines much earlier as NICE is evaluating treatments faster than ever before. In the year to March the time between licence and guidance was cut by 26% and when companies work with us to reduce timelines NICE guidance is published on average just 48 days after licence.

    “This joint working with our partners at the MHRA will allow us to accelerate medicines into the NHS even further to help transform the health of the nation, alleviate pressure on the service where possible and support a thriving life sciences sector in this country.”

    Mark Samuels, Chief Executive of Medicines UK, said:

    “This new joint approach between NICE and the MHRA is very welcome, particularly in supporting the earlier launch of new biosimilar medicines, which means more patients can be treated sooner.

    “Streamlining market entry will further enhance the UK’s attractiveness as a first-choice country for introducing new medicines.”

    Richard Torbett, Chief Executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said:

    “We welcome this initiative, which represents one of many necessary improvements in the UK health and life sciences ecosystem. Streamlining approval processes will allow both agencies to give patients earlier and equitable access to the innovative medicines needed to improve UK health outcomes.

    “We look forward to continued progress in other areas to enable the life sciences sector to fulfil its growth potential for the benefit of patients, the NHS and the economy.”

    Notes to editors

    About MHRA

    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
    • The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
    • For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

    About NICE

    NICE’s core purpose is to help practitioners and commissioners get the best care to people, fast, while ensuring value for the taxpayer.
    We do this by:

    • producing useful and usable guidance for health and care practitioners
    • providing rigorous, independent assessment of complex evidence for new health technologies
    • developing recommendations that focus on what matters most and drive innovation into the hands of health and care practitioners
    • encouraging the uptake of best practice to improve outcomes for everyone.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani [August 2025]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 August 2025.

    The Prime Minister spoke to the Amir of Qatar His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani this afternoon.

    The leaders began by discussing the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Prime Minister underlined the urgent need for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and an immediate influx of aid into Gaza. The Prime Minister thanked His Highness for Qatar’s tireless work on ceasefire negotiations and reiterated the UK’s support.

    The leaders agreed there must be no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza and the Prime Minister set out his work so far with allies on a concrete plan to secure lasting peace in the region as part of a two-state solution.

    They agreed to continue to work closely together on this going forward, and that they would stay in touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures to protect the public [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Crackdown on unsafe cosmetic procedures to protect the public [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 6 August 2025.

    New measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures will be introduced by the government.

    • Only suitably qualified healthcare professionals will be able to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian butt lifts
    • Clinics administering fillers and Botox will need to meet strict standards to obtain a licence
    • Kids to be protected from dangerous beauty trends on social media through plans for new age restrictions on treatments
    • Robust measures will protect people and save the NHS time and money fixing botched procedures

    Tough new measures to crack down on cowboy cosmetic procedures that have left people maimed, injured and in need of urgent NHS care will be introduced by the government.

    Only qualified healthcare professionals will be able to perform the highest-risk procedures – such as non-surgical Brazilian butt lifts.

    These must be done by specialised healthcare workers working in providers that are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

    The planned crackdown follows a series of incidents where people have had high-risk treatments from people with little or no medical training, leading to dangerous complications, permanent scarring and even death. These new rules will protect people from unqualified, rogue operators and reduce the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

    The new measures follow growing alarm over unqualified individuals performing invasive treatments in unsafe environments – including homes, hotels and pop-up clinics. Many of these procedures are marketed as non-surgical but, in reality, are invasive and carry serious risks.

    Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said:

    The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures. There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage.

    This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change.

    This isn’t about stopping anyone from getting treatments – it’s about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe. We’re giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures.

    Other lower-risk cosmetic treatments – including Botox, lip fillers and facial dermal fillers – will also come under stricter oversight through a new local authority licensing system. Practitioners will be required to meet rigorous safety, training, and insurance standards before they can legally operate. Once regulations are introduced, practitioners who break the rules on the highest-risk procedures will be subject to CQC enforcement and financial penalties.

    The government also plans to bring in restrictions for under 18s on high-risk cosmetic procedures, unless authorised by a healthcare professional.

    Through our Plan for Change the government is determined to bolster patient safety. These changes will ensure consumers can be confident the treatment they receive is safe and of a high standard. It will also provide business with better protections, enabling reputable and safe providers to be easily identifiable to patients.

    Priority will be given to introducing regulations to restrict the highest-risk procedures first – such as fillers injected into breasts and genitals. A public consultation will be published early next year. This will seek views on the range of procedures which should be covered in the new restrictions.

    While the measures are being developed, the government urges anyone considering a cosmetic procedure to check their provider’s qualifications and insurance, and to avoid treatments that appear suspiciously cheap.

    Millie Kendall OBE, Chief Executive Officer at the British Beauty Council, said:

    The British Beauty Council has worked tirelessly in pushing for increased regulation of the aesthetics sector since its inception. I therefore fully welcome the government’s announcement that it is pushing forward with legislation.

    Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector.

    We will work closely with relevant government stakeholders to ensure these measures are implemented in a way that ensures the sustained, and safe, growth of our sector. This is the first step forward in raising the reputation of our £30.4 billion industry.

    Background information

    The new regulations will be subject to public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny before they are introduced.

    The government will also work closely with stakeholders to develop further proposals for consultation on introducing the licensing regime for lower-risk procedures to seek views on education, training standards, qualifications, infection control and insurance.

    The government’s commitment follows a consultation on the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures launched in September 2023, which received almost 12,000 responses. This was the first consultation on proposals for strengthening regulation in this space. The government will run further consultations, as there are many issues to consider in designing the regulation which were not within the remit of this initial consultation. Read the full response to the licensing of non-surgical cosmetic procedures consultation.

    The new measures will also be instrumental in saving the NHS money by reducing the work following failed procedures, helping deliver value for the taxpayer.

    The measures come as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), local authorities and the NHS continue to investigate after a number of people had adverse reactions following cosmetic procedures involving botulinum toxin. This is another reminder for the public to ensure they are receiving products licensed for use in England and only administered by practitioners sufficiently trained. The NHS website has information about choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure.

    Additional quotes

    Ashton Collins, Director, Save Face, said:

    I am delighted that the government has recognised the significant and potentially fatal risks posed by highly dangerous procedures like liquid Brazilian butt lifts, and has made it a priority to implement restrictions to protect public safety.

    We have been campaigning tirelessly for nearly 2 years for this critical change and have supported over 750 women who have endured traumatic experiences. I have seen first hand the devastating impact these procedures can have on the lives of victims and their families – none more so than the family of Alice Webb.

    We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and key stakeholders throughout the next stages of this process, to build a safer landscape for the public and promote high standards across the industry.

    Professor David Sines CBE PhD, Executive Chair and Registrar at the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), said:

    The Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners warmly welcomes the UK government’s decision to introduce legislation to regulate and license cosmetic procedures according to the risks they present. Their ‘Plan for Change’ signals a commitment in the strongest terms and it accords with JCCP’s widely publicised call for statutory regulation.

    The introduction of standards to ensure that patients are safeguarded and protected from harm, ensuring that all cosmetic practitioners are regulated and licensed to a new national education and training standard, that they are appropriately insured and that they work from safe premises at all times has become imperative. These proposals have our full support and we welcome the opportunity to engage in further consultation.

    Diane Hey, Chief Executive Officer of Armonia Health and Beauty, Beauty Professional Trailblazer Apprenticeship steering group chair and Beauty Industry Group Licensing Task and Finish group chair, said:

    This long-awaited action is a critical step in protecting the public from the dangers of unregulated and unsafe non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For too long, poorly trained individuals completing short courses have been able to carry out high-risk procedures with little accountability. These new measures will help safeguard the public, uphold professional standards, and reinforce the importance of regulated, high-quality education and training within the sector.

    They will provide protection and recognition for reputable, safe practitioners who have spent years developing their knowledge and skills, while also clearly signposting those wishing to enter the sector towards trusted, regulated education pathways.

    We look forward to supporting the development of the licensing regime and shaping the wider scope of procedures included, based on proportionate risk. This is crucial for restoring public trust and ensuring only competent, qualified practitioners deliver these procedures, in recognised premises.

    Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

    We welcome the introduction of improved regulation and a new scheme of licensing. We look forward to continuing to work with the government in order to achieve a licensing scheme that includes the full range of procedures that were to be covered by the scheme in the original consultation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Six-year directorship ban for construction boss who sold £100,000 of classic cars for just £1 [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Six-year directorship ban for construction boss who sold £100,000 of classic cars for just £1 [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 5 August 2025.

    The director sold at least £1.5 million of company assets in total.

    • Kulbarg Singh has been banned as a director after selling £1.5 million worth of assets for under £500,000 to another company which he also controlled
    • The sales in 2021 included seven historic cars – including three Rolls Royces
    • Singh’s disqualification means he cannot direct any company until 2031

    A Staffordshire businessman who sold seven historic cars including two Jaguars and three Rolls-Royces for just £1 to another company he also controlled has been banned as a director.

    Kulbarg Singh, 62, was the director of Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd when he entered into an asset purchase agreement with Ace Earth Solutions Ltd in 2021.

    At least £1.5 million of company assets were sold, with Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd entering liquidation the following year.

    Among the under-priced sales were two Daimlers from 1936 and 1965; Jaguars from 1969 and 1978; and three Rolls Royces from the 1970s.

    Combined, the seven cars had a value of £101,500 but Singh sold them to Ace Earth Solutions Ltd for just £1.

    Singh, of Haselour Lane, Harlaston, Tamworth, has been disqualified as a director for six years following Insolvency Service investigations.

    Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Kulbarg Singh deliberately sold assets worth £1.5 million for much less than they were worth, putting the money out of the reach of creditors.

    Directors who abuse their position will face serious consequences. Selling historic cars worth over £100,000 for just £1 shows the extent of Singh’s misconduct.

    Singh’s six-year disqualification sends a clear message that we will pursue those who breach their responsibilities as a director.

    Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd was set up in November 2015. Singh said the company was involved in the resurfacing of roads and later installing gas pipes.

    In April 2021, Singh sold company assets worth at least £1.5 million for just more than £465,000 to Ace Earth Solutions Ltd, a company he was director of between February 2020 and April 2022.

    The sale resulted in Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd losing more than £1 million, leaving it insolvent.

    By the time the company went into liquidation in June 2022, it had no assets and total liabilities to HM Revenue and Customs and other companies of more than £1.5 million.

    The Official Receiver, as liquidator of Aldridge Construction Engineering Ltd, is currently exploring options to pursue recovery action to return money to creditors who lost out as a result of the sales.

    The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a disqualification undertaking from Singh, and his ban started on Thursday 24 July.

    It prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Further information

    • Kulbarg Singh is of Haselour Lane, Harlaston, Tamworth, Staffordshire. His date of birth is 13 July 1963
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government moves to end discriminatory age bands and unfair pay [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government moves to end discriminatory age bands and unfair pay [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 5 August 2025.

    The Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver a genuine living wage for working people took a step closer today as it set out new considerations for the Low Pay Commission when recommending next year’s National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

    • Discriminatory age bands to be removed as new Low Pay Commission remit delivers progress towards a single wage rate for adults.
    • Government places cost of living at the heart of the remit a year on from its first inclusion, meaning more money is being put into the pockets of hardworking people – delivering the Plan for Change.
    • Low Pay Commission to continue longstanding approach of assessing the impact of wage reforms on different sectors, ensuring recommendations support both economic growth and fair pay.

    The Government’s manifesto commitment to deliver a genuine living wage for working people took a step closer today (5 August) as it set out new considerations for the Low Pay Commission (LPC) when recommending next year’s National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

    Around 3 million workers benefitted from last year’s decision to include the cost of living in the LPC’s remit for the first time. This led to a record cash increase in the Minimum Wage for apprentices and those under 18, and a £1,400 annual boost for full-time workers on the National Living Wage from April.

    Higher wages for the lowest-paid workers not only provide greater financial security for families but also mean more money in the pockets of working people to spend on the things they need – supporting businesses and driving economic growth across the country as part of the Plan for Change.

    With younger workers being held back by discriminatory age bands, the updated LPC remit will drive forward the Government’s commitment to delivering a single adult pay band.

    The LPC will consult with employers, trade unions and workers on narrowing the gap between the 18–20-year-old rate of the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage and will put forward recommendations on achieving a single adult rate in the years ahead.

    The remit will also ensure that the LPC continues to actively consider the cost of living in its recommendations for National Living Wage rates to apply from April 2026.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Low pay drags down living standards for our workers and in turn hurts our high streets and local businesses.

    This Government’s Plan for Change will put money back in people’s pockets, with this new remit marking the next step in considering how we ensure a fair deal for our lowest paid workers while maintaining a competitive economy that boosts businesses and their employees alike.

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

    We promised to make low pay a thing of the past, and deliver a wage people can live on, and that is exactly what this government is determined to deliver.

    We have already taken bold action to Make Work Pay with more than 3 million workers seeing a huge boost in their pay following our increase to National Minimum and Living Wage.

    This remit is the next milestone in our plan to get more money in working people’s pockets, raise living standards in every part of the UK, and get our economy growing.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    We are delivering on our promise to make sure every worker receives a fair wage.

    Fair pay which supports working families is integral to our Plan for Change, because when working people are properly rewarded with more money in their pockets, businesses thrive and our entire economy benefits.

    To ensure the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, business affordability, and the wider economy, the LPC is being asked to consult on several issues before recommending the new rates.

    Baroness Philippa Stroud, Chair of the LPC, said:

    We are pleased to receive our remit from the Government. Already, since the beginning of the year, we have spent significant time speaking with workers and employers, to understand the pressures in the economy and the effects of the most recent increases in the minimum wage. We have held a successful call for evidence and received detailed submissions from all sides.

    Our recommendations on the minimum wage are always finely balanced. More than ever, it is important that we draw on first-hand evidence from those affected by our decisions. I look forward to working with the rest of the Commission over the autumn to reach a shared view on this evidence and deliver our advice to the Government in October.

    TUC General Secretary, Paul Nowak said:

    Boosting the minimum wage isn’t just good for workers – it’s good for business too. When low-paid workers have more money in their pockets they spend it locally – supporting shops, cafés and high streets.

    That’s why the government is right to set out its ambition to raise the floor of the minimum wage and end the outdated and unfair youth rates.

    The minimum wage has been one of the big success stories of the last 25 years – lifting pay at the bottom and proving the doom-and-gloom merchants wrong. But it’s important that it keep rising so that it better reflects what it actually costs to get by in Britain today.

    A bolder, more ambitious minimum wage isn’t a risk. It’s the next step in building a fairer, stronger economy where hard work is properly rewarded.

    Notes to Editors

    • The Government sets the minimum wage rates each year following the advice of the LPC. These recommendations are made by the LPC each October – for minimum wage rates to apply from the following April – in line with the parameters set out in the annual remit from the Department for Business and Trade.
    • The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is a social partnership, made up of nine Commissioners equally split between those representing employers’ interests, those representing workers’ interests and independent Commissioners.
    • The Low Pay Commission (LPC) conducts extensive consultation, analysis and evidence gathering when recommending the minimum wage rates. They talk to a wide range of stakeholders, including both employers and worker representatives. In 2024, the LPC received evidence and stakeholder views from over 100 organisations through written consultation, oral evidence sessions or visits across the UK.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Rail boost for the North – Transpennine upgrade one step closer [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rail boost for the North – Transpennine upgrade one step closer [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 August 2025.

    Completed upgrades to Church Fenton to York rail line will bring passengers faster trains and more reliable services.

    • electrification and upgrades along the rail line between Church Fenton and York are completed on time and on budget – a major step in rebuilding Britain’s transport infrastructure
    • the government’s investment will enable more frequent journeys and boost job and business opportunities for millions of passengers across the region, driving economic growth across the North as part of the Plan for Change
    • faster and more reliable journeys across the North as the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) continues

    Thousands of passengers are now one step closer to faster, more frequent and reliable trains across the North, as the electrification of the Church Fenton to York rail line is completed today (5 August 2025), part of the £11 billion government-funded Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

    Faster trains will cut journey times between York and Manchester by 10 minutes and Manchester and Leeds from 50 minutes to 42 minutes, with up to 6 fast services an hour – making it easier for people to get to work, do business and travel across the region.

    These upgrades will bring passengers faster trains, whilst a new signalling system and bridge upgrades will make trains more reliable and allow more services to run.

    Extensive station improvements along the route will also improve accessibility and facilities at the busiest stations across the North.

    During a visit to the region to see completed and ongoing work, the Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, became one of the first people to enjoy the new electrified line, travelling from Leeds to York.

    This upgrade is set to create over 5,000 jobs, support the development of 6,500 new homes and unlock commercial space across the North – driving economic growth as part of the Plan for Change.

    It comes as part of wider efforts across government to invest in the vital infrastructure the country needs to rebuild Britain and unlock growth across every region.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    Today is a moment of celebration for a project that will transform train travel for millions of passengers across the North. More reliable, efficient trains are now running on 25% of the full TransPennine route.

    We are delivering on our Plan for Change by upgrading rail links across the North – slashing journey times between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

    Electrification between Church Fenton and York was delivered on time and on budget, this government is investing in ambitious projects and seeing them through, delivering change in areas that desperately need it.

    This upgrade is about opportunity, not just by expanding and improving people’s travel options, but by creating more than 5,000 new jobs and supporting 6,500 new homes, kickstarting economic growth in the areas that need it most.

    Today’s upgrade will enable electric TransPennine Express (TPE) trains to run from Manchester Victoria to Stalybridge and Church Fenton to York – electrifying both ends of the route.

    The government is improving employment opportunities across the country, 85% of the Transpennine Route Upgrade workforce is employed within a 40-mile radius of the route, putting more money in the pockets of local people and helping local businesses expand their reach across the North, giving them the confidence to realise their full potential.

    New communities will be supported by these new travel options, station redevelopments at York Central and Ravensthorpe will regenerate local areas and provide opportunity for 2,500 homes to be built, alongside one million square feet of commercial space and 18 acres of parkland in York and 4,000 homes at Ravensthorpe.

    James Richardson, Managing Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade, said:

    Electric trains running between York and Church Fenton is a significant step forward in the Transpennine Route Upgrade programme.

    We have reached a key milestone, as 25% of the route is now electrified, enabling greener, faster, and more reliable journeys between York, Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester in the future. The improvements are already bringing economic and social benefits along the route and wider communities across the North.

    It was fantastic to celebrate this with the TRU team today, who have brought together all parts of the rail industry to deliver this success. We remain committed to delivering this transformative programme on time and on budget.

    Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

    It’s fantastic to see how the Transpennine Route Upgrade is delivering real improvements for passengers in Yorkshire.

    This project, which is currently on time and on budget, will provide more frequent, faster and greener trains, as well as a highly-skilled workforce for future transport projects.

    Investment in our rail network helps create new jobs, open up opportunities and unlock much-needed housing as we build a better-connected region that works for all.

    The trains will be greener too, as works completed today between York and Church Fenton contribute to the programme’s aim of saving 108,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

    David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

    For too long, public transport in York and North Yorkshire hasn’t worked well enough. That’s why the completion of the electrified line between Church Fenton and York is such a vital milestone, with a quarter of the route upgrade now complete.

    The government’s commitment to connecting people to opportunities through faster, greener, and more reliable rail journeys is incredibly welcome. This crucial part of the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade unlocks opportunities for jobs and regeneration across the region. It’s the kind of investment we need to build the transport system the North deserves.

    Steve Plumstead, Director of Curriculum at Kirklees College, said:

    Kirklees College, alongside partners Flannery Plant Hire and Kirklees Council, is proud to support the Transpennine Route Upgrade through the new Kirklees Operator Skills Hub.

    This facility has allowed adult learners in Huddersfield and surrounding areas to gain vital plant machinery operation skills that directly support the skills needed to implement the Transpeninne Route Upgrade.

    Kirklees College will be extending learning opportunities at the Hub to young people in September and we are excited to be empowering local people with the training required to support the work of the TRU.

    Kevin Cowap, Commercial and Operations Director at COWAP, said:

    COWAP is thrilled to play a key role in the transformative Transpennine Route Upgrade, delivering high-quality steel fabrication and civil engineering solutions.

    This landmark project has been a springboard for growth, enabling us to scale our operations and invest in specialist fabrication machinery, plant equipment and a highly skilled workforce. We’ve also secured essential industry accreditations to reinforce our commitment to excellence.

    As part of our long-term vision, we are developing a new site facility in the Dewsbury area, further strengthening our capacity to support the project and beyond. These strategic investments position COWAP at the forefront of infrastructure innovation, ready to deliver outstanding service across every phase of the upgrade.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister unveils new opportunities for young people to re-connect with their communities [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister unveils new opportunities for young people to re-connect with their communities [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 5 August 2025.

    Prime Minister announces major expansion of youth services and real-world opportunities to re-connect young people with the world around them.

    • £88 million investment to support youth clubs and schools to offer more after-school activities, while enabling organisations like the Scouts and Guides to deliver more places in local communities
    • Action delivers on Plan for Change and manifesto promise to back young people growing up in a digital-first world, with opportunities to build essential skills for life and work

    Young people across the country will benefit from a major new expansion of youth services and activities outside of school, as the government takes action to re-connect young people with their communities.

    Far from the default being outdoor activities, young people today are spending more and more of their time detached from the real world, either stuck in their bedrooms or behind a screen, throwing up huge challenges for them and their loved ones to overcome. Today the government takes bold action to give young people a better alternative, so they are supported rather than left behind.

    Announcing a new £88 million package of support to transform opportunities for young people across the country, the Prime Minister will make clear that this government is picking this challenge up and seeing it for what it is – a worrying trend – and delivering real-life solutions for the long-term, investing in opportunities for young people.

    Applying a grown-up approach to tackling a problem faced by parents and young people up and down the country, this government is investing in children’s futures. From new climbing walls and outdoor adventures to music lessons and volunteering, this package means that youth clubs and schools will now be able to offer more opportunities for young people to get active and connect with others, while building their confidence and broadening their horizons.

    For far too long, young people have been locked out of their future, with youth services in England seeing a decade-long decline in investment of over 70%.

    This government is turning the page. Backed by nearly £88 million, the package also delivers on the Prime Minister’s promise to support parents and keep children safe – offering more opportunities in structured environments that help encourage young people off the streets.

    It builds on wider action through the Plan for Change to back young people’s futures, including by extending voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds, announcing the £500 million Better Futures Fund for young people’s support services, and launching new guidance to protect young people from online harms.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    Growing up today is hard for young people. As they navigate their way through the online world, too often they find themselves isolated at home and disconnected from their communities.

    As a government, we have a duty to act on this worrying trend. Today’s investment is about offering a better alternative: transformative, real-world opportunities that will have an impact in communities across the country, so young people can discover something new, find their spark and develop the confidence and life skills that no algorithm can teach.

    Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing parents by not only protecting our young people online, but giving them the support and opportunities they deserve so no child falls through the cracks.

    The Building Creative Futures package announced today includes:

    • £22.5 million over three years to create a tailored enrichment offer in up to 400 schools. This will give pupils access to extra-curricular activities such as sport, art and music, outdoor activities, debating or volunteering that support wellbeing and essential skills around the school day.
    • The launch of the Better Youth Spaces programme, a £30.5 million fund to improve youth club infrastructure in areas with the highest levels of child poverty. This will go towards smaller capital projects such as new gym equipment and climbing walls.
    • The rollout of the Local Youth Transformation pilot, an £8 million programme to support local authorities to deliver a high-quality out-of-school offer. It will provide the tools, guidance and funding, to assess, improve, and invest in impactful local youth offers.
    • The third phase of the Million Hours Fund, a £19 million joint investment with The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver over a million additional hours of youth work in areas with high rates of anti-social behaviour.
    • £7.5 million for the Uniformed Youth Fund, creating thousands of new places in youth organisations like The Scouts, Guides and Volunteer Police Cadets in areas of unmet demand.

    Today’s investment is the latest step towards the government’s National Youth Strategy. Due to be published this autumn, the Strategy will be shaped by insights from over 20,000 young people engaged through the ‘Deliver You’ programme and will set out a long-term vision for youth policy across government.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    We know that strong local youth services are the bedrock of thriving communities that give our young people safe spaces to learn, grow and reach their potential.

    Today’s announcement is just the beginning. As we develop our National Youth Strategy ahead of its launch this autumn, we are already delivering on our Plan for Change by putting young people at the heart of our mission-led government ensuring they have the support and opportunities they deserve so that no one is left behind.

    The investment today complements and builds on the work already underway to ensure every pupil has equal access to high quality extracurricular activity as well as PE and sport. This includes a new national network to build strong partnerships between schools, local clubs and National Governing Bodies to identify and break down barriers to sport and dance for children who are less active. New guidance to support schools to offer equal access to high-quality extra-curricular activities will also be published later this year.

    Expanding youth provision will also have an impact in tackling child poverty and helping families access great local services. Children affected by poverty can face significant barriers to accessing after school and youth clubs. Today’s announcement will help ensure that every child, no matter who they are, what their circumstances are or where they live, has the opportunity to participate in sports, arts, and other activities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : First car models approved for £1,500 discount to turbocharge the move to electric [August 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : First car models approved for £1,500 discount to turbocharge the move to electric [August 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 5 August 2025.

    The Electric Car Grant will make owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.

    • the price of 4 Citroën models will be slashed by £1,500 – putting money in people’s pockets as part of the Plan for Change
    • first 4 electric vehicles (EVs) confirmed for discounts through the £650 million Electric Car Grant – with more models to follow in the coming days and weeks
    • part of government £4.5 billion investment to make it easier and cheaper to own an EV by cutting costs, backing industry, and growing the UK’s charging network by 27% in the last year

    Drivers across the UK can save £1,500 on new electric vehicles, with the first eligible models confirmed today (5 August 2025), as government makes owning an EV cheaper and easier for thousands of people.

    See a list of eligible cars.

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed buyers can enjoy discounts of £1,500 off 4 Citroën models – the Citroën ë-C3, ë–C4, ë-C5 and the ë-Berlingo – from today. The discount will be automatically applied in the purchase of the vehicle and customers do not need to complete any paperwork.

    The 4 models are the first to be approved for the discounts under the government’s new £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme – which will continue to knock money off the price of new electric cars as more models are approved in the coming days and weeks.

    The ECG offers carmakers the chance to apply discounts at the point of sale for new eligible EVs which are measured against the highest manufacturing sustainability standards.

    The grant will help carmakers boost their sales, creating jobs and driving investment in the face of global economic headwinds, with £650 million of government funding available until the 2028 to 2029 financial year.

    The approval of the first 4 models come as over 17,300 public chargepoints have been added to the UK network since July 2024 – a 27% increase on the year.

    With more than 82,000 public chargepoints now available, one chargepoint added every half an hour, and over 100,000 on the way in the coming years, the government is building the infrastructure drivers need to make the switch with confidence, while supporting jobs and saving people money to deliver the Plan for Change.

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

    With the first four models approved today and more to come over the next few weeks, this summer we’re making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK.

    Once again we’re delivering our Plan for Change by standing firmly on the side of motorists and manufacturers, driving down costs for consumers, supporting jobs and putting money back in people’s pockets.

    Greg Taylor, Managing Director, Citroën UK

    We welcome the support of the Electric Car Grant and are delighted to be the first to have our electric range, including the New ë-C3, New ë-C4, New ë -C5 Aircross and ë-Berlingo, approved and eligible. At Citroën we want everyone to have the opportunity to make the switch to an electric car and this support will help make our cars more accessible for our customers.

    RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams said:

    It’s great to see the first qualifying models announced for the government’s new Electric Car Grant. Not only does this mean more drivers will benefit from the lower cost of running an electric vehicle, but it’s hopefully the sign of more to come from other manufacturers in the weeks ahead. With nearly 1.6 million battery electric vehicles on the road already, it’s a real boost for the switch to electric.

    With many drivers citing upfront costs as a key barrier to buying an EV, the discounts will bring down the price of electric cars to more closely match their petrol and diesel counterparts. Drivers can also save up to £1,500 a year in fuel and running costs when switching to an EV.

    The move follows the department’s £63 million package to boost charging infrastructure across the UK, including by making it easier to charge at home for people without a driveway. This will help drivers charge on their home electricity rates and run their EV for as little as 2p a mile – that’s London to Birmingham for £2.50.

    The new Electric Car Grant, which opened to applications from manufacturers last month with discounts of up to £3,750 available, is the latest in a series of moves showing the government is on the side of British drivers. The grant follows a record £1.6 billion invested to tackle potholes and fuel duty frozen at 5p until spring 2026, saving the average motorist on average £59 a year.

    The government is working closely with the industry to make the discounts available to drivers quickly, with new guidance published by the Department for Transport to help manufacturers apply as easily as possible.

    In total, the government is investing £4.5 billion to turbocharge the switch to EVs, securing the UK’s position as a world-leader in electric vehicle adoption – with Britain the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and sales up a fifth on the previous year – while helping put more money in people’s pockets.

    This latest move comes alongside the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero emission vehicles each year. Recent changes to the mandate give industry the certainty, stability and support they’ve been asking for, alongside crucial trade deals with the US, India and the European Union to support the UK’s automotive sector and protect jobs following the recent global economic headwinds.