The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is today appealing for information from the public in relation to a complex timeshare services scheme it believes was operated by an organised crime network. This new SFO investigation is being announced after it intercepted suspected ongoing criminal activity. In August, the SFO arrested a key suspect at Manchester Airport and searched his home address, going on to conduct four arrests of suspected accomplices and conduct three raids of properties across England the following month. The SFO was assisted by the National Crime Agency, Greater Manchester Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary in these operations. …
Author: HM Government
The Government has today confirmed it has injected more than £343 million into the rural economy in the first week of December, benefiting more than 31,000 farmers. This includes payments worth £223 million to Countryside Stewardship revenue customers and £74 million to Environmental Stewardship customers, administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The Government is providing over £5 billion to the farming budget – the largest ever increase investment in sustainable food production in our country’s history. To further support farmers Ministers have today announced new details on how farmers will benefit from improved and optimised farming schemes. A new and improved…
The two new modular accommodation blocks, which were opened last week by the Commander of the Army’s North Region, Col Peter Stitt, will house students as they take part in courses designed to develop their ceremonial skills. Speaking about the new blocks, Col Stitt said: I am delighted to open the new sustainable, short-term training accommodation blocks for ITC Catterick, which have been delivered as part of the army’s ongoing investment to improving living conditions for our people. The speed of delivery has been very impressive, and the high-quality finish of this modern and well-designed accommodation demonstrates the army’s enduring…
Online marketplaces and vape producers will soon be paying their fair share towards the cost of recycling waste electricals, from toasters to vapes and hair curlers, levelling the playing field for UK retailers, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh has announced. Ensuring large online retailers pay their fair share is fairer for UK businesses who already pay to cover the costs of recycling. It comes as the government delivers on its Plan for Change, and reflects a further step in the government’s mission to boost growth. The changes will also help fund recycling services and kick-start the country on the road…
Baroness Hodge of Barking appointed UK Anti-Corruption Champion after decades of campaigning against corruption and illicit finance. Foreign Secretary announces new £36 million support for National Crime Agency’s work to combat corruption on visit with Baroness Hodge and the Security Minister today. Further sanctions also announced targeting the illicit gold trade, which is fuelling corruption and financing Putin’s war efforts. Baroness Hodge of Barking will support the government’s agenda to tackle corruption at home and overseas as the Prime Minister’s new UK Anti-Corruption Champion, the government has announced today. Baroness Hodge is a leading campaigner on corruption and illicit finance.…
The UK Government is greatly concerned by reports of the Taliban’s latest decision to suspend medical education for women and girls in Afghanistan. Courses in nursing, midwifery, and dentistry were some of the few educational avenues left open to women under the Taliban’s oppressive regime, and their removal is an appalling violation of fundamental human rights. Afghanistan is the only country imposing such restrictive policies on girls’ education, this latest decision is a further tragic setback. We call, in the strongest terms, for the Taliban to allow women to access medical education. Such a draconian policy will severely undermine the…
The Government and NHS will unveil a refreshed Workforce Plan in the summer with a laser-focus on shifting care from hospitals and into the community, as we work to get the NHS back on its feet and fit for the future. Lord Darzi’s shocking report laid bare the systemic issues which have gripped the NHS for years and led to poorer experiences for patients and staff. Too much care is being delivered in hospitals because of historic underinvestment in the community. Recent data shows that: There are almost 16% fewer fully qualified GPs in the UK than other high income…
The North West of England will become the latest region to host the biggest ever conversation about the future of the NHS, as part of a nationwide series of public debates about how to fix the health service. More than 100 people from the North West will come to Preston today (Saturday 7 December) to share their views on the NHS in the region, where waiting lists surpass more than a million, with over 40,000 of those waits being more than a year. NHS England’s Chief Nursing Officer, Duncan Burton, will speak directly to locals on their opinions on how…
New Business Growth Service will make it easier and quicker for SMEs to find government advice and support all under one roof Service will streamline the government’s offer to small firms, saving them time and money Comes as part of a week of government and private sector action to help small businesses grow in the run up to Small Business Saturday Businesses across the UK will be able to get quicker and easier help, support and advice, thanks to a new service that will help them grow and thrive, announced by the Business Secretary to mark Small Business Saturday [Saturday…
Projects from Aberdeen to Exeter supported by share of £80 million to drive cutting edge discoveries Includes projects developing neuro-signals to create more natural feeling prosthetic arm and biomarkers to help prevent blood clots and resultant heart attacks and strokes Science Minister Lord Vallance backs projects which could spark the beginning of a new generation of life-changing developments 100 ambitious UK research projects which could each be the seed of a life-changing discovery have today received backing from Science Minister Lord Vallance as he underlined the importance of supporting curiosity-driven research to improve lives and grow the economy. Researchers at…