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WOOLWICH, WOOLWICH, UNITED KINGDOM, February 23, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Aquacool, a leading provider of hydration solutions, is proud to support active lifestyles by offering state-of-the-art drinking water fountains and bottle refill stations. Designed for gyms,
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has announced grants totalling £3.1million benefitting an estimated 150,000 rural dwellers under his Department’s Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme (RMCGS).
Micro Capital grants of between £500 and £2,000 were available to rural voluntary and community organisations from the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) funded Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme for projects tackling issues of local poverty and/or social isolation or implementing energy efficiency measures/environmental improvements.
Minister Muir made the announcement at Auld Toon Ulster Scots Society in
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has announced that a £237,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme on the Loughbeg Road, Newferry will commence on Monday 24 February 2025.
The resurfacing scheme will extend approximately 1km along the Loughbeg Road, from the Doon Road junction to No. 53a Loughbeg Road.
Minister Kimmins said:
“This is a substantial investment for
21 February 2025
A series of investments and improvements to Norfolk's highways infrastructure will be reviewed by the Norfolk County Council's Cabinet next month.
Papers released today outline how 97 parishes, from Antingham, to
Parents to save cash through new guidance to prevent overcharging on childcare whilst £75 million will help deliver final phase of childcare rollout
Parents are set to save money on childcare thanks to new protections from additional charges on top of the government’s funded childcare offer, increasing access to high-quality early education and putting cash back into working families’ pockets.
To ensure no family is priced out of the support they need, the government
Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, following the vote on the UN Security Council resolution on Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The United Kingdom is grateful for the efforts of France, as penholder, and the engagement of all Council members to enable the adoption today of this important resolution.
The United Kingdom welcomes and fully supports this text. We hope it makes a positive contribution to the diplomatic leadership in the region, especially the recent EAC-SADC summit, and helps bring an end to the conflict.
UK ministers are engaging intensively to support a diplomatic end to the
Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has today (22 February) received the insignia of the Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).
Sunil Bharti Mittal
He was presented the medal at a special investiture ceremony in the presence of friends and family at the British High Commissioner’s residence in New Delhi.
The ceremony follows the announcement in 2024 that His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to confer Mr Mittal the Honorary Knighthood for services to UK-India business relations.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, said:
I was delighted to present Sunil Bharti Mittal the KBE medal on behalf of
Image: Getty Images
Children and vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs for criminal purposes will receive greater protection, with two new criminal offences set to be introduced by the government next week.
Landmark legislation will be brought forward to ban cuckooing, a highly
The Prime Minister spoke with President Zelenskyy this morning.
The Prime Minister spoke with President Zelenskyy this morning.
The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war.
The leaders reflected on recent developments in the conflict, as the third
Minister Phillips and Nour Norris on a visit to West Midlands Police
Delivering on a manifesto commitment, today (Friday 21 February), Raneem’s Law has been launched to embed the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms across five forces to ensure that victims of domestic abuse receive more specialist support.
West Midlands, Northumbria, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and
Government delivers on its manifesto commitment to roll out extra urgent appointments across the country.
Hundreds of thousands of people across England will soon be able to
The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Finland Alexander Stubb this afternoon.
The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Finland Alexander Stubb this afternoon.
The Prime Minister began by reiterating the need to secure enduring peace for Ukraine and bring an end to Russia’s illegal war.
The leaders agreed the need for Europe to step up support to achieve this, and the Prime Minister said the UK is ready to play a role in future security guarantees.
They agreed to stay in close contact.
Sir Keir Starmer announces £200 million investment to propel long term future for Grangemouth
Transformational commitment to support investment in Grangemouth community through National Wealth Fund.
Project Willow to report shortly on long-term future of industrial site.
Grangemouth Training Guarantee to support refinery workers into new jobs – as part of the Plan for Change.
The National Wealth Fund will provide £200 million of investment to new
First 750 schools to offer clubs from April, delivering on government’s Plan for Change.
Families and children in every corner of England will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the government is set to confirm the first 750 schools to offer the scheme, putting up to £450 a year back in parents’ pockets.
From as soon as April, chosen schools across all nine regions will kick-off the historic programme, with an early adopter phase set to inform the
A major government office complex has been given planning consent to be built in Manchester.
A major government office complex has been given planning consent to be built in Manchester.
Manchester Digital Campus will be a state-of-the-art hub constructed on the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats after the city’s planning committee approved the Government Property Agency’s (GPA) scheme at a meeting today (Thursday 20 February 2025).
The campus will bring together a number of Civil Service departments with
This consultation seeks views on how the government can ensure the UK’s legal framework for AI and copyright supports the UK creative industries and AI sector together.
new proposals seek to bring legal certainty to creative and AI sectors over how copyright protected materials are used in model training, supporting innovation and boosting the growth of both sectors crucial to our Plan for Change
a balanced package of proposals aims to give creators greater control over how their material is used by AI developers, and enhance their ability to be paid for its use
the proposals will also seek greater transparency from AI firms over the
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has today (Thursday 20 February 2025) made an inaugural lecture marking the 60th anniversary of the first ever arts white paper.
In 2019, as Britain tore itself apart over Brexit, against a backdrop of growing nationalism, anger and despair I sat down with the film director Danny Boyle to talk about the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony.
That moment was perhaps the only time in my lifetime that most of the
A £20 million project to resurface part of the airfield at Mount Pleasant Complex has been completed
Resurfacing works on the runway at Mount Pleasant Complex complete ahead of schedule. MOD Crown Copyright.
Work to resurface part of the airfield at Mount Pleasant Complex in the Falkland Islands has been completed ahead of schedule.
Mount Pleasant Complex is the RAF’s airfield in the Falkland Islands and is an important overseas base for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) which is run by UK Strategic Command. It is a vital air link between the Falkland Islands and the UK.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) awarded the contract to
UK continues to step up on European security in move to deepen defence ties with Norway
The UK has kickstarted negotiations today on a major defence agreement with Norway in a move that will bolster security at home and on the European continent and help deter Russian aggression.
During a visit 400km inside the Arctic Circle, including to the Norwegian border with Russia, the Defence Secretary John Healey set out plans for a new agreement which will bring the UK and Norway closer together than
Reports of rain washing loose soil off farm fields nearly doubles compared to same period last year.
Soil run-off incidents nearly doubled in Devon and Cornwall last month
The Environment Agency is calling on farmers in Devon and Cornwall to prevent loose soil washing off farm fields into rivers, roads and homes.
January saw 25 incidents of heavy rain carrying loose soil running from fields – nearly double the number of incidents reported the same time last year – with officers making 14 visits to farms to investigate and a further 11 visits planned.
Laura Bentley, a land management project officer with the Environment
The Secretary of State has reappointed Dave Moutrey as Chair, and James Dacre and Stephanie Hall as Trustees of Theatres Trust for a second term of 3 years.
Appointed from 21 February 2025 to February 2028
Dave is responsible for leading the creation and delivery of Manchester City Council’s cultural and creative industries policy and strategy, working closely with the city’s cultural and creative sectors on joint initiatives. He was appointed to this role after a 6-year part-time secondment to the Council as Director of Culture.
Until March 2024, he was Director and Chief Executive of HOME, a
Growth in jobs, tourism and regional regeneration to be ushered in by funding for major cultural projects across the UK
Regional growth and regeneration will get a much-needed boost as 10 major culture projects across the UK will receive more than £67 million, the government confirmed this week.
Funding will be ‘critical’ in showcasing the UK as a world-leader in culture
The regulator is to refine its approach to ensure awarding organisations continue to offer high quality qualifications.
Changes to improve the way Ofqual both supports compliance and takes regulatory action were put out for consultation today.
The changes are designed both to support awarding organisations and ensure that enforcement action, when it is needed, is proportionate and fair, to maintain the standards of qualifications that students and the public rely on.
The updated approach introduces proposals to better explain the way in
Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses to gain access to lightning-fast broadband.
First Project Gigabit contract signed to bring fastest broadband networks on the market to rural Scotland
Around 11,000 homes and businesses in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will be the first to benefit from the Scotland-wide rollout, with further contracts planned for other parts of Scotland this year
Supports UK Government plans to raise living standards and grow the economy across the country, including in isolated rural areas, as part of the Plan for Change
Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses will gain access to lightning-
The Prime Minister made a statement in response to the release of deceased hostages held in Gaza.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Oded Lifschitz after he was taken hostage by terrorists in Gaza, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his daughter Sharone and his wife Yocheved.
When I met Sharone in Downing Street, she showed remarkable strength in the face of the most difficult circumstances. The news of her father’s death is a tragedy. It is my hope that the peace he worked to see in the region through his charity work and activism will be achieved.
My thoughts are also with the Bibas family, who have faced immense pain as they awaited news of Shiri and her sons Kfir and Ariel.
We must see all remaining hostages released, and the ceasefire upheld. My government remains committed to working with our international partners to bring an end this suffering and secure a long-term peace in the Middle East.
Banks agree to pay fines for past exchanges of sensitive information about UK government bonds.
iStock
Gilts are an important type of UK government bond that help to finance
Dan McGrail has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy.
Dan McGrail has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer of Great British Energy, to help drive forward the government’s Plan for
Foreign Secretary David Lammy's intervention on Discussions on the Global Geopolitical Situation at the G20 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in South Africa.
Thank you very much Ronald [Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa] and let me say, my dear brother, what a joy is to see the G20 in Africa at long last. And we thank Brazil for its stewardship last year.
The challenges that we face are truly global. We will not begin to tackle them unless we harness the potential of this continent, bursting with growth
The Government has accepted the TRA's recommendation to keep an anti-dumping measure on imports of Corrosion Resistant Steel from China to the UK.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has today (Thursday 20 February) accepted the Trade Remedies Authority’s (TRA) recommendation to maintain an anti-dumping measure on imports of Corrosion Resistant Steel (CRS) from China for a further five years.
The process of making CRS, which is primarily used in the construction and
I will make three points.
First, we express our deep concern at the continued advance into DRC of the M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces.
This is an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of the UN Charter.
The occupation of Bukavu is a serious escalation which heightens the risk of a wider regional conflict.
The United Kingdom is clear that there needs to be an immediate cessation
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.
I thank USG DiCarlo for her briefing this morning.
I also welcome the recent appointment of Hanna Tetteh as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Libya.
We look forward to working with her to harness the momentum of UNSMIL’s new political initiative.
I echo the USG’s thanks to DSRSG Koury for her leadership over the past
Scottish Secretary welcomes £43.5m boost for sustainable packaging firm that will encourage growth, creating jobs and prosperity
The National Wealth Fund has made its first investment in Scotland since its transformation to help boost growth as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.
The NWF is committing £43.5m in direct equity for sustainable packaging company Pulpex, which is to build its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility near Glasgow. A further £10m co-investment is coming from the
Officers from the Environment Agency are hosting two events where residents can view final designs for the scheme, ask any questions and meet the project team.
On Thursday 27 February and Thursday 6 March, designs will be displayed at Hebden Bridge Town Hall.
People are invited to pop in from 12pm to 8pm to view the designs and ask any questions, prior to the main planning application being submitted to the council.
Environment Agency work to reduce flood risk from the River Calder and
CMA independent inquiry group’s initial assessment is that GXO’s purchase of Wincanton is likely to reduce competition in the supply of dedicated warehousing services to UK grocers.
iStock
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) independent inquiry group’s initial assessment is that GXO’s purchase of Wincanton is likely to reduce competition in the supply of dedicated warehousing services to grocery customers in the UK.
Logistics, including warehousing, is essential to the operation of
The company made almost a million unsolicited cold-calls, resulting in people complaining to the Information Commissioner’s Office
The boss of a home improvement company which made more than 900,000 cold-calls has been banned as a director for four years.
Callum Jones was the sole director of Sussex-based Colourcoat Ltd, which
Over £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in major boost for growth
People across the nation will benefit from access to the arts and culture on
Mr Alex Pinfield OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco.
Alex Pinfield OBE
Mr Alex Pinfield OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco in succession to Mr Simon Martin CMG. Mr Pinfield will take up his appointment during August 2025.
Full name: Alexander Giles Pinfield
| Year | Role |
|---|---|
| 2022-2024 | FCDO, Head of Iran Unit |
| 2021-2022 | FCDO, Head of Afghanistan Policy Department |
| 2021 | Kabul, Deputy Ambassador |
| 2020 | FCDO, Head of International Human Resources |
| 2017-2020 | FCO, Head of China Department |
| 2016 | Cabinet Office, Deputy Director, National Security Secretariat |
| 2013 -2015 | FCO, Head of Syria Unit |
| 2009-2013 | Canberra, Head of Foreign Policy Section |
| 2007-2009 | Tehran, First Secretary (Head of Political Section) |
| 2006 | Pre-posting training (including Farsi language training) |
| 2005-2006 | Cabinet Office, Middle East analyst |
| 2002-2005 | Beijing, Second Secretary (Press and Public Affairs) |
| 2000-2002 | Pre-posting training (including Chinese language training) |
| 1999 | Joined FCO |
The UK Armed Forces are working with allies to deliver joint exercises with African partners to protect our people, prosperity and shared values.
UK advisors guide partner forces in urban operations drills at Justified Accord, Kenya (Credit: U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa)
The UK Armed Forces have been one of the biggest contributors to two large-scale military exercises that are reaching their climax this week across the land and sea of East Africa. The United States is leading both exercises and has brought together over 2,000 personnel from the armed forces of 29 countries, including 22 African nations.
The UK is responsible for delivering component parts of these multinational
Statement highlighting UK Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds' convening of a ministerial roundtable to urgently address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
On 13 February, the UK Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds MP, convened Ministers and other representatives virtually from Canada, Egypt, EU, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, UAE and USA with the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher. The participants discussed how to urgently address the rapidly deteriorating
