theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
Michael Padfield
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-27)

Michael Padfield is the Director and Deputy Head of the Attorney General’s Office, appointed in May 2025. Prior to becoming Director, Michael was General Counsel in the Prime Minister’s Office in No10 Downing Street from Autumn 2023, where he advised on a wide range of domestic and international legal issues. Before that, Michael was Head of the Domestic Law Team in the Attorney General’s Office from December 2021, leading a team that covered all public law and criminal law advice to the Law Officers. Between 2014 and 2020, Michael worked as a lawyer in the Government Legal Department litigation division, HM Treasury, and the Home Office, before joining the AGO for the first time in 2020. Michael started his legal career in the City of London, qualifying into commercial litigation before moving to join what was then the Treasury Solicitor’s Department.

Michael Padfield is the Director and Deputy Head of the Attorney General’s Office, appointed in May 2025.

Prior to becoming Director, Michael was General Counsel in the Prime Minister’s Office in No10 Downing Street from Autumn 2023, where he advised on a wide range of domestic and international legal issues. Before that, Michael was Head of the Domestic Law Team in the Attorney General’s Office from December 2021, leading a team that covered all public law and criminal law advice to the Law Officers. Between 2014 and 2020, Michael worked as a lawyer in the Government Legal Department litigation division, HM Treasury, and the Home Office, before joining the AGO for the first time in 2020.

Michael started his legal career in the City of London, qualifying into commercial litigation before moving to join what was then the Treasury Solicitor’s Department.
Evaluation: Inspiration programme
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-10)

See an evaluation conducted into the UK Space Agency's Inspiration programme, commissioned in 2023.

During 2023-2025, the UK Space Agency’s Inspiration programme aimed to build and strengthen a diverse workforce to support the UK space sector’s growth and resilience. The programme consisted of a) Space to Inspire: engaging children, parents/carers and the public with space and STEM; b) Space to Learn: supporting teachers and students in contextualising STEM subjects and providing informal learning about space and careers and c) Skills for Space: supporting further/higher education students and the existing and prospective space sector workforce with accessible career opportunities.

During a 6-month fieldwork period (May 2024 to January 2025), the programme reached nearly 946,000 people through 1,942 activities aimed at engaging participants with space and STEM. Whilst it should be noted the sample was not representative of all participants, results suggested:

97% of participants in Inspiration programme activities had a positive experience;

84% showed interest in studying science; 60% were ‘quite’ or ‘very’ interested in pursuing a space career

82% of teachers reported more hands-on learning, motivating many of them to include more practical activities in their lessons and improving students’ skills.

97% of teachers reported they were likely to recommend UK Space Agency funded activities to other teachers

Over 80% of teachers reported improvements in pupils’ STEM skills and competencies.

Support from space sector role models increased participants’ confidence; 95% of teachers rated students’ engagement with role models as very positive.

79% of Space Placements in Industry interns rated their placement satisfaction as at least 8 out of 10, (with 32% rating their experience as 10/10).

Interns gained valuable technical and transferable skills; while industry hosts benefited from improved skills and positive impacts on their company’s reputation.

Overall, participants we engaged with reported the Inspiration programme increased interest, confidence, and awareness of space careers, laying the groundwork for a more diverse and skilled future workforce.
Trade and Cooperation Agreement Partnership Council Decision number 2 for 2025: Energy
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-20)

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Partnership Council oversees UK and EU implementation, application and interpretation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This document is the second decision of the TCA Partnership Council in 2025 and relates to energy.

- The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Partnership Council oversees UK and EU implementation, application and interpretation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This document is the second decision of the TCA Partnership Council in 2025 and relates to energy.
Achilles Information Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Achilles Information Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Achilles Information Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Armed Forces Charities
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
H Akter v Vanity Care Ltd: 6008559/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-03)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in H Akter v Vanity Care Ltd: 6008559/2024 - Partial Dismissal (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6903740ae2ebc0fb39a52008/Halima_Akter_v_Vanity_Care_Ltd_6008559.2024_-_Judgment.pdf).
Harwoods of Essex Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Harwoods of Essex Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Harwoods of Essex Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
- Reserve Forces Day
- Discounts
- Armed Forces Charities
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
The Pallett Network Ltd
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We The Pallett Network Ltd will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 The Pallett Network Ltd recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Veterans And Leavers
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
- UK Cadets
- Armed Forces Day
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Department for Business and Trade Greece
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-19)

DBT provides trade and investment services and practical support. We help UK companies succeed in Greece, and Greek companies set up and invest in the UK.

We offer expertise and contacts through our extensive network of specialists in the UK, and staff in the British Embassy in Greece.

Set up a business and invest in the UK

Discover investment opportunities and learn how your business can expand to the UK on Business.gov.uk (https://www.business.gov.uk/invest-in-uk/expand-your-business-in-the-uk/).

Buy from the UK

Find exceptional and creative UK trade partners with DBT’s Find a Supplier service on Business.gov.uk (https://www.business.gov.uk/invest-in-uk/buy-from-the-uk/).

Export to Greece from the UK

UK companies can increase their sales, growth and stability by selling to Greece.

On Business.gov.uk, DBT provides:
- an export guide to Greece (https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/markets/greece/)
- practical export advice (https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/learn/categories/)
- export opportunities (https://www.business.gov.uk/export-opportunities/)
- export finance and related guidance (https://www.business.gov.uk/get-finance/)
Export licensing and special rules for Greece

Information on products or services which require licences for supply outside of the UK (https://www.gov.uk/export-goods).
Miss E Gerezdi v Henry Richards Ltd: 2304916/2023
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-11)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Miss E Gerezdi v Henry Richards Ltd: 2304916/2023 - Dismissal (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6911da74bda892e068aa640c/Miss_E_Gerezdi_v_Henry_Richards_Ltd_2304916-2023_Withdrawal_Judgment.pdf).
Osborne Clarke LLP
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Osborne Clarke LLP will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Osborne Clarke LLP recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
HM Treasury and Financial Conduct Authority Regulatory Perimeter Meetings
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-11)

Record of the meeting between the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to discuss the FCA’s Perimeter Report

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) publishes an annual Perimeter Report setting out its views on the financial services regulatory perimeter, which defines the financial services activities that require firms to be authorised by the FCA.
National funding formula tables for schools and high needs: 2026 to 2027
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-19)

Tables showing provisional national funding formulae (NFF) allocations for the schools and central school services blocks from 2026 to 2027.

These tables are mainly for schools and local authorities. They cover the schools and central school services national funding formulae (NFF) allocations for 2026 to 2027 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-funding-formula-for-schools-and-high-needs-from-2025).

The ‘NFF summary table’ sets out the combined effect of the schools and central school services formulae at local authority level.

The ‘Impact of the schools NFF’ sets out notional school-level allocations for 2026 to 2027. But as local authorities continue to distribute funding to schools in their area, schools’ actual funding may be different to the amounts shown in these tables.

The ‘Impact of the central school services block NFF’ sets out local authority provisional central school services allocations for 2026 to 2027 and how we calculated them.

The technical notes explain how we calculated the local authority and school level allocations under the formulae.

Information on high needs funding allocations will be added to this page at a later date.

The spreadsheets on this page are not accessible because they use colour-coded cells. This means they do not meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/) success criterion 1.4.1 Use of Color (https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG21/#use-of-color). We are working to fix this by December 2026. If you cannot see colour, use the links to request accessible versions.
MTT01020 - Introduction: Background to Pillar Two
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-05)


Pillar Two has its origins in a 2013 OECD report entitled Addressing Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. Under a G20 mandate, it outlined 15 actions to be taken to address these issues. Action 1, Addressing the Tax Challenges of a Digital Economy, was elaborated in a 2015 paper.

In 2019, the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework announced plans to further develop a proposed two-pillar solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. Pillar 1 consists of a partial reallocation of taxing rights between territories, in order to adapt the international tax system to better reflect the modern global economy. Pillar Two consists of the implementation of a global minimum corporate tax rate.

In October 2021, the territories of the Inclusive Framework reached an agreement on Pillar Two to ensure that the largest MNEs will be subject to a minimum rate of tax, by enacting a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%.

On 20 December 2021, the OECD released the Pillar Two Model Rules, which set out how the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) and its backstop, the Undertaxed Profits Rule (UTPR), will operate. Further details were provided in the Commentary to the Model Rules which was published in early 2022.

Multinational Top-up Tax (MTT) implements the IIR in the UK. MTT, in implementing the IIR, seeks to reduce the incentive for the largest MNEs to shift profits to low- or no-tax territories, and to restrict harmful tax competition between territories. These aims will be achieved by applying a top-up charge where a MNE has an Effective Tax Rate (ETR) below the minimum of 15% in each territory in which they operate.

Example

The ABC Multinational group consists of three companies:
- A Ltd is the ultimate parent and is located in the UK.
- B Ltd is an intermediate parent and is located in Country Y, which has implemented Pillar Two, including an IIR.
- C Ltd is located in Country Z, which has no Pillar Two rules.
C Ltd has £100m profits in an accounting period, on which it pays tax at an effective rate of 13%. Under the Pillar Two rules, a top-up amount of up to £2m will be charged to bring it to the effective rate. This amount will be collected by the UK, through MTT, as the UK is the territory in which the ultimate parent is located.

If the UK had not implemented MTT, the amount would have instead been collected by Country Y, the territory of the intermediate parent.

If Country Z had implemented the Pillar Two rules, including a domestic minimum top-up tax, it would have been able to collect the top-up amount itself.
RFCA for Wales welcome 150 guests to annual briefing
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-23)

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales welcomed a packed house of 150 guests to its annual briefing.

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales welcomed a packed house of 150 guests to its annual briefing.

The keynote speaker was Major General (Retd) Stephen Potter QVRM TD VR who set the context of UK Defence in the light of the Strategic Defence Review 2025 and the MOD’s Defence Reform programme.

Major General Potter, a former Director Reserves in Army HQ, leads the External Scrutiny Team which report annually to the Defence Secretary on the state of the UK’s Reserve Forces.

The event at HMS CAMBRIA in Cardiff Bay on Thursday 16 October was attended by a diverse audience including members of the Armed Forces community, partner organisations, employers and key stakeholders.

Other speakers included Wing Commander Lee Matthews, Officer Commanding 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force who gave the reserve unit presentation.

Colonel Melanie Prangnell MBE, Commandant Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force, gave the cadet perspective. She was joined by Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Zuzanna Radkowska of Dyfed and Glamorgan ACF.

The reservist perspective was given by Able Seaman Jaroslav Klusevich of HMS CAMBRIA and Scott Milne Vice President and General Manager, General Dynamics Land Systems–UK gave the view from the employer.

There was also a special presentation made on behalf of the Ulysses Trust for the best university expedition in 2024 in recognition of a challenging self-sustained canoe trip made by a group of university reservists from Wales, Birmingham and Bristol to remote Sweden.

First RFCA for Wales chairman Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL and Chief Executive Colonel Dominic Morgan OBE gave an update on the past year and reflected on the achievements of the secretariat.

They detailed the outputs of RFCA for Wales’ key pillars of Cadets, Reserves, Estates and Engagement.

The event was compèred by television presenter Sian Lloyd.
Carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS): Ensuring fair access to CO2 infrastructure
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-28)

We are seeking views on the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011 to ensure fair access to CO2 pipelines and storage sites.

This consultation reviews the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011 to assess their effectiveness.

It is part of a wider effort to progress areas that could help the UK transition to a self-sustaining carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) market.

The questions in this consultation focus on how the Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Access to Infrastructure) Regulations 2011 may need to be amended to:
- reflect the policy environment CCUS now operates in
- support both the establishment of first-of-a-kind CCUS infrastructure and future development of the CCUS market
- support policy objectives for domestic and global emissions reduction
Read our consultation privacy notice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/desnz-consultations-privacy-notice/privacy-notice-relating-to-consultation-responses-received-by-desnz).
Future of farming in England
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-11)

How the government will deliver changes to agricultural policy and land management schemes in England.

Defra is looking for farmers, growers and land managers to join a user panel to help improve guidance and services on GOV.UK. Find out more information and how to take part in research sessions (https://defragroup.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b25JxhOFykUF9Lo).

The government is phasing out subsidies for land ownership and tenure, and improving the financial offer and services to farmers and land managers.

This page provides links to the latest agricultural policy changes and funding offers available.

Find out how the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) can work for you. Visit the:
- Farming for the future website (https://farming.campaign.gov.uk/)
- Defra farming blog (https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/)
IHTM06123 - Excepted settlements - general conditions
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-12)


For all relevant property trusts other than pilot trusts (IHTM06122 (https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm06122)), there are three general conditions that have to be met first before considering whether the occasion of charge is one that falls within the excepted settlement regulations. These conditions are that:
- from the commencement of the settlement until the date of charge (or earlier death), the settlor must be and remain UK domiciled for times before 6 April 2025 and, after then, be and remain long-term UK resident.
- the trustees of the settlement are resident in the UK throughout the existence of the settlement, and
- there are no related settlements.
If the settlement fails any one of these initial conditions, it cannot qualify as an excepted settlement.
Miss C Miles and others v SVL Healthcare Services Ltd (In Administration) and The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: 1403211/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-29)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Miss C Miles and others v SVL Healthcare Services Ltd (In Administration) and The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy: xx-xxxx-xxxx - Judgment (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d50db78c739d679fb1dd95/Miss_C_Miles___13_others_-vs-_SVL_Healthcare_Services_Ltd__In_Administration____1_other_-_Judgment.pdf).
OSCE Annual Progress Report on Gender Equality: UK statement, September 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-09-19)

Deputy Head of Mission James Ford recognises the OSCE's work in delivering important initiatives on Gender Equality during the reporting period.

Thank you, Secretary General Sinirlioğlu, for your presentation of the Annual Progress Report to the Permanent Council this afternoon.

Gender equality, empowering women in politics, and combatting all forms of violence against women and girls remain crucial to the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security and stability. We appreciate the continued efforts to promote gender equality across all three OSCE dimensions, and to ensure meaningful and safe participation in all aspects of peace processes and conflict resolution.

The UK recognises the challenges faced by the organisation in promoting gender equality during the 2024 reporting period. As mentioned in your foreword to the Report, we are currently facing a significant global rollback in the rights of women and girls, and an increase in misogyny and discrimination both online and offline. This trajectory threatens hard-won progress and must be reversed.

Amid the challenging global and regional context, the OSCE has delivered some important initiatives during this reporting period to promote gender equality. The UK warmly welcomes the WIN programme’s continued support to women’s leadership and gender responsive humanitarian actions in Ukraine. We strongly appreciate the OSCE’s key role in implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, including through support to the development of National Action Plans. We commend the OSCE Networking Platform for Women Leaders Including Peacebuilders and Mediators for the work in promoting women’s active participation in peace and security efforts. The UK strongly believes that the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women – in all their diversity, and at all levels of decision-making and leadership – leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes during and after conflicts.

I would like to underline the UK’s appreciation for Finland’s continued focus on gender equality this year – including through hosting the Chairpersonship Conference on Gender Equality in May – and to recognise Malta’s efforts as Chair-in-Office in 2024. We reiterate the importance of gender equality being fully mainstreamed into this organisation’s work.
Information on native mosquitoes
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-06)

The UK currently has 36 recorded species of mosquito. This page outlines information about these species, and how the nationwide mosquito survey monitors their distribution.

CCHS navigation menu: CCHS homepage (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-centre-for-climate-health-security)Topic: health impacts (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/health-impacts) Vector-borne disease: mosquitoes (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mosquitoes)Part of: learning about mosquitoes

Important resources for native mosquitoes:
- Information on native mosquitoes
- Nationwide mosquito survey (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nationwide-mosquito-survey)
- Native mosquitoes species profiles (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mosquitoes-species-profiles)
Summary

In the UK, there are 36 mosquito species. Of these, a handful of species are associated with nuisance biting reports, and a few species have been implicated as vectors for disease transmission in other countries, including West Nile Virus, and Usutu. Therefore, it is important for us to have an understanding of their distribution across the UK.

As a result of changes in climate, the distribution of our native species, along with their seasonality, may change, with species previously thought to occupy only the warmest regions, being found in more northerly areas. Many native species will exploit summer flooding, therefore, changes in rainfall may impact the distribution and seasonality of species, potentially opening up new locations for them to exploit.

UKHSA Medical Entomology run surveillance and research projects for native mosquitoes. More information can be found under the Monitoring and Surveillance section.

To help our research, submit a mosquito or a photo of a mosquito (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mosquitoes-how-to-report)
Product Safety Report: Gooway Angle Grinder (2508-0061)
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-31)

Product Safety Report for Gooway Angle Grinder presenting a high risk of fire.

Summary

Product: Gooway Angle Grinder

Hazard: The product presents a high risk of fire as there is insufficient creepage and clearance distances between internal circuits.

Corrective action: The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.

Product information

Hazard

The charger presents a high risk of fire as it has insufficient creepage and clearance distances and insulation. Under fault conditions, the charger could overheat and ignite, causing a fire. Additionally, the dimensions of the plug face did not prevent access to live parts, exposing an electric shock hazard. Improvements are required to marking, labelling and documentation.

The product does not meet the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.

Corrective action

The import has been rejcted at the border and destroyed.

Additional information

PSD notification number: 2508-0061

Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Waste exemptions form: multiple sites and linear networks
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-23)

Use this form to register the same waste exemptions at 30 or more sites, or to register exemptions along linear networks.

From 23 October 2025, there is a charge for multiple site and linear network registrations.

Read waste exemption charges (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/waste-exemption-charges) to find out what the charges are.

Use this form to register:

the same exemptions at 30 or more sites – known as multiple site registrations

exemptions along a linear network such as a railway, canal, river or road

Send the completed form to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Read the guidance on registering waste exemptions for multiple sites and along linear networks (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waste-exemptions-how-to-choose-register-and-pay/registration-rules-and-guidance).
Open general export licence export for repair/replacement under warranty: military goods
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-09)

Licence for the export of military goods which have been imported into the UK to be returned to the original country for repair or replacement.

This open general export licence (OGEL) allows, subject to certain conditions, the export of military goods which had been previously imported into the UK to be subsequently returned or exported to the original country for repair/replacement under warranty, provided they are to be returned to the UK after the repair/replacement. The goods can also be exported if they are being returned as unwanted goods.

Classified items

For classified goods you are likely to require Form 680 clearance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-form-680-procedure-guidance) if you are planning to use this OGEL.

Reporting requirements

This OGEL is subject to reporting requirements under the open licence returns (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-licence-returns) transparency initiative.

Revoked licences

The most recent revoked licences are available in the documents section.

You can find older revoked versions of the Open general export licence (export for repair/replacement under warranty: military goods) on the National Archives website (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/*https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-general-export-licence-export-for-repair-replacement-under-warranty-military-goods--7).

You can find older revoked versions of the Open general export licence (export for repair/replacement under warranty: military goods) from December 2019 on the National Archives website (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/*https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-general-export-licence-export-for-repairreplacement-under-warranty-military-goods-from-december-2019).
Ms M Nazir v Mr M U Shafiq: 6011350/2024
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-03)

Employment Tribunal decision.

Read the full decision in Ms M Nazir v Mr M U Shafiq: 6011350/2024 - Rule 22 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67bf0401750837d7604dbb84/Ms_M_Nazir_v_Mr_M_U_Shafiq_-_6011350_2024_-_Judgment.pdf).
DMK CARE & SUPPORT LTD
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We DMK CARE & SUPPORT LTD will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 DMK CARE & SUPPORT LTD recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
- UK Service Spouses And Partners
- Flexible Leave For Spouses
- UK Reservists
2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.
Amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (ESP Code) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea [TS No.49/2025]
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-26)

This treaty was presented to Parliament in August 2025.

Published title: Amendments to the International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (ESP Code) of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
Group A Streptococcus
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-21)

Information and guidance on group A streptococcal infections.

This group A Streptococcus collection also contains information on:
- infection and symptoms (#infection-and-symptoms)
- information for the public (#information-for-the-public)
Infection and symptoms

Group A Streptococcus (also known as GAS, group A strep, strep A, and Streptococcus pyogenes) is a bacterium which can colonise the throat, skin and anogenital tract. It is spread by close contact between individuals, through respiratory particles and direct skin contact. It can also be transmitted environmentally, for example through contact with contaminated objects, such as towels or bedding, or ingestion of food prepared by someone with the infection.

GAS causes a diverse range of skin, soft tissue and respiratory tract infections, including:
- tonsillitis
- pharyngitis
- scarlet fever (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scarlet-fever-guidance-and-data)
- impetigo (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/impetigo-guidance-data-and-analysis)
- erysipelas
- cellulitis
- pneumonia
Occasionally these infections can be extremely severe.

Scarlet fever is characterised by a rash, which usually accompanies a sore throat. Cases may also have a red and swollen tongue and flushed cheeks.

Invasive GAS (iGAS) is another infection caused by GAS, that is much rarer than scarlet fever. It occurs when GAS is isolated from a normally sterile body site, such as the blood.

Both iGAS and scarlet fever are notifiable diseases (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/notifications-of-infectious-diseases-noids); health professionals must inform local health protection teams (HPTs) of suspected cases.

Information for the public

Members of the public can seek advice about group A streptococcal infections from the following resources:
- NHS guidance on group A streptococcal infections (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a/)
- NHS guidance for parents of babies or toddlers who may be seriously ill (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/is-your-baby-or-toddler-seriously-ill/)
- NHS guidance on looking after sick children (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/health/looking-after-a-sick-child/)
- Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) statement on group A streptococcal infections and scarlet fever (https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/group-a-strep-scarlet-fever-joint-statement-rcpch-rcem-rcgp)
The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) updates for the public are also available on GOV.UK:
- UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-scarlet-fever-and-invasive-group-a-strep-1)
- Group A strep - What you need to know (https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2022/12/05/group-a-strep-what-you-need-to-know/)
South Africa: legal and prison systems
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-15)

Information on legal and detention systems, in South Africa, for British nationals abroad.

This guidance explains how to:
- arrange visits
- send money to a prisoner
- apply for a transfer to a UK prison
This information is not meant to be definitive, and is not a substitute for independent legal advice. Neither His Majesty’s Government nor its staff take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information, nor accept liability for any loss, costs, damage, or expense that you might suffer as a result of relying on the information. The information contained in this guide is general and factual. You should contact local lawyers for independent legal advice (https://find-a-professional-service-abroad.service.csd.fcdo.gov.uk/find?serviceType=lawyers).
Product Safety Report: HHMTAKA Table Lamp sold via Amazon (2504-0220)
Source: gov.uk (2025-05-01)

Product Safety Report for HHMTAKA Table Lamp presenting a high risk of fire.

Summary

Product: HHMTAKA Table Lamp sold via Amazon

Hazard: The product presents a high risk of fire due to lack of cord anchorage within the lamp.

Corrective action: The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.

Product information

Hazard

The product presents a high risk of fire due to the lack of cord anchorage. Over time, this will fail to prevent movement of the supply cord, leading to strain being placed on the components and connections. Internal wires may detach and cause a short circuit/overheating, leading to a fire.

The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.

Corrective action

The import has been rejected at the border and destroyed.

Additional information

PSD number: 2504-0220

Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Monthly entry clearance visa applications: January 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-13)

Statistics on visa applications for people coming to the UK for work and study.

These statistics will be updated on a monthly ongoing basis whilst we review the user need for monthly updates. The quarterly Immigration system statistics (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release) provide detailed information on visa applications and outcomes.
Household Energy Efficiency Statistics, headline release March 2025
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-27)

Household Energy Efficiency Statistics, headline release (March 2025).

This release includes measures installed under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Green Deal schemes. It also includes further analysis and geographical breakdowns of ECO measures, ECO delivery costs, estimated carbon and energy savings from measures installed and the supply chain. These statistics are provisional and are subject to future revisions.

For further information or questions about these statistics, email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).