This is the highest number of fully funded scholarships given for the one-year master’s programme to date.

HSBC, Pearson India, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Sons and Duolingo are supporting this special initiative to celebrate India’s 75th year of independence. The programmes on offer include Chevening scholarships for a one-year master’s programme, with the opportunity to study any subject at any recognised UK university. Further to this, the British Council in India is offering at least 18 scholarships for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – covering over 12,000 courses across more than 150 UK universities. Along with these, the British Council is also offering six English scholarships.

The announcement comes as British and Indian leaders from international business and government gather in London for the India Global Forum.

Speaking at the India Global Forum, Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said:

In India’s 75th year, this is a great milestone together. Thanks to the exceptional support from our partners in industry, I am delighted to announce 75 scholarships for Indian students to experience the best of the UK. Nearly 30% of Chevening scholars in India come from smaller cities or are first generation students, making this an increasingly diverse programme

Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC, said:

We’re delighted to partner with Chevening for the ‘Chevening HSBC Scholarship’ programme. Our objective is to encourage young people with potential to become leaders and decision makers in their fields by leveraging the world class educational facilities offered under this programme. As a British bank with a significant lineage and legacy in India, we believe we have a meaningful role to play in developing leadership talent in the country.

During his recent visit to India, Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the ‘India/UK Together’ programme, promoting the rich cultural ties between both countries. Education is one of the mainstays of the living bridge between the UK and India that connects our people through common values and affinities. Nearly 108,000 study visas were issued to Indian nationals in the year ending March 2022, almost double the number compared to the previous year.

Further information

HSBC India will sponsor 15 scholarships, Pearson India will sponsor two, Hindustan Unilever, Tata Sons and Duolingo will sponsor one each as part of the 75 scholarships.

Chevening is the UK Government’s international awards scheme offered in 150 countries, aimed at developing global leaders since 1983. India’s Chevening programme is the largest in the world with over 3500 alumni.

The fully funded scholarship includes tuition, living expenses and travel cost for a one-year-postgraduate programme. A minimum of two years’ work experience is required for candidates to be eligible for the award.

Further details, including on how to apply, can be found on the Chevening website.

For media queries, please contact:

Media queries: BHCMediaDelhi@fco.gov.uk

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Section 50 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 amends section 22 and paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, to ensure that where criminal damage is caused to a memorial the case can be heard in either the magistrates’ court or the Crown Court, such that the courts can sentence appropriately and issue penalties that reflect the true level of harm and culpability, thereby addressing the concern around the current limits on mode of trial and sentencing.

The provision comes into effect on 28 June 2022 and will not be retrospective and will extend to England and Wales only.

This circular provides information on this provision and on other amendments to criminal offences.

Related link

Circular 005/2022: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

The UK government has today (Wednesday 29 June) announced new sanctions, hitting Putin’s inner circle.

Amongst those sanctioned is Vladimir Potanin – Russia’s second richest man and owner of major conglomerate Interros. Potanin continues to amass wealth as he supports Putin’s regime, acquiring Rosbank, and shares in Tinkoff Bank in the period since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Anna Tsivileva, Putin’s first cousin one removed and President of the prominent Russian coal mining company, JSC Kolmar Group, has also been sanctioned. Tsivileva’s husband Sergey Tsivilev is Governor of the coal rich Kemerovo region and the couple have significantly benefitted from their relationship to Putin. JSC Kolmar Group is also being sanctioned today.

A government spokesperson said:

As long as Putin continues his abhorrent assault on Ukraine, we will use sanctions to weaken the Russian war machine. Today’s sanctions show that nothing and no one is off the table, including Putin’s inner circle.

The UK government is also sanctioning a group of Russian individuals and companies for their involvement in repressing civilians and supporting the Assad regime in Syria – exposing Russia’s malign activity across the globe.

The UK government is also acting alongside international allies to introduce new measures that will prevent Russia from accessing UK trusts services. These services, which allow a person or business to manage the assets of another, are another major element of the UK’s world-class financial services sector that Russia will no longer be able to use.

Throughout Putin’s war of choice, international partners have stood side by side with Ukraine and used sanctions to punish his abhorrent invasion and Governments and businesses alike are turning their backs on Russia. The UK has sanctioned more than 1,000 people and over 120 businesses since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and three quarters of foreign companies have reduced operations in Russia – nearly a quarter of which have completely withdrawn.

Russian imports have dropped over 40% since the invasion and stockpiles of vital imported manufacturing components are likely to be depleted in the next three to six months.

Car production is also down by 60% and Russia’s own Transport Minister has admitted that Russia’s logistical infrastructure is now “broken” as a result of sanctions.

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

Transport sanctions

Recently introduced powers make it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to fly or land in the UK, and give the government powers to remove aircraft belonging to designated Russian individuals and entities from the UK aircraft register, even if the sanctioned individual is not on board. Russian ships are also banned from UK ports.

A man who fled to Dubai after he was found guilty of an immigration advice scam has been imprisoned on his return to the UK.

Babbar Ali Jamal, a director at DDR Legal Services LLP, was one of three people found guilty of providing unqualified immigration advice and/or services at the Old Bailey in April 2020 following a two-year investigation by the OISC which revealed fees in excess of £2.5m was generated .

Two of the defendants were sentenced last year at the Old Bailey Unregulated immigration advice earns Directors £17,000 fine – GOV.UK but Mr Jamal left the country even though he was bailed to attend court and in his absence was given a £10,000 fine.

In June 2022, having returned to the UK from Dubai, he gave himself up to the authorities.

At the original sentencing in January 2021, Judge Munro QC said:

“The consequential loss and the impact on the complainants is far-reaching and in some cases devastating.”

One victim had to leave the UK permanently; another paid £7000 in expenses to contest a failed application; others had to travel to Shanghai or Bangkok to submit applications which were bound to be rejected; and a couple who travelled for work were unable to leave the UK for two years while their documentation was sorted out.

Mr Jamal was last week sentenced at the Old Bailey to 20 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs for failing to surrender to bail. Judge Munro QC concluded that by absconding Mr Jamal had caused substantial interference with the administration of justice. He enjoyed a good quality of life with his family in Dubai while making no attempt to make payments towards the £10,000 fine imposed.

John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner said: “Mr Jamal showed a total defiance of the law. This has been reflected in the sentence, and I hope this serves as a reminder to those who might otherwise choose this path.”

Burlow and Spencer Ltd subsequently ceased trading in 2019.

Notes to Editors

The OISC is an independent public body, established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to regulate the provision of immigration advice and services in the UK.

Media queries to the OISC via communications@oisc.gov.uk.

The refreshed Sellafield Story exhibition at the Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, will offer visitors an exclusive virtual tour of the iconic nuclear site when it opens in July.

Housed in a 300-degree immersive cinema, the tour includes exclusive footage captured across the site and inside some of Sellafield’s nuclear facilities.

Sellafield Ltd director of communications and stakeholder engagement, Kate Stinton, said:

With the original exhibition we wanted to bring Sellafield into the local community, explaining what we do and showcasing the people who do the work. With this update we’ve been able to add an element of taking people behind our security fences, albeit virtually.

The updated exhibition also includes a photography timeline that shows how the nuclear site has evolved over the last 75 years, as well as how our communities have developed alongside the site. People will also be able to submit their own photographs to feature in the timeline.

Other features include hands on games, new early-years activities, and introduces three new central characters – proton, neutron, and electron – collectively known as the Atom Squad.

The collaboration with Copeland Borough Council and the Beacon Museum team is part of our Social Impact Multiplied programme.

Sellafield Ltd’s head of community and development, Gary McKeating, said:

Our partnership with Copeland Borough Council at the Beacon Museum is another example of the power of delivering social impact through collaboration with community partners.

Social Impact Multiplied is part of Sellafield Ltd’s wider sustainability programme and so I am particularly proud that in refreshing the exhibition the team minimised the waste created, recycling 60% of the original wall display materials.

Speaking on behalf of the museum, customer and visitor experience manager, Heather Holmes, said:

This updated exhibition is a fantastic addition to a day out at the Beacon Museum.

I think our visitors are going to love the immersive nature of the film, and all the other interactive elements – it’s a great way to have fun and learn about the industry at the same time.

There are some fascinating old photographs from the community too, and many people will be delighted to learn the ever-popular building block area still remains. I’d fully recommend heading to the Beacon to see what’s new.

The Sellafield Story will be open to the public as part of the wider Beacon Museum experience from Tuesday 5 July.